Tim O’Connor will be the on-track host this Saturday night at Melton and provides his analysis of the meeting below.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: APOLLOSTORM (10) could barely have been more impressive this campaign, with his three wins all in quick time from the front at Melton. While he isn’t likely to assume that role here, he has a brilliant turn of foot and might be too quick for his rivals. Stablemate I AM THE STORM (8) is two from two this preparation and looks just as smart as APOLLOSTORM (10). The gate is a little sticky, but he would be a huge chance if LAMBRO MACH (1) dug up and held the lead. KEAYANG SWEETHEART (5) is a very nice mare from the Lee stable who closed hard last weekend to grab third and barely ever runs a bad race, while LAMBRO MACH (1) charged late to snatch fourth behind the in-form MAAS BETTING AGAIN (9) on July 18 and won impressively at Cranbourne prior to that. They look the key players.
SELECTIONS: APOLLOSTORM (10), I AM THE STORM (8), KEAYANG SWEETHEART (5), LAMBRO MACH (1)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: ALRIGHTY (6) carried the famous Maoris Idol colours to victory here first-up from a long break on July 11, leading comfortably before darting away to win by a big space over NAKEDTRUTH (4) and EL RESAMO (8). The lead again looks his, and while I’d prefer him over the 1720m, the 2240m trip shouldn’t prove an issue. He’s the one to beat. WITH APLOMB (3) ruined her chances with an early break last time out, but her prior form was excellent and Steve Cleave has her flying, VYTIS (7) carved out the best last mile, half and quarter of the race when an eye-catching fifth to Hoppy on July 4, while IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY (9) looked set for his third success in four starts before being grabbed in the shadows of the post last weekend by Muskee. He gets a lovely trailing draw and is another that can win.
BACK: ALRIGHTY (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ALRIGHTY (6), WITH APLOMB (3), VYTIS (7), IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY (9)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: ROCKNROLL WILLOW (5) dropped out here at Melton on May 30 before turning around her form in a big way with a brilliant death seat victory at Stawell early last week. She sat parked to OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (3), put her to the sword late and drew clear to win by 5.5m. I fancy Chris Alford might look for the front here, and if she was able to get it, she would take a power of beating. SEASIDE BOY (10) has been a beaten favourite his past two but both runs have been super in defeat. This includes when three-wide for the last lap in fast time on July 18 before only going down narrowly to Maas Betting Again. I’m a real fan of GUNFORHIRE (9) and he will be storming late, while OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (3) must be respected with her gate speed and likely spot on the fence.
SELECTIONS: ROCKNROLL WILLOW (5), SEASIDE BOY (10), GUNFORHIRE (9), OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (3)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: It will need a great drive by Tristan Larsen from inside the back row, but CARLA PIXIE (8) is going really well and looks a great chance here in this open trot. Her recent form around good rivals is very strong, with placings to Artigas, With Aplomb and Ijustcalledtosay reading well for this. KYVALLEY MICHAEL (3) was brave from the chair a fortnight ago when third to Paris Kay and had been running well prior, ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (6) has gate speed and led until late last weekend when third to the handy Muskee, while ALDEBARAN ABEL (10) cost himself with a break at the start last Saturday but wasn’t beaten far, and his form all preparation is sound.
BACK: CARLA PIXIE (8) – 1 unit (each-way)
SELECTIONS: CARLA PIXIE (8), KYVALLEY MICHAEL (3), ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (6), ALDEBARAN ABEL (10)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: This is a good race, but the barrier draw leaves the in-form FAIRPLAY (2) as the horse to beat. He comes into one with the scratching of the emergency and picks himself based off the two impressive wins to start the preparation. He rounded up his rivals from off speed first-up on July 4, and then sat parked for the last lap before pulling clear for a huge victory a fortnight later. SOHO DARKNSTORMY (5) might have the speed to cross him at the start, but he still goes on top. HOORAH PHILTRA (8) is flying for Ashleigh Herbertson and has cut late ground off good horses such as Apollostorm, Some American and The Art Of Success his last three. He’s a real threat from the peg-line draw. GOOD TOBE LOCKSLEY (11) struggled a bit at free-for-all grade last time but his prior form is outstanding in this type of grade, while reigning Ararat Pacing Cup champ ATA RANGI (9) has trialled up nicely ahead of his return and is among a host of others that wouldn’t shock like LE BELLE BIJOUX (12) and LET HER ROLL (13).
