Beaten Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final favourite Act Now and Victoria Cup champ Rock N Roll Doo headline the returning brigade set to strut their stuff at Melton Park this Saturday night.
The Emma Stewart-trained Act Now has not raced since a runner-up effort in a Vicbred Super Series Final on December 31, while Rock N Roll Doo’s down-the-track finish in February’s A.G. Hunter Cup was his last competitive outing.
Both horses have had trials leading into this Saturday night’s Garrards Westburn Grant Free For All, where they will clash with a star-studded line-up of rivals.
Act Now has barrier one in the race, with stablemates Encipher and Mach Dan drawn immediately to his outside. Rock N Roll Doo has five, with the front row also including Bettor Isolate (four), Yambukian (six) and Better Eclipse (seven).
On the back line is Just Hope (eight), Hurricane Harley (nine), Sahara Tiger (emergency, 10), Petillante (11), Pacifico Dream (12) and Interest Free (13).
The TAB opened Act Now as the $2.80 favourite, while Mach Dan received early support and was backed into second elect at $4.60. Hurricane Harley ($4.80), Rock N Roll Doo ($5.50) and Better Eclipse ($7) were the other runners to open in single figures.
The feature on Saturday night’s card is the $30,000 HBV Amarillen Matriarch Pace Final, where heat winners Dream Maze and Rakero Rebel will do battle.
The first event at Melton is set to go at 6.04pm, with the last of nine scheduled for 10.07pm.