Melton Race 7

City Of Melton Plate (Listed Classic)

Prize Money: $30,000

Last season's Eureka winner BAY OF BISCAY (6) has had four weeks off since coming from this barrier for a fresh placing at this circuit and distance but there was plenty of merit in that effort, his first hitout for more than five months. Owns a good second up record so is likely to progress. FIGHTER COMMAND (5) has come from a similar draw to this in each of his three starts this time in, winning fresh and clocking in second in both attempts since. Owns an impressive record at this circuit and distance. Big chance. WAR DAN BUDDY (4) was a luckless second in the Riverina Championships last start where he raced wide but was looming strongly before copping a severe check. That added to a string of placings. Could break through. HES FROM HEAVEN NZ (3) draws well and two trial wins suggest he is back in good order so keep safe.

Distance: 2240m
Class: LISTED CLASS
Track: Good
Weather: FINE
Surface: All Weather

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Hes No Romeo Nz (Fr1) 1945633131
Trainer: Julie Douglas (Strathfieldsaye)
Driver: Jack Laugher
Prize Money: $66,785
Win / Place: 25% / 58%

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: SWEET LOU (USA)

Dam: BETTOR BE A LADY (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

24: 6-3-5

Distance

9: 2-3-1

Trk/Dst

4: 1-1-1

Track

10: 3-1-2

Season

20: 5-3-4

1st Up

3: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

Metro

11: 3-1-2

Non-Metro

13: 3-2-3

Mobile

24: 6-3-5

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

23: 6-3-5

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

1: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:53.90

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

8: 2-1-2

Driver Last 50

50: 7-3-8

Comments

Comes here in the right form. Won by a head (Fr2) at this track (2:02.00) beating Meteor Moth in NR up to 105 on April 25 at $5.50 at the bell was 5th-6.2. Two runs back 3rd (Fr2) over 1650m after showing early pace at Bendigo was 5th-8.81 at the bell, beaten 2.5 m by Calexico (1:54.30) in NR up to 105 on April 18 at $8. Going well but may be up against it in this field.

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 9	25/4/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Jack Laugher	2:02.00	1:54.2	0.2m	$5.50	7	NR up to 105	$17,500	$9,975	1. Hes No Romeo NZ 2. Meteor Moth 3. Surfingmakescents
3rd of 7	18/4/26	Bendigo	1650m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Jack Laugher	1:54.30	1:51.5	2.5m	$8.00	17	NR up to 105	$17,500	$1,750	1. Calexico 2. Oliver Dan 3. Hes No Romeo NZ
1st of 9	1/4/26	Bendigo	1650m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Tasmyn Potter	1:56.70	1:53.9	0.2m	$3.30	4	NR 60 to 75	$8,000	$4,560	1. Hes No Romeo NZ 2. Dressed In Gold NZ 3. Just As Well NZ
3rd of 8	28/3/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Tasmyn Potter	2:40.90	1:55.6	4.2m	$8.50	7	NR 72 to 82	$17,500	$1,750	1. New Shuffle 2. Vincenzo 3. Hes No Romeo NZ
3rd of 6	21/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Jack Laugher	2:02.70	1:54.8	4.2m	$41	14	NR up to 105	$17,500	$1,750	1. Captain Perfect 2. My Ultimate Barney 3. Hes No Romeo NZ
6th of 7	7/3/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Jack Laugher	2:43.20	1:57.2	6.3m	$3.40	14	NR 75 to 88	$17,500	$350	1. Isthisjustfantasy 2. Ata Rangi 3. Frugal Fare

New Shuffle (Fr2) 1633x36111
Trainer: P Chircop (Bunding)
Driver: James Herbertson
Prize Money: $84,800
Win / Place: 33% / 66%

Driver In Form

Picket Fence

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: AMERICAN IDEAL (USA)

