Melton Race 6 - Garrards Horse And Hound Pace
MIKI TO SUCCESS (7) resumed with an encouraging fourth Leap To Fame in the Kilmore Cup before a terrific effort in the Hunter Cup, working home well to be beaten only 3m. Draws wide his form reads strongly for this and he strikes at 50 per cent when third-up so should be at his peak. SMOKEN ACE NZ (5) is in a purple patch of form having made it three wins on the trot by setting a new track record with his last-start Listed win at Kilmore. Has had four weeks off since but has been kept up to the mark with a nice trial. MACH DAN (6) has placed in four of his last five starts. Was 4m behind Smoken Ace two back before leading from one spot wider than this and sticking on here last time. Can give a sight again. GHOST OF TIME (2) is up in grade but draws well and added to a string of wins and placings by scoring at this circuit and distance last time so respect.

Driver: Jack Laugher
Stats
Comments
Finding it hard to put a couple of good runs together. Last start was 2nd (Sr1) over 2270m at Riverina Paceway, beaten 5.5 m by Usyk (2:44.00) in NR up to 80 on February 27 at $3.90. Before that beaten 15 metres, fifth at this track over 2240m NR up to 80 on February 21. Unlikely to threaten in this tougher assignment.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 27/02/2026 | 6 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Wagga | 2270m | Fast | Ryan Sanderson | 1:56.2 | 1 |
| 5.7L | $3.90 |
| 5/12 | 21/02/2026 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:56.3 | 5 |
| 15.4L | $7.00 |
| 4/8 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:54.5 | 3 |
| 11.8L | $101.00 |
| 6/8 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $25,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:57.7 | 7 |
| 10.4L | $81.00 |
| 5/8 | 31/01/2026 | 147 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 11.7L | $41.00 |
| 7/7 | 06/09/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:53.6 | 1 |
| 14.2L | $26.00 |
| 4/5 | 19/05/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Good | J G Coney | 0 |
| 8.7L | $0.00 | |
| 1/5 | 29/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Seaton Grima | 0 |
| 3.3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ryan Sanderson
Stats
Comments
Recent efforts have been impressive. Last start won by a head when quickly away, (Fr7) at this track (2:01.80) beating Isthisjustfantasy in NR 75 to 90 on February 21 at $8.50 at the bell was 3rd-3.95. Draws well and is expected to feature again.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 21/02/2026 | 7 | NR 75 to 90 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:53.9 | 7 |
| 0.2L | $8.50 |
| 3/8 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Melton | 1200m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 4 |
| 2.5L | $15.00 | |
| 3/8 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | NR 70 to 85 | $25,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:57.7 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $1.80 |
| 1/8 | 31/01/2026 | 168 | NR 70 to 85 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:56.7 | 5 |
| 2.7L | $10.00 |
| 1/4 | 06/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Connor Clarke | 0 |
| 4.6L | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 16/08/2025 | 28 | NR 80 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:54.5 | 6 |
| 35.3L | $13.00 |
| 8/8 | 19/07/2025 | 7 | NR 80 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Glen Craven | 1:55.9 | 6 |
| 16.1L | $4.20 |
| 1/6 | 01/07/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | S R Loftus | 0 |
| 4.2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Lochie Cook
Stats
Comments
Last start 5th (Fr7) over 2240m at this track was 3rd-7.68 at the bell, beaten 7 m by Triple Eight (2:37.50) in No NR on February 28 at $9. Before that, 11th (Sr5) over 2760m at this track, beaten 20 m by Swayzee (3:14.40) in G1 No NR on February 14 at $201. Nicely drawn this time and can play a role.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 28/02/2026 | 14 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:53.2 | 7 |
| 7.4L | $9.00 |
| 11/12 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $250,000.00 | Melton | 2760m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:53.3 | 5 |
| 20.3L | $201.00 |
| 6/8 | 07/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:55.2 | 6 |
| 10.6L | $126.00 |
| 4/7 | 31/01/2026 | 7 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2555m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:55.1 | 5 |
| 5.6L | $151.00 |
| 3/5 | 24/01/2026 | 13 | No NR | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Lochie Cook | 1:53.6 | 3 |
| 0.2L | $6.00 |
| 3/10 | 11/01/2026 | 148 | NR up to 105 | $15,000.00 | Hamilton | 2660m | Fast | Lochie Cook | 1:55.6 | 1 |
| 18.0L | $51.00 |
| 3/3 | 22/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Glen Craven | 0 |
| 9.5L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/3 | 07/04/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | G A Craven | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Michael Bellman
Stats
Comments
Last start 3rd (Fr5) over 2240m at this track, beaten 8 m by Chase A Dream (2:39.40) in No NR on February 14 at $9.50. Two runs back was driven from back in the field when 5th (Fr4) over 1710m at Ballarat beaten 8 m by Smoken Ace (2:00.70) in No NR on January 24 at $6.50. May find this tough.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 14/02/2026 | 21 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:54.5 | 5 |
| 8.8L | $9.50 |
| 5/5 | 24/01/2026 | 13 | No NR | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:53.6 | 4 |
| 8.1L | $6.50 |
| 5/10 | 11/01/2026 | 15 | NR up to 105 | $15,000.00 | Hamilton | 2660m | Fast | James Herbertson | 1:55.6 | 3 |
| 21.4L | $7.50 |
| 1/5 | 27/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:50.8 | 4 |
| 7.6L | $11.00 |
| 9/10 | 20/12/2025 | 13 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:52.8 | 5 |
| 37.5L | $34.00 |
| 1/10 | 07/12/2025 | 71 | NR up to 95 | $15,000.00 | Horsham | 2200m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:56.3 | 3 |
| 1.9L | $2.50 |
| 1/4 | 02/02/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | J J Herbertson | 0 |
| 8.5L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/5 | 21/07/2021 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Hamilton | 2160m | M J Bellman | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Looks well placed in this tougher race, but he was impressive winning last start [-+] 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. Big chance of another win.
