Group 1 action from Melton tonight with the running of the $50,000 The Knight Pistol (2240m) as well a double line-up of Group 2 races from Menangle.
We’re set for a great night of racing and pacing with the previews and best bets below.
melton race 6 - ALDEBARAN PARK THE KNIGHT PISTOL
#9 majestic man
Majestic Man continues to live up to his namesake and if his last two starts are anything to go by he will notch up career win number 17 at his 52nd start.
He was indeed majestic at this track and distance a fortnight ago when he found the front and ran everything in the ground to win by a space in good time.
Last start he finished runner-up to a handy type called Tornado Valley when he had to spend a huge amount of energy early in a very high pressure race.
He had to sit in the death seat the whole way in that race but still kept finding the line to only be beaten two metres.
Gate nine in the back row will be an interesting draw for him as he’ll have to wait and bide his time to make his run but he has so much class.
The big danger to him is Majestuoso, who, despite being beaten a long way when they went head to head a fortnight ago, draws a much better gate and will likely be ahead of Majestic Man in the run.
Kate Gath won’t have to settle all the way back to last like she did last start and she can pinch a break on the favourite.
Suggestd Bet: Majestic Man win at $2.10 and save on Majestuoso at $3.9
Melton Race 10 - Schweppes pace
#4 alpine stride
This seven-year-old gelding was forced to do way too much work last start, when sitting outside the lead, on a murderous tempo and was tailed out to finish a long last.
The early quarters in that race were absolutely farcical and gave him and the leaders absolutely no chance of winning.
He gets a much smaller field today and should be able to find the front with ease rather than having to burn too much petrol early.
Zac Phillips takes the drive on him tonight which will definitely enhance his chances of winning.
Suggested Bet: Alpine Stride win at $4
menangle race 4 - BODEN PROJECTS SIBELIA STAKES
#1 rocknroll angel
Her return from a spell was sensational when winning by 8.5 metres at this course and distance last week.
It was an interesting drive from gate 10.
Driver Cameron Hart allowed her to stride forward towards the lead and sit in the death seat for a portion of the race but he then opted to restrain her to get the one-one position in running.
The decision proved to be a race-winning choice but the query here is whether Hart decides to punch through and hold the lead from gate one which he can easily do aboard this mare.
Hoping he can kick up on the inside and get the front early but if there is speed from out deep at least we have seen this Jason Grimson-trained trotter sit in a positive spot early and take the sit behind runners and still prove to be too good.
Suggested Bet: Rocknroll Angel win $2.4
menangle race 6 - CORDINA CHICKEN FARMS PALEFACE ADIOS STAKES
#2 expensive egos
Absolutely nothing went right for him in the Group 1 4yo Bonanza over 1720m last start.
Put in a few awkward trots at the beginning of the race and lost about 10m which meant he had to settle in the rear half of the field for the majority of the run.
He got a nice cart in the race three wide with cover but as he was flattening out in the straight the horse inside of him shifted out abruptly and hampered him.
Having drawn gate two tonight he will not have to wait in behind others when the gates fold up. He can score up quickly, go to the front and not let another horse get in front of him.
One of the better bets on the Menangle program and should be lining up the pockets with cash.
Suggested Bet: Expensive Ego at $2.5
