OVERVIEW: The opening event at Melton is a maiden, but there are plenty of smart horses early in their careers, making this a competitive race. MYDEEPESTDESIRE (4) has had three career starts, drawing poor barriers each time and enduring three very tough runs in narrow defeat. He clearly has ability, is tough and shouldn’t remain a maiden for long. PET WOLF (3) is another impressive, lightly raced horse. He has had four starts since December 2025 and has yet to miss a place. He has good gate speed and is likely to find the fence first here. EVA EXPRESS (2) is having her second career start. On debut, she finished fourth after flashing home nicely when popping out from a three-back-the-fence position. She should improve with the experience and added fitness. MYSTIC MOTIVER (9) covered an extra 41 metres while racing wide last start and was still rattling home late to finish second. She looks like a smart type and has been unlucky not to break through for her maiden victory.

BACK: MYDEEPESTDESIRE (4) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: FREAK OUT (9) is a consistent, experienced horse who rarely puts in a bad run. He can make his own luck, although he sometimes seems to lack the high speed needed late when surrounded by swoopers. He is a nice horse with a good barrier here, allowing him to follow through early and find a handy position. FAKE CULLECTION (5) is fourth-up here and should be approaching peak fitness. She got too far back last start to win, but she let down nicely and looked determined. If she can map well, she will be a threat late. BETTOR DOO (8) is a former Mildura horse who recently moved to Bendigo trainer Brent Curran. He has had two starts since the change of scenery, finishing fourth before scoring a last-start win at Shepparton, where he did it tough but was simply too good. This is his first look at Melton. He will need luck from the barrier, but he is a smart horse. BETA THAN LOVE (1) has been racing well and has the gate speed and the ideal barrier to get every chance here.

OVERVIEW: CATCH THE CAPTAIN (1) is an exciting first starter. He is closely related to Catch A Wave and Yambukian and is trained by Andy Gath, who knows the family well. He won a recent Melton trial, running home in 27.5 seconds, although the first two quarters were slow. We will learn more about him here, but he has plenty in his favour. ASHANTE WARRIOR (7) was first-up for Alex Ashwood last start. He worked forward, found the lead and broke through for his maiden victory. This is a step up in class, and he has a tough barrier to overcome. YANKEE GAMBLER (5) is a tough horse who can, and often does, make his own luck. However, he is first-up since February, which could leave him vulnerable here. STAY FOOLISH (3) is a former New South Wales horse having his first start here for Paul Tonkin, who does a great job with his team. Expect improvement with the change of scenery.

BACK: CATCH THE CAPTAIN (1) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: BELLA LOUISE (7) has been really good at her past two starts. Two starts ago, she led and won at Ballarat, while last start she was even more impressive despite finishing second. She flashed home from last and was narrowly beaten at Kilmore. Barrier seven is not ideal, but she is racing well. EL LAZZAR (3) recently gave Lochie Cook his first winner as a trainer when he let down nicely at Cranbourne two starts ago. Last start, he flashed home again but was simply too far back. If he is close enough here, his great turn of foot makes him a threat. MUSELET (5) is racing well enough and, if he can map favourably, he should be in the finish. FIVE CENT (2) was impressive last start at Maryborough, doing all the work in the breeze and fighting on well for third. Barrier is suitable, noting GIDGETT KAY (1) is EOD so FIVE CENT (2) comes out of barrier one.

OVERVIEW: What a terrific field this is for the Scotch Notch 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings event. NSW Trotters Derby winner PASTOR DUNBAR (6) returns and is one of the most exciting young trotters in the country. He is fast, tough and versatile. Fitness could be the query first-up. Recent Group 1 Vicbred Super Series winner HOWDY MATE (8) will have to navigate an awkward barrier, but if he gets clear running late, he will be flashing home. KYVALLEY RAY (7) is a multiple Group 1 winner who has claimed feature events in Australia and New Zealand. He was dominant in his last-start victory in the Group 1 Need For Speed Final. My only concern is his ability to trot safely throughout. Driver John Caldow suggested in his post-race interview after that win that, although Kyvalley Ray was outstanding, he did not feel the horse was safely in a trot. He is not my top selection here because he comes with that risk. THE PREACHER (5) is a very talented, high-speed horse. He was caught wide last start and did not appear to be at his best. However, if he gets a good run here, he will be flying home late.

