Melton Harness Preview – Friday 23rd October

OVERVIEW: SECRET SERVICE AGENT (4) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and will take beating. He had little luck from a wide draw when unplaced in the Super Series Final then raced on the outside of the leader throughout over the testing distance of 2760m in a heat of the Victoria Derby last outing. POPCORNFRIDAY (1) was held up for a run at a vital stage, angled wide at the 150m and finished strongly for seventh (2.5m) at Melton last outing. He is a short course specialist and should be reaching his peak after having two starts back from a break so he rates as a value hope. BRINGSUSJOY (3) was held up behind the tiring leader and didn’t have the best of luck when seventh at Metropolitan level last outing. She finished fast to win over Just As Well prior so she warrants respect. DONMARO (10) hasn’t produced his best form since coming from New Zealand but he should be fitter after his first up run and his form across the Tasman was good enough to be competitive here.

BACK: SECRET SERVICE AGENT (4) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: SECRET SERVICE AGENT (4), POPCORNFRIDAY (1), BRINGSUSJOY (3), DONMARO (10)

OVERVIEW: BANIA (11) was heavily supported on debut but lost his chance after breaking stride at the start. He made up many lengths and did a good job to finish as close as he did so he is worth another chance. BAD GRANDMA (8) is awkwardly drawn but was impressive at a recent Melton trial victory in a mile rate of 1.58.0 so she must be respected. THE PRIVATE DEAL (5) is a former New South Wales pacer, which joins trainer Julie Douglas. She finished off quickly to win a Shepparton trial last week and she can improve on her numerical form. MILEY KAY (2) attempted to lead throughout and was run down on the line when a close second behind Cazadero at Swan Hill. This race is no harder and she is worth thought again. SEW HOPEFULL (3) led out then took cover and battled on fairly well for second behind Keayang Maricruz at Kilmore last outing. She is a maiden from 20 starts but she is a definite place chance again.

SELECTIONS: BANIA (11), BAD GRANDMA (8), THE PRIVATE DEAL (5), MILEY KAY (2)

OVERVIEW: TWIGSTAR (4) is a very promising filly that remains undefeated in two attempts and is the horse to beat again. She worked forward to find the lead and completely dominated her rivals at her latest Cranbourne success in a mile rate of 1.57.0. ARZALI ROCKSTAR (3) produced a big performance to score after racing on the outside of the leader throughout at Geelong last week. She is likely to be driven in a forward manner again and must be considered as one of the leading chances. BRAVE ART (2) copped plenty of pressure in the leading role and did a good job to hold down second in the race won by Lenard Ess last outing. She should give another bold showing from her good draw. OZZIE DIAMOND (1) failed to run on as expected last outing but she won at her two attempts prior and is worth another chance from the pole position. SANDELTON (7) remains undefeated in two starts but a negative swing in the barrier draw will make it a tougher task this evening. She did defeat ARZALI ROCKSTAR (3) at her latest success so she is not to be underestimated.

OVERVIEW: TASTE IT (3) led throughout at a Shepparton victory on September 01 and finished second from behind the leader at Shepparton last week. She is drawn to obtain a prominent position again and should go well. ALPHA CRUCIS (7) is poorly drawn but will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and used the sprint lane when an unlucky fifth (2m) at Melton two starts ago. LOAN SAILOR (8) was resuming since a win at Stawell when she galloped away and lost her chance at Geelong. She is not without a chance if she delivers a fool proof display. CHALKNCHEDDAR (4) ran a reasonable race from three back on the markers at Swan Hill last week and is worth a ticket each way in an open race.

SELECTIONS: TASTE IT (3), ALPHA CRUCIS (7), LOAN SAILOR (8), CHALKNCHEDDAR (4)  

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6) appears to be extremely well graded in this event and is clearly the horse to beat. He followed an eighth behind Bulletproof Boy in the Smoken Up Sprint with a strong effort in a heat of the South Australian Cup on Saturday night. JUSTALITTLESIP (5) was making ground out wide on the track but was severely checked with 150m remaining and lost his chance at Swan Hill last outing. He is also well placed in this event and should improve on his numerical form. IMA TERMINATOR (2) is a versatile pacer, which has the ability to show up under these conditions. He ran a reasonable race when fifth behind Ultimate Vinnie (won again since) in fast time at Ballarat last outing. PAS GUARANTEE (4) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off well for fourth when resuming. He should be fitter from that run and is capable of filling a place.

OVERVIEW: BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (5) was resuming since March when she took advantage of a soft trip and finished off best to win at Geelong. She was in good form at the end of her last campaign and commenced her current preparation nicely so she should prove hard to beat again. CHINSKI (1) was attempting to hold the inside advantage but was checked and galloped on the first turn when an unlucky fifth at Geelong. He races best when he is able to lead so he has the conditions to suit him here. MASSIF CENTRAL (2) is also a fast beginner, which should be prominent throughout. He won from behind the leader at Kilmore three starts ago. GATESYS MATE (7) performed below expectations when he was resuming from a spell but this is a drop back in class and his form last preparation was good enough to be competitive under these conditions.

SELECTIONS: BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (5), CHINSKI (1), MASSIF CENTRAL (2), GATESYS MATE (7)