Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for tonight’s card at Melton.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: This is a very even contest to open the night. BINALONG MATE (9) is a lightly raced gelding having his sixth career start since debuting in December 2025. He ended his last preparation with a win at Cranbourne after racing in the breeze and is likely to have improved again. Fitness is the query first up. MAXBECA (1) is second up and should improve with that first up fourth at Kilmore where he hit the line well from last. The ace barrier is a positive. COOL STORY (4) is racing in very good form on paper, with two wins and a second from four starts this year. He continues to progress and should run well again. BELLA LOUISE (3) has the best sectional times in this field despite not winning since January. She will need the race to map kindly with gate speed drawn around her.
SELECTIONS: BINALONG MATE (9), MAXBECA (1), COOL STORY (4), BELLA LOUISE (3)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: PRECIOUS BELLE (9) has been racing in excellent form. Two starts ago she won at this track with a strong late run, and last start she sustained a move from the 500m at Cranbourne to finish second. She is a sit sprinter and is well suited from barrier nine. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (7) is racing better than his form reads. Last start he was held up until it was too late but was finishing off nicely. The barrier is awkward. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (3) steps out for his 200th start and comes in full of confidence, having won three of his past four in concession driver races. MIDNIGHT MOJO (5) has a sharp turn of foot and will be flashing home with the right run. Also strongly respecting WAR ZONE (11), who has the best sectional times in the race, although the wide draw over the short trip makes things difficult.
BACK: PRECIOUS BELLE (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PRECIOUS BELLE (9), MONSIEUR FLAMEL (7), FOREGONE CONCLUSION (3), MIDNIGHT MOJO (5)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: Glenn Bull’s team is racing very well and he has two strong chances here in VERY TEMPTING (10) and BLUE OCEAN (2). VERY TEMPTING (10) was a narrow second last start after leading and being run down late by a swooper. James Herbertson takes the reins again and this is a drop in class. He is the highest rated runner in the field. BLUE OCEAN (2) is racing well and was hitting the line strongly last start but was held up. Barrier two suits. DI ANGELO (3) appears to have taken a step forward recently. Last start he was unlucky not to win after mapping poorly but finishing full of running. If he can settle closer here, he looks a value chance. ROCKNROLL RAMBO (8) has been running solid times for this grade, although the awkward barrier means he will need some luck and cannot afford to be shuffled too far back.
SELECTIONS: VERY TEMPTING (10), BLUE OCEAN (2), DI ANGELO (3), ROCKNROLL RAMBO (8)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: MI BOW (9) has placed in seven of his past nine starts and looks close to breaking through for his maiden victory. Barrier nine suits as he can follow through early, and Ross Graham’s team is racing well. AMICA VALLIS (11) has had just three career starts and appears to have ability, although she is still learning. Last start she missed the start by around seven lengths, caught the field and ran on well for fourth. If she gets her manners right, she is a winning chance. SOLO SAPPHIRE (10) is a pacing-bred trotter who is still quite green but improving. Last start she looked the winner but could not find clear racing room. Chris Svanosio takes the drive for the first time. SAMBEZIA (7) has shown ability when he does everything right, although his manners remain the key concern.
BACK: MI BOW (9) – 1 unit (win)
SELECTIONS: MI BOW (9), AMICA VALLIS (11), SOLO SAPPHIRE (10), SAMBEZIA (7)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: MISS PIGGY WIGGY (9) rarely puts in a bad run. She raced tough last start and stuck on well for third. She is versatile and will appreciate barrier nine. ESPERANZA (4) has been racing well but has just been peaking on her runs late. She has a nice turn of foot. LIVERMERE (7) was a tough winner last start, coming off the fence to race in the breeze and proving too strong. This looks harder from the barrier but she is going well. BLISSFULL LILLY (2) is a nice mare at her best. Her past two runs have been slightly below that level, but she was first and second up and will strip fitter here. The draw is a positive and gives her the chance to get a head start on her main rivals. She is also nearing $100,000 in career prizemoney.
