Melton Race 8 - Benstud Standardbreds Pace
IM DOWNBYTHEBEACH NZ (1) is lightly raced but promising. Raced up to four wide when kicking off in Australia with a win at this circuit and distance two back then did a great job again at his latest appearance at Bendigo, beaten only 1.7 metres into second by a recent Group 2 winner. Should enjoy a nice run from the inside draw and has plenty of upside. LILLY LOTUS (3) has not raced since she made it three wins on the trot by scoring at Shepparton in the only run of her campaign last July. Very good fresh performer with two wins and two placings from four attempts and was readied with a trial win. INTRUSION (7) has produced two nice efforts from the back row at this venue since recording back-to-back wins. Draws wide but he is going well. HEATSEEKER (8) has decent form and draws for a trail. He could be dangerous.

Driver: Jack Laugher
Stats
Comments
Last start solid effort when 2nd (Fr6) over 1650m after showing early speed and racing wide at Bendigo was leading by 1.54 at the bell, beaten 1.75 m by Willows Girl (1:58.20) in NR 58 to 66 on April 18 at $2.90. Two runs back won by a neck (Fr6) at this track (2:43.50) beating Go Easy On Me in NR 56 to 64 on April 10 at $5.50 at the bell was leading 0.14. Progressive and should get every chance from the ace draw.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 18/04/2026 | 8 | NR 58 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Tasmyn Potter | 1:55.3 | 6 |
| 1.7L | $2.90 |
| 1/12 | 10/04/2026 | 54 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:57.5 | 6 |
| 0.3L | $5.50 |
| 1/6 | 30/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | G F Douglas | 0 |
| 16L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/11 | 15/02/2026 | - | $10,160.00 | Motukarara Raceway | 2170m | Good | Samantha Ottley | 2:10.2 | 8 |
| 2.4L | $3.20 | |
| 3/8 | 10/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Ashburton Raceway | 2400m | Good | Samantha Ottley | 0 |
| 13.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jordan Leedham
Stats
Comments
Last start 7th (Fr3) over 2150m at Bendigo, at the bell was 8th-10.5 beaten 14 m by Maxnjax (2:37.70) in NR 67 to 77 on April 18 at $61. At the start before 6th (Sr1) over 1650m at Bendigo, at the bell was 7th-9.12 beaten 17 m by Keayang Renegade (1:55.80) in 0W/15 0K stake on April 8 at $17. Draws well so can feature.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/11 | 18/04/2026 | 10 | NR 67 to 77 | $15,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.1 | 3 |
| 14.3L | $61.00 |
| 6/10 | 08/04/2026 | 11 | 0W/15 0K stake | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:52.9 | 1 |
| 17.8L | $17.00 |
| 4/11 | 28/03/2026 | 14 | NR 62 to 71 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:56.6 | 4 |
| 4.3L | $7.00 |
| 5/8 | 14/03/2026 | 32 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.0 | 4 |
| 6.0L | $3.60 |
| 3/8 | 10/02/2026 | 11 | NR 57 to 67 | $7,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.2 | 1 |
| 10.6L | $2.90 |
| 3/10 | 30/01/2026 | 9 | NR up to 80 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.7 | 1 |
| 3.7L | $3.90 |
| 3/6 | 05/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | D L Marshall | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/5 | 20/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Jack Laugher | 0 |
| 4L | $0.00 |

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a spell of nine months. Scored at her only run last campaign recording by a head as favourite when driven back in the field, (Fr7) held up early, at Shepparton (2:40.40) beating Hoorah Philtra in NR 56 to 62 on July 22 at $2.90 at the bell was 6th-10m 2WWC. Draws well and is likely to measure up.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 | 02/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Mark Pitt | 0 |
| 30L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/8 | 22/07/2025 | 76 | NR 56 to 62 | $7,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | W | Mark Pitt | 1:57.9 | 7 |
| 0.2L | $2.90 |
| 2/5 | 03/07/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Mark Pitt | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/10 | 07/05/2025 | 12 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:57.0 | 6 |
| 0.2L | $3.20 |
| 1/7 | 25/04/2025 | 21 | NR 52 to 60 | $7,000.00 | Cobram | 2170m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:56.8 | 3 |
| 3.1L | $2.25 |
| 6/6 | 04/04/2025 | 23 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:55.1 | 3 |
| 11.1L | $26.00 |
| 1/10 | 12/03/2025 | 89 | NR up to 55 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:55.3 | 2 |
| 1.1L | $2.60 |
| 1/9 | 13/12/2024 | 27 | MAIDEN | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Neutral | B T Jones | 1:56.2 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $1.50 |

