Melton Vicbred Super Series Finals Preview – September 14, 2024

In This Article

• Bon’s Preview and Game Plan
• Codes’ Preview and Game Plan

Bon’s Preview and Game Plan

Race 1

RACE1

MELTONRIDE HIGH VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO ENTIRES & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDGENUINE

3EXOTIC BUSHRANGER

2MY UNCLE STAN

8PERFECT CLASS

4LITTLE LOUIE

9KEAYANG TOKYO

11COMPETE

10BLAZING HOME NZ

12YOUNG BLUEY

6HEZA PUNK ROCKER NZ

5ROADMASTER

13THE LOST STORM

7GAWN

MAP CONFIDENCE: 65-70% (That EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (3) will hold any challenges early to find the front and very likely maintain that advantage once secured).

To my eye, there are four almost-equal winning chances in the first of tonight’s Group 1 Finals, and perhaps six runners with some hope of saluting. The big four are EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (2), HEZA PUNK ROCKER (6), PERFECT CLASS (8) & KEAYANG TOKYO (9). As a result of market correction during the week, none of this quartet now represent overt overs (though EB certainly did at his opening quote of $9!). I’ll be targeting the race in terms of Early Quads only.

Race 2

Given they both enter this contest with unbeaten records, I do sense the current market gap between KEAYANG ZAHARA (8) ($1.60) & VIOLET STANFORD (7) ($3.60) seems a touch broad, but KZ could be absolutely anything, so rather than plummet into unchartered waters, I’m focussing purely on EQ’s once again here.

Race 3

RACE3

MELTONBACK OF THE NECK VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO TROTTING MARES) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDSOLID

CONFIDENCE90%

3ROCKINWITHATTITUDE

2PICKET WIRE

7SUSAN IS HER NAME

1KEAYANG GUCCI

5ALDEBARAN MILEY

8EXALTED

9ALDEBARAN BROOKE

4RAPID RETURN

10SHESAWISH

12KYVALLEY AMANDA

13DICHOTOMY

6MISS FRANCENE

MAP CONFIDENCE: 90%+ (That ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (3) will find the front and likely maintain that position with PICKET WIRE (2) favoured to cross the pole early & immediately take a trail).

Even though EXALTED (8) isn’t too far from them in the market, I’m all but convinced the winner of tonight’s third G1 will come from big gun duo ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (3) (Very Likely Leader) & defending VSS champion SUSAN IS HER NAME (7). In fact, I’m confident that pair will run ½ or 1/3 at very worst with the other podium position likely to be filled by EXALTED (8), KEAYANG GUCCI (1) or ALDEBARAN MILEY (5).

Race 4

The only very viable wager in the final leg of tonight’s EQ was probably VYTIS (6) at his opening quote of $5 but that ship has well and truly sailed and he’s now potentially a shade short at $2.20. If I am to find myself involved here it won’t be via one of the three leading chances to win, but heat-level eye-catcher VOLDAGHA (10) to place. It may seem slightly pedantic but right now he’s $7 to run a drum and at time of writing I believe I’ll need $8 to be genuinely tempted.

Race 5

RACE5

MELTONART MAJOR VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDGENUINE

1SERGEANT LOU

8SIR JIMMY

5MIKI TO SUCCESS

11KING REPELLERE

4SOME AMERICAN

6RACING WRITER

2ALOT LIKE LOUIE

7OUR LUCIANO

3STORMRYDER

9KINGMAN NZ

12BEST DEAL

13WAR DAN BUDDY

MAP CONFIDENCE: 60-65% (That SARGEANT LOU (1) will have the speed to hold up from his ace alley and should keep the top if he secures it given the risks involved with taking sit on an Emma Stewart rival).

I invested three-deep early doors in what looks to be the toughest VSS decider all night where between 6 & 8 of the 12 runners have genuine winning claims. My wagers were SARGEANT LOU (1) 3×5 at $10/$2.20 (Now $8/$1.95), MIKI TO SUCCESS (5) 1×2 at $17/$3.80 (Now $16/$3.60) & SIR JIMMY (8) 3×6 at $26/$5 (Now $10 & $2.10). I’m now at ease with probably staying out in terms of further wagers though I still feel MTS represents overs and if you’re only betting now, he remains worthy of a 1×2 crack, and I may go again on him.

