Will he or won't he? It's the question many are asking about Reactor Now's ability to measure up to metropolitan grade racing.

And if you ask one of the men that knows him best, you'll get a pretty confident answer.

Top driver Josh Aiken has partnered his father David's horse in its last seven-straight triumphs, which have come at Shepparton, Kilmore and Bendigo. He's been breaking the clock and winning by good margins, but now comes his biggest test since joining the Aiken stable from Michelle Wight's team last year.

"You see it so often. Horses fly through their grades and they hit their mark once they get to that metro level," Josh Aiken said.

"He definitely feels like the horse that is going to go on with the job.

"He's blessed with a stack of gate speed, he's very tough, he's got good high-end speed and I think he's going to be a versatile horse going forward.

"He's got all the right ingredients to take that next step and be a really serious horse. You live in hope as a trainer and a driver so you just hope that it happens.

"I'd back him to say that he's going to take that next step and be a genuine country cups contender come summer."

Reactor Now, who has won nine of 12 career races, will come from the back row in Saturday night's COGS Regional Challenge Pace Final (1720m, NR 70-79). His main rival looks to be the in-form Eureka, who has drawn in barrier four.

"It's an interesting race," Aiken said. "I can probably see a situation where Streitkid crosses early and Eureka comes across and finds the running line, and hopefully I can follow Bullys Delight through and lob in a pretty handy spot, whether that's one-out one back or one-out two back.

"I think it will be a pretty fast mile rate. I think it will be a good race."

Aiken will be looking to Reactor Now to become one of the pin-up boys of the stable with news top-line pacers Leonidas, Bringitonhome and Ideal Star are all off to the United States on Monday to race abroad. Both Leonidas and Bringitonhome had been engaged to race at Melton, but have been scratched from their respective races due to imminent flights.

Aiken said he was looking forward to his first trip back to Victorian harness racing headquarters on Saturday night. It will be the first Saturday evening program since the move away from regional racing, which started back in early April.

As well as Reactor Now, Aiken will also partner Sassy Pants in the Alderbaran Park Trot (2240m, NR 70-79).

TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:

Hosts Jason Bonnington and Blake Redden tackle the Tabcorp Park Melton card on SENTrack from 5.30-9.30pm on 1593AM in Melbourne, 1539AM in Sydney, 657AM in Perth, 801AM in Gosford, 96.9FM in Ingham, 99.1FM in Atherton and 1575AM in Wollongong.

Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.

TUNE IN at TABCORP PARK MELTON

First Race:  5.03pm Last Race:  8.35pm
Host/Racecaller: Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber take you from the VHRC Parade Ring to the Winners' Circle with extensive wall-to-wall coverage.
Trots Vision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: WATCH LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE

JASON BONNINGTON ON TABCORP PARK MELTON

R7: ALLIED EXPRESS PACE
EARLY SPEED:
1 (Potential Leader) + 3, 5 + 2, 7?
SELECTIONS:
IDEALSOMEMAGIC (7), AMERICAN ZEST (8), MISS HARTLEY (1), JEAN LUC (9)
RATINGS:
7 / 8 / 1 / 9 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 6 / 2
SUGGESTED BET:
Flexi Trifecta: 7, 8 / 1, 5, 7, 8, 9 / 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 ($40 gets 100%)

For tips and speedmaps for all races visit Good Form at thetrots.com.au
This week's winners sired by Woodlands Stud stallions
Spirit Of St.Louis by Sweet Lou out of Spirit Of Art at Invercargill
Tisu Spirit by American Ideal out of Tisu Holly at Launceston
Speedy Dominic by American Ideal out of Bainfield Washington at Menangle
Aztec Bromac by American Ideal out of Agnes Patron at Menangle 
Another Statement by Bettor's Delight out of Elle M Aye at Albion Park
Pelosi by American Ideal out of For Dear Life at Albion Park 
Jett Star by Bettor's Delight out of Steel The Light at Gloucester Park 
Divinia Bellezza by American Ideal out of Siena Franco at Gloucester Park
Magnificent Storm by American Ideal out of Our Splendour at Gloucester Park 
Tinseltown by Bettor's Delight out of In Hollywood at Gloucester Park 
Prince Of Pleasure by Bettor's Delight out of Holly Madison at Auckland 
American Dealer by American Ideal out of Maddisons Delight at Auckland
 

Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre

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The good oil from the Vic trials circuit

Tabcorp Park Melton, R4 N5, Ride High
The outstanding pacer is on the comeback trail and appeared to be very sharp at his trial victory. He has only suffered defeat once in eleven starts to date but he has only raced twice since winning the Breeders Crown in 2018 with his latest performance being in December. He pushed forward to find the lead and dominated the trial. REPORT
Tabcorp Park Melton, R5 N6, Wobelee
Put in a slashing trial performance to finish second. He settled down last of the four runners, moved away from the inside on the home turn and flew home late in a slick final half of 56.0 seconds. REPORT & REPLAY