OVERVIEW: Plenty of hopes to kick-off the night of racing at Melton, but FREAK OUT (9) looks to find a suitable assignment in what is a slight drop in grade from recent outings. He was only beaten 14.7m in a slick 1:54.7 mile rate last time behind Foregone Conclusion and had similar margins in two runs before that after winning from the front in a 41-45 ratings event at Melton. This is an easier 0-41 clash and he should run well from nine. The Glenn Bull runners FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (8), who draws for a good trip behind speedy beginner OHHEMMJAY CRESCO (1), and SHEZABLUECHIP (3), who has been brave despite tough trips her past couple, look good chances, while GOODTIME MAE (6) is among a host of others that wouldn’t surprise with the right trip. Tough start!

OVERVIEW: Another race where you can make a case for quite a few, but siding with KYVALLEY MICHAEL (9) from the back row. He looks to be the horse contesting the best races of late, and he has been very competitive in doing so. He had no real chance last weekend when settling at the tail in a race won by leader Vici Bloom, but before that sat parked and only went down 4.6m to Sky Flair, who has won again since. That was in a 0-75 ratings race, and this is a drop back to a 56-64 event. The in-form DISTANT SUN (7) is a good chance despite the wide gate. He was a big winner two starts back for Blake Pace when unleashing a great turn of foot to run down Ox Knox at Kilmore, and was very brave when second to SEBASTIANS WAITING (8) at the same track when bringing up the running line from near the tail on August 6. The latter ruined his chances of back-to-back wins when galloping early last start but was only beaten 11.2m and is a handy type, while SCAR (4) might be a chance to get down to the fence and perhaps heads the rest of the winning chances.

BACK: KYVALLEY MICHAEL (9) – 1 unit (win)

OVERVIEW: Such a hard race to map over the 1200m, but PISTOL PEARCE (5) might have the early toe to cross at the start and from there would take a lot of beating across a distance where the fence is gold. He’s certainly no superstar, but he did lead and win here at Melton last time out and also at Geelong in a slick last half on June 19. BULLETPROOF KID (2) has been runner-up his past three and looks a logical danger, while HITCH TO HIS STAR (9) and HITTHEROADJACK (8) are probably the class factors but have awkward draws to navigate. Both have good form around nice horses at Melton on a Saturday night and can certainly win if the tempo is frantic up top, as can HIGHLANDHARTBREAKA (7).

OVERVIEW: MISS MUSCLE (5) is a two-year-old trotter up against mostly older horses, but looks fairly smart and might be able to add a second career win to her resume. She won in good style at Melton two starts back and then chased home the very handy Phoenix Rex for third after that, getting close to Regal Gala who has won since. THE CHOOK (1) draws for a nice trip, and while disappointing as favourite last time out at Kilmore, has run some good races prior and looks a threat. SHES SKY HIGH (8) should lob a nice spot on the fence and is dropping back in grade a shade, while DREAMS OF LOVE (2) looks a chance of crossing down to the fence where she would run a good race second-up from a break. HOLD THAT MAGIC (9) has trialled okay since her last run and is one to factor in for wider exotics, and while two-year-old MAJARO GIRL (3) might start well in the market, I haven’t been overly taken by her two runs for the Andy Gath yard.

BACK: MISS MUSCLE (5) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Looks plenty of speed off the front line here and it won’t be easy for THE FINAL DANCE (1), but he has started odds-on in all four runs since joining the Emma Stewart stable and won two of them in good style. The defeats had excuses, including last time over 1200m when he was crossed at the start and had to do work. He still closed well and was only beaten 5.4m by the handy Insider Trading. He’s no moral, but from the draw he goes on top. FIRE MARSHALL (10) hasn’t been seen at the trials since his last run on June 13, which was a brave death-seat fourth to the seasoned Clymenus. This followed a number of nice efforts on Saturday nights at Melton and he’s certainly a contender first-up from a freshen. TIVOLI (8) should get a nice run in behind THE FINAL DANCE (1) and is very capable in this grade, while MONTANA PRIDE (9) chased down ISTHISTHEREALLIFE (7) on August 3 and then wasn’t beaten far last time out behind Pistol Pearce. Those two are also contenders in a race where you can make a case for plenty of runners.