Race 6

This was the race I most eagerly awaited when markets opened on Tuesday afternoon as I felt in my waters that price assessors were likely to overprice MISS ARI (4) and, God Bless their cotton socks, they did just that. Despite pressing the button at $11 I was only able to snag $8.5/$2.6 (Now $4.5/$1.8) but still outlaid my largest EW wager for the card. More recently I have played a saver on LET HER ROLL (12) who is now the clear overs at $7/$2.3. I could be mistaken, but I believe that pair & MISS AUSTRALIANA (8) represent the top 3 hopes by a space here with TUPELO (2) and TENACIOUSLY (6) both under the odds.

Race 7

RACE7

MELTONALWAYS B MIKI VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDMODERATE

CONFIDENCE90%

1THE HIGHLIGHT REEL

8GO MIKI

12ALWAYS HOT

9FOX DAN

5SOHO THE REAL DEAL

3NEW SHUFFLE

2I AM THE STORM

6MARTYR

4RUFF NUT

10SILVER PISTOL

11CAPTAIN MOORE

13ARSENIO

MAP CONFIDENCE: 90%+ (That THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (1) will lead on ear from pole)

Within seconds of viewing the draws for this VSS decider, I was blown away by how apparent it seemed that this was, as my late brother Aidy & I used to call them, ‘one of those races’. That was our siren song for contests where it seemed overwhelmingly likely that the pole would lead, the 8 would trail and they would duly dominate. As a result, I launched into both THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (1) at $3.10 (Now $2.30) and GO MIKI (8) at $5 (Now $3.40) with a little more heading toward the latter horse. On further inspection, I do have slight concerns about GM holding the leader’s back as his early speed is largely unknown, but hopefully he does, and on that premise, I’ll be supplementing those two early bets with aggressive exotics driven by the duo referenced & also including FOX DAN (9) – who is a great chance of dropping 3 poles should everything work out early – and ALWAYS HOT (11) in what looms an Emma Stewart tribute race.

Race 8

RACE8

MELTONVINCENT VICBRED SUPER SERIES (3YO FILLIES) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDSOLID

CONFIDENCE90%

5SHOWSOMEJOY NZ

1EUREKA JO

10DRAW A DREAM

2TILLY JAYNE

7KISS NZ

8FOXY TWO GLOVES

3EVER ART

4THE ANSWER

9STITCHED UP DAN

6MARLO MAREAU

12ZAHRA LOU

13RENEWAL

MAP CONFIDENCE: 90% (That EUREKA JO (1) will kick through early to hold the pegs then take trail on stablemate SHOWSOMEJOY (5)).

I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes when DRAW A DREAM (10) opened $4.60 in the final leg of tonight’s Quad and in the process of falling over myself I was only able to jag $4 (Now $2.25) but on pound-for-pound talent she’s still a backable commodity at her new price if you can forget missing out on something nearer top-fluc. Despite my abject confidence with DAD, I did concede that if she were to go under it was overwhelmingly likely that her assassin would be likely leader SHOWSOMEJOY (5) so saved on her at $4 (Now $3.60). The only other winning hopes are EUREKA JO (1) and KISS (7). It will be a dark result if either of those girls’ salute though I will add both to a low-cost Quad combo to hopefully avoid complete catastrophe should that transpire.

Race 9

Sounds crazy when we’re talking about 2YO trotters, but all signs here point to an amazingly obvious winner GATESYS GEM (2) and an almost equally obvious runner-up SASSY GALLEON (1). The only minor impediment could come via MYHEARTBEATSTRUE (4) or KEAYANG KURKI (7) crossing over early and shuffling SG back slightly in the ruck. Nevertheless, there is a world where you can stagger Trick combos in such a way that so long as 2 to beats 1, every other runner can occupy third billing for varying amounts as precious little separates the peloton beyond that leading pair.

