It’s New Year’s Eve and time to celebrate Victoria’s best young drivers in the 2025 Young Guns Series.
The top 10 young drivers in the state will compete across eight races throughout the night at Melton.
Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for the meeting.
R1 – 6.43pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Trot (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 2240m
- 7 – With Aplomb
- 10 – Bar Tab
- 4 – Piesridingshotgun
- 2 – Allwatfunjingles
With Aplomb is a trotting mare with ability who has been stringing together some impressive performances recently. She has a tricky barrier, but is versatile and can be driven forward or taken back. Jordan Leedham takes the drive and will be looking to get on the board early.
BACK: 7 With Aplomb – 2.5 units (win)
R2 – 7.13pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 1720m
- 2 – Foregone Conclusion
- 3 – Shazza Love
- 4 – Rocknroll Rocket
- 7 – Interpretation
Foregone Conclusion maps well here over the short trip, either in front or in a forward position. In an even field, the race map plays a key role, and I am sticking with the Luke Dunne-driven runner.
BACK: 2 Foregone Conclusion – 2.5 units (win)
R3 – 7.40pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 1720m
- 5 – Breathe Easy
- 9 – Speedy Healy
- 6 – Line Up Jacquie
- 4 – Woodlea Diego
R4 – 8.11pm – Renown Silverware Nmw Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 2240m
- 7 – Franco Novelist
- 3 – Steel The Moment
- 2 – Ferrigno
- 4 – Written In Silk
R5 – 8.44pm – Hylands Racing Colours Vicbred Voucher Mares Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 1720m
- 2 – Im Butter Blue
- 10 – Imagination Oro
- 7 – Our Roku
- 8 – Clara Rocks
R6 – 9.14pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Vicbred Voucher Maiden Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 2240m
- 5 – Our Angels Envy
- 3 – Hello Possums
- 4 – High Achiever
- 9 – Pet Wolf
R7 – 9.44pm – Hygain Edge Trot (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 1720m
- 4 – Abbie
- 6 – Kyvalley Jetstream
- 8 – Sebastians Waiting
- 1 – Centurion Dream
Abbie is a tough and versatile trotter who won impressively last start after racing in the breeze. She should be able to get forward from the barrier and looks the one to beat with driver Taylor Youl.
BACK: 4 Abbie – 2.5 units (win)
R8 – 10.14pm – Garrards Horse & Hound Pace (Young Guns Series – Ratings Exempt) – 2240m
- 7 – Lambro Mach
- 10 – Blackjack Whacko
- 5 – Lochiel Lad
- 1 – Lets Went
Lambro Mach is a horse who has always shown plenty of promise throughout his career, and I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. Andy Gath’s team always performs well on Young Guns night. Luke Dunne takes the reins here. It is a tricky map, but the horse is good enough to win and stands out as the class runner.
BACK: 7 Lambro Mach – 2.5 units (win)
QUADDIE (5-8)
- 2, 7, 8, 10
- 3, 4, 5, 9
- 1, 6, 4, 8
- 5, 7, 10