Melton Race 4

Hertz Melton Free For All

Stake: $24,750

ACT NOW (6) found something like his best when he returned to winning form here last week, settling back from a similar draw but proving too strong. He is accomplished at this longer distance, winning 11 of 19 attempts including a Victoria Cup. He can go on with it now that he is back on track. TANGO TARA (4) enjoyed a class drop when returning to his winning ways at Bendigo last start. That continued a series of second row draws so the front line barrier can see him make an impact again. BULLETPROOF BOY (7) has produced three nice efforts since winning from the back row, missing narrowly when runner-up at his last two and finishing 4.2m away in a G2 prior. Draws out but can play a role again. YOUNG BLUEY (8) was fourth as favourite last time but had won three of his previous four and draws for a trail so is worth another chance.

Distance: 2240m
Class: No NR
Track: Good
Weather: fine
Surface: All Weather

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Sebs Choice (Fr1) 0x65x597x6
Trainer: Tayla Nicholson (Lemnos)
Driver: Zac Phillips
Prize Money: $233,654
Win / Place: 39% / 60%

Track Specialist

6 yo Brown/Black Gelding

Sire: BETTOR'S DELIGHT (USA)

Dam: ALTA CALYPSO (NZ)

Dam's Sire: Village Jasper Usa

Rating

Stats

Career

33: 13-2-5

Distance

6: 2-0-0

Trk/Dst

6: 2-0-0

Track

12: 5-0-1

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

9: 3-1-2

2nd Up

7: 1-1-1

3rd Up

6: 2-0-1

Mobile

31: 11-2-5

Standing

2: 2-0-0

All-Weather

33: 13-2-5

Best Mile

1:53.51

Comments

Last start 6th (Sr2) over 1740m at Riverina Paceway, beaten 5 m by Scared Stiff (2:03.30) in NR up to 90 on November 29 at $2.70. Two runs back 7th (Sr2) over 2240m at this track, beaten 30 m by Cobber (2:39.40) in NR 80 to 105 on June 17 2023 at $15. Possible improver from this draw.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 8	29/11/24	Wagga	1740m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Zac Phillips	2:03.30	1:54.0	5.2m	$2.70f	531	NR up to 90	$10,769	$211	1. Scared Stiff NZ 2. Skittle Bomb NZ 3. Jilliby Fabio
531 Day Spell
4th of 6	21/11/24	Shepparton	2190m			-	Zac Phillips	2:37.10	-	20m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Dangerous 2. Perfect Stride NZ 3. Western Sonador
2nd of 6	14/11/24	Shepparton	2190m			-	Zac Phillips	2:42.90	-	1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Dessie Gee 2. Sebs Choice 3. Followtheace
7th of 9	17/6/23	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Z M Phillips	2:39.40	1:54.5	32.0m	$15	49	NR 80 to 105	$22,000	$440	1. Cobber 2. Huli Nien 3. Joe Nien
49 Day Freshen-Up
9th of 11	29/4/23	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Z M Phillips	2:40.40	1:55.2	27.7m	$21	14	NR 90 to 120	$26,400	$528	1. A Gs White Socks NZ 2. Max Delight 3. Supreme Dominator NZ
5th of 8	15/4/23	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Z M Phillips	2:02.00	1:54.2	3.4m	$3.50	163	NR 90 to 120	$26,400	$792	1. Tango Tara NZ 2. Kosimo 3. Cranbourne NZ
163 Day Spell

Operative Line (Fr2) 11150464x8
Trainer: R J East (Heywood)
Driver: James Herbertson
Prize Money: $116,907
Win / Place: 21% / 44%

Track / Distance Specialist

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: BETTING LINE (USA)

