OVERVIEW: LEAP TO FAME (6) makes his third appearance at Melton in as many weeks and will be looking for some redemption after his surprise defeat behind BULLETPROOF BOY (4) in the Smoken Up Sprint and his third in the Victoria Cup. He never really travelled well after commencing from the inside of the second line last week but he did show all of his champion qualities to keep battling on bravely after enduring the toughest run of the race. He is Australasia’s champion pacer and there is an excellent chance he will be returning to winning form here. BULLETPROOF BOY (4) caused the upset two weeks ago when he sprinted home fast from three back on the inside. He couldn’t work into the race from a poor draw in the Victoria Cup and should go well under these conditions. CATCH A WAVE (5) trailed the leader from the pole position and failed to run on as expected in the Victoria Cup. He won comfortably prior and is worth another chance. RAKAJED (1) is drawn to suit his racing pattern and is worth thought in multiple combinations. 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 1,2,4,5

RATINGS: 6/ 4,5/ 1/ 2,3

OVERVIEW: IMA TERMINATOR (9) was driven aggressively in the early stages but couldn’t find the lead and ended up enduring a tough trip when a brave third behind Shades of Miki at his latest attempt. He was a big winner when he was resuming from a break on September 19 and he appears to be well placed against this line up. LOU WILL (1) was beaten narrowly under similar conditions two starts ago and had little luck from a wide draw last week so he must be considered as one of the leading chances. WILD BULL (3) worked very hard to find the lead with a lap remaining and went down fighting when third at Terang on Monday. He is nicely drawn and is not without a chance. AMPHIJET (8) is a value hope from his trailing draw behind LOU WILL (1). OLLIES THE BOSS (2), ATA RANGI (6) and STRAPPING RED (7) all have claims in an open betting event.

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,2,5,6,7

RATINGS: 9/ 1/ 2,3,8/ 6,7

OVERVIEW: MAORIS MAC (4) has been racing against much stronger opposition with her last three attempts being behind the top trotters I’m Bobby, Jilliby Ballerini and Keayang Zahara! She defeated another quality trotter in Violet Stanford at a Melton victory on August 02 so she appears to be very well placed in this event. IMPERIAL COMMAND (6) is likely to utilize his brilliant gate speed to find the lead and is racing extremely well so he should take catching. He attempted to lead throughout and fought back hard once headed at his latest narrow second. VALTINO (9) ran a good race when second behind Gatesys Gem at his latest appearance. He was confidently supported and sprinted quickly from last when an eye-catching fourth prior so he is getting close to a win against this class. RUBYS DREAM (3) is much better drawn than her first up eighth and has claims along with LITTLE YANKEE (5).

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 1,2,3

RATINGS: 4,6/ 9/ 3,5/ 8/ 1,2/ 7

OVERVIEW: SWEET IDEAL (9) is an extremely talented mare, which has won eight of her fifteen starts to date. She finished off hard when a big winner at Melton last outing and will prove hard to beat despite being first up since July. UNIQUELY IDEAL (5) is resuming since a Sydney trip in February, which yielded a win at Menangle and two fourth placed efforts. She was extremely impressive in a runaway trial success at Melton recently and will be ready for a big first up display. PET KITTY (2) is facing a steep rise in class on her past two victories but she is a fast beginner and she is drawn to obtain a prominent position so she should receive every chance. THE BRIDE (3) missed out in a heat of the Victoria Oaks on her Victorian debut but she has won a trial at Shepparton in fast time since so she is not to be underestimated.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,5

RATINGS: 5,9/ 2/ 3/ 4,8

OVERVIEW: MISTER BLINDSIDE (7) has a few quirks but he is very good when he is able to put it altogether and should prove hard to beat. He led throughout for a comfortable victory in a slick mile rate of 1.57.5 when he was resuming since April. KYVALEYHONEYBUNNY (2) didn’t have much luck and produced a very handy performance when she finished third behind Aldebaran Brooke at Geelong last week. She is a speedy beginner and appears to be well placed against this class so she must be included amongst the leading chances. CALL ME JACK (3) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and was confidently supported when a handy finishing third behind MISTER BLINDSIDE (7) at his latest appearance. This race is no harder and he is worth thought again. MITCHELL WRAP (9) is resuming since a second behind Dichotomy in June. He hasn’t been to the trials but will be very competitive if he is somewhere near his peak form. MAJESTIC TOOTH (1) is drawn to receive an economical run on the markers and is not without a chance.

