Melton Race 6 - Vhrc Pace
POPPY WAH WAH (9) resumes after 17 months on the sidelines but showed some very good form last campaign, winning four of his last six starts. Has trialled and hails from a top yard so expect he'll be ready to go. THUNDERFIRE (6) was outclassed in the Vicbred 4EG Super Series Final last start but did well for a 1.8m second in the heats prior. Goes well at this distance. This suits. SAVON DE ROCHE (3) continues to race well, placing in all four outings since recording back-to-back wins. This is the best draw she has had for a while so she could return to the winners' list. PLATINUM JIVE NZ (5) won fresh then came from the back row for second here last time. Go well again.

Driver: Matthew Cain
Stats
Comments
Last start 8th (Sr1) over 1720m at this track, at the bell was 6th-8.16 beaten 10 m by Mighty Jolt (2:02.20) on September 26 at $23. Two runs back came from midfield and won by 1.4 m (Sr1) held up early, at Cranbourne (1:57.20) beating Just As Well in on September 6 at $11 at the bell was 4th-3.8. Hard to enthuse.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/10 | 26/09/2026 | 20 | NR 57 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:54.4 | 1 |
| 10.8L | $23.00 |
| 1/7 | 06/09/2026 | 8 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Matthew Cain | 1:57.2 | 1 |
| 1.4L | $11.00 |
| 2/10 | 29/08/2026 | 13 | NR 57 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:55.3 | 4 |
| 3.1L | $26.00 |
| 4/10 | 16/08/2026 | 9 | NR 54 to 59 | $8,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Matthew Cain | 1:56.2 | 4 |
| 7.5L | $71.00 |
| 4/6 | 07/08/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:58.3 | 2 |
| 5.2L | $7.00 |
| 3/8 | 01/08/2026 | 7 | NR 58 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:56.7 | 4 |
| 8.8L | $61.00 |
| 2/4 | 03/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Anthony Butt | 0 |
| 6L | $0.00 | |
| 4/9 | 25/06/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Zara Fitzpatrick | 0 |
| 24.6L | $0.00 |

Driver: David Moran
Stats
Comments
Last start was well back in the run when 7th (Fr6) over 2240m at this track beaten 24 m by Mount Barker Boy (2:40.60) on October 2 at $151. Before that, a solid effort when 3rd (Fr2) over 1740m at Riverina Paceway was 4th-16.6 at the bell, beaten 10 m by Wicked Confession (2:00.60) on August 14 at $11. Draws well so may improve.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 02/10/2026 | 49 | NMWL6M (NR 80) | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | R | Leigh Sutton | 1:55.4 | 6 |
| 24.9L | $151.00 |
| 3/9 | 14/08/2026 | 14 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Neutral | Tasmyn Potter | 1:51.5 | 2 |
| 10.1L | $11.00 |
| 4/10 | 31/07/2026 | 7 | NR up to 65 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Fast | Tasmyn Potter | 1:55.5 | 6 |
| 6.3L | $9.50 |
| 2/10 | 24/07/2026 | 14 | NR up to 57 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Fast | Jack Stockton | 1:55.8 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $11.00 |
| 4/9 | 10/07/2026 | 14 | NR up to 57 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Fast | Jack Stockton | 1:54.3 | 1 |
| 1.5L | $10.00 |
| 7/9 | 26/06/2026 | 7 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Wagga | 1740m | Fast | Jack Stockton | 1:52.3 | 2 |
| 18.8L | $18.00 |
| 4/5 | 11/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Nathan Jack | 0 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/4 | 09/04/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Mel Thackeray | 0 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ewa Justice
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 5 m third behind Keayang Viper at Terang over 2180m last start. Before that was beaten 2.5 metres third at this track over 1720m same class on August 29. Starts from a good draw and is a contender.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 28/09/2026 | 30 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:56.8 | 7 |
| 4.9L | $1.85 |
| 3/11 | 29/08/2026 | 12 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:53.4 | 5 |
| 2.4L | $3.50 |
| 2/10 | 17/08/2026 | 7 | NR 55 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Charlton | 2100m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:57.7 | 1 |
| 2.6L | $2.90 |
| 3/10 | 10/08/2026 | 14 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Hamilton | 1660m | Slow | Ewa Justice | 1:57.5 | 1 |
| 1.2L | $5.50 |
| 1/8 | 27/07/2026 | 14 | NR 55 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Horsham | 2200m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:59.6 | 6 |
| 2.4L | $2.90 |
| 1/8 | 13/07/2026 | 58 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | R | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.7 | 6 |
| 1.5L | $9.00 |
| 2/4 | 05/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | K P Hargreaves | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/5 | 22/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | K P Hargreaves | 0 |
| 12L | $0.00 |

