Geelong (H) Race 6

Apco Geelong Pacing Cup

Prize Money: $20,000

SMOKEN ACE NZ (1) drew wider and was first up for four weeks when fourth at Melton last Saturday so should be better for that hitout. He was flying with three straight wins prior including a Listed success two back. He is two from two at this circuit and should get his chance from the ace draw. MACH DAN (4) has placed in five of his last six starts, beating Smoken Ace home when runner-up at Melton last week. Draws lower and has a very strong record here with five wins from seven attempts, winning this race twice. OLIVER DAN (6) has won a trial since breaking in the Hunter Cup. Has tackled Group 1 company in each of his three starts this time in so will while he draws wide he will find this easier. JILLIBY NITRO (5) hasn't had a lot of luck of late so can be competitive with better fortune.

Distance: 2570m
Class: No NR
Track: Good
Weather: fine
Surface: All Weather

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Smoken Ace Nz (Fr1) 2081221114
Trainer: Kyle Marshall (Mount Wallace)
Driver: James Herbertson
Prize Money: $148,860
Win / Place: 31% / 65%

Driver / Horse Combo

Driver Flying

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: SPORTSWRITER (USA)

Dam: SMOKEN SU (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

38: 12-8-5

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

2: 2-0-0

Season

11: 4-3-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-0

2nd Up

4: 1-1-1

3rd Up

4: 2-1-0

Metro

27: 3-6-5

Non-Metro

11: 9-2-0

Mobile

38: 12-8-5

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

38: 12-8-5

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:51.24

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

9: 4-2-1

Driver Last 50

50: 14-9-7

Comments

Last start 4th (Fr5) over 1720m after showing early speed at Melton was leading by 2.44 at the bell, beaten 4.5 m by Miki To Success (1:59.60) in No NR on March 7 at $4.60. Two runs back won by 1.5 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr6) at Kilmore (1:58.20) beating Alot Like Louie in LR No NR on February 7 at $2.50 at the bell was leading 0.9. The ace draw shoudl see him hard to beat.

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
4th of 7	7/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	1:59.60	1:51.9	4.7m	$4.60	28	No NR	$22,500	$1,125	1. Miki To Success 2. Mach Dan 3. Ghost Of Time
2nd of 2	3/3/26	Melton	2240m			-	Kyle Marshall	2:51.30	-	0.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Fighter Command 2. Smoken Ace NZ 3.
1st of 8	7/2/26	Kilmore	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	James Herbertson	1:58.20	1:52.6	1.6m	$2.50f	14	No NR	$30,000	$17,100	1. Smoken Ace NZ 2. Alot Like Louie 3. Mach Dan
1st of 5	24/1/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	2:00.70	1:53.6	0.2m	$1.45f	7	No NR	$17,500	$9,975	1. Smoken Ace NZ 2. Sebs Choice 3. Jilliby Nitro
1st of 7	17/1/26	Shepparton	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	2:38.30	1:56.4	2.7m	$1.70f	14	No NR	$17,500	$9,975	1. Smoken Ace NZ 2. Calexico 3. Tango Tara NZ
2nd of 7	3/1/26	Cranbourne	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Kyle Marshall	1:54.40	1:54.4	0.1m	$1.40f	14	NR up to 105	$17,500	$2,625	1. Louie Lou I NZ 2. Smoken Ace NZ 3. Rakajed NZ

Ultimate Vinnie (Fr2) 759x4x374x
Trainer: Sam Barker (Cardigan)
Driver: Allan McDonough
Prize Money: $239,331
Win / Place: 16% / 43%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ALTA CHRISTIANO (NZ)

Dam: BELLA ENOBRAC (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

92: 15-12-13

Distance

5: 1-0-2

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

3: 1-0-0

Season

3: 0-0-1

1st Up

7: 1-1-1

2nd Up

6: 1-0-0

3rd Up

6: 0-2-1

Metro

47: 7-5-6

Non-Metro

45: 8-7-7

Mobile

90: 14-12-13

Standing

2: 1-0-0

All-Weather

92: 15-12-13

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:52.50

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

11: 3-0-2

Driver Last 50

50: 8-6-4

Comments

First up. At the last run he 4th (Sr1) over 1700m at Horsham, at the bell was 2nd-1.4m 2WNC beaten a neck by Santa Casa Beach (2:02.60) in NR 65 or better on October 6 at $4. Market watch resuming from a low draw.

