Melton Race 9

Aldebaran Park Trotters Handicap

Prize Money: $17,500

IM BOBBY (9) is flying having stretched his winning streak to six when pushing to the front and digging deep to get home here last time. Starts from a 30m handicap this time but came from this mark when winning here two back. Can add to the picket fence. ALDEBARAN VERA (8) has been racing well without winning, recording a fifth successive placing at this circuit when boxing on as runner-up last week. Has chased IM BOBBY home a couple of times of late so it won't be easy to turn the tables from the same mark but she has performed well in standing start races before. KEAYANG STUKA (7) was less than 2m behind ALDEBARAN VERA when placed last week and owns a good record at this longer distance. NEPHEW OF SONOKO (6) deserves respect after coming from the back row to find winning form here last start. MAORIS MAC (3) has put together a series of top-thee finishes including a win here two back. This is stronger but could feature from the front mark.

Distance: 2240m
Class: No NR
Track: Good
Weather: OCAST
Surface: All Weather

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Gee Cee Calder (FT) 6379x57698
Trainer: T Abela (Balliang)
Driver: Chris Alford
Prize Money: $92,115
Win / Place: 18% / 48%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: IM STATELY (AUS)

Dam: CALDER IMAGE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

66: 12-7-13

Distance

10: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

5: 0-0-0

Track

11: 0-1-0

Season

4: 0-0-0

1st Up

8: 1-1-1

2nd Up

7: 1-1-2

3rd Up

7: 1-1-1

Metro

28: 1-3-6

Non-Metro

38: 11-4-7

Mobile

41: 8-3-9

Standing

25: 4-4-4

All-Weather

66: 12-7-13

Best Mile

1:57.00

Comments

Didn't do much last start, 8th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track, beaten 40 m by Remus Phoenix (2:04.60) in NR 70 to 85 on September 6 at $41. Before that was well beaten after breaking at this track on August 30. This will fully test.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 8	6/9/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Chris Alford	2:04.60	1:56.6	42.2m	$41	7	NR 70 to 85	$17,500	$350	1. Remus Phoenix 2. Keayang Gucci 3. Gotfeelingsyouknow
1st of 5	2/9/25	Melton	2240m			-	Josh Duggan	2:49.60	-	1.7m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Gee Cee Calder 2. Carla Pixie NZ 3. Rocky Valley
9th of 11	30/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Chris Alford	2:06.20	1:58.1	26.4m	$16	14	0W/15 0K stake	$15,000	$300	1. Dichotomy 2. Meadow Valley Star 3. Worth Waiting
1st of 5	26/8/25	Melton	1720m			-	Chris Alford	2:09.90	-	2.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Gee Cee Calder 2. Delightful Charm 3. Heza Gun
6th of 8	16/8/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Chris Alford	2:46.30	1:59.5	26.5m	$9.00	14	0W/15 0K stake	$15,000	$300	1. Promise Dream 2. Worth Waiting 3. Dossier
7th of 7	2/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Kerryn Manning	2:04.70	1:56.7	36.3m	$151	10	NR 71 to 87	$17,500	$350	1. Maoris Mac 2. Violet Stanford 3. Jilliby Ballerini

Our Marvella NZ (FT) 0533454418
Trainer: Brent Lilley (Bolinda)
Driver: John Caldow
Prize Money: $84,985
Win / Place: 15% / 36%

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: LOVE YOU (FR)