OVERVIEW: LENARD ESS (1) is a veteran of 195 career starts and loves the peg-line runs, which he will get here. He hasn’t done much his last couple when off the fence, but did run a nice second to the handy The Last Trip at Geelong recently and should give this a real shake from barrier one if he can do enough to boot up and perhaps take a sit on fast beginner SPUN SILVER (5). MISS PIGGY WIGGY (9) closed off okay from the rear in the race won by SPUN SILVER (5) at Melton last week and can improve on that with a different race shape over the 2240m, WOODLEA DIEGO (2) is another of the quick starters off the front line and is a winning factor, while the grey SPUN SILVER (5) is probably better suited over the shorter trips, but is flying at the moment and will give herself a chance if she can again find her favourite spot out in front.

OVERVIEW: LITTLE MISS MORGAN (2) has trialled really nicely at Cobram since her fourth placing here at Melton on August 7 when she made an early break but still did a great job to only be beaten 14.5m. She was only nabbed in the shadows of the post by the in-form Spirited Lass prior to that and her first-up win during July was very good. While her manners are always a concern, a faultless display will have her hard to beat, particularly if she finds the front. Great to see the return of last season’s Victorian 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year HARPERSEVEN (6), who heads into her first run as a three-year-old on the back of three trials. She won the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series final last season and must be respected in this grade. MET WITH A SHRUG (1) is going great guns for Team Murphy and chased well for second behind the smart The Preacher last time, while KEAYANG MINNESOTA (8) is two from two this campaign and is the other key winning hope alongside the unbeaten LORD LOGAN (3), who has been so impressive despite death seat trips in two wins to start his career.

BACK: LITTLE MISS MORGAN (2) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: FANTASY FLIGHT (8) was $1.10 favourite last time at Kilmore when he galloped early and ruined his chances at the start. Nothing went right there and we should go off his prior first-up run when he found the front, gave a great kick and was only nailed late by Bay Of Fires in good time. There was a huge margin back to third and he looks ready to break his maiden at the eighth time of asking. SWEETSUGARCANDYMAN (1) was super at the trials last time out when coming from a mile back to win at Melton and looks a good chance on debut, SWEET FLORABEL (5) beat the aforementioned rival home when second at her only trial appearance on August 4 and is another that steps out on debut, while BETTER THEN DAICOS (3) showed gate speed to lead last time at Shepparton, and despite dropping out there was well fancied in the market and is best of the rest alongside ARRIVAL TIME (6).

BACK: FANTASY FLIGHT (8) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: DONNYOSKO (4) is the most experienced horse in this field of two-year-old trotters and she’s shown enough ability in her five starts to suggest she’s capable of winning a maiden this season. She broke when in a striking position during a recent trial at Maryborough, but her first-up run when fourth at the same track on August 3 was serviceable and her efforts before a spell earlier in the year were sound. SNOWIN (3) chased home race winner Rose All Day to only be beaten 4m in a trial at Kilmore and steps out on debut for the powerhouse Andy Gath yard, no vision was available for KYVALLEY DRIFTER’s (1) trial at Melton on August 11 but she won that and also hails from a strong trotting stable, while LUSTROUS (5) has been okay in a couple of trial hit-outs ahead of his debut. A race where we will learn a bit!

10-UNIT GAME PLAN

R2 #9 KYVALLEY MICHAEL – 1 unit (win)

R4 #5 MISS MUSCLE – 3 units (win)

R7 #2 LITTLE MISS MORGAN – 3 units (win)

R8 #8 FANTASY FLIGHT – 3 units (win)

EARLY QUADDIE

2,3,4,5,6,8,9/4,7,8,9/2,5,7,8,9/5

QUADDIE

1,3,8,9,10/1,2,5,9/1,2,6,8/8