BACK: MISS PIGGY WIGGY (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MISS PIGGY WIGGY (9), ESPERANZA (4), LIVERMERE (7), BLISSFULL LILLY (2)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: THEROUX (9) has been in career-best form this season. He resumes after 56 days off, but prior to that he won three of his past four starts in impressive fashion. He continues to improve each preparation and from barrier nine can be saved for the right run. WICHITA KANSAS (2) is a versatile performer with gate speed and should be able to map well from the draw. ZWICK (1) is the lowest rated runner in the field but gains the advantage of the ace barrier. If saved for one run, he could be finishing off late. PICKLE IT (7) was outstanding winning at Cranbourne last start after racing in the breeze and proving too strong. He may need to do some work again from the awkward draw but is racing well.
BACK: THEROUX (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THEROUX (9), WICHITA KANSAS (2), ZWICK (1), PICKLE IT (7)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: ANGELS WATCHING (1) is racing well and draws his best barrier for some time. He has options early to either push forward and lead or take the trail and use his sprint late. KISS ME MINI (8) is in good form and has the best sectional times in this event. As the sole back row runner, she has the option to stay on the fence or come off into the running line. MONTANA PRIDE (6) always gives his best and was an impressive winner last start when saved for one run. His turn of foot makes him a serious contender if he is close enough. PISTOL PEARCE (2) has strong gate speed and a nice turn of foot. There is speed drawn around him, so he may have to work early, but with the right run he will be a threat late.
SELECTIONS: ANGELS WATCHING (1), KISS ME MINI (8), MONTANA PRIDE (6), PISTOL PEARCE (2)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: The strong Matthew Craven and Amy Day stable has two very talented trotters engaged here in ROSEOFTHEWINDS (5) and ADELAIDE RED (7). ROSEOFTHEWINDS (5) is a lightly raced filly who remains unbeaten when she trots throughout. Her wins have been very impressive and she looks to have significant upside. ADELAIDE RED (7) is second up and will improve from her first up sixth in a strong race at Melton. She is a proven performer, having won last year’s Breeders Crown, although the barrier is a challenge. SKY SPIRIT (3) is lightly raced and resumes here but has shown clear ability. At his last start in January, he overcame a 40 metre handicap at Horsham to win well and draws favourably against his main rivals. THE PREACHER (4) is a talented trotter who won the Warragul Trotters Cup at his most recent outing in June. He has been competitive in a number of feature races. Also respecting SISTER MOLLY who has ability but can still race greenly.
SELECTIONS: ROSEOFTHEWINDS (5), ADELAIDE RED (7), SKY SPIRIT (3), THE PREACHER (4).
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: This is a maiden two-year-old event with three first starters. The standout on exposed form is KINGS GALLERY (6), who has finished second in all four career starts against talented opposition including Cardigan Major, Cardigan Jem and Comeandsee. He looks well placed to break through. KELROSE CULLEN (3) is a first starter by Soho Tribeca who has shown promise at the trials and looks capable of running well on debut. MILEY KAY (7) is a well-bred filly by Downbytheseaside with solid trial form, although the barrier makes her task more difficult. LADY FLASHEART (2) is another debutant who has drawn ideally and has trialled soundly heading into this assignment.
BACK: KINGS GALLERY (6) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KINGS GALLERY (6), KELROSE CULLEN (3), MILEY KAY (7), LADY FLASHEART (2)
Race 10:
OVERVIEW: MACHO MAORI (5) is second up and should improve with that first up fourth at this track. He has the best sectional times in this event. LAVENGERS BOY (6) has had excuses at his past two starts, breaking gait in one and being checked in the other. His prior third at Melton was solid, although the barrier is awkward. JUNGLE SPIDER (1) draws the ace and can take advantage of the inside run. He has been racing reasonably well. NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (7) is a consistent performer who continues to race well, although he faces a tougher task from the wide draw.
SELECTIONS: MACHO MAORI (5), LAVENGERS BOY (6), JUNGLE SPIDER (1), NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (7)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R2 #9 PRECIOUS BELLE – 2 units (win)
R4 #9 MI BOW – 1 unit (win)
R5 #9 MISS PIGGY WIGGY – 2 units (win)
R6 #9 THEROUX – 2 units (win)
R9 #6 KINGS GALLERY – 3 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,3,4,9/3,5,7,9,11/2,3,8,10/7,9,10, 11
QUADDIE
2,4,7,9/2,9/1,2,6,8/3,4,5,7
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
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