Driver: Rebecca Bartley
Stats
Comments
Racing consistently with minor placings at his last two starts. Placed last start 3rd (Sr1) over 2270m at Riverina Paceway, beaten 1.75 m by Keayang Jigsaw (2:42.50) in NR up to 58 on February 27 at $19. Before that 3rd (Fr2) over 2190m at Maryborough, at the bell was 6th-8m 2WWC beaten 2 m by New Yorker (2:40.10) in NR 60 to 80 on February 4 at $31. Place best.
Last Starts 56 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 27/02/2026 | 23 | NR up to 58 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 2270m | Fast | Mikayla Towers | 1:55.2 | 1 |
| 1.7L | $19.00 |
| 3/8 | 04/02/2026 | 18 | NR 60 to 80 | $8,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Rebecca Bartley | 1:57.7 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $31.00 |
| 9/12 | 17/01/2026 | 16 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Fast | Tasmyn Potter | 1:57.4 | 6 |
| 19.3L | $16.00 |
| 2/10 | 01/01/2026 | 6 | NR up to 60 | $14,990.00 | Leeton | 2147m | Fast | Rebecca Bartley | 1:59.0 | 2 |
| 13.1L | $2.50 |
| 1/9 | 26/12/2025 | 21 | NR up to 60 | $9,790.00 | Leeton | 2147m | Fast | Harrison Ross | 1:58.4 | 4 |
| 19.4L | $6.00 |
| 1/9 | 05/12/2025 | 10 | NR up to 48 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Fast | George Lee | 1:54.2 | 7 |
| 3.0L | $7.50 |
| 4/6 | 23/06/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Gawler | 2070m | Michael Smith | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/5 | 15/10/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Gawler | 2070m | Kaela Hryhorec | 0 |
| 25L | $0.00 |

Driver: Taylor Youl
Stats
Comments
Coming off five weeks break. Last appeared in New Zealand when 6th (Sr2) over 2300m at Mt Harding beaten 19 m by Times Are A Changin (2:54.80) in 4yo+ on March 22 at $5.50. Top-four hope.
Last Starts 5 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/3 | 19/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Taylor Youl | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/14 | 22/03/2026 | 9 | $9,570.00 | Mt Harding | 2300m | Good | Mia Holbrough | 2:02.2 | 2 |
| 19.4L | $5.50 | |
| 2/11 | 13/03/2026 | 14 | $14,860.00 | Addington | 1980m | Fast | Seth Hill | 1:57.3 | 3 |
| 1.1L | $11.70 | |
| 3/10 | 27/02/2026 | 12 | $14,970.00 | Addington | 1980m | Fast | Seth Hill | 1:57.8 | 1 |
| 5.1L | $12.90 | |
| 3/13 | 15/02/2026 | 10 | $10,530.00 | Motukarara Raceway | 2000m | Good | Tayla Duley | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 5.1L | $14.60 | |
| 1/11 | 05/02/2026 | 38 | $10,590.00 | Addington | 1980m | Fast | A C White | 2:00.3 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $2.50 | |
| 4/12 | 29/12/2025 | 31 | $10,960.00 | Motukarara Raceway | 2000m | Good | Seth Hill | 2:02.0 | 6 |
| 5.7L | $5.00 |

Driver: Darryl Lawlor
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much at the last run, 5th (Sr5) over 1660m at Hamilton, beaten 14 m by Keayang Wasabi (1:57.30) in NR 56 to 64 on April 13 at $151. Before that 5th (Sr2) over 2180m at Terang, beaten 30 m by Keayang Renegade (2:37.40) in NR 56 to 64 on March 27 at $126. Others make more appeal.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | 13/04/2026 | 17 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Hamilton | 1660m | Neutral | Nicholas O'connor | 1:53.7 | 5 |
| 14.0L | $151.00 |
| 5/11 | 27/03/2026 | 1810 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Neutral | N A O'connor | 1:56.2 | 2 |
| 29.4L | $126.00 |
| 1/3 | 17/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | N A O'connor | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/6 | 03/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 0m | Darryl Lawlor | 0 |
| 10L | $0.00 | ||
| 10/10 | 12/04/2021 | 7 | NR 57 to 68 | $7,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Neutral | T W Mclean | 2:01.4 | 3 |
| 11.5L | $93.10 |
| 9/9 | 05/04/2021 | 32 | NR 70 to 95 | $14,000.00 | Hamilton | 1660m | Neutral | T W Mclean | 1:53.0 | 1 |
| 19.3L | $16.00 |
| 6/7 | 04/03/2021 | 6 | NR 55 to 65 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | C L Rauchenberger | 1:56.4 | 1 |
| 15.5L | $11.50 |
| 6/6 | 26/02/2021 | 6 | NR 61 to 72 | $7,000.00 | Stawell | 2180m | Neutral | T W Mclean | 1:57.3 | 6 |
| 55.3L | $6.70 |