BACK: HOORAH PHILTRA (8) – 1.5 units (each-way)
SELECTIONS: FAIRPLAY (2), HOORAH PHILTRA (8), GOOD TOBE LOCKSLEY (11), ATA RANGI (9)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: HES FROM HEAVEN (7) has the wide barrier to contend with here, but he’s flying and this is a race that has the potential to produce some fireworks early given the fast beginners on the front row. Last start, he closed hard late for third in an on-pace dominated race won by SIR JIMMY (6) and held off the speedy Catch A Wave on his back. Before that, he led and thrashed a free-for-all field from the front. At the each-way quote, happy his way. THE ART OF SUCCESS (1) has made a stunning rise through the ranks this year and heads into her first free-for-all contest on the back of seven-straight wins. She lands barrier one, and if she can do enough to hold up at the start, she looks hard to beat. ITS CONFIDENTIAL (8) hasn’t got great figure form, but produced the quickest last mile in a race won by Some American a few weeks ago and should get a lovely run on the fence, while SIR JIMMY (6) was brilliant from the top first-up here on July 18 and can certainly win again with the right trip.
SELECTIONS: HES FROM HEAVEN (7), THE ART OF SUCCESS (1), ITS CONFIDENTIAL (8), SIR JIMMY (6)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: THE LAST TRIP (7) appears the lock of the night in this $14,000 final, which follows two rounds of heats. First-up for the Emma Stewart stable and following a year-and-a-half away from the races, the four-year-old found the top and absolutely bolted in the Kilmore qualifier on July 22. His 26.6 last quarter was scintillating and it’s very hard to see him being beaten here. DON CRUNCH (2) was the eye-catcher in the Maryborough heat on July 13 when he came from last to just miss COCOSWORLD (4), who sat parked and did a great job to score. AUSSIE JAY MAC (3) ran well for second to THE LAST TRIP (7) at Kilmore and looks the other obvious player for the back end of trifectas and First 4s.
SELECTIONS: THE LAST TRIP (7), DON CRUNCH (2), COCOSWORLD (4), AUSSIE JAY MAC (3)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: STAR VISION (3) has mammoth victories to his name from two starts in Tasmania through May and steps out here for his first Victorian start. He draws inside stablemate and key danger MOUNT BARKER BOY (6) and looks smart enough to handle this field. MOUNT BARKER BOY (6) sat parked and destroyed his rivals in a suitable race at Ballarat last time, and while he doesn’t look like being any star, he has won four races this campaign, HUGO ROCKS (7) was held up last week behind Most Exciting but finished off well and has some good runs to his name this preparation, while IDEAL MOTH (8) hasn’t been too far away in strong enough races recently and should be considered for wider exotics.
SELECTIONS: STAR VISION (3), MOUNT BARKER BOY (6), HUGO ROCKS (7), IDEAL MOTH (8)
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: PHOENIX REX (6) looks an exciting prospect from the Steven Loftus stable, with two wins from two career outings. Last time, he bombed the start significantly, chased the field, brought up the running line and still managed a comfortable victory under a soft drive from Ryan Sanderson. It was an outstanding win on the back of a good trial and debut success, and he goes on top. REMEMBRANCE TIME (5) is building a good career record, with two wins and a second from four career starts, and she easily took care of lowly-rated rivals at Melton last week, MISS MUSCLE (2) just missed on debut at Terang but then won well at this venue on the same night as REMEMBRANCE TIME (5) and PHOENIX REX (6), while REGAL GALA (3) was fighting out the finish with Kyvalley Dixon and REMEMBRANCE TIME (5) at Melton on July 11, but lost some gear and broke late under pressure. Great two-year-old race where they all have a case!
BACK: PHOENIX REX (6) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PHOENIX REX (6), REMEMBRANCE TIME (5), MISS MUSCLE (2), REGAL GALA (3)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R2 #6 ALRIGHTY – 2 units (win)
R4 #8 CARLA PIXIE – 1 unit (each-way)
R5 #8 HOORAH PHILTRA – 1.5 units (each-way)
R9 #6 PHOENIX REX – 3 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
5,8,10/3,6,7,9/5,9,10/3,6,8,9,10
QUADDIE
2,8,9,11/1,6,7,8/7/3
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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