Melton Race 7 - Hertz Melton Trot
CRUSHER CLYDE NZ (7) was good in a higher-graded race here last week, coming from the back row for a 2.5m third. Had won four of his previous five starts including his lone attempt at this circuit and distance. Draws wide but has more upside than these. KEAYANG GYPSY (6) was solid when fourth at Listed level last time and was a Bendigo winner prior. Has decent statistics both here and at the distance. Contender. AVANT GUARD (4) could be close to a win having been edged out only narrowly in the Ararat Cup last start. TICTOK (3) came from a wider barrier when runner-up last week. Draws to be competitive.

Driver: Chris Alford
Stats
Comments
Last start 7th (Sr2) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 7th-15.17 beaten 16 m by Aldebaran Susanne (2:04.70) in LR NR 56 to 75 M on February 28 at $26. Before that, 6th (Sr1) over 1650m at Bendigo, at the bell was 9th-18 beaten 18 m by Keayang Gypsy (1:58.30) in NR 56 to 75 M on February 20 at $16. Draws the pegs and can show more.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8 | 28/02/2026 | 8 | NR 56 to 75 | $20,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:56.7 | 2 |
| 16.4L | $26.00 |
| 6/10 | 20/02/2026 | 13 | NR 56 to 75 | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:55.3 | 1 |
| 18.5L | $16.00 |
| 5/11 | 07/02/2026 | 8 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 1:58.5 | 2 |
| 4.1L | $23.00 |
| 4/9 | 30/01/2026 | 6 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 1:58.8 | 1 |
| 1.1L | $19.00 |
| 5/10 | 24/01/2026 | 8 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 1:58.5 | 2 |
| 10.4L | $81.00 |
| 5/9 | 16/01/2026 | 33 | 1W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 2:01.8 | 2 |
| 13.2L | $3.00 |
| 2/3 | 08/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Chris Alford | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/8 | 07/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | C A Alford | 0 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jordan Leedham
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much at the last run, 7th (FT Fr3) over 2570m at Ararat, at the bell was 5th-7.5 beaten 11 m by More Wanted (3:17.90) in No NR on February 27 at $6. Before that 4th (Fr1) over 1720m at this track was 4th-4.83 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Kyvalley Maven (2:04.80) in NR 65 to 75 on February 21 at $15. Looking to others.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 27/02/2026 | 6 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Ararat | 2570m | Neutral | Kerryn Manning | 2:03.0 | 3 |
| 11.6L | $6.00 |
| 4/8 | 21/02/2026 | 7 | NR 65 to 75 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 13.9L | $15.00 |
| 9/10 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.2 | 6 |
| 25.3L | $151.00 |
| 10/11 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.5 | 7 |
| 20.0L | $151.00 |
| 7/7 | 31/01/2026 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:55.9 | 3 |
| 34.1L | $61.00 |
| 8/10 | 24/01/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.5 | 4 |
| 23.5L | $101.00 |
| 1/6 | 04/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Jordan Leedham | 0 |
| 3.3L | $0.00 | |
| 1/7 | 05/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | D Douglas | 0 |
| 8L | $0.00 |

Driver: Michael Bellman
Stats
Comments
Improved last start with a solid effort when 2nd (Fr7) over 2240m after showing early speed at this track, at the bell was leading 2.81 beaten 5.5 m by Coconut Mickey (2:47.10) in NR up to 59 on February 28 at $3.90. Go well again.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 28/02/2026 | 7 | NR up to 59 | $8,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 2:00.1 | 7 |
| 5.3L | $3.90 |
| 5/11 | 21/02/2026 | 15 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 2:00.0 | 3 |
| 10.0L | $13.00 |
| 2/5 | 15/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Rebecca Morrissey | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/3 | 09/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Rebecca Morrissey | 0 |
| 14L | $0.00 | ||
| 11/11 | 06/02/2026 | 7 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:56.1 | 1 |
| 11.2L | $11.00 |
| 12/12 | 30/01/2026 | 7 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:59.4 | 3 |
| 56.6L | $7.00 |
| 4/10 | 23/01/2026 | 13 | NR 54 to 60 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:57.1 | 2 |
| 3.9L | $13.00 |
| 6/8 | 10/01/2026 | 7 | NR 60 to 75 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:58.2 | 2 |
| 28.7L | $5.50 |