Last Starts 4 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/2 | 03/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Kyle Marshall | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/8 | 07/02/2026 | 14 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:52.6 | 6 |
| 1.6L | $2.50 |
| 1/5 | 24/01/2026 | 7 | No NR | $17,500.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:53.6 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $1.45 |
| 1/7 | 17/01/2026 | 14 | No NR | $17,500.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Fast | James Herbertson | 1:56.4 | 5 |
| 2.7L | $1.70 |
| 2/7 | 03/01/2026 | 14 | NR up to 105 | $17,500.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Kyle Marshall | 1:54.4 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $1.40 |
| 2/9 | 20/12/2025 | 8 | NR 80 to 92 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.6 | 7 |
| 0.3L | $2.60 |
| 1/9 | 12/12/2025 | 13 | NR 76 to 89 | $17,500.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:51.2 | 6 |
| 7.6L | $1.70 |
| 3/3 | 11/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Kyle Marshall | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/5 | 25/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Good | Connor Clarke | 0 |
| 6.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
Good run when beaten by 4 m finishing third after a quick start, behind Smoken Ace at Kilmore over 1690m in a LR No NR on February 7 at $3. Then a handy effort when beaten by 7 m finishing second after a quick start, behind Chase A Dream at this track over 2240m in a No NR on February 14 at $4.20. Should go well again.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.5 | 7 |
| 7.4L | $4.20 |
| 3/8 | 07/02/2026 | 14 | No NR | $30,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:52.6 | 7 |
| 4.0L | $3.00 |
| 7/8 | 24/01/2026 | 13 | No NR | $100,000.00 | Ballarat | 2710m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.4 | 1 |
| 20.4L | $41.00 |
| 2/11 | 11/01/2026 | 22 | No NR | $40,000.00 | Hobart | 2579m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:55.8 | 6 |
| 5.6L | $1.85 |
| 2/10 | 20/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:52.8 | 3 |
| 2.8L | $6.50 |
| 8/9 | 13/12/2025 | 28 | No NR | $22,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:50.5 | 2 |
| 19.5L | $17.00 |
| 2/3 | 30/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Allan Mcdonough | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/3 | 15/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Talia Taugge | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jackie Barker
Stats
Comments
Finished fourth at his last two starts since resuming from a spell. Last outing was beaten 3 metres behind Swayzee at this track over 2760m G1 Hunter Cup on February 14. Very good in the Hunter Cup and will be tough to stop off that.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 14/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $250,000.00 | Melton | 2760m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:53.3 | 5 |
| 3.0L | $41.00 |
| 4/8 | 07/02/2026 | 70 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:55.2 | 4 |
| 8.4L | $11.00 |
| 4/4 | 13/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Mark Pitt | 0 |
| 6.1L | $0.00 | |
| 1/12 | 29/11/2025 | 9 | No NR | $100,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:53.9 | 2 |
| 1.6L | $2.00 |
| 2/2 | 23/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Jackie Barker | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/11 | 20/11/2025 | 8 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:54.7 | 1 |
| 2.9L | $1.40 |
| 1/9 | 12/11/2025 | 18 | No NR | $10,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:54.6 | 3 |
| 7.2L | $1.07 |
| 1/10 | 25/10/2025 | 7 | No NR | $60,000.00 | Globe Derby | 2645m | Neutral | Wayne Hill | 1:58.4 | 2 |
| 7.8L | $1.10 |