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
4th of 7	6/10/25	Horsham	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Jordan Leedham	2:02.60	1:56.1	0.3m	$4.00	16	NR 65 or better	$8,000	$400	1. Santa Casa Beach 2. Young Bluey 3. Hes All Torque
7th of 8	20/9/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Allan Mcdonough	2:43.10	1:57.2	11.0m	$10	21	NR up to 105	$17,500	$350	1. Look Like Diamonds 2. Louie Lou I NZ 3. Sir Jimmy
3rd of 8	30/8/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Allan Mcdonough	2:41.00	1:55.7	9.9m	$51	66	No NR	$22,500	$2,250	1. Hes From Heaven NZ 2. Dangerous 3. Ultimate Vinnie
66 Day Spell
4th of 7	25/6/25	Terang	1680m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Glen Craven	1:59.40	1:54.4	4.1m	$26	88	NR 65 or better	$8,000	$400	1. Jilliby Nitro 2. Keayang Tokyo 3. Young Bluey
88 Day Spell
1st of 4	15/6/25	Maryborough	2190m			-	Brent Murphy	2:41.50	-	2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Ultimate Vinnie 2. Zenario 3. Gerrale
1st of 3	8/6/25	Maryborough	2190m			-	Brent Murphy	2:43.50	-	12m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Ultimate Vinnie 2. Nice One Centurion 3. Big Boy Mal

Bubba Scrub Nz (Fr3) 6069x0x145
Trainer: Paul Parsons (Parwan)
Driver: Jackie Barker
Prize Money: $162,376
Win / Place: 21% / 48%

Driver In Form

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: HES WATCHING (USA)

Dam: HIP POCKET (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

79: 17-11-10

Distance

2: 0-1-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

6: 1-3-0

2nd Up

5: 1-0-2

3rd Up

5: 1-0-0

Metro

30: 5-3-1

Non-Metro

49: 12-8-9

Mobile

78: 17-11-10

Standing

1: 0-0-0

All-Weather

77: 17-11-9

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

2: 0-0-1

Best Mile

1:51.30

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

2: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 8-8-10

Comments

Last start 5th (Sr1) over 1680m at Terang, at the bell was 6th-8.5 beaten 12 m by Jilliby Willow (2:00.70) in NR 65 or better on March 2 at $21. Two runs back 4th (Fr1) over 2230m after showing early pace at Globe Derby Park beaten 21 m by Bellezza Nera (2:42.90) in No NR on January 28 at $3.20. Facing a tough assignment this time around.

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
5th of 8	2/3/26	Terang	1680m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Jackie Barker	2:00.70	1:55.7	12.3m	$21	33	NR 65 or better	$9,000	$270	1. Jilliby Willow 2. Hes All Torque 3. Emily Vincent
33 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 7	28/1/26	Globe Derby	2230m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	S K Hill	2:42.90	1:57.5	21.6m	$3.20	15	No NR	$5,000	$134	1. Bellezza Nera 2. Artillery 3. Classic Line
1st of 7	13/1/26	Globe Derby	1800m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	S K Hill	2:11.20	1:57.3	3.0m	$12	220	No NR	$3,500	$1,888	1. Bubba Scrub NZ 2. Artillery 3. Classic Line
220 Day Spell
3rd of 4	3/8/25	Kyabram	2130m			-	Bridgitte Hutchins	2:54.10	-	8.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Our Cheeky Devil 2. Casa Brillare 3. Bubba Scrub NZ
10th of 10	7/6/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	Jackie Barker	2:40.40	1:55.3	97.1m	$81	119	NR 65 to 75	$15,000	$300	1. My Ultimate Barney 2. Triple Rock Saint NZ 3. Alot Like Louie
119 Day Spell
9th of 9	8/2/25	Cranbourne	2555m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Jordan Leedham	3:08.00	1:58.4	124.1m	$151	7	No NR	$100,000	$2,000	1. Leap To Fame 2. Don't Stop Dreaming NZ 3. Tact McLeod NZ