Dam: THREES A CROWD

Dam's Sire: Armbro Operative Usa

Rating

Stats

Career

52: 11-8-4

Distance

24: 7-5-2

Trk/Dst

14: 5-1-0

Track

21: 5-1-0

Season

6: 0-0-0

1st Up

6: 0-0-1

2nd Up

5: 2-1-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

Mobile

52: 11-8-4

All-Weather

52: 11-8-4

Best Mile

1:54.90

Comments

Began his campaign last start running 8th (Fr2) over 2240m after showing early speed at this track was leading by 0.56 at the bell, beaten 30 m by Triple Eight (2:40.30) in No NR on November 30 at $31. Not keen.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 9	30/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Nathan Jack	2:40.30	1:55.2	30.4m	$31	70	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
70 Day Spell
4th of 10	21/9/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	James Herbertson	2:00.10	1:52.4	7.0m	$14	8	No NR	$24,750	$1,238	1. Captain Ravishing 2. Cantfindabettorman NZ 3. Perfect Stride NZ
6th of 11	13/9/24	Geelong	2100m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	James Herbertson	2:31.00	1:55.7	6.4m	$3.50	13	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Rakero Rebel NZ 2. Tango Tara NZ 3. Jillibyjacksparrow
4th of 10	31/8/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	James Herbertson	2:01.10	1:53.4	6.4m	$15	14	No NR	$26,400	$1,320	1. Better Eclipse 2. Catch A Wave 3. Jilliby Willow
11th of 12	17/8/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Kerryn Manning	2:38.70	1:54.0	22.4m	$81	14	No NR	$26,400	$528	1. Mach Dan 2. Perfect Class 3. Tango Tara NZ
5th of 12	3/8/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	James Herbertson	2:38.50	1:53.9	4.5m	$21	14	NR 90	$26,400	$792	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Perfect Class 3. Sew What

Tango Tara NZ (Fr3) 9193290681
Trainer: Andy Gath (Long Forest)
Driver: Kate Gath
Prize Money: $402,816
Win / Place: 16% / 52%

8 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: A ROCKNROLL DANCE (USA)

Dam: TARA DELIGHT (NZ)

Dam's Sire: Bettors Delight Usa

100

Rating

Stats

Career

108: 18-21-18

Distance

28: 5-3-8

Trk/Dst

24: 3-2-7

Track

46: 6-5-10

Season

8: 1-1-1

1st Up

6: 0-3-2

2nd Up

6: 2-2-1

3rd Up

6: 3-0-0

Mobile

93: 16-17-16

Standing

15: 2-4-2

All-Weather

101: 17-19-18

Grass

7: 1-2-0

Best Mile

1:52.90

Comments

Last start won by 5.5 m as favourite (Sr1) at Bendigo (1:55.70) beating Angus Indiana in No NR on November 20 at $1.95 at the bell was 4th-5.9m 2WWC. Chance of back-to-back wins.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 8	20/11/24	Bendigo	1650m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Kate Gath	1:55.70	1:52.9	5.5m	$1.95f	18	No NR	$11,000	$6,270	1. Tango Tara NZ 2. Angus Indiana 3. Spirit Of Arion NZ
8th of 10	2/11/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Kate Gath	1:59.90	1:52.2	16.0m	$34	14	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Serg Blanco NZ 3. Helluva NZ
6th of 9	19/10/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Kate Gath	1:59.10	1:51.4	15.4m	$31	7	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Cantfindabettorman NZ 2. Helluva NZ 3. Kosimo
10th of 12	12/10/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr5	Kate Gath	2:36.70	1:52.6	49.4m	$21	15	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Cantfindabettorman NZ 2. Like A Wildfire NZ 3. Helluva NZ
9th of 12	27/9/24	Kilmore	2690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Kate Gath	3:17.70	1:58.3	22.0m	$34	14	No NR	$82,500	$1,650	1. Major Moth 2. District Attorney 3. Better Eclipse
2nd of 11	13/9/24	Geelong	2100m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	Kate Gath	2:31.00	1:55.7	2.1m	$18	27	No NR	$24,750	$3,713	1. Rakero Rebel NZ 2. Tango Tara NZ 3. Jillibyjacksparrow

Ideal Escape (Fr4) 046x369133
Trainer: Julie Douglas (Strathfieldsaye)
Driver: Ellen Tormey
Prize Money: $221,736
Win / Place: 20% / 47%

Nearing Another Win

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: AMERICAN IDEAL (USA)

Dam: WHOS ESCAPED (NZ)

