Melton Preview – June 8, 2024
Jason Bonnington’s Preview











MAP CONFIDENCE: 65-70% (That CURLY JAMES (1) will hold his rivals wide with SEW WHAT (3) only fly in ointment & TANGO TARA (6) the only other likely ‘go-forward’ runner off the front line given wonderful warrior BULLETPROOF BOY (7) is drawn to high-five Melton’s Sports Bar patrons fresh-up from a spell).













MAP CONFIDENCE: 65-70% (That OUR SAYDIE KAY (5) will eventually work her way to the top end; the key query surrounding how much petrol will be required in the process).
80%+ (That EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (12) will be sent forward to keep the favourite honest, particularly if OUR SAYDIE KAY (5) takes a short while to assume the lead).










MAP CONFIDENCE: 90% (That HEPHASTEUS PHOENIX (3) will find the front quite early in proceedings).
70-75% (That Snooze will keep the front once he finds it).













MAP CONFIDENCE: 80-85% (That WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6) will assume the leadership role following a short battle between 2 or 3 runners inside him to land trail behind fave in transit).









MAP CONFIDENCE: 75% (That OZZIE BATTLER (6) will be launched early and cross to pegs. If he does cross, he’s likely to keep the top though circumstances could influence that decision).
60% (That CRIME WRITER will begin well enough to land trail behind either OZZIE BATTLER (6) (75%), ALBY TWO CHAINS (2) (20%), or JOHN MCLEAN (3) (5%).
Bon’s Game Plan
BEST (Two-race Win MULTI for $50)
Race 7 No. 6 WATTS UP PARTYTIME
Race 8 No. 12 CAPTAINS CATCH
MONEY RACES
Race 1 (Tricks)
1,9/ 1,9/ 3,4,5,6,10,11: $28 gets 200%
1,9/ 4,5,6,11/ 1,9: $10 gets 100%
1,9/ 3,10/ 1,9; $2 gets 50%
Race 9 (Tricks)
6,10/ 6,10/ 7,8,12: $24 gets 400%
6,10/ 6,10/ 1,4,5,9,11: $15 gets 150%
6,10/ 7,8,12/ 6,10: $9 gets 150%
6,10/ 1,4,5,9,11/ 6,10: $2 gets 20%
ROUGHIES
Race 2 No. 5 SHESAWISH
$5 Win & $15 Place
Race 3 No. 3 OPERATIVE LINE
$15 Win & $35 Place
STAGGERED OctoQUADS ($90)
5/ 3,8/ 6/ 12: $10 gets 500%
5/ 3,8, 6/ 5,13: $8 gets 200%
5/ 3,8/ 5,12/ 12: $8 gets 200%
5/ 5,9/ 6/ 12: $6 gets 300%
1,2,3,12/ 3,8/ 6/ 12: $16 gets 200%
1,5,12/ 3,5,8/ 6/ 12: $18 gets 200%
1,5,12/ 3,5,8/ 6/ 5,13: $12 gets 66.67%
1,5,12/ 3,5,8/ 5,12/ 12: $12 gets 66.67%
Codes’ Game Plan
Codes’ Game Plan for Melton June 8.
Race 1
Tipping CURLY JAMES (1) to lead with HEZA SON OF AGUN (9) leader’s back (unless there is a scratching and the emergency gains a start — which would throw our map out). This looks a good race for CURLY JAMES (1), who is proven this class, especially when able to get to the front. MACH DAN (11) is first-up and is a key player, along with HEZA SON OF AGUN (9) who has the ability and maps a treat under my scenario, if CURLY leads. SEW WHAT (3) is a quick beginner and there is some chance she throws a spinner in the works and finds the lead, though I think that’s an unlikely scenario.
Top Tip: CURLY JAMES (1)
Game Plan: $25 Win CURLY JAMES ($2.6 on Sportsbet and Pointsbet @ 8am)
Race 2
I’ve got ALDEBARAN VERA (2) on top but was hoping for a price and to play each-way. She opened $5, which would have been acceptable, but was quickly adjusted into $3.2 — and as of Saturday morning is into as skinny as $2.5 on Sportsbet. I think she’ll win but I won’t be playing as there’s just not enough meat on the bone at the price against nice opposition in SHES RUBY ROO (9), ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (10) and REVELSTOKE (8).
Top Tip: ALDEBARAN VERA (2)
Game Plan: Watching.
Race 3
If FIRST DANCE (4) can head off OPERATIVE LINE (3) I think it’s her race to lose here. Form around Rakero Rebel and Ladies In Red is tip-top for this. Impossible to know whether we can make this a Game Plan play because the only provider up has the horse listed at $4, but I can’t get $1 on, so I won’t be promoting them in the slightest. I’ll set the rule below for whether or not we’re playing!
Top tip: FIRST DANCE (4)
Game Plan: $20 win FIRST DANCE (4)$4 with TAB 9.30am
Race 4
I don’t think there is that much between SMOKEN ACE (11) and SOME AMERICAN (7), and the market may disagree here, which theoretically provides opportunity. The first-up run of SMOKEN ACE (11) was a total forget job. Chris Alford goes on tonight. Keen to play if the price is right.
Top Tip: Scratched
Game Plan: Watching
Race 5
SHADOW CELT (13) is underrated and after delivering for us in the Game Plan trifecta last Saturday, keen to have a nibble each-way tonight. Respecting EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (12), OUR SAYDIE KAY 5), and STYLISH GEM (8) at any old odds.
Top Tip: SHADOW CELT (13)
Game Plan: $5 X $15 SHADOW CELT
Race 6
Top Tip: THE LOCOMOTIVE (8)
Game Plan: Just watching
Race 7
WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6) should be leading and once there will take a power of running down. Respect IMPERIAL MONARCH (12) and ALL THE TRIX (5) but keen to play the top pick if black and white figures.
Top Tip: WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6)
Game Plan: $50 WIN if ($2.3 TAB)
Race 8
Top Tip: CAPTAIN’S CATCH (12)
Game Plan: Just watching
Race 9
Top Tip: OLD VILLA BOY (6)
Game Plan: Just watching
Race 10
Top Tip: JILLIBY SELWOOD (5)
Game Plan: Just watching
Codes’ Game Plan Summary
Race 1 No.1 Curly James $25 Win @ $2.6
Race 3 No.4 First Dance $20 Win (@ $4)
Race 5 No.13 Shadow Celt $5X$15
Race 7 No.6 Watts Up Partytime $50 win ($2.3 TAB)
Quad: 5,8,12,13 / 3,5,8 / 5,6,12 / 12 $36 for 100%
Outlay: $151
Return: ???