EARLY SPEED: 7 (likely leader), 1,2

RATINGS: 7/ 2/ 3,9/ 1

OVERVIEW: WILLOWS GIRL (1) is resuming since a sixth in the Nutrien Classic at Melton in April but she was very impressive at a recent Maryborough trial victory in fast time and is perfectly drawn so a bold showing is expected first up. CYCLONE JENNI (7) produced a big finale to win the Youthful Stakes at her debut performance. She has been beaten but far from disgraced at her past two Cranbourne efforts and is worth a ticket each way. DELIZIOSO (8) was resuming since her victory in the Nutrien Classic when a narrow second behind STAR TO FALL (6) at Wagga. She has the perfect trailing draw behind WILLOWS GIRL (1) so she must be rated highly. PRE EMINANT (2) defeated River Storm (won since) in a convincing Kilmore victory last outing and warrants respect. MY BETTOR HALF (3) is an Emma Stewart trained debutante, which won a trial at Melton recently and is not without a chance.

EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,4

RATINGS: 1/ 2,7,8/ 3/ 6

OVERVIEW: MY UNCLE STAN (5) will appreciate a significant drop back in class for this assignment and should be getting fitter after his three starts back from a break so he should prove hard to beat. He has been asked to use energy at the start from the pole position at his past two attempts and might appreciate having a bit more open space this evening. VEE EM GEE MACRAY (1) has dropped down into a workable grade and will appreciate her best draw for some time so she can improve on her numerical form. DAY TWO (8) is resuming since a third at Kilmore on August 14 behind I’ll Be Gone in a mile rate of 1.55.8. He hasn’t been to the trials but he has a nice trailing draw and has the ability to test this field when at his peak. EMILY VINCENT (6) and PESCI (7) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3

RATINGS: 5/ 1,8/ 6,7/ 2,3/ 4

OVERVIEW: CALEXICO (2) is an underrated 3yo pacer, which should run his usual honest race. He is versatile and there are several fast beginners drawn on the front line, which could be an advantage to him. He endured a tough run when third behind MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6) two starts ago then had little luck from a wide draw in a heat of the Victoria Derby. PERUN (3) would also benefit with a genuine early tempo. He finished off well when second behind Kiss two starts ago then competed in the open class event won by Code Bailey last week. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6) attempted to lead throughout when second in a heat of the Victoria Derby then followed inside runs throughout when sixth in the Final. He tends to perform best when in front and he may not be able to head off STORMRYDER (5) at the start but he is racing too well to dismiss. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (7) is another brilliant beginner that is racing in great form but it is a very tricky draw this evening.

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 2,6,7

RATINGS: 2/ 3,6/ 7/ 5/ 8/ 1,4

OVERVIEW: HEZA PUNK ROCKER (7) appeared to be a good thing beaten when a narrow second at his first run since June then was taken up to Sydney for his latest third in a slick mile of 1.50.5. He is poorly drawn but is a proven Group 1 winner and is ready to break through for a win. PICK UP ELVIS (6) was able to string together six straight victories prior to finishing unplaced in a heat of the Victoria Derby. He is a promising 3yo pacer and looms as one of the leading chances. TWISTING BY (8) was resuming since the Queensland Winter Carnival when he finished off quickly in slick final fractions for a game second behind No Notthebuttons. He is a very speedy pacer and will take holding out in the run to the finish. ROWDY CHRISTIAN (2) and HEZASWEETIE (5) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,6,7

RATINGS: 7/ 6,8/ 5/ 2