BACK: PASTOR DUNBAR (6) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This is a great edition of the Aldebaran Park Graeme Lang Memorial for the two-year-old trotting fillies. KYVALLEY DIXON (7) won the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final three starts ago and has been good in defeat at her past two starts. She will need to make her own luck from the barrier, but she has the class to be competitive. ZIPPIN PAST (6) is a high-speed trotter with great gate speed. She has the option to head forward early, but if she is saved for one run, she could be flashing home late. Andy Gath has two talented young trotters engaged in SNOWIN (5) and MAJARO GIRL (9). SNOWIN (5) is a very well-bred daughter of Bold Eagle who raced away to break through for her maiden victory at Ballarat last start, at just her third start. She is improving with every run. MAJARO GIRL (9) is an exciting young trotter who recently won a Vicbred Super Series heat. She has brilliant speed but can get it wrong with her manners. She has had a long campaign but is still racing well and is a major winning chance here. It is worth noting that main stable driver Kate Gath has opted to drive MAJARO GIRL (9) over stablemate SNOWIN (5).

OVERVIEW: BUNGY (3) is an interesting horse. I black-booked him as an exciting horse to follow after his first few starts. At times, he has failed to live up to that early promise, but the ability is there. Last start at Kilmore, he was held up late but absolutely flew home to finish third. TOMBEUR (2) has had one career start, producing a tough win at Cranbourne early this month. He had to do the work but was still too good. He should improve with the experience gained from that run. MY MARIONETTE (6) has nice ability when at her best. Her maiden victory last year was eye-catching, particularly the way she let down. She has continued to perform well since without winning and will need luck from the barrier. James Herbertson picks up the drive, but he knows her well, having steered her to victory in her maiden win. TRICODE (7) has the best sectional times in this field, but it will be tough for him from the barrier.

OVERVIEW: Another terrific field has been assembled for the Aldebaran Park Gavin Lang Memorial for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. REGAL GALA (5) was the last-start winner of the Mick Clover Redwood Prelude. He has brilliant gate speed, perfect manners and plenty of toughness. He looks likely to find the front here and will be hard to beat. PHOENIX REX (6) produced one of the best wins I have seen from a young trotter in my career when taking out the Group 2 QBRED 2YO Trotting Final at Albion Park on August 22. He was inconvenienced early, with driver Ryan Sanderson nearly being tipped out, but he recovered, caught the field and proved too good late. His runs since have been a little unlucky, although he has still been slightly below his best. If he brings his best, he is one of the top young trotters in the country. INSULATOR (4) is a smart young trotter who looks to have an exciting future. He recently won a Vicbred Super Series heat, defeating several horses engaged here. He is good enough to be a winning chance but may need some luck. ORLANDO VEYRON (3) was eye-catching when storming home to finish third in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final two starts ago behind Verbici and Regal Gala. Last start, he travelled to Sydney for a feature race but made a mistake with his manners. He is a very fast trotter if he gets the right run. I also would not be surprised to see an improved performance from LUXALICIOUS (2), who was good on debut last start when finishing third at Menangle behind Verbici.

BACK: REGAL GALA (5) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This is an interesting maiden with mixed form and several first starters. GATSBY (2) has the best sectional times in this event. Last start, he let down nicely in a race won by Casterton, who looks to be a smart prospect. He has gate speed, and barrier two is ideal, although there are question marks over how quickly the horse inside him, VALLA CHEVAL (1), will begin. DIAMOND AURORA (5) is a well-bred colt from a Christian Cullen mare and by Bettors Delight, a promising pedigree cross. He has won his past two trials, including a victory at this track, and looks well placed. His stablemate SIR KITT (6) also looks well placed in this event. He has had two career starts and showed improvement to win last start behind Hoso Magic after flashing home late. Expect further improvement here. MY ROCKING HORSE (3) is an interesting filly whose ability is difficult to assess against this field. She has recently been racing in top-age-group races against superstar fillies such as Kahula, but has often been at the back of the field. Her performances outside those top-age-group races have been very good, and she should appreciate the company here.