Race 10

I’m not courageous enough to take him on, and I may be going spare in my old age, but if there’s one prohibitively short popular elect, I’m not totally convinced about tonight it’s DEREK THE JET (7). Look, he’ll probably blow then away, but there are some very smart, and very underrated squaregaiters, among his rivals. At the right Place prices, I could entertain drum-only wagers on RINGER WELLS (1) and LET IT BE ME (8), but the one roughie I’ll certainly be supporting in that same fashion is SINGARA TED (4) who just seems criminally forgotten at $7 the Place.

Race 11

RACE11

MELTONROCK N ROLL HEAVEN VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO MARES) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDMODERATE

CONFIDENCE90%

1SWEET BELLA

8KEAYANG BLUE JEANS

3NOSWEETSFORYOU

9CREDULOUS

4VEE EM GEE MACRAY

6UBETTA KNOT

2CLIVES GIRL

13YOU BEAUTY

10LUDACROUS

11SURFINGMAKESCENTS

5ISTHISJUSTFANTASY

7SAHARA BREEZE

MAP CONFIDENCE: 90% (That SWEET BELLA (1) will hold up to lead from inside gate though don’t be shocked if she’s challenged harder than expected off the gate).

On paper, no race in history has ever seemed more tailor-made for any horse than tonight’s penultimate G1 seems for SWEET BELLA (1). Barring a significant shock at the start, that girl should kick through from her ideal alley, keep the front, and pretty much do as she pleases’ henceforth with minimal pressure and her only ‘threats’ all drawn atrociously compared to her. First 4’s could be the go here as most will play super aggressively and if we widen the net a little to include horses like CLIVES GIRL (2) and KEAYANG BLUE JEANS (8) at the back end, their presence for third or fourth will likely help us sweep a tidy helping of the pool.

Race 12

RACE12

MELTONECURIE D VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO TROTTING ENTIRES & GELDINGS) FINAL (GROUP 1)

EARLY SPEEDMODERATE

CONFIDENCE90%

3THE LOCOMOTIVE

4SUGA DADDY

5FOUROUTOFFIVE

1AVANT GUARD

2CALL ME JACK

8DESIGNER VICI

10GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW

13DEEJAY DEX

11MITCHELL WRAP

9PRINCE OF ROCK

6ALL THE TRIX

12WATTS UP PARTYTIME

MAP CONFIDENCE: 90%+ (That THE LOCOMOTIVE (3) will glide on by to take up running and comfortably retain the top henceforth).

It’s awfully tough to fathom any way reigning Vicbred champion THE LOCOMOTIVE (3) won’t lead from pillar to post in tonight’s Sayonara Stakes but that’s not telling anyone anything. I did try formulating exotic combinations to squeeze some value from this contest and given the fact I’m very confident PRINCE OF ROCK (9) should finish second or third at very worst, you’d think we might be on. Sadly, I found too many options for the third podium position and abandoned mission as a result.

J-BON’S $500 GAME PLAN FOR VSS FINALS NIGHT

It’s fair to say that I, along the great and mighty Mick Polster, were the Founding Fathers of a wily little beast known as The Game Plan. In more recent times the GP has been commandeered by others, some of whom have little knowledge of its serpentine nature, which, it must be said, I have also fallen victim to in recent weeks & months. The reason Mick & I inaugurated the GP was our disillusionment with ‘Top 4’ tips on the trots which did nothing to assist or educate punters wanting to wager on our wonderful sport.

Take tonight for example. As a ‘tipster’, it wouldn’t be tough to ‘tip’ 6 or more winners on a programme such as this. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Then you realise that there’s 5 red-figure favourites among the 12 events. As mentioned, it’s been an unusually rough run of late and a long tale of near misses, but tonight, well it’s something else again.

Personally, I had 8 early wagers on this card Tuesday afternoon, all of which are outlined in my spiels above. Sadly, it’s no longer Tuesday and most early overs are very long gone, so rather than pick away at Dodo remains, tonight’s GP will be exclusively comprised of Money Races and Quaddie combos. Godspeed to all; Vicbred Super Series night is something very special and there to be enjoyed.

