OVERVIEW: Much of tonight’s meeting is horribly hard to assess with big fields and slippery Speed Maps; that’s certainly true of this opening event as well. There’s little doubt however that based on is very best recent runs THE HERVEY BAY (1) deserves to rate on top. In his last five starts that bloke has twice gone within 5m of Arden Voyager – who would start at $1.30 here – and split those efforts with a monstrous win at Shepparton. If he leads, which is possible, he should be too good, but the same is true if he lobs the leader’s back and gets an exit in the closing stages. That being said there are another handful of proper winning hopes. MAJESTIC CRUISER (4) is a better horse than he often shows and will outclass many of these if fit enough, and his recent trial win over stablemate Kasbah Kid should help in that regard. YANKEE LINCOLN (6) can also be dangerous with the right run from a bad draw and the same goes for DARK TERROR (12). FORM ANALYST (3) has one of the most interesting roles to play in the event as he’s a small winning chance from off the speed but a serious player if he finds the front while BRACKENREID (2) also possesses knockout claims now he has two runs behind him so far this campaign.

EARLY SPEED: 1,3 + 2,4

RATINGS: 1/ 4/ 6/ 3/ 12/ 2/ 7/ 11/ 9/ 8/ 10/ 5

SELECTIONS: THE HERVEY BAY (1), MAJESTIC CRUISER (4), YANKEE LINCOLN (6), FORM ANALYST (3)

OVERVIEW: On a truly tough night to analyse this exceptionally strong squaregaiting affair is the most mindbending race of them all. Plainly put, a case could be made for nine or even 10 runners engaged but in contests’ this convoluted Speed Maps and tactics are what often separate the heavy hitters from the also-rans and in that regard ROBBIE ROYALE (5) and EMERALD STRIDE (2) both look very well placed. EMERALD STRIDE (2) will almost certainly cross the pole and while she’s mixed and matched her lead/trail strategy this campaign in a race where the pressure will be very genuine expect her to trail an appropriate rival – and expect that appropriate rival to be ROBBIE ROYALE (5). If those two occupy the premier positions they look the hardest to beat but IMSETTOGO (7) will be better placed away from Bendigo so goes in the mix along with impressive last start winner MONARO MARO (12), her very gifted but resuming stablemate RONALD J (11) and also SCRUFFY DOOLAN (1) wo will be very reliant on the tactics EMERALD STRIDE (2) employs. Persuasive cases can also be made for CASH LOVER (9) who is flying this prep and the resuming IZMOK (10) but watching markets, particularly for those returning tonight, will be a major part of our punting strategy here.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (Early Leader) + 5,6,7?

RATINGS: 5/ 2/ 7/ 12/ 11/ 1/ 9/ 10/ 6/ 3/ 8/ 13

SELECTIONS: ROBBIE ROYALE (5), EMERALD STRIDE (2), IMSETTOGO (7), MONARO MARO (12)

OVERVIEW: In 2020 winning sprint races from second row draws is no easy assignment but SHESSKYLAH (10) will do just that tonight. Superbly bred and seriously gifted she has abused inferior rivals at her first two runs back this prep and while this will be tougher she should be driven like the best horse engaged and win like that as well. Filling out exotic wagers looks the way to go here and to that end four key runners must be included for the minor podium positions. In a race where there’ll be some mid and late-race pressure as SHESSKYLAH (10) asserts her authority expect MISS WHAT USAIN (9) to be finishing off with intent so she goes in along with REGULUS (4) who didn’t set the world on fire last weekend but might have a class edge on most of these tonight. Others in the multiple mix are VANITY BAY (7) who steps up in grade but has crazy gate speed and should cross soon after the start along with EXCITER (2) who draws well on paper but does look vulnerable to being entombed by fast beginners drawn out wide on this sharp front line.

EARLY SPEED: 7 + 6 + 2,4,5

RATINGS: 10/ 9/ 4/ 7/ 2/ 3/ 8/ 11/ 5/ 6

SELECTIONS: SHESSKYLAH (10), MISS WHAT USAIN (9), REGULUS (4), VANITY BAY (7)

OVERVIEW: If anybody has the key tonight’s fourth event please email and we’ll organize a pick-up point just outside Melbourne’s ring of steel. In simple terms this field is replete with runners that don’t appear overly close to breaking through any time soon, but one must here and so we’re leaning toward the resuming BIG GUN JOHNNY (5). When he’s in the mood that fellow has devastating early pace and more than his fair share of talent and after trialling well with a Group 1 winner at Terang recently you’d hope Jimmy Herb would set him alight early and ask this field to try and run him down. If he’s a run short then the key threats are BETTERNBETTER (3) who is going better than his figure formline might suggest, COURAGEOUS AFFAIR (2) who was woeful fresh but has proper talent when right and VILLAGE SAFARI (4) caught the eye second up from a break and relishes the chance to compete in these types of races.

