Melton Race 10 - Garrards Horse & Hound Pure Steel
CHASE A DREAM NZ (6) is an accomplished former Kiwi who has joined the Jason Grimson stable since last seen in finishing fifth at Addington last month. Multiple Group 1 winner in his homeland and Cameron Hart drives. He'll be tough to stop if anywhere near his best. MACH DAN (7) has been ticking along okay without winning, placing for the third time in his last four starts when he came from this barrier and finished 4m away at Listed level last week. Owns a decent record at this circuit and distance so can make an impact again. HOT DEAL (8) has been racing consistently with a string of wins and placings. Starts alone on the second line so should have options. OPERATIVE LINE (5) won the last time he raced here so is worth including.

Driver: Sean O'Sullivan
Stats
Comments
Brings the right form to the table. Posted a big 4 m win after showing early speed, (Fr7) at Ballarat (2:39.60) beating Torque Power in NR 56 to 64 on February 5 at $23 at the bell was leading 3.45. Two runs back 2nd (Fr3) over 1720m after showing early speed at this track, beaten a neck by Clymenus (2:03.90) in NR 60 to 69 on January 30 at $13. This looks too much of a class rise.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 05/02/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | S J P O'sullivan | 1:56.8 | 7 |
| 3.8L | $23.00 |
| 2/9 | 30/01/2026 | 7 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Taylor Youl | 1:56.0 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $13.00 |
| 8/10 | 23/01/2026 | 8 | NR up to 80 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:53.5 | 4 |
| 7.3L | $18.00 |
| 2/10 | 15/01/2026 | 12 | NR 56 to 62 | $7,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:57.6 | 2 |
| 5.3L | $15.00 |
| 1/5 | 10/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Ewa Justice | 0 |
| 8L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/6 | 03/01/2026 | 91 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1145m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 6 |
| 9.2L | $9.50 | |
| 4/4 | 27/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Sean O'sullivan | 0 |
| 2.5L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/12 | 04/10/2025 | 14 | NR 60 to 75 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | S J P O'sullivan | 1:53.5 | 1 |
| 6.8L | $81.00 |

Driver: Ellen Tormey
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much last time out, 8th (Fr3) over 2180m at Kilmore, at the bell was 3rd-5.3 beaten 12 m by Ata Rangi (2:39.40) in NR 70 to 85 on February 7 at $61. Before that 8th (Fr3) over 2080m at Cranbourne was 5th-10 at the bell, beaten 15 m by Ghost Of Time (2:30.80) in NR 70 to 85 on January 31 at $18. Must do a lot more.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/8 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $25,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Alex Ashwood | 1:57.7 | 3 |
| 12.6L | $61.00 |
| 8/8 | 31/01/2026 | 10 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Alex Ashwood | 1:56.7 | 3 |
| 15.0L | $18.00 |
| 4/11 | 21/01/2026 | 8 | NR 60 to 80 | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Alex Ashwood | 1:57.4 | 1 |
| 4.9L | $8.00 |
| 6/12 | 13/01/2026 | 7 | NR 65 or better | $8,000.00 | Swan Hill | 1750m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:53.2 | 7 |
| 13.8L | $9.50 |
| 3/8 | 06/01/2026 | 5 | NR 60 to 80 | $8,000.00 | Shepparton | 1690m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:56.1 | 7 |
| 1.6L | $2.15 |
| 3/10 | 01/01/2026 | 5 | NR up to 80 | $15,000.00 | Echuca | 2560m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 2:02.6 | 2 |
| 0.2L | $2.00 |
| 1/4 | 06/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ellen Tormey | 0 |
| 6L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jack Laugher
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much last start, was driven from back in the field when 6th (Fr7) over 2180m at Kilmore, at the bell was 8th-15.9 beaten 10 m by Ata Rangi (2:39.40) in NR 70 to 85 on February 7 at $81. Before that 5th (Sr1) over 2080m at Cranbourne, at the bell was 6th-12.6 beaten 11 m by Ghost Of Time (2:30.80) in NR 70 to 85 on January 31 at $41. Not on current form.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $25,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:57.7 | 7 |
