Melton Race 2 - Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trot
IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY (1) put it together last week, coming from the back row to score by 2.7m at this circuit and distance. Race fit now and could go on with it aided by the ace draw. CARLA PIXIE NZ (9) has been racing well, recording back-to-back wins before coming from this row to place in her last two attempts at this venue. She can make an impact again. PRETTYBOY HARRY (4) raced parked and faded when well fancied last start but was racing well prior including a Maryborough win two back so is worth another chance as is NAKEDTRUTH (8) who drew wide and did some work last week but had recorded a string of wins and placings prior.

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
Last start ran on from midfield and won by 2.75 m (Sr2) at this track (2:05.30) beating Aldebaran Abel in on June 27 at $5.50 at the bell was 6th-9.88. Leading chance again off the inside draw.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 27/06/2026 | 21 | NR 58 to 68 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:57.3 | 2 |
| 2.7L | $5.50 |
| 9/9 | 06/06/2026 | 28 | NR 58 to 68 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Kylie Sugars | 2:00.4 | 7 |
| 18.2L | $21.00 |
| 9/10 | 09/05/2026 | 157 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Kylie Sugars | 1:57.1 | 3 |
| 39.2L | $15.00 |
| 5/5 | 30/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Kylie Sugars | 0 |
| 10L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/7 | 23/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Kylie Sugars | 0 |
| 17L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/7 | 03/12/2025 | 5 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Kylie Sugars | 1:59.0 | 6 |
| 21.1L | $15.00 |
| 3/12 | 28/11/2025 | 14 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | W | Kylie Sugars | 2:01.3 | 6 |
| 4.9L | $4.40 |
| 9/10 | 14/11/2025 | 12 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Kylie Sugars | 2:00.4 | 1 |
| 54.0L | $3.20 |

Driver: Matthew Gath
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much at the last run, 6th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 7th-15.21 beaten 17 m by Hillwinsome (2:07.80) on June 26 at $41. Before that 10th (Fr6) over 2240m after showing early speed and racing wide at this track beaten 35 m by Artigas (2:46.10) on June 13 at $151. Hard to have.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/10 | 26/06/2026 | 13 | NR up to 59 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Matthew Gath | 1:59.6 | 1 |
| 17.0L | $41.00 |
| 10/12 | 13/06/2026 | 3 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Matthew Gath | 1:59.3 | 6 |
| 35.3L | $151.00 |
| 8/8 | 10/06/2026 | 7 | NR 55 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Matthew Gath | 1:57.0 | 4 |
| 59.2L | $11.00 |
| 6/12 | 03/06/2026 | 7 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Matthew Gath | 1:58.8 | 5 |
| 16.3L | $61.00 |
| 8/11 | 27/05/2026 | 7 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | W | Matthew Gath | 2:00.5 | 7 |
| 17.0L | $51.00 |
| 5/12 | 20/05/2026 | 11 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Matthew Gath | 2:02.0 | 6 |
| 11.5L | $21.00 |
| 5/5 | 23/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Matthew Gath | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/3 | 16/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | J P Egan | 0 |
| 12L | $0.00 |