EARLY SPEED: 5 (Potential Leader) + 1,2

RATINGS: 5/ 3/ 2/ 4/ 7/ 6/ 9/ 1/ 10/ 8

SELECTIONS: BIG GUN JOHNNY (5), BETTERNBETTER (3), COURAGEOUS AFFAIR (2), VILLAGE SAFARI (4)

OVERVIEW: Going forward his best trip will not be 1710m and it’s quite unlikely he’ll find the front tonight but there was something about the way TERRYRAMA (2) toyed with his rivals at Bendigo last start that makes you believe he’s seriously above average and should be handling these. That being said it’s tough to totally declare a horse like him that’s rising in grade and tackling adverse circumstances so while he’s the clear benchmark there will be winning threats. Chief among them is PLAN CE (1) who can lead or trail and be dangerous either way while TINA CALLS (7) is also well in the frame courtesy of her dramatic recent improvement and the chance she’ll cross these at the start. If the lead bunch overdoes things then STEEL SCREENS (10) is also well up to winning on ability alone though markets should be watched as he’s fresh up from a break while CRIME WRITER (8) can prevail but only if PLAN CE (1) leads and he gets some fortune late.

EARLY SPEED: 1,5,7 + 3,6

RATINGS: 2/ 1/ 7/ 10/ 8/ 5/ 3/ 6/ 9/ 11

SELECTIONS: TERRYRAMA (2), PLAN CE (1), TINA CALLS (7), STEEL SCREENS (10)

OVERVIEW: We are a long way off contesting Australia’s major futurity series this season but in this event we’ll see a few very early auditions for the Vicbred Super Series and Breeders Crown and there are two horse in particular the judges will be assessing; YOUAREMY SUNSHINE (8) and FIREROCKFIREROLL (9). From a tactical perspective FIREROCKFIREROLL (9) has the edge as he should be in front of his major danger with the impetus to rush around and challenge for the front. The question remains however whether that fellow is close enough in talent to YOUAREMY SUNSHINE (8) that he can park and beat him tonight. This analyst believes probably not. He didn’t do much more than was required first-up last weekend but there was something about that final 70 metres that reminded you how good YOUAREMY SUNSHINE (8) is so he should overcome all obstacles with FIREROCKFIREROLL (9) a clear second pick. Talented fillies FINAL PEACE (6) and VOUCHERS (3) are next best while we’ll also learn a little more about TINDER SURPRISE (5) and SONNY WEAVER (10).

EARLY SPEED: 3 (Likely Early Leader) + 1 + 4,6

RATINGS: 8/ 9/ 6/ 3/ 5/ 10/ 1/ 4/ 2/ 7

SELECTIONS: YOUAREMYSUNSHINE (8), FIREROCKFIREROLL (9), FINAL PEACE (6), VOUCHERS (3)

OVERVIEW: Let’s not mistake this fact for one solitary moment; LOCHINVAR ART (12) is one of the best pacers Australia has harboured for several years and a freak of the very highest order. Whether or not he’s the premier pacer right here and right now remains to be seen but he will murder this handy but not outstanding fast class field even if it means circling and parking in transit. He’s done it before, he’ll do it again. The race for second is slightly more intriguing. If they were all hard fit then MAJOR TIMES (11) and KASBAH KID (8) would almost certainly fight out silver medal honours but given both are fresh up into a race where they may run outrageous time it’s also worth considering horses like BETTOR BE THE BOMB (5) and RUPERT OF LINCOLN (3) at least when considering wider exotic wagers. Indeed playing wide for third in Tricks and hoping for a rough-nut looks a solid play.

EARLY SPEED: 3,4,5

RATINGS: 12/ 11/ 8/ 5/ 3/ 9/ 10/ 6/ 7/ 1/ 4/ 2

SELECTIONS: LOCHINVAR ART (12), MAJOR TIMES (11), KASBAH KID (8). BETTOR BE THE BOMB (5)

OVERVIEW: Tactics will be intriguing in this open class squaregaiting affair but the truth is regardless of strategy the result may be unmoved. The wonderful position Chris Alford finds himself in here is that he can rifle forward early with WOBELEE (7) or jag back and remain totally confident that his steed possesses the requisite weaponry to win either way. Indeed the longer his regional rivalry with MCLOVIN (8) continues the more apparent it becomes that speed will beat stamina in this war of wills. That being said if everything went perfectly for MCLOVIN (8) he is such a powerful beast with such an enormous competitive drive that he can win, particularly if WOBELEE (7) was parked and he had the chance to launch one, long, committed assault. Nothing else can win though SUNDONS COURAGE (4) and CRUISIN AROUND (5) will run their normal honest races at this level and C K SPUR (1) will also get the opportunity to show us how good he is though his lack of outright speed may also cause him bother from a draw where he will need some.

EARLY SPEED: 4 (Likely Leader) + 5?,7?

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

SELECTIONS: WOBELEE (7), MCLOVIN (8), SUNDONS COURAGE (4), CRUISIN AROUND (5)

OVERVIEW: Tough race to close out but if FIFTYSHADESOFHAY (9) can find her best form she’ll like outclass these with the threats being BLAZIN CRACKER (6), MACHSTIQUE (11) and HOOK EYE JOH (4) if he can recapture his very best form.

EARLY SPEED: 2,5,6 + 1,3,7

RATINGS: 9/ 6/ 11/ 4/ 8/ 10/ 12/ 5/ 7/ 2/ 1/ 3

SELECTIONS: FIFTYSHADESOFHAY (9), BLAZIN CRACKER (6), MACHSTIQUE (11), HOOKE EYE JOH (4)