Driver: Liam Older
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 4.5 m second behind Zanda Man at this track over 2240m 0W/15 0K stake last start. Before that was beaten a neck fourth again at this track over 1720m same class on March 14. Can give a good account.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 04/04/2026 | 21 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:57.5 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $4.60 |
| 4/8 | 14/03/2026 | 11 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | A L Turnbull | 1:55.5 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $5.00 |
| 1/7 | 03/03/2026 | 11 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Neutral | Corey O'donoghue | 2:00.1 | 6 |
| 0.2L | $4.00 |
| 1/9 | 20/02/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | A L Turnbull | 1:55.2 | 3 |
| 3.1L | $2.15 |
| 10/12 | 14/02/2026 | 8 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | A L Turnbull | 1:57.2 | 6 |
| 9.7L | $34.00 |
| 3/9 | 06/02/2026 | 20 | NR 55 to 63 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | A L Turnbull | 2:00.5 | 6 |
| 1.5L | $2.40 |
| 6/8 | 13/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Paula Sapio | 0 |
| 17.3L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/7 | 07/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Good | Paula Sapio | 0 |
| 42L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ewa Justice
Stats
Comments
Won three starts back at Ballarat over 2200m NR 58 to 67 on March 19. Last time out 5th (Fr7) over 2100m at Geelong beaten 20 m by Seaside Boy (2:32.50) in NR 56 to 64 on April 17 at $19. Go well.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 17/04/2026 | 16 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:56.8 | 7 |
| 20.2L | $19.00 |
| 4/9 | 01/04/2026 | 13 | NR 60 to 75 | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:53.9 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $1.80 |
| 1/8 | 19/03/2026 | 4 | NR 58 to 67 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:58.8 | 2 |
| 7.6L | $1.90 |
| 1/12 | 15/03/2026 | 10 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Charlton | 2100m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:54.7 | 1 |
| 15.1L | $2.30 |
| 9/12 | 05/03/2026 | 10 | NR 51 to 56 | $6,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 1:54.1 | 7 |
| 14.3L | $81.00 |
| 6/8 | 23/02/2026 | 12 | NR up to 55 | $6,000.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 1:58.2 | 5 |
| 6.7L | $13.00 |
| 2/3 | 19/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Emmett Brosnan | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/7 | 13/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Emmett Brosnan | 0 |
| 23.4L | $0.00 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th (Fr4) over 1650m after racing wide at Bendigo, beaten 17 m by Keayang Renegade (1:55.60) in 0W/15 0K stake on April 18 at $101. At the run before game effort when 3rd (Fr5) over 1710m after showing early pace at Ballarat was leading by 4.13 at the bell, beaten 10 m by Sanchez (2:00.10) in 0W/15 0K stake on April 9 at $12. Rates highly and can bounce back.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/12 | 18/04/2026 | 9 | 0W/15 0K stake | $25,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:52.7 | 4 |
| 17.6L | $101.00 |
| 3/7 | 09/04/2026 | 6 | 0W/15 0K stake | $8,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:53.1 | 5 |
| 10.8L | $12.00 |
| 3/8 | 03/04/2026 | 7 | NR 56 to 64 | $10,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Reagan Clarke | 1:56.7 | 2 |
| 7.9L | $6.50 |
| 1/11 | 27/03/2026 | 8 | NR up to 55 | $8,000.00 | Terang | 1680m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:54.5 | 5 |
| 5.0L | $6.50 |
| 1/9 | 19/03/2026 | 4 | NR up to 55 | $6,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:56.7 | 5 |
| 2.7L | $2.70 |
| 6/12 | 15/03/2026 | 10 | NR 40 to 49 | $4,000.00 | Charlton | 2100m | Neutral | Jordan Leedham | 1:58.3 | 4 |
| 6.7L | $2.25 |
| 4/6 | 06/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Carrick | 2150m | Good | Todd Rattray | 0 |
| 13.9L | $0.00 | |
| 3/3 | 10/08/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Carrick | 2150m | Good | Lachlan Dakin | 0 |
| 1.6L | $0.00 |