Dam: STARBURST GIRL (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

24: 8-2-6

Distance

11: 3-0-3

Trk/Dst

10: 3-0-3

Track

16: 4-2-4

Season

14: 6-1-4

1st Up

5: 2-0-2

2nd Up

4: 2-0-0

3rd Up

4: 1-1-0

Metro

18: 4-2-5

Non-Metro

6: 4-0-1

Mobile

24: 8-2-6

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

24: 8-2-6

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:53.08

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

19: 6-2-5

Driver Last 50

50: 8-6-9

Comments

Registered wins at his last three starts. Last start won by 1.1 m after showing early speed, (Fr4) at Bendigo (1:59.40) beating Arrhythmia in NR 78 to 89 on April 18 at $3.40 at the bell was leading 0.69. In form and draws well so another good showing would not surprise.

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 12	18/4/26	Bendigo	1650m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	James Herbertson	1:59.40	1:56.4	1.1m	$3.40	21	NR 78 to 89	$17,500	$9,975	1. New Shuffle 2. Arrhythmia 3. Le Belle Bijoux
1st of 8	28/3/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	James Herbertson	2:40.90	1:55.6	1.2m	$1.40f	14	NR 72 to 82	$17,500	$9,975	1. New Shuffle 2. Vincenzo 3. Hes No Romeo NZ
1st of 7	14/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Chris Alford	2:00.90	1:53.1	2.7m	$1.35f	14	NR 70 to 79	$15,000	$8,550	1. New Shuffle 2. Komodo 3. My Little Bo
6th of 10	28/2/26	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Robert Morris	1:48.90	1:48.9	18.7m	$51	7	No NR	$30,600	$600	1. Captains Mistress NZ 2. Sinaloa 3. My Ultimate Barney
3rd of 8	21/2/26	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Will Rixon	1:50.00	1:50.0	5.2m	$4.00	70	No NR	$20,400	$2,200	1. Catchafire NZ 2. Dance With Carmer 3. New Shuffle
70 Day Spell
1st of 10	11/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Robert Morris	1:52.30	-	2.9m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. New Shuffle 2. Bold Medley Jujon NZ 3. Petes Crunch Time

Hes From Heaven Nz (Fr3) 531328026x
Trainer: Lisa Pitt (Girgarre)
Driver: Nathan Jack
Prize Money: $146,562
Win / Place: 31% / 51%

Recent Trial Winner

Track / Distance Specialist

5 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: SWEET LOU (USA)

Dam: DREAMS FROM HEAVEN (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

35: 11-3-4

Distance

11: 5-2-0

Trk/Dst

10: 4-2-0

Track

25: 7-3-2

Season

9: 1-2-2

1st Up

4: 1-0-0

2nd Up

3: 3-0-0

3rd Up

3: 2-0-0

Metro

26: 7-3-2

Non-Metro

9: 4-0-2

Mobile

35: 11-3-4

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

35: 11-3-4

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:52.19

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 6-10-6

Comments

First up. At the last run he 6th (Fr5) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 5th-8.7m 2WWC beaten 17 m by Petracca (1:58.10) in No NR on December 13 at $6.50. Trialling strongly and draws for a good return.

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 4	23/4/26	Shepparton	2190m			-	Mark Pitt	2:45.80	-	10m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Hes From Heaven NZ 2. Jacks Ultimate Fury NZ 3. Its Confidential
1st of 3	9/4/26	Shepparton	2190m			-	Mark Pitt	2:38.70	-	8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Hes From Heaven NZ 2. Calexico 3. Followtheace
6th of 9	13/12/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Mark Pitt	1:58.10	1:50.5	17.9m	$6.50	14	No NR	$22,500	$450	1. Petracca 2. Sweetnikkilou 3. Triple Eight NZ
2nd of 9	29/11/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Mark Pitt	1:59.50	1:51.8	5.4m	$2.90	42	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Hes From Heaven NZ 3. Bettor Isolate
42 Day Freshen-Up
- of 10	18/10/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	James Herbertson	2:38.60	1:54.0	99.0m	$3.30	14	No NR	$22,500	$450	1. Code Bailey NZ 2. Triple Eight NZ 3. Rock N Roll Doo NZ
8th of 8	4/10/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	James Herbertson	2:38.60	1:53.9	26.2m	$4.80	7	No NR	$30,000	$600	1. Catch A Wave 2. War Dan Buddy 3. Plains In Heaven