Dam's Sire: Artiscape Usa

Rating

Stats

Career

86: 18-11-12

Distance

34: 6-5-4

Trk/Dst

22: 3-3-2

Track

29: 3-3-5

Season

6: 1-0-3

1st Up

6: 1-0-2

2nd Up

5: 1-0-1

3rd Up

4: 0-2-0

Mobile

86: 18-11-12

All-Weather

86: 18-11-12

Best Mile

1:51.40

Comments

Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 1.2 m third behind Act Now at this track over 1720m No NR last start. Before that was beaten 4 metres third again at this track over 2240m same class on November 30. Another good performance expected.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 9	7/12/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Ellen Tormey	2:00.40	1:52.6	1.2m	$17	7	No NR	$24,750	$2,475	1. Act Now 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
3rd of 9	30/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Ellen Tormey	2:40.30	1:55.2	3.8m	$41	8	No NR	$24,750	$2,475	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
1st of 10	22/11/24	Mildura	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Ryan Sanderson	2:38.40	1:56.4	0.3m	$5.50	13	NR 65	$9,900	$5,643	1. Ideal Escape 2. Imperials Reason 3. Our Vincent Can Gogh NZ
9th of 11	9/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Ellen Tormey	2:36.30	1:52.3	26.0m	$34	8	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Helluva NZ 3. Kosimo
6th of 12	1/11/24	Swan Hill	2790m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Ellen Tormey	3:21.30	1:56.1	8.9m	$61	7	No NR	$27,500	$550	1. Like A Wildfire NZ 2. Mickey Oh 3. Tiger Band Wagon
3rd of 10	25/10/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Jack Laugher	2:00.20	1:52.5	3.6m	$8.50	125	0W/15 0K stake/6 Months	$9,900	$990	1. Gipsy Princess 2. Vee Em Gee MacRay 3. Ideal Escape
125 Day Spell

Act Now (Fr5) 413149x001
Trainer: Emma Stewart (Cardigan)
Driver: Jodi Quinlan
Prize Money: $999,416
Win / Place: 45% / 70%

Track / Distance Specialist

6 yo Brown Horse

Sire: SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE (USA)

Dam: MOLLYS IDEAL

Dam's Sire: American Ideal Usa

100

Rating

Stats

Career

48: 22-9-3

Distance

19: 11-2-0

Trk/Dst

17: 10-2-0

Track

24: 12-3-1

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

10: 1-3-0

2nd Up

10: 5-2-0

3rd Up

7: 4-2-1

Mobile

48: 22-9-3

All-Weather

48: 22-9-3

Best Mile

1:52.60

Comments

Last start won on from midfield and won by a head as favourite when driven back in the field, (Fr5) held up early, at this track (2:00.40) beating Bulletproof Boy in No NR on December 7 at $2.80 at the bell was 8th-13.43. Back on track now and looks tough to stop.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	7/12/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Jodi Quinlan	2:00.40	1:52.6	0.2m	$2.80f	28	No NR	$24,750	$14,108	1. Act Now 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
1st of 4	26/11/24	Melton	1720m			-	Jodi Quinlan	2:02.62	-	4.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Act Now 2. Ghost Of Time 3. Corravally Star NZ
11th of 11	9/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Jodi Quinlan	2:36.30	1:52.3	39.0m	$1.85f	28	No NR	$24,750	$495	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Helluva NZ 3. Kosimo
11th of 12	12/10/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Jodi Quinlan	2:35.60	1:51.8	33.8m	$26	330	No NR	$330,000	$4,950	1. Swayzee 2. Curly James 3. Mach Dan
330 Day Spell
1st of 4	1/10/24	Melton	2240m			-	Jodi Quinlan	2:42.98	-	1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Act Now 2. Catch A Wave 3. Beyond Delight
9th of 10	17/11/23	Bendigo	2150m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	J N Quinlan	2:35.50	1:56.4	17.2m	$8.00	13	-	$55,000	$1,100	1. Mach Dan 2. Rock N Roll Doo NZ 3. Beyond Delight

Bulletproof Boy (Fr6) 6147151522
Trainer: S L Ewen (Port Gawler)
Driver: Scott Ewen
Prize Money: $644,515
Win / Place: 21% / 43%