| 10.4L | $81.00 |
| 5/8 | 31/01/2026 | 147 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 11.7L | $41.00 |
| 7/7 | 06/09/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:53.6 | 1 |
| 14.2L | $26.00 |
| 8/8 | 30/08/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:55.7 | 2 |
| 27.7L | $71.00 |
| 7/8 | 23/08/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:52.0 | 2 |
| 9.9L | $101.00 |
| 5/7 | 16/08/2025 | 7 | NR 80 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:54.5 | 5 |
| 11.1L | $8.00 |
| 4/5 | 19/05/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Good | J G Coney | 0 |
| 8.7L | $0.00 | |
| 1/5 | 29/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Seaton Grima | 0 |
| 3.3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Leigh Sutton
Stats
Comments
Last start 5th (Fr2) over 1690m at Kilmore, at the bell was 5th-7.8 beaten 6 m by Smoken Ace (1:58.20) in LR No NR on February 7 at $51. Two runs back 2nd (Fr4) over 2555m at Wedderburn was leading by 4.4 at the bell, beaten 4 m by Crime Writer (3:11.60) in NR 70 to 95 on January 25 at $10. Facing a tricky assignment.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 07/02/2026 | 13 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 1:52.6 | 2 |
| 5.8L | $51.00 |
| 2/6 | 25/01/2026 | 24 | NR 70 to 95 | $12,000.00 | Wedderburn | 2555m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 2:00.7 | 4 |
| 3.9L | $10.00 |
| 1/10 | 01/01/2026 | 5 | NR up to 80 | $15,000.00 | Echuca | 2560m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 2:02.6 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $3.60 |
| 6/9 | 27/12/2025 | 13 | NR 80 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 1:51.4 | 5 |
| 10.8L | $19.00 |
| 6/12 | 14/12/2025 | 8 | NR up to 95 | $10,000.00 | Gunbower | 2630m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 1:58.3 | 4 |
| 52.2L | $8.50 |
| 3/8 | 06/12/2025 | 17 | NR 80 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Leigh Sutton | 1:55.5 | 5 |
| 11.0L | $16.00 |
| 4/5 | 02/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Leigh Sutton | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/3 | 22/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Leigh Sutton | 0 |
| 6L | $0.00 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Won three starts back at this track over 1720m No NR on December 27. Last start was driven from back in the field when 5th (Fr4) over 1710m at Ballarat was 2nd-4.11 at the bell, beaten 8 m by Smoken Ace (2:00.70) in No NR on January 24 at $6.50. First four hope.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 24/01/2026 | 13 | No NR | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:53.6 | 4 |
| 8.1L | $6.50 |
| 5/10 | 11/01/2026 | 15 | NR up to 105 | $15,000.00 | Hamilton | 2660m | Fast | James Herbertson | 1:55.6 | 3 |
| 21.4L | $7.50 |
| 1/5 | 27/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:50.8 | 4 |
| 7.6L | $11.00 |
| 9/10 | 20/12/2025 | 13 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:52.8 | 5 |
| 37.5L | $34.00 |
| 1/10 | 07/12/2025 | 71 | NR up to 95 | $15,000.00 | Horsham | 2200m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:56.3 | 3 |
| 1.9L | $2.50 |
| 6/6 | 27/09/2025 | 14 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:57.4 | 2 |
| 10.9L | $21.00 |
| 1/4 | 02/02/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | J J Herbertson | 0 |
| 8.5L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/5 | 21/07/2021 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | M J Bellman | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Driver: Cameron Hart
Stats
Comments