Dam: FIRENZE (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

46: 7-5-5

Distance

24: 3-3-1

Trk/Dst

19: 2-1-1

Track

30: 4-2-3

Season

4: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-1

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

Metro

37: 4-5-3

Non-Metro

9: 3-0-2

Mobile

43: 6-5-5

Standing

3: 1-0-0

All-Weather

46: 7-5-5

Best Mile

1:57.30

Comments

Failed to impress last start; 8th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track, beaten 21 m by Nephew Of Sonoko (2:04.60) in NR 72 to 87 on August 30 at $9. Showed ability the run before when she won by 3.5 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr5) at this track (2:45.60) beating Kyvalleyhoneybunny in NR 62 to 73 on August 23 at $5 at the bell was leading 5.14. Worth including.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 11	30/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	John Caldow	2:04.60	1:56.6	21.7m	$9.00	7	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$350	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Maoris Mac 3. Mercenary
1st of 12	23/8/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	John Caldow	2:45.60	1:59.0	3.7m	$5.00f	7	NR 62 to 73	$15,000	$8,550	1. Our Marvella NZ 2. Kyvalleyhoneybunny 3. More Wanted
4th of 7	16/8/25	Melton	2240m	Standing	All Weather	Fr1	John Caldow	2:46.40	1:57.9	8.9m	$21	7	No NR	$17,500	$875	1. Im Bobby 2. Aldebaran Zeus 3. Aldebaran Vera
4th of 7	9/8/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	John Caldow	2:46.00	1:59.3	24.5m	$71	14	No NR	$22,500	$1,125	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. Violet Stanford
5th of 11	26/7/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	John Caldow	2:44.70	1:58.3	10.9m	$41	7	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$525	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. More Wanted
4th of 8	19/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	John Caldow	2:03.90	1:55.9	9.4m	$31	7	NR 70 to 85	$17,500	$875	1. Gotfeelingsyouknow 2. Rapid Return 3. Fouroutoffive

Maoris Mac (FT) 3272353312
Trainer: David Aiken (Avenel)
Driver: Josh Aiken
Prize Money: $167,555
Win / Place: 12% / 65%

4 yo Bay Mare

Sire: VOLSTEAD (USA)

Dam: MAORI DAUNOU

Rating

Stats

Career

32: 4-9-8

Distance

13: 2-3-1

Trk/Dst

9: 1-1-1

Track

21: 2-5-6

Season

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

5: 0-1-2

2nd Up

5: 2-1-0

3rd Up

4: 0-1-1

Metro

27: 3-7-7

Non-Metro

5: 1-2-1

Mobile

30: 3-9-8

Standing

2: 1-0-0

All-Weather

32: 4-9-8

Best Mile

1:56.70

Comments

Last start solid effort when 2nd (Fr3) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 2nd-4 beaten 1.3 m by Nephew Of Sonoko (2:04.60) in NR 72 to 87 on August 30 at $5. Two runs back raced just off the speed and boxed on; won by 1.0 m (Fr1) at this track (2:04.70) beating Violet Stanford in NR 71 to 87 on August 2 at $41 at the bell was 2nd-3.72. Decent effort last start. Contender.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 11	30/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Joshua Aiken	2:04.60	1:56.6	1.3m	$5.00	28	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$2,625	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Maoris Mac 3. Mercenary
1st of 5	21/8/25	Shepparton	2190m			-	Joshua Aiken	2:46.30	-	0.3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Maoris Mac 2. I Am Harro 3. Ezra Kai
1st of 7	2/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Joshua Aiken	2:04.70	1:56.7	1.0m	$41	7	NR 71 to 87	$17,500	$9,975	1. Maoris Mac 2. Violet Stanford 3. Jilliby Ballerini
3rd of 8	26/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Josh Duggan	2:04.20	1:56.2	10.2m	$10	14	NR 60 to 71	$10,000	$1,000	1. Lady Vici 2. Alrighty 3. Maoris Mac
3rd of 8	12/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Josh Duggan	2:06.50	1:58.4	2.9m	$14	7	NR 63 to 79	$15,000	$1,500	1. Sebastians Boy 2. More Wanted 3. Maoris Mac
5th of 7	5/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Joshua Aiken	2:05.70	1:57.6	12.3m	$3.70	14	NR 60 to 71	$10,000	$300	1. Alrighty 2. Kyvalleyhoneybunny 3. Hoppy NZ

Nephew Of Sonoko (10m) 2635716251
Trainer: Ross Graham (Sutton Grange)
Driver: Ross Graham
Prize Money: $352,823
Win / Place: 11% / 32%

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: DANNY BOUCHEA (AUS)

Dam: SISTER OF SONOKO (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

184: 22-16-21

Distance

97: 9-10-10

Trk/Dst

69: 6-5-4

Track

109: 10-8-8

Season

4: 1-1-0

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-1-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-1

Metro

124: 11-10-12

Non-Metro

60: 11-6-9

Mobile

172: 20-16-20

Standing

12: 2-0-1

All-Weather

184: 22-16-21

Best Mile

1:55.30

Comments

Last start won by 1.3 m as favourite (Sr3) at this track (2:04.60) beating Maoris Mac in NR 72 to 87 on August 30 at $3.40. Go well again.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 11	30/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	James Herbertson	2:04.60	1:56.6	1.3m	$3.40f	14	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$9,975	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Maoris Mac 3. Mercenary
5th of 7	16/8/25	Melton	2240m	Standing	All Weather	10m	Kerryn Manning	2:46.40	1:57.9	16.4m	$17	7	No NR	$17,500	$525	1. Im Bobby 2. Aldebaran Zeus 3. Aldebaran Vera
2nd of 8	9/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	2:04.30	1:56.3	2.3m	$9.00	7	NR 80 to 105	$17,500	$2,625	1. Keayang Stuka 2. Nephew Of Sonoko 3. Mega Spur
6th of 7	2/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Chris Alford	2:04.70	1:56.7	15.8m	$21	7	NR 71 to 87	$17,500	$350	1. Maoris Mac 2. Violet Stanford 3. Jilliby Ballerini
1st of 11	26/7/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	James Herbertson	2:44.70	1:58.3	0.3m	$11	7	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$9,975	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. More Wanted
7th of 8	19/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Ellen Tormey	2:03.90	1:55.9	44.0m	$19	14	NR 70 to 85	$17,500	$350	1. Gotfeelingsyouknow 2. Rapid Return 3. Fouroutoffive

Keayang Stuka (10m) 80243x5163
Trainer: M A Lee, P Lee (Ecklin South)
Driver: Lochie Cook
Prize Money: $102,819
Win / Place: 28% / 64%

Track Specialist

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: WISHING STONE (USA)

Dam: STAR OF OLESYA (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

28: 8-4-6

Distance

9: 4-2-1

Trk/Dst

9: 4-2-1

Track

13: 5-2-2

Season

4: 1-0-1

1st Up

4: 3-0-0

2nd Up

4: 3-0-1

3rd Up

4: 0-0-1

Metro

17: 6-2-3

Non-Metro

11: 2-2-3

Mobile

24: 7-4-5

Standing

4: 1-0-1

All-Weather

28: 8-4-6

Best Mile

1:56.30

Comments

Two back was well beaten into sixth after being driven well back, behind Im Bobby at this track over 1720m in a No NR on August 23 at $23. Then a handy effort when beaten by 6 m finishing third behind Jilliby Ballerini at this track over 1720m in a No NR on September 6 at $10. Goes well at this distance so can be in the finish.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 6	6/9/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Lochie Cook	2:03.40	1:55.4	6.0m	$10	14	No NR	$22,500	$2,250	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. Keayang Stuka
6th of 7	23/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Lochie Cook	2:02.70	1:54.8	20.3m	$23	14	No NR	$22,500	$450	1. Im Bobby 2. Violet Stanford 3. Aldebaran Vera
1st of 8	9/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Lochie Cook	2:04.30	1:56.3	2.3m	$3.30	7	NR 80 to 105	$17,500	$9,975	1. Keayang Stuka 2. Nephew Of Sonoko 3. Mega Spur
5th of 7	2/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Lochie Cook	2:04.70	1:56.7	7.4m	$6.50	231	NR 71 to 87	$17,500	$525	1. Maoris Mac 2. Violet Stanford 3. Jilliby Ballerini
231 Day Spell
2nd of 3	22/7/25	Terang	2180m			-	Jason Lee	2:56.40	-	0.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Keayang Stuka 3. Aldebaran Vera
5th of 5	3/6/25	Terang	2180m			-	Antti Ruokonen	2:46.00	-	0.3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Letsstartinheaven 2. Brooklyn Dan 3. Jilliby Randal

Aldebaran Vera (30m) 9252722332
Trainer: M A Lee, P Lee (Terang)
Driver: Glen Craven
Prize Money: $221,455
Win / Place: 20% / 62%

Nearing Another Win

6 yo Brown Mare

Sire: TRIXTON (USA)