War Dan Buddy (Fr4) 12x1395322
Trainer: Emma Stewart (Cardigan)
Driver: Ryan Sanderson (C)
Prize Money: $523,399
Win / Place: 26% / 68%

Driver Flying

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: ART MAJOR (USA)

Dam: LETTUCEDANCE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

45: 12-13-6

Distance

14: 1-5-0

Trk/Dst

11: 0-3-0

Track

19: 3-4-2

Season

16: 4-6-2

1st Up

6: 2-0-3

2nd Up

6: 1-3-1

3rd Up

6: 2-0-1

Metro

29: 6-8-3

Non-Metro

16: 6-5-3

Mobile

45: 12-13-6

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

45: 12-13-6

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:50.50

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

11: 3-4-2

Driver Last 50

50: 10-8-8

Comments

Not far away at the last couple starts. Luckless in a 3.5 m second behind Seasider at Riverina Paceway over 2270m 4-5yo LR No NR GH last start. Before that was beaten a nose second again at Riverina Paceway in 4-5yo No NR GH on March 27. Continues to race well and could be in the finish again.

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 12	4/4/26	Wagga	2270m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr5	Cameron Hart	2:40.20	1:53.6	3.7m	$2.80f	8	No NR	$100,000	$17,000	1. Seasider 2. War Dan Buddy 3. Double Lou
2nd of 9	27/3/26	Wagga	2270m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Cameron Hart	2:41.30	1:54.4	0.1m	$1.60f	13	No NR	$11,830	$1,972	1. Sanchez 2. War Dan Buddy 3. My Ultimate Barney
3rd of 10	14/3/26	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	B L Mcdonough	1:49.30	1:49.3	2.0m	$10	7	No NR	$75,000	$8,250	1. Hi Manameisjeff NZ 2. Final Deadline NZ 3. War Dan Buddy
5th of 10	7/3/26	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	B L Mcdonough	1:49.30	1:49.3	4.7m	$71	21	No NR	$75,000	$3,000	1. The Janitor NZ 2. Swayzee 3. Rakero Rocket NZ
9th of 12	14/2/26	Melton	2760m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Ryan Sanderson	3:14.40	1:53.3	13.6m	$34	7	No NR	$250,000	$3,750	1. Swayzee 2. Leap To Fame 3. Republican Party NZ
3rd of 8	7/2/26	Kilmore	2180m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Ryan Sanderson	2:36.10	1:55.2	4.0m	$21	7	No NR	$150,000	$15,000	1. Leap To Fame 2. Republican Party NZ 3. War Dan Buddy

Fighter Command (Fr5) 352120x122
Trainer: Jess Tubbs (Myrniong)
Driver: Jason Lee
Prize Money: $220,015
Win / Place: 50% / 73%

Track Specialist

Driver Flying

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: ALWAYS B MIKI (USA)

Dam: SPITFIRE ROSE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

26: 13-4-2

Distance

7: 4-1-1

Trk/Dst

7: 4-1-1

Track

14: 7-3-2

Season

6: 2-3-0

1st Up

5: 3-0-0

2nd Up

5: 3-1-0

3rd Up

5: 3-1-1

Metro

21: 10-3-2

Non-Metro

5: 3-1-0

Mobile

26: 13-4-2

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

26: 13-4-2

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:51.40

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

3: 1-2-0

Driver Last 50

50: 18-12-5

Comments

Solid performance when a close second after being driven well back, behind Bulletproof Boy at this track over 2240m in a No NR on April 4 at $2.60. Then a handy effort when beaten by 1.2 m finishing second after being driven well back, behind My Ultimate Barney at Geelong over 1609m in a No NR on April 17 at $2.30. Form strong and expected to measure up again.

