A Group 1 double from Melton tonight as the team go through the best bets from what will be a sensational card of harness racing.
The team has found a nice each-way play in the second and the best of the night comes up in the third.
Melton Race 2
#1 No Republic
No Republic has returned from his 134-day spell with two solid efforts from standing starts at Yarra Glen and Geelong.
On both occasions he has spotted the starters a 30-metre handicap, but tonight, on level pegging from the mobile start he can score up from the inside gate and a hold a position early.
Expecting Connor Clarke to get the backside of the favourite and likely leader Morgan Mylee.
Third-up from the spell, he should be ready to run somewhere near his peak.
Looks a fantastic each-way bet to the start the night.
Suggested Bet: No Republic each-way at $9.5 the win and $2.4 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1, 4/ 1, 4/ Field
Melton Race 3
#5 Blue chip delight
Excited to see what Blue Chip Delight will deliver in only his second start on Australia soil.
Anthony Butt acquired him from New Zealand and after starting a $1.70 pop on debut he may have just found the 2100 metres at Geelong a little bit too sharp for him.
He was racing off a 94-day break, so there is no doubt his fitness will improve for that effort and he should able to find the front here.
Step up in distance to 2240 metres should be right up his alley given the way he raced last start.
He is the best of the night at Melton.
Suggested Bet: Blue Chip Delight win at $2.9
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 5/ 11/ 6, 7
Melton Race 4
#5 Plymouth Chubb
The first of the Group 1s on the card at Melton and we are going with Plymouth Chubb to make it back-to-back victories.
Granted, his main rival, Kyvalley Pierro, is drawn much better than last start and will provide stiff opposition again but there was something to like about the Plymouth Chubb held him off when they met in the lead-up.
We are getting pretty much identical odds as the pair were last start to see if Plymouth Chubb can replicate his feats.
There is no reason to hop off Plymouth Chubb and the middle gate might actually work in his favour because it will force Kerryn Manning’s hand early; less thinking and more driving!
Suggested Bet: Plymouth Chubb win at $2.5
Melbton Race 9
#5 Illawong Benita
The second of the two Group 1s on the card tonight see’s us in the camp of Illawong Benita.
There was plenty to like about her debut effort at Maryborough over the 1690 metres.
She rocketed home late in the race behind the favourite in this event, Aldebaran Misty, but will surely be better for the race experience she earned.
Her fitness should come on from that debut run and she did start a $5 elect behind Aldebaran Misty who was the $3.9 favourite.
Aldebaran Misty had the advantage of race experience on her side that day but now that has changed.
Illawong Benita can flip the results here and chase down her main rival.
Suggested Bet: Illawong Benita each-way at $6.5 and $1.80 Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 2, 5/ 2, 5/ 3, 7
