We’re off to harness headquarters at Melton for the best harness bets on Saturday night.
Time hunt down and pace after those winners as we head into the long weekend.
Melton Race 1
#8 Major Manbar
The Tasmanian raider Cool Water Paddy makes his way to Victoria for the first time but he will be met by some stiff opposition and none more so than Major Manbar.
The five-year-old gelding to be driven by Greg Sugars ran well behind the heavily backed Torrid Saint at Melton over 1720 metres.
That fourth-placed finish combined with the step up to 2240 metres should see him improve into, at the very least, a top three finish in this race.
There looks to be a bit of speed engaged early in this race and Sugars should hopefully find a nice trailing spot with some cover.
If he is within striking at the the top of straight he might very well scoot past the favourite.
Suggested Bet: Major Manbar each-way at $6.5 the win and $2 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 1 & 8
Melton Race 2
#10 Itzamajor Surprise
The Matthew Craven-trained Itzamajor Surprise is low-flying at the moment.
Her last start effort over 1720 metres was actually much better than it reads on paper after being eased early and having to do way too much work to catch eventual winner Torrid Saint.
She should be able to follow Soho Broadway through from the second row and take a lovely trail in behind the favourite.
That cart up into the race behind a quick horse will seems a much better race shape to deal with than last start and she can utilise the sprint lane to full effect.
Her win back on May 29 when defeating Would You Mind in a mile rate of 1:56:10 would see her mount a huge challenge to Soho Broadway in this race.
Suggested Bet: Itszmajor Surprise win at $3.6
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 10/ 1/ 2, 8
Melton Race 6
#7 tango tara
Tango Tara acquitted himself well on debut in Australia last weekend when running second to the very heavily backed Torrid Sant.
The form New Zealand pacer was acquired by Andy Gath and sent out a $1.8 favourite in that race and will benefit greatly from that effort.
The five-year-old gelding is clearly screaming for a distance further than that 1720 metres he contested in and he gets that here with a rise to 2240 metres.
Kate Gath should be able to amble her way across from gate seven to find a spot with cover and then peel out when she needs to make her run.
He might not be up to the class of the favourite Bar Rooma Banta but he has the likely fitness edge over him here given the three-year-old colt is first-up after 203 days.
Suggested Bet: Tango Tara each-way at $5 the win and $1.6 the place.
Melton race 7
#12 Max delight
Max Delight will give us the maximum delight if he can take out this year’s edition of the Italian Cup.
One could be forgiven for looking at the form guide and thinking ‘he is no chance from a terrible draw’ but the early speed in the race is all but likely going to work in his favour.
There is plenty of pace engaged out wide from front row and that should allow Chris Alford to score up and find a cosy run with cover as the field strings out early.
Expecting him to land on the back of Code Bailey who may have to do it the tough way without any cover.
He looks the best of the night at Melton.
Suggested Bet: Max Delight win at $3.4