Race 3
3,7/ 3,7/ 1,5,8: $36 gets 600%
3,7/ 1,5,8/ 3,7: $12 gets 200%
3,7/ 3,7/ 2,4,6,12: $12 gets 150%

Race 7
1,8/ 1,8/ 9,11/ 2,3,9,10,11,12,13: $36 gets 150%
1,8/ 9,11/ 1,8/ 2,3,9,10,11,12,13: $24 gets100%
1,8/ 9,11/ 9,11: $4 gets 100%
9,11/ 1,8,9,11/ 1,8,9,11: $6 gets 50%

Race 9
2/ 1/ 4: $10 gets 1000%
2/ 1/ 6,8,9,13: $20 gets 500%
2/ 1/ 3,5,7,11,12: $10 gets 200%

Race 11
1/ 4,5,7/ 4,5,7,9,10,11/ 2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11: $52.50 gets 50%
1/ 4,5,7/ 2/ 3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11: $2.50 gets 8.4%
1/ 9,10,11/ 4,5,7/ 2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11: $5 gets 8.93%

EARLY QUADS
3,6,8,9/ 8/ 3,7/ 4,6,7: $60 gets 250%
3,6,8,9/ 8/ 3,7/ 1,10,13: $6 gets 25%
3,6,8,9/ 7/ 3,7/ 4,6,7: $18 gets 75%
5,7,13/ 8/ 3,7/ 4,6,7: $6 gets 33.33%

QUADS ($180)
1,3,5,8,9,12/ 4,8,12/ 1,8/ 5,10: $108 gets 150%
1,3,5,8,9,12/ 4,8,12/ 1,8/ 1,7: $18 gets 25%
1,3,5,8,9,12/ 4,8,12/ 9,12 / 5,10: $36 gets 50%
1,3,5,8,9,12/ 2,6,10/ 1,8/ 5,10: $18 gets 25%

Codes’ Preview and Game Plan

RACE 1

Bang! Straight into it. What a race. I’ve got a cigarette paper, as they say in the classics, between EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (3), HEZA PUNK ROCKER (6), PERFECT CLASS (8), KEAYANG TOKYO (9) and THE STORM INSIDE (13). Throw a blanket over them, as Rexy would say!

EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (3) gets the nod by the barest of margins due to his barrier draw advantage over key rivals.

I think he’s got the gate speed to hold out any potential bombardment, which I suppose COULD come from ROADMASTER (5). But I don’t think it will. ROADMASTER (5) is on a tier of his own just outside my very top tier. He’s a winning hope if they do burn too hard early.

So, if Mick Stanley can hold find the pegs first, he’s where he wants to be. The cavalry will come. They must! It’s too good a field for them not to, though I suppose they didn’t in the Eureka… so anything’s possible.

Let’s say KEAYANG TOKYO (9) is first on his bike, which is likely as he follows out EXOTIC BUSHRANGER, then he gets to the chair. I think Jason Lee in this scenario would assume Mick Stanley won’t likely relinquish the top spot in the run, so he’ll settle and try and out-punch from the chair.

We must assume that PERFECT CLASS (8) is trying to extricate himself from the inside-back-row gate quickly for Cam Hart. PC loves the breeze, as Bon and I mentioned on the podcast. Would KEAYANG TOKYO (9) hand up the chair? I think so. Lead’s likely not there, so one-one smother in a Group 1 $150,000 Final is probably tasty.

Who else could charge around to the breeze? Could HEZA PUNK ROCKER (6) get on his bike earlier than his first couple of Australian runs? Possibly. Though I think more likely he’ll be the fresh horse on the scene in the final furlong and the main danger to nabbing the Bushranger.

How about THE LOST STORM (13)? At his best he’d be looking for the chair and trying to dominate. But he’s not at his best of late… though he is back in winning form.

All the while, horses like ROADMASTER (5) and GAWN (7) are back in the field, biding their time and looking to launch from the 400.