Mach Dan (Fr4) 4688227322
Trainer: Emma Stewart (Cardigan)
Driver: Mark Pitt
Prize Money: $1,057,778
Win / Place: 28% / 52%

Distance Specialist

Driver Flying

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: MACH THREE (CAN)

Dam: BETTOR GIVE IT (NZ)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

99: 28-12-12

Distance

10: 5-3-0

Trk/Dst

5: 3-1-0

Track

7: 5-1-0

Season

10: 0-4-1

1st Up

10: 3-1-1

2nd Up

10: 3-1-1

3rd Up

10: 5-0-1

Metro

59: 12-8-6

Non-Metro

40: 16-4-6

Mobile

97: 28-12-12

Standing

2: 0-0-0

All-Weather

99: 28-12-12

Slushy

1: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:50.30

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

37: 8-5-2

Driver Last 50

50: 12-14-5

Comments

Two back was beaten by 7 m finishing second after showing early speed, behind Chase A Dream at Melton over 2240m in a No NR on February 14 at $4.20. Then a handy effort when a close second behind Miki To Success at Melton over 1720m in a No NR on March 7 at $5.50. Has won this race twice before and looks close to a win.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

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 7	7/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Mark Pitt	1:59.60	1:51.9	0.2m	$5.50	21	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Miki To Success 2. Mach Dan 3. Ghost Of Time
2nd of 8	14/2/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Mark Pitt	2:39.40	1:54.5	7.4m	$4.20	7	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Chase A Dream NZ 2. Mach Dan 3. Operative Line
3rd of 8	7/2/26	Kilmore	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Mark Pitt	1:58.20	1:52.6	4.0m	$3.00	14	No NR	$30,000	$3,000	1. Smoken Ace NZ 2. Alot Like Louie 3. Mach Dan
7th of 8	24/1/26	Ballarat	2710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Mark Pitt	3:12.60	1:54.4	20.4m	$41	13	No NR	$100,000	$2,000	1. Leap To Fame 2. Dee Roe 3. Forty Love
2nd of 11	11/1/26	Hobart	2579m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Mark Pitt	3:05.50	1:55.8	5.6m	$1.85f	22	No NR	$40,000	$7,200	1. Triedtotellya 2. Mach Dan 3. Keayang Fitzy
2nd of 10	20/12/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Ryan Sanderson	2:37.00	1:52.8	2.8m	$6.50	7	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Mach Dan 3. Dee Roe

Jilliby Nitro (Fr5) 20x3346056
Trainer: M A Lee, P Lee (Terang)
Driver: Lochie Cook
Prize Money: $540,083
Win / Place: 16% / 49%

Driver Flying

9 yo Black Horse

Sire: BETTOR'S DELIGHT (USA)

Dam: KIEWA VALLEY (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

108: 18-14-21

Distance

4: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-0

Track

3: 0-0-0

Season

10: 0-1-3

1st Up

10: 2-3-2

2nd Up

9: 2-1-3

3rd Up

9: 2-0-3

Metro

80: 13-11-13

Non-Metro

28: 5-3-8

Mobile

108: 18-14-21

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

108: 18-14-21

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:50.30

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

29: 4-3-5

Driver Last 50

50: 10-5-4

Comments

Last start was driven from back in the field when 6th (Fr3) over 1720m at Melton was 7th-13.37 at the bell, beaten 6 m by Miki To Success (1:59.60) in No NR on March 7 at $7.50. At the run before 5th (Fr7) over 2240m at Melton was 3rd-7.68 at the bell, beaten 7 m by Triple Eight (2:37.50) in No NR on February 28 at $9. Little luck last start so can do better.

