Melton Race 3 - Nutrien Equine Classic Race Series 4 (3Yo Colts & Geldings) (2Nd Heat)
THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (2) returns from a successful Sydney raid where he scored a resuming win in a NSW Derby heat before breaking early but recovering to place in the G1 final at Menangle last time out. Won his only try at this circuit and distance and should be able to dictate from this draw. Stablemate STORMS COLLIDE (4) was also first up when he won a heat of the NSW Derby two back before he copped a wide barrier for the final. He is suited back to this distance having recorded a win and a placing from two attempts. GOLDEN TRIBE (3) recorded back-to-back wins before he led and boxed on as runner-up here last time. Can be prominent from this draw. SANCHEZ (6) wasn't far away in two rounds of the Gold Chalice at Bathurst following a fresh win. Dangerous on his day. NEW SHUFFLE (5) kicked off his campaign with a couple of wins before two solid efforts at this circuit, clocking in second from the back line two back before a close fourth last time.

Driver: Ewa Justice
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track, beaten 20 m by Artist (2:03.90) in 0-1 WIN on March 14 at $34. Two runs back won by 2 m after showing early speed, (Fr6) at Geelong (1:59.00) beating Jilliby Ryder in MAIDEN on March 7 at $13 at the bell was leading 1.89. Might find this a bit tough.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6/10 | 14/03/2025 | 7 | 0-1 WIN | $6,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:55.9 | 1 |
| 20.1L | $34.00 |
1/9 | 07/03/2025 | 12 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:59.0 | 6 |
| 2.1L | $13.00 |
6/12 | 23/02/2025 | 16 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 2:02.6 | 4 |
| 19.4L | $26.00 |
3/11 | 07/02/2025 | - | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | John Justice | 1:56.8 | 1 |
| 6.9L | $34.00 |
3/6 | 28/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | John Justice | 0 |
| 19.5L | $0.00 | ||
4/5 | 20/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Ewajustice | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
Last start good run when 3rd (Fr6) over 2400m after showing early pace at Menangle, at the bell was 3rd-4.3m on the pegs beaten 12 m by Always Hot (2:49.80) in 3yo G1 NSW Derby on March 8 at $6.50. Two runs back won by 3.5 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr6) at Menangle (2:50.50) beating Mac Bon in 3yo No NR CG on March 1 at $1.12 at the bell was leading 1.5m on the pegs. Classy colt who will be hard to stop from this draw.
Last Starts 26 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3/10 | 08/03/2025 | 7 | No NR | $200,000.00 | Menangle | 2400m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:53.9 | 6 |
| 12.5L | $6.50 |
1/10 | 01/03/2025 | 168 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2400m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.3 | 6 |
| 3.6L | $1.12 |
2/5 | 22/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | M Pitt | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
2/4 | 13/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Mark Pitt | 0 |
| 4.9L | $0.00 | |
4/12 | 14/09/2024 | 7 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:55.8 | 1 |
| 2.6L | $2.80 |
6/12 | 07/09/2024 | 10 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:54.8 | 5 |
| 17.4L | $3.30 |
1/10 | 28/08/2024 | 32 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:54.7 | 6 |
| 0.2L | $1.22 |
2/10 | 27/07/2024 | 98 | No NR | $500,000.00 | Albion Park | 1660m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:50.6 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $2.30 |

Driver: Jason Lee
Stats
Comments
Last start game effort when 2nd (Fr4) over 1720m after showing early speed at this track, at the bell was leading 1.82 beaten 2.25 m by Calexico (2:02.80) in 3yo No NR on March 15 at $5. Two runs back won by 11 m as favourite after showing early speed, (Fr6) at Geelong (1:54.80) beating Scherger That in NR 50 to 55 on March 7 at $1.65 at the bell was leading 2.1. Capable of playing a role.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/4 | 25/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Glen Craven | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
2/7 | 15/03/2025 | 8 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:54.9 | 4 |
| 2.2L | $5.00 |
1/10 | 07/03/2025 | 5 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:54.8 | 6 |
| 11.5L | $1.65 |
1/7 | 02/03/2025 | 9 | 0-2 WINS | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:55.4 | 6 |
| 7.8L | $1.40 |
10/10 | 21/02/2025 | 105 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:54.7 | 4 |
| 170.9L | $3.70 |
1/6 | 10/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Jordan Leedham | 0 |
| 15.6L | $0.00 | |
8/10 | 08/11/2024 | 13 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:55.9 | 2 |
| 54.8L | $11.00 |
4/9 | 26/10/2024 | 10 | No NR | $25,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:56.9 | 1 |
| 7.5L | $4.40 |

