Melton Race 8 - Benstud Standardbreds 2yo Mdn Pace
SOHO MCLUCKIE (2) was well in the betting when making his debut at Newcastle but manners let him down. Chased a Group 1 winner when second in a Menangle trial since and should have no excuses from this advantageous draw so can make amends. HIGH RIDER (3) made a solid impact on debut a week ago, finishing third at Geelong. Open to natural improvement and draws closer to the pegs so can progress. GRANDIOSA (5) has chased boom filly Ideal Frankie when placed in her last two outings, the latest a third in the APG Final. Better placed here. GATSBY (1) faces the starter for the first time. By Stay Hungry and hails from the Ruth Shinn stable. Won the latest trial and gets the ace draw so keep safe.
Driver: Christopher Shinn
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old colt by Stay Hungry out of Bellissima on debut. Won a trial on June 11 at Shepparton over 1690m. Expected to perform well from an inside draw.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 11/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 1690m | Christopher Shinn | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/6 | 28/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 1690m | Christopher Shinn | 0 |
| 40L | $0.00 |
Driver: John Caldow
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old colt facing the starter for the second time. At debut was broke when 8th (Fr5) over 1609m at Newcastle, beaten 75 m by Paiges Boulder (1:55.50) in 2yo on June 19 at $3.70. Has trialled well since breaking ion debut so worth another chance.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 24/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Michael Stanley | 0 |
| 21.8L | $0.00 | |
| 8/8 | 19/06/2026 | - | NR up to 55 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Michael Stanley | 1:55.5 | 5 |
| 76.8L | $3.70 |
| 3/7 | 03/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Michael Stanley | 0 |
| 21.4L | $0.00 |
Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old gelding facing the starter for the second time. At debut game effort despite getting well back, when 3rd (Fr5) over 1609m at Geelong, at the bell was 4th-9.21 beaten 17 m by Del Ray (1:57.10) on July 3 at $3.80. Drawn to advantage and can improve.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 03/07/2026 | - | 2YO | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:57.1 | 5 |
| 17.5L | $3.80 |
| 1/6 | 16/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Jason Lee | 0 |
| 10L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/5 | 09/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | James Herbertson | 0 |
| 30L | $0.00 |
Driver: Chris Alford
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old gelding lining up for the second time. At debut 6th (Fr4) over 2080m after showing early pace at Cranbourne, at the bell was leading 1.6 beaten 25 m by Bettor Punter (2:35.00) on June 28 at $16. Prefer to see again.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/9 | 28/06/2026 | - | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:59.9 | 4 |
| 26.1L | $16.00 |
| 6/7 | 02/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Riley Mitchell | 0 |
| 118L | $0.00 | |
| 3/3 | 30/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hobart | 1609m | Good | Dylan Ford | 0 |
| 24.7L | $0.00 |
Driver: Daryl Douglas
Stats
Comments
Two back was well beaten into second after being driven well back, behind Ideal Frankie at Kilmore over 1690m in a 2yo F on June 18 at $34. Then a handy effort when well beaten into third after being driven well back, behind Ideal Frankie at this track over 1720m in a 2yo LR F on June 27 at $41. Among the contenders.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 27/06/2026 | 9 | No NR | $100,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | D K Douglas | 1:55.9 | 6 |
| 42.8L | $41.00 |
| 2/8 | 18/06/2026 | 18 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | W | D K Douglas | 1:57.7 | 3 |
| 46.9L | $34.00 |
| 7/8 | 31/05/2026 | 11 | No NR | $14,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:57.6 | 7 |
| 71.1L | $81.00 |
| 4/7 | 20/05/2026 | 14 | No NR | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:54.3 | 1 |
| 43.1L | $26.00 |
| 3/6 | 06/05/2026 | - | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 2:00.3 | 1 |
| 16.7L | $15.00 |
| 1/4 | 23/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | G F Douglas | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |
Driver: Ewa Justice
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old colt lining up for the second time. At debut was driven from back in the field when 4th (Fr6) over 1609m at Geelong, at the bell was 3rd-5.5 beaten 18 m by Del Ray (1:57.10) on July 3 at $11. Likely improver.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 03/07/2026 | - | 2YO | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:57.1 | 6 |
| 18.3L | $11.00 |
| 5/5 | 16/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Jason Lee | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/5 | 09/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Ewa Justice | 0 |
| 36L | $0.00 |
Driver: Josh Duggan
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old gelding facing the starter for the second time. At debut broke in score up and was out of position at the start 7th (Fr3) over 1609m at Geelong beaten 30 m by Del Ray (1:57.10) on July 3 at $41. Will need to improve sharply.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7 | 03/07/2026 | - | 2YO | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Josh Duggan | 1:57.1 | 3 |
| 31.6L | $41.00 |
| 2/5 | 27/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Good | Josh Duggan | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | |
| 3/5 | 16/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | John Caldow | 0 |
| 29.8L | $0.00 |