Nearing Another Win

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ART OFFICIAL (CAN)

Dam: MY RIVIERA GIRL (NZ)

Dam's Sire: Red River Hanover Usa

Rating

Stats

Career

200: 42-26-18

Distance

70: 14-9-4

Trk/Dst

52: 8-6-1

Track

96: 15-13-6

Season

16: 4-2-0

1st Up

11: 1-3-2

2nd Up

11: 5-0-1

3rd Up

11: 3-3-1

Mobile

196: 41-26-17

Standing

4: 1-0-1

All-Weather

200: 42-26-18

Best Mile

1:52.14

Comments

Solid run when a close second behind Triple Eight at this track over 2240m in a No NR on November 30 at $9.50. Then a handy effort when a close second after a quick start, behind Act Now at this track over 1720m in a No NR on December 7 at $4.40. Likely to go well again.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 9	7/12/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Scott Ewen	2:00.40	1:52.6	0.2m	$4.40	7	No NR	$24,750	$3,713	1. Act Now 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
2nd of 9	30/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Scott Ewen	2:40.30	1:55.2	0.1m	$9.50	14	No NR	$24,750	$3,713	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
5th of 10	16/11/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Scott Ewen	1:59.40	1:51.7	4.2m	$21	7	No NR	$82,500	$2,475	1. Perfect Class 2. Like A Wildfire NZ 3. Mach Dan
1st of 11	9/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	James Herbertson	2:36.30	1:52.3	7.1m	$5.50	7	No NR	$24,750	$14,108	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Helluva NZ 3. Kosimo
5th of 10	2/11/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Scott Ewen	1:59.90	1:52.2	4.3m	$13	7	No NR	$24,750	$743	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Serg Blanco NZ 3. Helluva NZ
1st of 6	26/10/24	Globe Derby	2230m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Scott Ewen	2:44.30	1:58.5	6.0m	$1.30f	7	No NR	$7,700	$4,540	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Artillery 3. Hot Deal

Young Bluey (Sr1) 5608713114
Trainer: M J Craven (Ecklin South)
Driver: Matthew Craven
Prize Money: $86,273
Win / Place: 25% / 61%

4 yo Brown/Black Gelding

Sire: BETTING LINE (USA)

Dam: LOTS A BLUE (AUS)

Dam's Sire: Courage Under Fire Nz

Rating

Stats

Career

31: 8-6-5

Distance

11: 1-2-1

Trk/Dst

9: 1-1-1

Track

15: 3-2-2

Season

10: 3-0-1

1st Up

4: 0-1-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-2

3rd Up

4: 0-2-0

Mobile

31: 8-6-5

All-Weather

31: 8-6-5

Best Mile

1:52.70

Comments

Beaten favourite last start when fourth at this track on November 30. Was victorious the start before at this track on November 23. In the mix.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 9	30/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Matthew Craven	2:40.30	1:55.2	5.2m	$2.25f	7	No NR	$24,750	$1,238	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ideal Escape
1st of 12	23/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Matthew Craven	2:41.60	1:56.1	8.5m	$1.35f	13	NR 80 to 89	$19,250	$10,973	1. Young Bluey 2. Rocknroll Walla 3. Rakero Slammer NZ
1st of 10	10/11/24	St Arnaud	2150m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Matthew Craven	2:36.30	1:57.0	12.8m	$1.95f	8	NR up to 95	$16,500	$9,405	1. Young Bluey 2. Dhaulagiri NZ 3. Rubins Plight
3rd of 12	2/11/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Matthew Craven	2:37.10	1:52.9	17.1m	$34	7	No NR	$55,000	$5,500	1. Cantfindabettorman NZ 2. Perfect Class 3. Young Bluey
1st of 10	26/10/24	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Matthew Craven	2:00.50	1:52.7	4.5m	$3.00	7	NR 70 to 79	$16,500	$9,405	1. Young Bluey 2. Jilliby Selwood 3. Ozzie Battler
7th of 12	19/10/24	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Matthew Craven	2:40.60	1:55.4	6.5m	$9.50	22	NR 70 to 79	$16,500	$330	1. Spirit Of Arion NZ 2. Blake Bolac 3. New Yorker

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