Melton Harness Preview – Friday 2nd October

OVERVIEW: MOUNT BARKER BOY (10) has really hit peak form in recent months and carried it through the Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old colts and geldings where he reached the final. He was runner-up in the heats and semis, and galloped out of contention in the Group 1 decider. He strikes a very winnable assignment here, and while I’ve been a bit slow to warm to him, his recent form is undeniable. THESTATESMAN (1) was caught parked and dropped out in a race a few of these contested last Friday but draws for a much-improved run on the fence here where he should either lead or settle leader’s back, BIZZNESS CLASS (8) should trail through nicely behind him and will be dangerous late as he usually finishes off powerfully, as does MITZI SAID (6), who sizzled home from four back along the fence to place second last time out behind Hittheroadjack in fast time and just needs the right run in transit to be a threat here. Other chances land with quick beginner FOLLOWTHEACE (3), NEW YORKER (4) and Tassie visitor MCMAYHEM (9).

OVERVIEW: Tricky race to work out with some first-starters and not a lot of form to get excited about, but PET WOLF (4) looks capable of winning a maiden from what we saw of him during his first campaign late last year and in early 2026. He ran well on debut as a six-year-old on New Year’s Eve when just missing behind Theroux, backed it up with a well-beaten third placing to the smart Co Captain and rounded out the preparation with a narrow second to Emma Stewart’s Amelias Jewel. He’s first-up without a trial and has shown to be a little green, but will jump in his corner. ARZALI SHACARRI (9) didn’t show much on debut but arguably could have won with clear air at Charlton on September 21 in what was a much improved performance, first-starter COLOMBIAN PRINCESS (6) hasn’t shown much at the trials but does hail from the powerhouse Emma Stewart stable and must be respected based purely off that, while SONOFPLATINUM (1) won his one and only trial at Bacchus Marsh in preparation for a debut here from the good draw.

OVERVIEW: At times TICTOK (5) can be hard to trust with her manners but she has been really running consistently of late and strikes a winnable assignment here. She drops back in grade from recent efforts, which includes a fast-finishing fifth to Ox Knox last time out at Melton. All her recent form is sound in stronger company and a faultless display should see her go close in this 0-59 assignment. KITTY CASH (7) galloped and ruined her chances in a Vicbred Super Series heat last time, but her prior form was outstanding with dominant wins at Cranbourne and Kilmore, JAYS ALL THAT (4) ran well to only be beaten 11.6m in a hot Need For Speed Prince heat last Friday, AGAINST THE BRIDLE (1) has won his last three in easier grade and gets the aid of barrier one in this step-up in class, while THATS MY CARDIGAN (3) is also worth consideration given his good gate speed and strong recent efforts, which includes a good fourth from back in the field behind Muskee in the Vicbred Silver consolation.

BACK: TICTOK (5) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: MET WITH A SHRUG (7) has ordinary recent numerical form, but she broke on a couple of occasions before being outclassed in a hot Vicbred Super Series heat behind Group 1 winner I Am Wilma. Wind the clock back four starts to mid-August and the David Murphy-trained runner was second to The Preacher and before that finished runner-up to At The Distance in a 0-50 grade event. This is a very suitable drop back in class to a 0-42, and on her best behaviour she should give this a real shake. CHINSKI (4) has the speed to lead and brings in very sound form with recent runner-up placings at Echuca and Ballarat, and before that had excuses but still beat KYVALLEY MISTY (6) in a race at Maryborough. The latter won subsequent to that and is the other key hope, while LITTLE TEDEY (5) made a mistake last time but had looked ready to win on the back of a couple of good efforts prior.

BACK: MET WITH A SHRUG (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: THECANDYBARHEIRESS (3) is one of four runners on debut here, and from the trials she looks the most promising of those. While she made an early mistake last time, she chased hard and made up ground late, and before that closed off nicely for second behind the very talented Little Miss Morgan. She’s only two, but there looks some ability there. Three-year-old UNCLE BILL (5) led and boxed on for second on debut at Kilmore on August 13 and then galloped his way out of contention last time at Cranbourne. Back to his debut form, he looks a key player. THE TROUT COD (6) has been outclassed her past two but wasn’t too bad in a race at Ballarat when just beating home DELIGHTFUL REYNA (7) prior to that, while KACOON (1) draws the pole and has run a couple of second placings at the trials ahead of her debut.

BACK: THECANDYBARHEIRESS (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: WICKED CONFESSION (1) is a very talented mare and bargain buy purchase for the Alex Ashwood stable who ran a cracker for second in a heat of the Vicbred Super Series before only going down by 4.9m in fast time in the Group 1 final on September 19. She has good gate speed, and if she can lead and control the race, she will be awfully hard to run down. CIGANO (6) ran well from a sticky gate in the Vicbred heats but failed to qualify for the final of the four-year-old boys’ division. He’s a very good horse who is capable of a sizzling last lap and shapes as the key danger, if not, the one to beat. They look the two key winning hopes. ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (4) led and won very impressively here at Melton on August 8 and was a brave second from the chair last time behind Sweet Ideal at Terang, while WORDS (3) was trapped outside the leader last weekend at Melton and only tired late behind Royal Appointment, but ran well in free-for-all grade from the fence prior. He has good gate speed, so it will be interesting to see if Chris Alford has a crack at crossing at the start.

BACK: WICKED CONFESSION (1) – 2 units (win)