Melton Race 5 - Australian Pacing Gold Pace
COOL STORY (8) made a strong return after more than six months on the sidelines when he scored by 13.5 metres at Bendigo. Shouldn't spend a penny from this draw and the sprint lane may come in handy. Fitter and could go through his grades this time in work. DIVINE TILLY (5) has been competitive of late and kept the ball rolling last time when 2.4 metres from the winner in second at Bendigo. Draws wider but with even luck she is good enough to take out a race like this. PRECIOUS BELLE NZ (3) scored two back and didn't do a bad job when fifth at Cranbourne last time out. Draws well and has won at this circuit and distance before. WICHITA KANSAS (2) was beaten less than 5m from the back line last time. Placed in his previous three outings and draws well so can feature.

Driver: Ellen Tormey
Stats
Comments
Was well back in the run when 4th (Fr5) over 2160m at Echuca, at the bell was 6th-14.4 beaten 11 m by Wheres Wood Wood (2:44.60) in M on July 7 at $41. Before that 11th (Sr4) over 1690m at Maryborough, at the bell was 11th-16.6 beaten 17 m by Kimchi (2:05.10) on June 29 at $61. Unlikely to threaten.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 07/07/2026 | 8 | NR up to 45 | $5,000.00 | Echuca | 2160m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 2:02.6 | 5 |
| 11.5L | $41.00 |
| 11/12 | 29/06/2026 | 7 | NR 38 to 44 | $4,000.00 | Maryborough | 1690m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:59.1 | 4 |
| 17.6L | $61.00 |
| 6/9 | 22/06/2026 | 370 | NR 38 to 42 | $4,000.00 | Horsham | 2200m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 2:01.9 | 1 |
| 14.8L | $41.00 |
| 2/5 | 07/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Brent Murphy | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/6 | 01/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ellen Tormey | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/10 | 17/06/2025 | 14 | NR 40 to 45 | $4,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Neutral | George Chamouras | 1:59.9 | 2 |
| 7.1L | $26.00 |
| 4/9 | 03/06/2025 | 7 | NR up to 40 GROUP | $4,500.00 | Mount Gambier | 1780m | Neutral | C J Slater | 2:02.9 | 3 |
| 2.0L | $10.00 |
| 1/6 | 27/05/2025 | 11 | MAIDEN | $4,500.00 | Mount Gambier | 1780m | Neutral | C J Slater | 2:01.6 | 3 |
| 3.1L | $1.15 |

Driver: Leilani Justice
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 5 m sixth behind Super Code at Ballarat over 2200m last start. Before that was beaten a nose third at Bendigo over 1650m same class on July 1. Draws for a good showing.
Last Starts 5 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | 09/07/2026 | 8 | NR up to 45 | $5,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:59.1 | 1 |
| 4.9L | $8.50 |
| 3/10 | 01/07/2026 | 6 | NR 40 to 45 | $5,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | R | Leilani Justice | 1:57.8 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $2.60 |
| 2/10 | 25/06/2026 | 24 | NR up to 49 | $4,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:58.8 | 2 |
| 1.2L | $9.50 |
| 3/10 | 01/06/2026 | 4 | NR 38 to 42 | $4,000.00 | Stawell | 2180m | Soft | Leilani Justice | 2:02.2 | 3 |
| 5.2L | $4.00 |
| 8/8 | 28/05/2026 | 6 | NR 43 to 47 | $4,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:55.1 | 5 |
| 36.9L | $17.00 |
| 6/9 | 22/05/2026 | 14 | NR 46 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:58.9 | 2 |
| 10.5L | $18.00 |
| 3/3 | 11/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Leilani Justice | 0 |
| 2.5L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/4 | 12/11/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Leilani Justice | 0 |
| 2.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jodi Quinlan
Stats
Comments