My good mate MY UNCLE STAN (2) will be smoking his pipe behind the leader. He’s low flying and I’d love to see him run a drum. Full disclosure, I’ve had a couple of bob each-way on him at 100-1 purely because I love the horse! I don’t think him a winning hope though.

In fact, aside from the abovementioned moves to the breeze, I don’t know if we’re going to see too many fireworks in the run. (Famous last words, I know…)

And so EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (3), who can cop pressure and still win if they serve it up, can rip home strongly late and will take a special performance to beat him.

CODES’ MARKET:

CODES’ VERDICT: 3-9-6-8

CODES’ GAME PLAN: $20 Win EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (3) @ $4.80 (Sportsbet)

RACE 2

A trotting treat in the second with a couple of unbeaten potential freaks locking horns in KEAYANG ZAHARA (8), who could be absolutely ANYTHING on what we’ve seen so far, and VIOLET STANFORD (7), who looks super speedy and ready to take advantage of the front-line draw to get the head-start on her main rival.

KEAYANG ZAHARA (8) won the NSW Oaks and NSW Derby, beating horses like PINNIE and MEGA SPUR, who she meets here again.

She could be utterly special and if she gets even a sniff of a favour in the run, they probably won’t beat her. But from gate eight, Jason Lee is going to have to make his own luck a bit. Boy, he could be in for a big start to the nigh with Tokyo into Zahara!

Nathan Jack will be looking to take full advantage of being ahead of the favourite early doors on VIOLET STANFORD (7) and I can see him just easing forward in the hope of finding the front without spending too much petrol.

As much as I have marked both the abovementioned young trotting wunderkinds as favourite and second favourite, I’m swimming against the tide in search of some value on the each-way basis. I’ve landed on PINNIE (5) as a bet at $14/$2.80.

Her last-start fourth, when copped a bad check and only beaten 8m by VIOLET STANFORD as a $2.90 shot from gate seven, was her only ever outside-top-three result in a 12-start career.

She has contested the NSW Oaks and the NSW Derby, finishing third and second behind KEAYANG ZAHARA (8) and MEGA SPUR (1). On both those occasions she found the lead from gates five and six. She led from six to beat JILLIBY BALLERINA (2) at Melton three runs back and finished 2.9m behind DEREK THE JET in the Holmfield. Handlebars down early here, I think she can head off MEGA SPUR (1), which would be vital, and then probably takes a ride behind VIOLET STANFORD (7). Unless they decide to hold the lead for a while longer…

There’s another scenario where PINNIE (5) pings out but Ants holds the front on the pole and PINNIE (5) jumps in behind on the pegs.

Either way, PINNIE (5) one-by-four at the price ($14/$2.80) feels a game I’d like to play.  

Of the others, JILLIBY BALLERINA (2) has above-average ability but does bump into more furnished opponents here. MEGA SPUR (1) is ultra-consistent and if she did hold the front and run along, she can give them something to catch. Goes in all exotics. WORTH WATCHING (9) and MAORIS MAC (10) into the minor mix for First 4s.

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 4-8-7-1

CODES’ GAME PLAN:

$10 X $40 on 4 – PINNIE @ $14/$2.80 with TAB

Trifecta Box: 1,4,7,8 – $24 for 100%

RACE 3

Whose badge are you wearing here? SUSAN IS HER NAME (7) or ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (3)? There will be 10 other trotters in the race, but it seems almost everyone you speak to is in one of the two major camps. I’ve marked SUSAN IS HER NAME (7) a narrow favourite, but there’s nothing between the two big guns. My thinking is she is better than she was 12 months ago when she was the VSS 3YO Champion. And she won the Breeders Crown at 2YO also. She just seems so much more professional as she’s matured a bit.

Take nothing away from ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (3). She’s brilliant and you know she’ll find the pegs first. She will take a power of running down and we’ll have a good show on our hands.

EXALTED (8) is emerging at the right time, too, and is drawn to use her speed at the right time. But she’ll be likely giving the favourites a bit of a start or having to do some work to get around them in the run. Jess Tubbs’ team is flying and they do a magnificent job with their trotters, obviously.

KEAYANG GUCCI (1) has the pole draw and an almost picket-fence form line. She will be thundering home at the finish off a soft pegs trip.