Expected Settling Position: Off 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 6	17/4/26	Geelong	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Jason Lee	1:52.20	1:52.2	1.2m	$2.30f	13	No NR	$20,000	$3,000	1. My Ultimate Barney 2. Fighter Command 3. Justalittlesip NZ
2nd of 6	4/4/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Jason Lee	2:45.60	1:59.0	0.3m	$2.60	14	No NR	$22,500	$3,375	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Fighter Command 3. Bay Of Biscay
1st of 7	21/3/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Jason Lee	1:59.00	1:51.4	2.0m	$4.20	196	No NR	$22,500	$12,825	1. Fighter Command 2. Bulletproof Boy 3. Ghost Of Time
196 Day Spell
1st of 3	10/3/26	Melton	2240m			-	Craig Demmler	2:43.60	-	0.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Fighter Command 2. Bay Of Biscay 3. Beach Diamond
1st of 2	3/3/26	Melton	2240m			-	James Herbertson	2:51.30	-	0.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Fighter Command 2. Smoken Ace NZ 3.
10th of 10	6/9/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	James Herbertson	2:41.00	1:52.6	25.3m	$4.20f	14	No NR	$1,980,000	$45,000	1. Bay Of Biscay 2. Fox Dan 3. Hesitate

Bay Of Biscay (Fr6) 1x134145x3
Trainer: Emma Stewart (Cardigan)
Driver: Mark Pitt
Prize Money: $1,848,830
Win / Place: 42% / 78%

Track Specialist

Driver / Horse Combo

Driver Flying

5 yo Brown Horse

Sire: SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE (USA)

Dam: NIKE FRANCO (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

28: 12-7-3

Distance

8: 3-1-2

Trk/Dst

8: 3-1-2

Track

17: 6-3-2

Season

6: 1-0-2

1st Up

7: 3-1-2

2nd Up

5: 3-1-1

3rd Up

5: 2-2-0

Metro

25: 10-6-3

Non-Metro

3: 2-1-0

Mobile

28: 12-7-3

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

28: 12-7-3

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:49.10

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

7: 3-1-2

Driver Last 50

50: 21-8-5

Comments

Second-up here following a spell. Game effort despite getting well back, when 3rd (Fr6) over 2240m at this track, beaten 5 m by Bulletproof Boy (2:45.60) in No NR on April 4 at $4.40. Record here is strong and he goes well second-up so he is a big chance.

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
3rd of 6	4/4/26	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Mark Pitt	2:45.60	1:59.0	4.9m	$4.40	168	No NR	$22,500	$2,250	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Fighter Command 3. Bay Of Biscay
168 Day Spell
1st of 3	17/3/26	Melton	2240m			-	Kate Gath	2:40.90	-	3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Bay Of Biscay 2. Fox Dan 3. Uniquely Ideal
2nd of 3	10/3/26	Melton	2240m			-	Mark Pitt	2:43.60	-	0.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Fighter Command 2. Bay Of Biscay 3. Beach Diamond
5th of 12	18/10/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Ryan Sanderson	2:36.20	1:52.2	11.0m	$16	7	No NR	$250,000	$6,250	1. Kingman NZ 2. Hi Manameisjeff NZ 3. Leap To Fame
4th of 8	11/10/25	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Ryan Sanderson	1:58.80	1:51.1	13.7m	$9.00	35	No NR	$30,000	$1,500	1. Bulletproof Boy 2. Leap To Fame 3. Miki Pins NZ
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 10	6/9/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Cameron Hart	2:41.00	1:52.6	1.5m	$5.00	14	No NR	$1,980,000	$1,000,000	1. Bay Of Biscay 2. Fox Dan 3. Hesitate

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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