Fair last start; was driven from back in the field when 5th (Fr6) over 1609m at Cranbourne was 9th-12.5 at the bell, beaten 5.5 m by Bona Khan (1:56.30) on July 5 at $9. Showed ability the run before when she failed to make any headway until the straight; raced back and made ground from the turn; won by 1.1 m when driven back in the field, (Fr4) held up early, at Cranbourne (2:35.40) beating Caledonian Terra in on June 28 at $6.50 at the bell was 6th-7.6. Drawn well and can make an impact.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 05/07/2026 | 7 | NR 40 to 45 | $5,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Taylor Ford | 1:56.3 | 6 |
| 5.4L | $9.00 |
| 1/7 | 28/06/2026 | 11 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | T R Ford | 2:00.2 | 4 |
| 1.1L | $6.50 |
| 2/11 | 17/06/2026 | 13 | NR 39 to 44 | $4,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | T R Ford | 2:00.0 | 4 |
| 0.1L | $5.00 |
| 6/7 | 04/06/2026 | 14 | NR up to 50 | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | W | Louis Emerson | 2:01.8 | 2 |
| 25.2L | $10.00 |
| 4/9 | 21/05/2026 | 4 | NR up to 50 | $8,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Louis Emerson | 1:59.5 | 7 |
| 9.3L | $19.00 |
| 5/12 | 17/05/2026 | 6 | NR 40 to 46 | $4,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Jodi Quinlan | 1:59.0 | 3 |
| 21.6L | $4.20 |
| 1/7 | 28/12/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Jodi Quinlan | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 |

Driver: John Caldow
Stats
Comments
Last start 9th (Sr1) over 1609m at Cranbourne was 8th-11.7 at the bell, beaten 10 m by Bona Khan (1:56.30) on July 5 at $41. At the run before was well back in the run when 9th (Fr5) over 2150m at Bendigo, at the bell was 8th-19.29 beaten 19 m by Crackin Philtra (2:38.30) in 3yo on June 24 at $126. Capable of better.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/9 | 05/07/2026 | 11 | NR 40 to 45 | $5,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:56.3 | 1 |
| 10.9L | $41.00 |
| 9/10 | 24/06/2026 | 7 | 0-1 WIN | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:58.5 | 5 |
| 19.9L | $126.00 |
| 5/9 | 17/06/2026 | 21 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:55.5 | 6 |
| 15.4L | $126.00 |
| 8/12 | 27/05/2026 | 12 | NR 46 to 51 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | W | John Caldow | 1:58.0 | 1 |
| 17.4L | $151.00 |
| 9/10 | 15/05/2026 | 8 | NR 50 to 53 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:58.3 | 2 |
| 15.9L | $51.00 |
| 6/9 | 07/05/2026 | 159 | 0-1 WIN | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | John Caldow | 1:58.8 | 7 |
| 27.1L | $126.00 |
| 3/3 | 21/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | John Caldow | 0 |
| 36.3L | $0.00 | |
| 4/6 | 31/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | John Caldow | 0 |
| 6.7L | $0.00 |

Driver: Steve Cleave
Stats
Comments
Good run when beaten by 6 m finishing fifth after being driven well back, behind Freak Out at Kilmore over 2180m on June 18 at $3. Then a handy effort when beaten by 2.5 m finishing second after being driven well back, behind Jilliby Illusion at Bendigo over 1650m in a M on July 1 at $15. Progressing well. One of the key runners.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 01/07/2026 | 13 | Mares | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | R | Steve Cleave | 1:56.6 | 2 |
| 2.4L | $15.00 |
| 5/8 | 18/06/2026 | 8 | NR up to 49 | $4,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | W | Steve Cleave | 2:01.9 | 5 |
| 6.0L | $3.00 |
| 3/12 | 10/06/2026 | 7 | NR up to 49 | $4,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Steve Cleave | 1:55.5 | 3 |
| 1.6L | $3.90 |
| 4/9 | 03/06/2026 | 14 | NR up to 50 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Steve Cleave | 1:56.1 | 7 |
| 8.3L | $14.00 |
| 6/9 | 20/05/2026 | 7 | NR up to 55 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Steve Cleave | 1:56.1 | 1 |
| 11.9L | $6.50 |
| 6/10 | 13/05/2026 | 7 | NR 43 to 49 | $4,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Steve Cleave | 1:57.1 | 2 |
| 7.5L | $3.30 |
| 4/5 | 22/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Steve Cleave | 0 |
| 17L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/7 | 29/07/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Steve Cleave | 0 |
| 13.7L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jack Laugher
