Melton Harness Preview – Saturday 18th July

OVERVIEW: SEASIDE BOY (11) looks a pretty handy customer for the Emma Stewart barn, with his first three runs this campaign resulting in dominant wins before a narrow defeat at Melton on June 6. While he was beaten there, it was a very good run under the circumstances. He was caught parked in a slick mile rate and last half, with the flying Hoorah Philtra leading and winning. It’s never easy from the outside back row draw over 1720m, but he goes on top. There does look speed underneath her, but if MAAS BETTING AGAIN (4) found the front she’d be awfully hard to beat. Her last two wins have been very good, including a slick front-running success at Melton on July 10 when she got home in 55sec. EVILEYE (3) is going well and possibly should have won last weekend in a good race behind The Steel Dragon when badly blocked up the straight, while HUGO ROCKS (10) was outstanding coming from last at the turn to run third to Sweet Irish Loch last Saturday night and is a major player with the right trip.

OVERVIEW: Plenty of winning hopes here, but SKY FLAIR (2) has trialled up nicely for her return with a dominant victory at Melton and I think she’s a pretty handy mare who looks a good chance here on resumption. Her last run was a midfield finish in the Group 1 Breeders Crown final in December, and some of her efforts during that preparation were very good. NO MONEY NO HONEY (5) steps out for her first start for new trainer Antti Ruokonen, and while a faultless display would have her hard to beat, she is difficult to trust as evidenced by breaking in her last three races. She did the same under pressure in a recent trial, but has good ability and can certainly win. ALDEBARAN ABEL (8) added another good run to his record when second after a tough trip in the rain last weekend and trails through a quick beginner, while KARBINE (9) is a speedy little customer who just needs the right race tempo to figure late along with KYVALLEY MICHAEL (10).

OVERVIEW: FAIRPLAY (9) was very impressive winning first-up from a break here at Melton a fortnight ago when sweeping around the field at the corner and racing clear to score decisively. He’s a handy horse who is only lightly raced and might get a lovely trip here in the small field. There appears good speed off the front line, which should give him the chance to rattle over the top late. MIGHTY JOLT (5) led and was only nailed late by TARA VICTORY (2) when first-up for Dean Braun back in late March and it’s expected driver Jordan Leedham will make a bid for the top where he’d be hard to beat, MY UNCLE STAN (3) had a dip for the lead, took cover in the running line and still finished well when fifth behind Big Sledge Hammer last weekend, while THESTATESMAN (6) had no luck in that race and dropped out, but his prior form was very strong.

BACK: FAIRPLAY (9) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Strong free-for-all contest to close the Early Quaddie, where we see the return of superstar pacer and multiple Group 1 winner CATCH A WAVE (7). Like usual, he has trialled superbly and his blistering turn of speed might be too dynamic in the small field. He can be a very hard horse to catch, but his best is better than that of his rivals and I’m happy in his corner. SIR JIMMY (3) hasn’t raced since a cracking third in the Vicbred Super Series final in late November, and returns on the back of two good trials. He’s a huge chance if he’s able to work to the front. ULTIMATE VINNIE (4) can run really well I fancy, particularly if he was able to get down to the fence, while HES FROM HEAVEN (6) was outstanding in free-for-all grade when leading and winning last time out, but it might be harder from wide on the front row. Other outside hopes are OPERATIVE LINE (5), who has won his past two over 1200m, and DIAMOND ECLIPSE (2), who might be worth including for the back end of First 4s given his likely spot on the fence.

BACK: CATCH A WAVE (7) – 1 unit (win)

OVERVIEW: LITTLE YANKEE (6) is an evergreen 10-year-old who is racing really well, with his last outing a fast-finishing second to the handy Vytis. He has good form around horses like I Am Wilma and Im Bobby, and will be storming home late. He should go close. IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY (7) has been in sparkling form his past couple of starts, with a big win from back in the field here on June 27 followed by a dominant front-running success in quick time a week later. He’s shooting for three-straight, and while he’s drawn outside the line, the small field of seven means he won’t be far off his rivals. He has a good turn of foot and might be too slick in the run home. Group 1 winner KEAYANG KURKI (5) was held up when fourth here behind Alrighty last weekend and should be ready to fire third-up, FREIGHT SHAKER (3) has shown good signs in both runs this campaign and HOWDY MATE (2) won well here last start and is a three-year-old with good ability.

BACK: LITTLE YANKEE (6) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: THE ART OF SUCCEESS (2) is a winning machine with victory in all of her last six starts, and it’s very hard to tip against her here. She’s expected to glide to the front and prove awfully hard to run down, with her last win being in a slick 54.4 last half. LE BELLE BIJOUX (1) finally found the right race at Melton last Friday and won in really good style. She is a logical danger from the barrier one draw. HOORAH PHILTRA (8) is airborne for Ashleigh Herbertson and ran really well for second when charging late in stronger grade than this behind Some American last weekend, while DAY TWO (3), ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (6) and the first-up TWISTING BY (7) all wouldn’t shock, but the draws and likely race shape make things difficult.

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG PHANTOM (4) only had his race debut at Terang on Sunday, but it was an encouraging effort when second after landing in the one-one. He closed off soundly to be beaten 6.9m in a 57sec last half. He’s narrowly favoured ahead of first-starter and fellow two-year-old WAZZANT ME (7), who has trialled up really nicely for his first trip to the races. He has won his past two, and the one prior was a good second to the very smart Kahula. FAMOUS CRIMES (2) has perhaps overdone things to get the top his past two so can improve with an easier lead, while HEAVENLY NIKKY (1) has been runner-up her last two and draws for a lovely trip, perhaps behind the leader. They’re the four key winning hopes and the others would surprise.