Dam: KYVALLEY ALDEBARAN (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

59: 12-17-8

Distance

31: 7-11-5

Trk/Dst

21: 4-7-4

Track

34: 7-10-5

Season

4: 0-2-2

1st Up

7: 1-2-1

2nd Up

7: 2-2-0

3rd Up

7: 1-4-0

Metro

44: 9-13-6

Non-Metro

15: 3-4-2

Mobile

52: 10-15-7

Standing

7: 2-2-1

All-Weather

59: 12-17-8

Best Mile

1:54.50

Comments

Not far away in recent starts; Finished 4 m second behind Jilliby Ballerini at this track over 1720m No NR last start. Before that was beaten 1.1 metres third again at this track same class on August 23. Can give a good account again.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	6/9/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Glen Craven	2:03.40	1:55.4	4.1m	$7.50	14	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. Keayang Stuka
3rd of 7	23/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Glen Craven	2:02.70	1:54.8	1.1m	$34	7	No NR	$22,500	$2,250	1. Im Bobby 2. Violet Stanford 3. Aldebaran Vera
3rd of 7	16/8/25	Melton	2240m	Standing	All Weather	30m	Glen Craven	2:46.40	1:57.9	7.6m	$12	7	No NR	$17,500	$1,750	1. Im Bobby 2. Aldebaran Zeus 3. Aldebaran Vera
2nd of 7	9/8/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Glen Craven	2:46.00	1:59.3	11.5m	$6.50	14	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. Violet Stanford
2nd of 11	26/7/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	Jason Lee	2:44.70	1:58.3	0.2m	$3.70	7	NR 72 to 87	$17,500	$2,625	1. Nephew Of Sonoko 2. Aldebaran Vera 3. More Wanted
3rd of 3	22/7/25	Terang	2180m			-	Lochie Cook	2:56.40	-	2.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Jilliby Ballerini 2. Keayang Stuka 3. Aldebaran Vera

Im Bobby (30m) 5253111111
Trainer: Eddie Tappe (Congupna)
Driver: James Herbertson
Prize Money: $202,715
Win / Place: 19% / 47%

Picket Fence

6 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: MAJESTIC SON (CAN)

Dam: ALDEBARAN PEGGY (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

94: 18-15-12

Distance

41: 6-7-7

Trk/Dst

21: 5-3-5

Track

34: 10-5-5

Season

3: 3-0-0

1st Up

6: 0-2-2

2nd Up

6: 1-0-0

3rd Up

6: 0-2-0

Metro

47: 12-8-7

Non-Metro

47: 6-7-5

Mobile

82: 17-14-12

Standing

12: 1-1-0

All-Weather

94: 18-15-12

Best Mile

1:53.92

Gear Changes

[Deafeners - Removable ON]

Comments

Racking up the wins. Won by a head as favourite when quickly away, (Fr5) at this track (2:02.70) beating Violet Stanford in No NR on August 23 at $1.40 at the bell was leading 3.65. Two runs back posted a big 6 m win as favourite (30m Fr2) at this track (2:46.40) beating Aldebaran Zeus in No NR on August 16 at $1.80. Can extend the winning streak.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	23/8/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	2:02.70	1:54.8	0.2m	$1.40f	7	No NR	$22,500	$12,825	1. Im Bobby 2. Violet Stanford 3. Aldebaran Vera
1st of 7	16/8/25	Melton	2240m	Standing	All Weather	30m	James Herbertson	2:46.40	1:57.9	6.7m	$1.80f	7	No NR	$17,500	$9,975	1. Im Bobby 2. Aldebaran Zeus 3. Aldebaran Vera
1st of 10	9/8/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Amanda Turnbull	1:54.30	1:54.3	7.3m	$1.55f	21	No NR	$20,400	$10,800	1. Im Bobby 2. Macho Man 3. Aldebaran Zeus
1st of 7	19/7/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Tasmyn Potter	2:02.70	1:54.8	4.7m	$2.70f	7	No NR	$22,500	$12,825	1. Im Bobby 2. Mufasa Metro NZ 3. Imperial Monarch NZ
1st of 8	12/7/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Blake Jones	1:56.60	1:56.6	8.5m	$1.55f	14	No NR	$20,400	$10,800	1. Im Bobby 2. Toro Stride NZ 3. Sunny Gee
1st of 7	28/6/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	James Herbertson	2:01.80	1:53.9	16.2m	$5.50	7	No NR	$22,500	$12,825	1. Im Bobby 2. Imperial Monarch NZ 3. Aldebaran Zeus

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