RAPID RETURN (4) was terrific in the heat and is among the next tier, with ALDEBARAN MILEY (5).

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 7-3-8-1

CODES’ GAME PLAN:

$50 WIN SUSAN IS HER NAME (7) @ $2.40

FIRST 4s ($30 spend)

3,7 / 3,7 / 1,4,5,8 / 1,4,5,8 – $24 for 100%

3,7 / 1,4,5,8 / 3,7 / 1,4,5,8 – $6 for 25%

RACE 4

The 2YO trotting boys’ final is a wide-open affair this year. The unbeaten ZARSKI (4) looks very talented, winning his first three starts in style. He’s in the care of Gary Donaldson, who does a wonderful job with the squaregaiters, and driver Jimmy Herbertson, who has been in electric form for a while now. Has to be hard to beat from barrier four.

LOTUS LOUISE (1) is one from one and if handles the pole draw OK then there’s no reason that he can’t be right in the thick of the action throughout for Robbie Morris.

COMMODUS (7) has a wide draw but might be professional and speedy enough early to clear the whole field and find the top. He’s talented and was still kicking on to beat VYTIS (6) last start. If he gets a head start on him again, why couldn’t he keep winning for the Puppet and Jayne Davies?

VYTIS (6) has screamed ‘get on’ for a couple of runs now for Team Brosnan and has been heavily backed to win the final. He’s clearly got the talent to be right in the finish.

MYSTERY FRED (13) is the other one I’ll be including as a flyer here. Huge run in the heat when made a blue, early doors, recovered and was very strong through the line late. The issue of course is he is known for a couple of tricks, and you don’t want to be getting up to nonsense in a Group 1 final. If he trots throughout for Queen of the Trots Kerryn Manning, I think he’s a winning hope.

ROCKINWITHSTYLE (3) the other absolute longshot to consider. Has been building up to a win for a while now and is drawn nicely. Maybe due for a sudden change of luck on grand final night?

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 4-6-7-13

CODES’ GAME PLAN

$5 EACH-WAY MYSTERY FRED (13) @ MID TOTE

$5 EACH-WAY ROCKINWITHSTYLE (3) @ $61/$8 with TAB

BOX TRIFECTA – 1,3,4,6,7,13 – $30 for 25%

RACE 5

The quaddie legs look ultra-competitive this year, which could bode well for those who enjoy playing a little wide in search of lucrative big game.

BEST DEAL (12) is my favourite. Only good horses break 26 for a quarter regardless of whether they’ve worked or just jiggy-jogged (is that the term?) prior. He’s won 6/7 and could be special. If he dominates this lot from 12, he probably is. I’ve got him on top.

KINGMAN (9) also has a genuine touch of class and is a definite danger. You won’t miss him in the bright Mick Harvey silks. I reckon he’s got a massive future.

I’ve got STORMRYDER (3) finding the lead early, which gives him genuine winning claims.

SIR JIMMY (8) and MIKI TO SUCCESS (5) are both in the mix – the latter especially, MIKI, is really stepping it up at the right time and with the right run in transit, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him exploding into the action in the last furlong. He’s over the odds.

Pole marker SERGEANT LOU (1) is a horse I have a STACK of time for and always have. I haven’t been totally convinced by his first two runs this time in, but he’ll be peaking into the final for sure. Would be great to see Ring-a-ding-ding Mick Bellman notch the Group 1!

KING REPELLERE (11) and WAR DAN BUDDY (13) aren’t completely out of things either! Tough race, and cannot put them all in, so I’ll have to work to skinny things up for the quaddie, which I’ll outline in the game plan below.

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 12-9-3-5

GAME PLAN: Happy to just play in the quaddie here.

RACE 6

If the first leg of the quad was a thousand-piece puzzle, the second leg is 2000 pieces. I’ve got three equal favourites! That’s kind of ridiculous.

MISS ARI (4), TENACIOUSLY (6) and LET HER ROLL (12) are all about $4.5 shots for mine. Lean narrowly to MISS ARI (4) because I think she’s the most explosive and has the most bottom. Alas, we missed the early overs (I know Bon got on!)