Stats
Comments
Last start was well back in the run when 9th (Fr7) over 1690m at Kilmore, beaten 24 m by Covered In Gold (2:03.60) on July 2 at $10. At the run before 6th (Sr2) over 1650m at Bendigo, at the bell was 6th-12.06 beaten 14 m by Will He Reign (1:59.10) on June 24 at $6. Capable of more than he has shown recently. Anticipate a far better run this time.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/9 | 02/07/2026 | 8 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:57.7 | 7 |
| 24.0L | $10.00 |
| 6/8 | 24/06/2026 | 7 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:56.1 | 2 |
| 14.8L | $6.00 |
| 6/8 | 17/06/2026 | 14 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:57.0 | 6 |
| 7.7L | $14.00 |
| 5/9 | 03/06/2026 | 7 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:57.5 | 2 |
| 17.7L | $9.00 |
| 9/12 | 27/05/2026 | 19 | NR 46 to 51 | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | W | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.0 | 5 |
| 18.0L | $31.00 |
| 3/8 | 08/05/2026 | 9 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Charlton | 2100m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:57.4 | 1 |
| 9.0L | $15.00 |
| 2/5 | 07/10/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Alex Ashwood | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/8 | 08/11/2022 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | E Tormey | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Driver: Riley Mitchell
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much at the last run, 6th (Sr2) over 2180m at Kilmore, beaten 22 m by Foregone Conclusion (2:43.90) on July 2 at $26. Before that 7th (Fr1) over 1720m at this track, beaten 55 m by Bettor Beach (2:00.90) on June 26 at $81. Improvement needed.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/10 | 02/07/2026 | 6 | NR up to 50 | $8,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Joey Sharp | 2:01.0 | 2 |
| 22.0L | $26.00 |
| 7/8 | 26/06/2026 | 42 | NR up to 59 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:53.1 | 1 |
| 53.7L | $81.00 |
| 8/9 | 15/05/2026 | 12 | NMWL6M | $8,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:55.8 | 1 |
| 52.5L | $101.00 |
| 9/11 | 03/05/2026 | 9 | NR up to 55 | $10,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Soft | John Justice | 1:57.6 | 4 |
| 59.3L | $34.00 |
| 11/12 | 24/04/2026 | 9 | NR 48 to 51 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Fast | Leilani Justice | 1:58.1 | 7 |
| 23.9L | $81.00 |
| 10/11 | 15/04/2026 | 12 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:54.2 | 2 |
| 23.1L | $51.00 |
| 3/7 | 31/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Leilani Justice | 0 |
| 12.6L | $0.00 | |
| 6/9 | 10/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | R Mitchell | 0 |
| 55.8L | $0.00 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Resumed from a 190-day break with a strong win from midfield and posted a big 13 m win as favourite (Fr2) at Bendigo (2:37.80) beating Eebeebee in 4yo+ on July 1 at $2.70 at the bell was 3rd-0.82. Can win again.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 01/07/2026 | 190 | 4YO and older | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | R | James Herbertson | 1:58.1 | 2 |
| 13.5L | $2.70 |
| 1/7 | 22/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/6 | 15/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ross Graham | 0 |
| 15L | $0.00 | ||
| 11/11 | 23/12/2025 | 6 | MAIDEN | $8,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Ross Graham | 1:58.4 | 5 |
| 77.6L | $34.00 |
| 5/9 | 17/12/2025 | 16 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Ross Graham | 1:56.0 | 6 |
| 28.1L | $31.00 |
| 9/10 | 01/12/2025 | 19 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 2:01.8 | 5 |
| 63.7L | $4.80 |
| 7/10 | 12/11/2025 | 20 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Ross Graham | 1:56.9 | 7 |
| 14.6L | $17.00 |
| 3/11 | 23/10/2025 | 8 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Ross Graham | 2:00.8 | 4 |
| 35.3L | $14.00 |