Driver: John Justice
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 4 m third behind Schwarz at Geelong over 2100m last start. Before that was beaten a head second at Echuca over 1755m same class on September 22. Can continue the good form.
Last Starts 5 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 03/10/2026 | 11 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | R | John Justice | 1:56.3 | 3 |
| 3.9L | $13.00 |
| 2/8 | 22/09/2026 | 11 | NR up to 75 | $8,000.00 | Echuca | 1755m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:56.4 | 2 |
| 0.2L | $2.40 |
| 3/9 | 11/09/2026 | 18 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | John Justice | 1:56.8 | 1 |
| 3.1L | $26.00 |
| 4/8 | 24/08/2026 | 2 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:58.0 | 7 |
| 4.9L | $4.80 |
| 5/10 | 22/08/2026 | 7 | 0W/15 0K stake | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:55.2 | 3 |
| 10.8L | $61.00 |
| 6/10 | 15/08/2026 | 15 | 0W/15 0K stake | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ewa Justice | 1:55.4 | 3 |
| 12.0L | $34.00 |
| 2/5 | 30/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 1720m | Good | Ewa Justice | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | |
| 4/9 | 11/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Ewa Justice | 0 |
| 22.9L | $0.00 |

Driver: William Pace
Stats
Comments
Beaten favourite last start when second at this track on September 26. Won the start before at Cranbourne on September 13. Capable of playing a major role.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/10 | 26/09/2026 | 13 | NR 57 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | W J Pace | 1:54.4 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $2.80 |
| 1/9 | 13/09/2026 | 156 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | W J Pace | 1:56.6 | 5 |
| 1.1L | $5.00 |
| 1/3 | 29/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Good | W J Pace | 0 |
| 8L | $0.00 | |
| 9/12 | 10/04/2026 | 7 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | W J N Pace | 1:55.1 | 6 |
| 36.9L | $23.00 |
| 1/8 | 03/04/2026 | 91 | NR 56 to 64 | $10,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Blake Pace | 1:56.7 | 1 |
| 6.6L | $5.00 |
| 2/6 | 23/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | W J Pace | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/11 | 02/01/2026 | 14 | NR 57 to 63 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | W J N Pace | 1:55.7 | 3 |
| 11.6L | $3.40 |
| 3/9 | 19/12/2025 | 8 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | W J N Pace | 1:53.9 | 5 |
| 3.7L | $7.00 |

Driver: Liam Older
Stats
Comments
Last start was driven from back in the field when 10th (Fr6) over 2240m at this track was 10th-18.77 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Fox Dan (2:36.40) in 4yo G2 on September 19 at $101. Before that, a game effort despite getting well back, when 2nd (Fr5) over 2180m after racing wide at Kilmore was 6th-8.78 at the bell, beaten 1.75 m by I Am The Storm (2:38.90) in 4yo on September 10 at $26. Leading contender dropping in grade.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/11 | 19/09/2026 | 9 | Entires Geldings No NR | $100,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:52.3 | 6 |
| 13.2L | $101.00 |
| 2/8 | 10/09/2026 | 12 | Entires Geldings No NR | $10,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:57.3 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $26.00 |
| 5/10 | 29/08/2026 | 13 | NR 57 to 66 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:55.3 | 1 |
| 6.5L | $1.65 |
| 1/10 | 16/08/2026 | 110 | NR 54 to 59 | $8,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:56.2 | 5 |
| 1.1L | $1.80 |
| 1/6 | 06/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Good | Rebecca Bartley | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | |
| 2/6 | 23/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Good | Rebecca Bartley | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 | |
| 3/6 | 28/04/2026 | 14 | NR 57 to 67 | $7,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Neutral | Rebecca Bartley | 1:58.0 | 5 |
| 5.3L | $1.55 |
| 1/11 | 14/04/2026 | 14 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Shepparton | 2190m | Neutral | Liam Older | 1:57.2 | 2 |
| 5.5L | $1.65 |

