Strong Kiwi flavour at Melton on Wednesday

By Adam Hamilton

If you’re a feature racing fan, prepare for a late night on Wednesday.

It’s Vicbred semi-finals night at Melton there are loads of stars and some strong Kiwi connections in action.

You’ll really have to burn the midnight oil if you want to watch Nathan Purdon’s star former Kiwi mare Spellbound tackle (and probably win) her semi-final. She’ll be a hot favourite from gate two, but the race is at 1.05am NZ time.

Thankfully, Purdon’s other Vicbred big gun Amore Vita steps out a lot earlier. She will be one of the favourites in her 2YO Fillies semi, which is race one on the card at 7.35pm NZ time.

It won’t be easy from the back row (gate 10) against Emma Stewart’s very exciting Sounds Perfect (gate 12) and her other talented fillies Our Little Jet (one) and Petillante (four).

Another real highlight of the night is at 10.12pm when outstanding four-year-old’s Honolua Bay (gate three) and Pacifico Dream (four) clash in their semi. You’d think Honolua Bay would lead from three and make it four wins from as many starts since joining the Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin barn.

Some of the big guns of the 3YO colts and geldings series lock horns in race eight at 11.11pm.

You’ve got Beyond Delight in gate five, Rock N Roll Doo (six), Bondi Lockdown (nine) and Yambukian (12).

Freakish three-year-old filly Ladies In Red will have to overcome a horror draw (outside the back, 13) to win her semi.

Making is harder is the fact star stablemate Joanna should zip straight to the front from gate four and she will be mighty hard to rundown.