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
6th of 7	7/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Lochie Cook	1:59.60	1:51.9	6.8m	$7.50	7	No NR	$22,500	$450	1. Miki To Success 2. Mach Dan 3. Ghost Of Time
5th of 7	28/2/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Lochie Cook	2:37.50	1:53.2	7.4m	$9.00	14	No NR	$22,500	$675	1. Triple Eight NZ 2. Catch A Wave 3. Louie Lou I NZ
11th of 12	14/2/26	Melton	2760m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr5	Lochie Cook	3:14.40	1:53.3	20.3m	$201	7	No NR	$250,000	$3,750	1. Swayzee 2. Leap To Fame 3. Republican Party NZ
6th of 8	7/2/26	Kilmore	2180m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Lochie Cook	2:36.10	1:55.2	10.6m	$126	7	No NR	$150,000	$2,250	1. Leap To Fame 2. Republican Party NZ 3. War Dan Buddy
4th of 7	31/1/26	Cranbourne	2555m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Lochie Cook	3:02.70	1:55.1	5.6m	$151	7	No NR	$150,000	$7,500	1. Leap To Fame 2. Kingman NZ 3. Bulletproof Boy
3rd of 5	24/1/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Lochie Cook	2:00.70	1:53.6	0.2m	$6.00	13	No NR	$17,500	$1,750	1. Smoken Ace NZ 2. Sebs Choice 3. Jilliby Nitro

Oliver Dan (Fr6) 619524x550
Trainer: Emma Stewart (Cardigan)
Driver: Ryan Sanderson (C)
Prize Money: $192,417
Win / Place: 27% / 48%

Recent Trial Winner

Driver In Form

6 yo Brown Horse

Sire: BETTORS DELIGHT (USA)

Dam: MISS HAZEL

Rating

Stats

Career

33: 9-6-1

Distance

3: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

10: 1-1-1

1st Up

6: 1-2-0

2nd Up

6: 1-1-1

3rd Up

4: 0-0-0

Metro

24: 5-5-1

Non-Metro

9: 4-1-0

Mobile

31: 9-6-1

Standing

2: 0-0-0

All-Weather

33: 9-6-1

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:48.52

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

2: 0-0-1

Driver Last 50

50: 6-8-9

Comments

Recent form below what he is capable of. Last start and went on to finish a respectable tenth over 2760m at Melton last time out. The run previous 5th (Fr3) over 2180m at Kilmore was 4th-5.9 at the bell, beaten 8 m by Leap To Fame (2:36.10) in G1 No NR on February 7 at $41. Has been tackling Group 1 races so is better placed.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

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 2	28/2/26	Bacchus Marsh	1940m			-	Josh Duggan	2:23.30	-	3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Oliver Dan 2. Rocknroll Walla 3.
10th of 12	14/2/26	Melton	2760m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Mark Pitt	3:14.40	1:53.3	16.8m	$126	7	No NR	$250,000	$3,750	1. Swayzee 2. Leap To Fame 3. Republican Party NZ
5th of 8	7/2/26	Kilmore	2180m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Mark Pitt	2:36.10	1:55.2	8.9m	$41	7	No NR	$150,000	$3,750	1. Leap To Fame 2. Republican Party NZ 3. War Dan Buddy
5th of 7	31/1/26	Cranbourne	2555m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Kate Gath	3:02.70	1:55.1	7.4m	$81	78	No NR	$150,000	$3,750	1. Leap To Fame 2. Kingman NZ 3. Bulletproof Boy
78 Day Spell
3rd of 4	13/1/26	Melton	2240m			-	Kate Gath	2:44.00	-	4.8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. War Dan Buddy 2. Tango Tara NZ 3. Oliver Dan
4th of 12	14/11/25	Wagga	2800m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Cameron Hart	3:16.10	1:52.7	8.3m	$7.50	13	No NR	$60,000	$3,600	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Max Delight

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver is getting stuck in

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