Capable of better than we have seen lately. Last start 5th (Fr6) over 1980m at Addington, beaten 30 m by Pinseeker (2:22.80) in C on January 30 at $4.80. The run prior 6th (Fr6) over 1980m at Addington was 4th-5.3m 2WWC at the bell, beaten 18 m by Republican Party (2:21.30) on December 12 at $6.30. Well-performed Kiwi who is well placed to kick off in Australia with a win.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6 | 30/01/2026 | 49 | $15,430.00 | Addington | 1980m | Fast | John R Dunn | 1:56.0 | 6 |
| 29.2L | $4.80 | |
| 6/7 | 12/12/2025 | 21 | $32,020.00 | Addington | 1980m | Fast | Robert Butt | 1:54.8 | 6 |
| 18.6L | $6.30 | |
| 1/3 | 02/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Rangiora Aw | 2600m | Good | John R Dunn | 0 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 | |
| 4/11 | 21/11/2025 | 10 | $107,730.00 | Addington | 2600m | Fast | Mark Purdon | 1:55.6 | 2 |
| 4.3L | $26.70 | |
| 8/11 | 11/11/2025 | 15 | $51,710.00 | Addington | 2600m | Neutral | Mark Purdon | 1:57.0 | 2 |
| 15.7L | $2.80 | |
| 2/7 | 05/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Addington | 1980m | Good | Mark Purdon | 0 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
| 9/11 | 27/10/2025 | 178 | $51,710.00 | Ashburton Raceway | 2400m | E | Andre Poutama | 1:57.3 | 1 |
| 33.2L | $12.30 | |
| 9/9 | 02/05/2025 | 7 | $87,730.00 | Alexandra Park | 2200m | Neutral | Blair Orange | 1:58.4 | 1 |
| 20.3L | $8.10 |

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
Improved last start with a game effort when 3rd (Fr7) over 1690m after showing early pace at Kilmore, at the bell was 2nd-0.9 beaten 4 m by Smoken Ace (1:58.20) in LR No NR on February 7 at $3. Looks close to a win.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 07/02/2026 | 14 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:52.6 | 7 |
| 4.0L | $3.00 |
| 7/8 | 24/01/2026 | 13 | No NR | $100,000.00 | Ballarat | 2710m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.4 | 1 |
| 20.4L | $41.00 |
| 2/11 | 11/01/2026 | 22 | No NR | $40,000.00 | Hobart | 2579m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:55.8 | 6 |
| 5.6L | $1.85 |
| 2/10 | 20/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:52.8 | 3 |
| 2.8L | $6.50 |
| 8/9 | 13/12/2025 | 28 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:50.5 | 2 |
| 19.5L | $17.00 |
| 8/11 | 15/11/2025 | 14 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Cameron Hart | 1:51.2 | 4 |
| 7.0L | $12.00 |
| 2/3 | 30/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Allan Mcdonough | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/3 | 15/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Talia Taugge | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |

Driver: Aaron Dunn
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished a narrow third behind Santa Casa Beach at Mildura over 2190m NR 67 or better last start. Before that was beaten a head second again at Mildura in NR 65 or better on January 23. Up in grade but racing consistently.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 04/02/2026 | 12 | NR 67 or better | $8,000.00 | Mildura | 2190m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:57.1 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $2.00 |
| 2/11 | 23/01/2026 | 10 | NR 65 or better | $8,000.00 | Mildura | 2190m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:57.5 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $1.55 |
| 1/12 | 13/01/2026 | 14 | NR 65 or better | $8,000.00 | Swan Hill | 1750m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:53.2 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $3.20 |
| 2/11 | 30/12/2025 | 20 | NR 65 or better | $10,000.00 | Mildura | 2190m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:57.4 | 4 |
| 3.5L | $2.20 |
| 1/8 | 10/12/2025 | 11 | NR 65 or better | $8,000.00 | Mildura | 1790m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 0.2L | $2.20 |
| 6/9 | 29/11/2025 | 8 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:51.8 | 2 |
| 18.3L | $41.00 |
| 5/6 | 22/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Aaron Dunn | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/2 | 10/07/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 1660m | Ryan Backhouse | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |