Summer of Glory - Night One preview

By Adam Hamilton

THE first clash between star trotters Tornado Valley and Marcoola promises to steal the show on a stellar Melton card Saturday night.

The 10-race card boasts four Group 1’s, two Group 2’s and a Group 3 feature.

Our Aussie correspondent ADAM HAMILTON looks through the major races:

R6 – GREAT SOUTHERN STAR

What a race! No doubt it’s much stronger than the Inter Dominion trotting final won by TORNADO VALLEY (2).

So it’s hard to see why he’s $1.50 even from gate two where he should pounce on the lead.

If the best MARCOOLA (3), he’s going to really put it to Tornado Valley and the 2760m plays to the Kiwi’s strength.

TOUGH MONARCH (1) is also suited by the longer 2760m and did enough through Inter Dominion to say he can be right in it from the pole.

Other hopes to SPEEDING SPUR (7), SAVE OUR PENNYS (8), KYVALLEY BLUR (10), TEMPORALE (12) and DANCE CRAZE (13) have claims if the two big guns attack each other.

SUGGESTED BET: TOUGH MONARCH (1) each-way at $13 or better

R7 – VICTORIA DERBY

IM ANOTHERMASTERPIECE (5) is the obvious after fantastic heat win in fastest time and also drawn well. WAR DAN DELIGHT (2) is the blowout. Monstrous run in unsuitably run heat from last when smashed clock. Gets the pole if emergency Demon Delight doesn’t get a run. Big each-way hope. HURRICANE HARLEY (9) is brilliant and total star, but needs luck from back row. LOCHINVAR ART (10) and MUSCLE FACTORY (6) next best.

SUGGESTED BET: WAR DAN DELIGHT each-way at $7 or better.

R8 – 4YO BONANZA

Cracking race and very tricky. Going with POSTER BOY (4) fresh. Fast beginner, good draw and primed with recent trial. IM PATS DELIGHT (2) needed a sublime Gavin Lang drive to win last time and some query on gate speed. Still a major player. SPANKEM (7) obviously has the class, but wide draw a hurdle. RACKEMUP TIGERPIE (8) has claims if reproduces monstrous Ballarat Cup run from last week.

SUGGESTED BET: POSTER BOY each-way at $4 or better

R5 – LADYSHIP CUP

Another ripper field of Australia’s best mares plus classy Kiwi raider UTMOST DELIGHT (4). Barriers point to SOHO BURNING LOVE (1) and TELL ME TALES (2) as the key players. SOHO BURNING LOVE (1) gone to a new level, looks the leader and one to beat. TELL ME TALES (2) is a freakish talent. UTMOST DELIGHT (4) comes out of strong Auckland Cup. DELIGHT ME (9) and CARLAS PIXEL (10) have claims if the pace it hot throughout.

SUGGESTED BET: SOHO BURNING LOVE to win at $2.70 or better.

SUMMARY

BEST BET: R1 n9 Beach Surge to win at $3.40 or better

BEST VALUE: R7 n2 War Dan Delight each-way at $7 or better

ROUGHIE: R6 n1 Tough Monarch each-way at $13 or better