Driver: Scott Ewen
Stats
Comments
Last start won by 7 m as favourite (Sr2) at this track (2:50.10) beating Steady Dream in on June 26 at $2.15 at the bell was 4th-6.72. Up in grade but draws well.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 26/06/2026 | 7 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:02.2 | 2 |
| 7.3L | $2.15 |
| 7/7 | 19/06/2026 | 5 | NR up to 59 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:01.0 | 7 |
| 19.3L | $7.00 |
| 1/8 | 14/06/2026 | 72 | NR up to 49 | $4,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:00.3 | 1 |
| 0.2L | $5.00 |
| 1/4 | 09/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Scott Ewen | 0 |
| 8L | $0.00 | |
| 3/8 | 03/04/2026 | 5 | NR up to 50 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:01.8 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $7.00 |
| 3/6 | 29/03/2026 | 23 | NR up to 50 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:04.3 | 6 |
| 1.3L | $1.65 |
| 4/12 | 06/03/2026 | 15 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Scott Ewen | 2:00.0 | 5 |
| 9.0L | $21.00 |
| 1/5 | 25/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Scott Ewen | 0 |
| 25.9L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ashley Manton
Stats
Comments
Failed to impress last start; 8th (Fr2) over 1720m after showing early pace at this track was 2nd-0.96 at the bell, beaten 15 m by Wallis (2:05.10) on June 6 at $1.85. Showed ability the race before when he won by 4.5 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr3) at Maryborough (2:07.30) beating Sam Nien in on May 31 at $2.40. Can bounce back.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 06/06/2026 | 6 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ashley Manton | 1:57.1 | 2 |
| 15.3L | $1.85 |
| 1/11 | 31/05/2026 | 15 | NR 57 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Neutral | Ashley Manton | 2:01.2 | 3 |
| 4.5L | $2.40 |
| 4/7 | 16/05/2026 | 9 | NR 60 to 71 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ashley Manton | 1:59.1 | 3 |
| 5.2L | $3.10 |
| 1/8 | 07/05/2026 | 8 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Ashley Manton | 2:01.9 | 7 |
| 4.6L | $3.70 |
| 2/12 | 29/04/2026 | 7 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Ashley Manton | 1:56.0 | 4 |
| 3.0L | $6.50 |
| 6/10 | 22/04/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Brent Thomson | 1:58.4 | 3 |
| 16.1L | $4.80 |
| 1/2 | 05/12/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Rebecca Bartley | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/5 | 29/08/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | B Thomson | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ellen Tormey
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much last start, 8th (Sr3) over 1720m at this track beaten 70 m by Hillwinsome (2:07.80) on June 26 at $5.50. Before that 4th (Fr1) over 2240m at this track was 3rd-11.29 at the bell, beaten 9 m by With Aplomb (2:46.70) on June 20 at $23. Must lift.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 26/06/2026 | 6 | NR up to 59 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:59.6 | 3 |
| 69.3L | $5.50 |
| 4/9 | 20/06/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | W | Ellen Tormey | 1:59.8 | 1 |
| 9.6L | $23.00 |
| 6/12 | 13/06/2026 | 10 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:59.3 | 7 |
| 23.8L | $101.00 |
| 5/12 | 03/06/2026 | 42 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.8 | 1 |
| 13.2L | $71.00 |
| 1/6 | 25/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 10/10 | 22/04/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.4 | 5 |
| 80.8L | $8.00 |
| 1/10 | 16/04/2026 | 6 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 2:01.9 | 3 |
| 1.6L | $6.50 |
| 3/6 | 05/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 20L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jack Laugher
Stats
Comments
Last start 5th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track was 5th-9.06 at the bell, beaten 15 m by Ijustcalledtosay (2:05.30) on June 27 at $16. Before that, 8th (Sr6) over 2240m at this track, beaten 75 m by With Aplomb (2:46.70) on June 20 at $13. Consider.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 27/06/2026 | 7 | NR 58 to 68 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:57.3 | 1 |
| 15.5L | $16.00 |
| 8/9 | 20/06/2026 | 17 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | W | Jack Laugher | 1:59.8 | 6 |
| 77.1L | $13.00 |
| 1/12 | 03/06/2026 | 11 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:58.8 | 2 |
| 8.0L | $7.00 |
| 9/9 | 23/05/2026 | 3 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 2:00.1 | 4 |
| 25.5L | $4.60 |
| 1/12 | 20/05/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 2:02.0 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $3.40 |
| 4/8 | 14/05/2026 | 14 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 2:01.1 | 4 |
| 6.0L | $2.40 |
| 7/7 | 10/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Jack Laugher | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/6 | 03/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Jack Laugher | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Emmett Brosnan
Stats
Comments
Last start 4th (Sr1) over 2100m at Geelong, beaten 20 m by Carla Pixie (2:36.20) on June 5 at $17. Two runs back posted a big 4.5 m win as favourite when quickly away, (Fr1) at Geelong (2:01.60) beating Ijustcantseeit in on May 22 at $2.40 at the bell was leading 3.7. Prefer others on this occasion.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 05/06/2026 | 14 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 1:59.7 | 1 |
| 20.2L | $17.00 |
| 1/8 | 22/05/2026 | 8 | NR up to 59 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 2:01.6 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $2.40 |
| 6/8 | 14/05/2026 | 27 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 2:01.1 | 6 |
| 10.6L | $16.00 |
| 10/11 | 17/04/2026 | 7 | NR 52 to 56 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Hannah Lewis | 2:05.6 | 3 |
| 34.7L | $6.50 |
| 6/12 | 10/04/2026 | 13 | NR up to 59 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Liam Older | 2:00.6 | 2 |
| 21.6L | $7.50 |
| 10/10 | 28/03/2026 | 13 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Emmett Brosnan | 1:57.9 | 6 |
| 25.9L | $26.00 |
| 2/4 | 19/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Emmett Brosnan | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/3 | 13/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Emmett Brosnan | 0 |
| 3.9L | $0.00 |

Driver: Chris Alford
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th (Fr6) over 1720m after showing early pace at this track, at the bell was 5th-11.41 beaten 14 m by Hoppy (2:05.20) on June 27 at $15. Before that, a game effort when 2nd (Fr2) over 2240m after showing early speed at this track was 2nd-4.7 at the bell, beaten 2 m by With Aplomb (2:46.70) on June 20 at $5. Worth another chance.
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 | 27/06/2026 | 7 | NR 69 to 79 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 1:57.1 | 6 |
| 14.1L | $15.00 |
| 2/9 | 20/06/2026 | 8 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | W | Chris Alford | 1:59.8 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $5.00 |
| 1/6 | 12/06/2026 | 6 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 2:00.1 | 3 |
| 9.2L | $2.50 |
| 3/10 | 06/06/2026 | 14 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 1:57.1 | 2 |
| 2.8L | $10.00 |
| 2/9 | 23/05/2026 | 43 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Chris Alford | 2:00.1 | 5 |
| 3.8L | $26.00 |
| 10/11 | 10/04/2026 | 13 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Josh Duggan | 1:58.4 | 6 |
| 30.3L | $51.00 |
| 1/6 | 13/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Chris Alford | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/7 | 25/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Chris Alford | 0 |
| 30.8L | $0.00 |

Driver: Tristan Larsen
Stats
Comments
Two back was beaten by 7 m finishing second behind Artigas at this track over 2240m on June 13 at $6. Then a handy effort when beaten by 5 m finishing third behind With Aplomb at this track over 2240m on June 20 at $4. Rates highly. Can continue the strong form.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 20/06/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | W | T K Larsen | 1:59.8 | 1 |
| 5.0L | $4.00 |
| 2/12 | 13/06/2026 | 8 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | T K Larsen | 1:59.3 | 4 |
| 7.0L | $6.00 |
| 1/9 | 05/06/2026 | 13 | 0W/15 0K stake | $7,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | T K Larsen | 1:59.7 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $9.50 |
| 1/10 | 23/05/2026 | 9 | NR 45 to 57 | $8,000.00 | Globe Derby | 1800m | Neutral | Wayne Hill | 2:01.1 | 6 |
| 3.6L | $1.85 |
| 8/8 | 14/05/2026 | 152 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | T K Larsen | 2:01.1 | 7 |
| 12.8L | $11.00 |
| 1/4 | 28/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | T K Larsen | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 1/2 | 20/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Tristan Larsen | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 12/12 | 13/12/2025 | 10 | No NR | $60,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Anthony Butt | 1:59.1 | 3 |
| 62.3L | $126.00 |

Driver: John Caldow
Stats
Comments
Brings the right form to the table. Posted a big 7 m win (Sr2) at Bendigo (2:37.00) beating Kyvalley Michael in on June 24 at $23. Two runs back 7th (Sr2) over 2240m at this track beaten 25 m by Artigas (2:46.10) on June 13 at $41. Not keen against this field.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 24/06/2026 | 11 | NR 55 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:57.5 | 2 |
| 7.4L | $23.00 |
| 7/12 | 13/06/2026 | 13 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:59.3 | 2 |
| 25.9L | $41.00 |
| 6/11 | 31/05/2026 | 11 | NR 57 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Neutral | John Caldow | 2:01.2 | 4 |
| 19.0L | $34.00 |
| 11/12 | 20/05/2026 | 136 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | John Caldow | 2:02.0 | 3 |
| 19.2L | $41.00 |
| 3/5 | 09/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | John Caldow | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/4 | 28/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | John Caldow | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 5/9 | 04/01/2026 | 15 | NR 57 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:57.3 | 7 |
| 22.4L | $3.40 |
| 3/11 | 20/12/2025 | 14 | NR 70 to 79 | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:55.7 | 1 |
| 20.4L | $26.00 |