TENACIOUSLY (6) will be best suited if can find the lead despite the wide gate. LET HER ROLL (12) has a tough barrier to overcome but Herbie will give her every hope.

TUPELO (2) potentially lobs the top early and takes cover behind a TENACIOUSLY (6), or even MISS ARI (4) if Puppet springs a surprise, however, BRIGHTON (1) could show enough gate speed to take advantage of gate one. We just don’t know yet as not enough exposed form to determine categorically.

MISS AUSTRALIANA (8) and SOHO AMERICANO (10) are the others with winning chances.

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 4-12-6-2

CODES’ GAME PLAN: Happy to just play the quaddie again.

RACE 7

The more I look at this race, the more I’m keen to play GO MIKI (8) for Kez and Em. Drawn to get a gun trail behind likely leader THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (1), GO MIKI (8) has a great turn of foot and will be ripping home in the straight.

FOX DAN (9) and ALWAYS HOT (12) are next best but neither drawn to get any real favours in the run.

SILVER PISTOL (10) and CAPTAIN MOORE (11) have some claims.

The one at odds I want to have something on is NEW SHUFFLE (3). Last two runs have been fantastic and could sneak under a few punters’ guard here. One for the quads.

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 8-1-9-12

CODES’ GAME PLAN

$40 GO MIKI (8) @ $3.40 with TAB

$5 WIN X $15 PLACE NEW SHUFFLE (3) @ $34/$5 with TAB

RACE 8

DRAW A DREAM (10) and SHOWSOMEJOY (5) look the two most likely to be fighting out the last leg of the quaddie, with EUREKA JO (1) best placed if there were to be an upset.

DRAW A DREAM (10) is 6/6 with Kez aboard. I’m backing her in to make it seven from seven and on the big stage.

The money came like an avalanche for SHOWSOMEJOY (5) last weekend. And it was a bullseye for those punters, and not for us early players who were on DRAW A DREAM (10).

SHOWSOMEJOY (5) is the likely initial leader and for that reason is the clear second pick.

EUREKA JO (1) will get a sweet trip on the pegs and be charging through the line late.

TILLY JAYNE (2), EVER ART (3), KISS (7) and STITCHED UP DAN (9) are the others who can figure in the back end of trifectas and first fours. STITCHED UP DAN (9) at $51/$7 with TAB feels especially some overs (was triple digits earlier in the week!)

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 10-5-1-7-9

CODES’ GAME PLAN

First 4s ($40)

10-5-1-7,9 $25 for X12.5
10-5-1-2,3 $5 for X2.5
10-5-7,9-1 $5 for X2.5
5-10-1-7,9 $5 for X2.5

$5 EACH-WAY STITCHED UP DAN (9) @ $51/$7 with TAB

RACE 9

GATESYS GEM (2) could be absolutely anything. Looks a big, true professional for Glenn Hunter and is unbeaten in three starts. The real deal and drawn to assert her authority.

The danger is drawn the pole in SASSY GALLEON (1). Chris Lang Jr back in the game and straight on to the big stage with this girl. She’s the only realistic danger to the favourite for mine.

MYHEARTBEATSTRUE (4) is the third pick for the Puppet and that consistent producer of gun trotters Brent Lilley.

KINVARA KATE (6), PROHIBITED GRACE (9), ORIA (12), MISS OHANA (13), VERA LANE (11) and KEAYANG KURKI (7) all among the minor players for the back end of the exotics.

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 2-1-4-13

CODES’ GAME PLAN:

First 4 ($48)
2 / 1 / 4 / 6,7,9,11,12,13 – $12 for 200%
2 / 1 / 6,7,9,11,12,13 / 4,6,7,9,11,12,13 – $18 for 50%

RACE 10

DEREK THE JET (7) is a special young trotter, who I am tipping to remain unbeaten here at the short odds.

LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (12) is the major danger for mine. Could be the best maiden trotter in the country? And that’s a tag he could maintain with even more authority if he runs second as I predict here!