Driver: Ellen Tormey
Stats
Comments
Two back was well beaten into sixth behind Remus Phoenix at this track over 2240m in a NR up to 90 on February 21 at $9. Then a handy effort when a close second behind More Wanted at Ararat over 2570m in a No NR on February 27 at $5.50. Another bold showing expected.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 27/02/2026 | 6 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Ararat | 2570m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 2:03.0 | 0 |
| 0.1L | $5.50 |
| 6/8 | 21/02/2026 | 14 | NR up to 90 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:59.5 | 1 |
| 14.2L | $9.00 |
| 8/12 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $75,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:57.8 | 5 |
| 37.9L | $151.00 |
| 4/7 | 31/01/2026 | 7 | No NR | $75,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.2 | 1 |
| 33.4L | $101.00 |
| 3/10 | 24/01/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.5 | 3 |
| 9.4L | $51.00 |
| 3/8 | 17/01/2026 | 7 | NR 63 to 74 | $15,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Fast | Ellen Tormey | 2:00.3 | 2 |
| 2.6L | $21.00 |
| 1/3 | 25/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/2 | 18/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 20L | $0.00 |

Driver: Kerryn Manning
Stats
Comments
Two back was well beaten into sixth after a quick start, behind Jilliby Ballerini at Ballarat over 2200m in a 4-5yo LR No NR on January 24 at $61. Then a handy effort when well beaten into third after being driven well back, behind Kyvalley Maven at this track over 1720m in a NR 65 to 75 on February 21 at $41. Consider.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 21/02/2026 | 28 | NR 65 to 75 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Kerryn Manning | 1:56.7 | 7 |
| 13.4L | $41.00 |
| 6/8 | 24/01/2026 | 8 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Kerryn Manning | 2:00.2 | 3 |
| 10.1L | $61.00 |
| 1/9 | 16/01/2026 | 20 | 1W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 2:01.8 | 6 |
| 5.4L | $10.00 |
| 7/10 | 27/12/2025 | 14 | NR 58 to 68 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:59.2 | 6 |
| 20.7L | $6.50 |
| 4/12 | 13/12/2025 | 10 | No NR | $60,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Kerryn Manning | 1:58.5 | 1 |
| 25.3L | $26.00 |
| 4/8 | 03/12/2025 | 3 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jodi Quinlan | 1:57.3 | 4 |
| 6.0L | $41.00 |
| 2/3 | 06/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | T L Ainsworth | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/3 | 08/04/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Horsham | 1700m | K E Manning | 0 |
| 7.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Glen Craven
Stats
Comments
Beaten favourite last start when fourth at this track on February 28. Proved too good the start prior at Bendigo on February 20. Should be in the finish.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 28/02/2026 | 8 | NR 56 to 75 | $20,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:56.7 | 5 |
| 9.1L | $1.40 |
| 1/10 | 20/02/2026 | 9 | NR 56 to 75 | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:55.3 | 4 |
| 6.6L | $2.15 |
| 2/11 | 11/02/2026 | 16 | NR 57 to 66 | $6,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 2:01.3 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $3.10 |
| 7/7 | 26/01/2026 | 3 | No NR | $6,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Fast | Glen Craven | 2:01.8 | 0 |
| 133.9L | $2.90 |
| 1/10 | 23/01/2026 | 12 | NR 54 to 60 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:57.1 | 3 |
| 1.1L | $5.00 |
| 4/7 | 11/01/2026 | 8 | No NR | $12,000.00 | Hamilton | 2660m | Fast | Glen Craven | 2:00.6 | 2 |
| 9.3L | $4.20 |
| 4/5 | 06/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Chelsea O'driscoll | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/3 | 26/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Jason Lee | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jason Lee
Stats
Comments
Last start game effort when 3rd (Sr1) over 1720m at this track was 3rd-5.42 at the bell, beaten 2.5 m by Quirky Character (2:03.70) in NR 70 to 85 on February 28 at $3.80. Two runs back won by a neck as favourite (Sr4) at this track (2:47.10) beating Maximez in 0W/15 0K stake on February 21 at $2.80 at the bell was 6th-7.24. Strong claims.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 28/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:55.8 | 1 |
| 2.5L | $3.80 |
| 1/11 | 21/02/2026 | 9 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 2:00.0 | 4 |
| 0.3L | $2.80 |
| 8/8 | 12/02/2026 | 17 | NR 55 or better | $8,000.00 | Kilmore | 2660m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 2:05.1 | 0 |
| 474.5L | $3.30 |
| 1/7 | 26/01/2026 | 15 | No NR | $6,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Fast | Jason Lee | 2:01.8 | 0 |
| 3.2L | $1.70 |
| 2/5 | 20/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Jason Lee | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/7 | 11/01/2026 | 56 | No NR | $6,000.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | Fast | Glen Craven | 2:00.1 | 0 |
| 7.0L | $3.20 |
| 5/5 | 06/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Jason Lee | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/8 | 16/11/2025 | 10 | $9,790.00 | Central Southland Raceway | 2400m | Neutral | Brad Williamson | 2:05.7 | 2 |
| 2.2L | $3.40 |