Driver: Matthew Craven
Stats
Comments
Two back was well beaten into fifth after a quick start, behind Blake Bolac at Geelong over 2100m on September 11 at $8. Then a handy effort when beaten by 5 m finishing second after being driven well back, behind Keayang Viper at Terang over 2180m on September 28 at $6. Consider.
Last Starts 10 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 28/09/2026 | 17 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Terang | 2180m | Neutral | Hannah Lewis | 1:56.8 | 5 |
| 4.8L | $6.00 |
| 5/6 | 11/09/2026 | 12 | NR up to 79 | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Neutral | Matthew Craven | 1:55.8 | 3 |
| 12.5L | $8.00 |
| 3/8 | 30/08/2026 | 13 | NR 65 | $8,000.00 | Terang | 1680m | Neutral | Matthew Craven | 1:56.6 | 1 |
| 5.6L | $19.00 |
| 4/10 | 17/08/2026 | 7 | NR 55 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Charlton | 2100m | Neutral | Lauren White | 1:57.7 | 7 |
| 9.7L | $12.00 |
| 8/10 | 10/08/2026 | 16 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Hamilton | 1660m | Slow | Lauren White | 1:57.5 | 7 |
| 11.6L | $34.00 |
| 10/10 | 25/07/2026 | 13 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Matthew Craven | 1:52.4 | 3 |
| 31.0L | $34.00 |
| 4/5 | 25/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Matthew Craven | 0 |
| 8L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/3 | 11/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Matthew Craven | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Driver: Aaron Dunn
Stats
Comments
Last start 2nd (Fr3) over 1790m after being wide early at Mildura, at the bell was 2nd-2.6 beaten a head by Neatntidy (2:12.20) on September 27 at $3.60. Two runs back won by a head (Sr3) at Mildura (2:13.30) beating Good Boots Bindi in on September 18 at $6.50 at the bell was 7th-10.4. This looks a sterner task.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 27/09/2026 | 9 | NR 60 to 75 | $8,000.00 | Mildura | 1790m | Neutral | Connor Clarke | 1:58.9 | 3 |
| 0.2L | $3.60 |
| 1/10 | 18/09/2026 | 8 | NR 57 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Mildura | 1790m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:59.8 | 3 |
| 0.2L | $6.50 |
| 11/11 | 10/09/2026 | 12 | Entires Geldings No NR | $10,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Michael Stanley | 1:56.7 | 4 |
| 48.8L | $151.00 |
| 4/9 | 29/08/2026 | 14 | 0W/15 0K stake | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:53.2 | 2 |
| 22.7L | $8.50 |
| 9/10 | 15/08/2026 | 8 | 0W/15 0K stake | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Aaron Dunn | 1:55.4 | 4 |
| 16.5L | $61.00 |
| 2/9 | 07/08/2026 | 11 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Mildura | 2190m | Neutral | Connor Clarke | 1:59.9 | 3 |
| 6.3L | $5.50 |
| 1/6 | 26/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Terang | 2180m | Aaron Dunn | 0 |
| 6L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/7 | 28/05/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Horsham | 2200m | Aaron Dunn | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Mark Pitt
Stats
Comments
First up after 17 months. At the last run he 5th (Sr1) over 1720m after being wide early at this track, at the bell was leading.9m 2WNC beaten 7 m by Final Collect (2:02.30) on May 3 2025 at $1.28. Has has a long time off but is capable.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 15/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | Talia Taugge | 0 |
| 10.9L | $0.00 | |
| 5/8 | 03/05/2025 | 10 | NR 60 to 72 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.5 | 1 |
| 7.2L | $1.28 |
| 1/7 | 23/04/2025 | 11 | NR 60 to 74 | $8,000.00 | Bendigo | 1650m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:53.9 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $1.15 |
| 1/11 | 12/04/2025 | 16 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:52.4 | 2 |
| 4.4L | $1.40 |
| 1/12 | 27/03/2025 | 28 | NR 51 to 56 | $7,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Jackie Barker | 1:58.0 | 1 |
| 14.5L | $1.25 |
| 2/11 | 27/02/2025 | 63 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:56.8 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $1.35 |
| 1/10 | 26/12/2024 | 55 | NR 45 to 50 | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Mark Pitt | 1:54.9 | 2 |
| 16.3L | $1.22 |
| 1/4 | 30/09/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Young | 1720m | Good | K J Downey | 0 |
| 15L | $0.00 |