Driver: Cameron Hart
Stats
Comments
Drew wide last start; 10th (Fr9) over 2400m after racing wide at Menangle beaten 50 m by Always Hot (2:49.80) in 3yo G1 NSW Derby on March 8 at $101. Showed ability the race before when he won by a nose after showing early speed, (Fr6) at Menangle (2:52.50) beating Go Miki in 3yo No NR CG on March 1 at $14 at the bell was leading 3.8m on the pegs. Could challenge.
Last Starts 26 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/10 | 08/03/2025 | 7 | No NR | $200,000.00 | Menangle | 2400m | Neutral | B L McDonough | 1:53.9 | 9 |
| 49.9L | $101.00 |
1/10 | 01/03/2025 | 164 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2400m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:55.7 | 6 |
| 0.1L | $14.00 |
1/5 | 22/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | D Murphy | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
1/4 | 04/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | R P Duffy | 0 |
| 8.6L | $0.00 | |
2/11 | 18/09/2024 | 11 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:55.3 | 4 |
| 1.4L | $1.22 |
7/12 | 07/09/2024 | 10 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:54.8 | 2 |
| 20.6L | $26.00 |
1/10 | 28/08/2024 | 12 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:56.3 | 1 |
| 1.3L | $1.33 |
2/7 | 16/08/2024 | 118 | No NR | $7,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | M R Pitt | 1:53.8 | 6 |
| 0.2L | $1.18 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Won three starts back at Cranbourne over 1609m NR 50 to 55 on February 23. Last time out 4th (Fr3) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 4th-6.02 beaten 4 m by Calexico (2:02.80) in 3yo No NR on March 15 at $9. Could sneak into the finish.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/7 | 15/03/2025 | 7 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:54.9 | 3 |
| 4.1L | $9.00 |
2/12 | 08/03/2025 | 13 | NR up to 55 | $8,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:53.1 | 4 |
| 18.6L | $1.95 |
1/8 | 23/02/2025 | 16 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:57.5 | 2 |
| 8.2L | $1.22 |
1/11 | 07/02/2025 | 146 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:56.8 | 5 |
| 1.1L | $1.65 |
1/6 | 28/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Greg Sugars | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
1/5 | 20/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | James Herbertson | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
5/12 | 14/09/2024 | 7 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.8 | 3 |
| 6.2L | $61.00 |
6/12 | 07/09/2024 | 10 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.2 | 6 |
| 14.8L | $15.00 |

Driver: David Moran
Stats
Comments
Hasn't been in the money since winning three starts back at Riverina Paceway, the most recent effort a fifth at Bathurst over 1730m, beaten 8 metres. Among the players on best form.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/10 | 28/03/2025 | 4 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Neutral | Brad Hewitt | 1:52.7 | 1 |
| 8.3L | $5.00 |
4/9 | 24/03/2025 | 17 | No NR | $9,790.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Neutral | Brad Hewitt | 1:51.9 | 7 |
| 15.1L | $5.00 |
2/4 | 13/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cobram | 2170m | R Sanderson | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
1/8 | 07/03/2025 | 132 | NR up to 63 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Neutral | Brad Hewitt | 1:53.2 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $1.25 |
5/9 | 20/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 1690m | David Moran | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
2/10 | 26/10/2024 | 14 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Nathan Jack | 1:50.0 | 2 |
| 5.1L | $10.00 |
2/10 | 12/10/2024 | 21 | No NR | $25,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Brad Hewitt | 1:52.9 | 1 |
| 0.2L | $3.40 |
2/9 | 21/09/2024 | 15 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Neutral | Zac Phillips | 1:52.8 | 5 |
| 1.4L | $2.50 |