TITAN STRIDE (3), VALTINO (10) and THUNDA STRUCK (13) are all in the conversation, along with some others, for third, so I might play a very rare exacta here!

CODES’ MARKET

CODES’ VERDICT: 7-12-3-10

CODES’ GAME PLAN: $20 EXACTA 7 to beat 12 (preferably with the corporates!)

RACE 11

SWEET BELLA (1) legit looks a moral from the pole. She should hold the front and will take a power of running down.

If you’re a podcast listener or a long-time reader of this site, you’ll know I love ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (5). Tonight to win she either has to produce a supersonic last 600m to win from the back, or she’ll have to find a way to out-punch Bella from the breeze. Tough ask.

LUDACROUS (10) most likely to work to the chair and try to apply the pressure to the leader. Tough mare for underrated trainer Kate Hargreaves, who does a magnificent job with her small team.

SURFINGMAKESCENTS (11) is underrated and among the exotics mix.

SAHARA BREEZE (7) is a seriously talented mare, who must be included in all trifectas also. If the map landed differently, I’d give her a big winning chance.

VEE EM GEE MACRAY (4) the other one to include.

CODES’ VERDICT: 1-10-5-7

CODES’ GAME PLAN: Happy to just watch this one.

RACE 12

We come home with another short-priced favourite in THE LOCOMOTIVE (3). Should be winning this but will be extremely skinny odds.

PRINCE OF ROCK (9) is proven on the big stage and I’ve got him in for second.

ALL THE TRIX (6) is a metro level trotter, who is still on the way up for Adam Stephens. He goes in everything.

GOTFELINGSYOUKNOW (10), WATTS UP PARTYTIME (12), DEEJAY DEX (13), AVANT GUARD (1) and SUGA DADDY (4) all some chance of figuring in First 4 calculations.

CODES’ VERDICT: 3-9-6-13

CODES’ GAME PLAN

Trifecta  
3 / 6,9 / 6,9,10,12,13 – $20 for 250%

Codes’ $500 VSS Finals Game Plan Summary

Race 1 No.3 EXOTIC BUSHRANGER $20 WIN @ $4.80 Sportsbet
Race 2 No.4 PINNIE $10 WIN x $40 PLACE @ $14/$2.80 TAB
Race 2 BOX TRIFECTA 1,4,7,8 $24 for 100%
Race 3 $50 WIN SUSAN IS HER NAME @ $2.40
Race 3 First 4s – $30 outlay
3,7 / 3,7 / 1,4,5,8 / 1,4,5,8 $24 for 100%
3,7 / 1,4,5,8 / 3,7 / 1,4,5,8 $6 for 25%
Race 4 $5 each-way MYSTERY FRED @ MID TOTE
Race 4 $5 each-way ROCKINWITHSTYLE @ $61/$8
Race 4 Box Trifecta – 1,3,4,6,7,13 $30 for 25%
Race 7 $40 WIN GO MIKI @ $3.40 TAB
Race 7 $5 WIN x $15 PLACE NEW SHUFFLE $34/$5 with TAB
Race 8 FIRST 4s
10 / 5 / 1 / 7,9 $25 X12.5
10 / 5 / 1 / 2,3 $5 X2.5
10 / 5 / 7,9 / 1 $5 X2.5
5 / 10 / 1 / 7,9 $5 X2.5
Race 8 $5 EACH-WAY STITCHED UP DAN @ $51/$7
Race 9 FIRST 4s
2 / 1 / 4 / 6,7,9,11,12,13 $12 for 200%
2 / 1 / 6,7,9,11,12,13 / 4,6,7,9,11,12,13 $18 for 50%
Race 10 $20 EXACTA 7 to beat 12
Race 12 TRIFECTA 3 / 6,9 / 6,9,10,12,13 $20 for 250%

Early Quaddie: 3,5,6,8,9,13 / 4,7,8 / 3,7 / 1,3,4,6,7,13 $46 for 21.29%

Quaddie: 1,3,4,5,8,9,12 / 2,4,6,8,12 / 1,3,8 / 5,10 $50 for 23.8%