Mellors has opened this race as a short-priced favourite and he does look like the class runner in this field. He makes his own luck right on the speed and he wasn’t disgraced when he finished second behind The Shuffler at The Valley last start. Whether you want to dive in at the current odds is a genuine question, but there is no doubt that he is the horse to beat.
No Bet
This is an open race that includes a few horses with plenty of upside. The galloper that appeals at his current odds is Kurocaine. He led from start to finish to win at Echuca last start and he ran very good time in doing so. This is a step-up in class, but he has the early speed to take up the running and he will give his rivals something to catch.
1 Unit Kurocaine
It has been a while between race wins for Freeze Over, but this is the weakest race that she has contested in some time. On exposed form she does have a clear class edge over the rest of this field and her two previous wins have been first-up over 1000 metres. The wide barrier draw isn’t ideal, but she does have the early speed to press forward and take up a forward position. This is her chance to return to winning form.
3 Units Freeze Over
This is one of the most open races of the night and there are a host of winning chances. The Regiment is not a horse that wins out of turn, but he has been very consistent this campaign. She probably would have won with even luck in running at Mornington last start and the wide barrier draw gives Noel Callow the opportunity to ride her aggressively in the early stages of this contest. The $8 is over the odds in a very open race,
1 Unit The Regiment
I Am Someone will return to the races in what is a winnable edition of the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge. He showed plenty of promise during his last campaign and he chased home Nature Strip to finish second in the Great Ocean Road Handicap at Flemington. The wide barrier draw is an issue, but he does have early speed and Fred Kersley can take him forward in the early stages of this contest. If he brings his best form to the races, he will prove tough to beat.
3 Units I Am Someone
The Jericho Cup Qualifier looks like the ideal race for Truly High. There is no fitter horse in this race and he has grounded his way to the line to finish in the placings in his past six starts. The step-up to 3000 metres should suit him more than the majority of the horses in this field and this really is his opportunity to return to winning form.
2 Units Truly High
Calibration is another horse that has the chance to end a losing streak at The Valley tonight. He is yet to record a race win in Australia, but he hasn’t run a bad race. Last start at Morphettville, he finished second behind Snitzepeg and there is no horse of that quality in this field. He makes his own luck right on the speed and may never have a better chance to score that maiden victory in Australia.
2.5 Units Calibration
Satori is a very consistent galloper that has recorded four wins and three placings from his seven race starts. The Valley seems like an ideal track for him as he is a horse that makes his own luck right on the speed and he has the benefit of Linda Meech in the saddle. He is a horse that simply doesn’t run a bad race and he will be in the finish once again.
2 Units Satori