Melton Race 4 - Nevele R Stud Pace
LENARD ESS (6) found winning form last week when he worked home in good style to score by 5 metres at Geelong. Recorded back-to-back wins at this circuit back in August, one of them over this distance and the other from a back row draw. Could deliver again. MISTER AMERICANO (5) recorded a midfield result when resuming in a higher-graded race at Cranbourne five days ago. Draws wider but will be fitter and this is easier. LE GASTON (4) hasn't featured in his last two outings here but can do better having kicked off his campaign with back-to-back wins from this row last month. KOSIMO (8) draws for a trail and will enjoy a drop in grade.

Driver: Brent Murphy
Stats
Comments
Won three starts back at Kilmore over 1690m on September 24. Last time out 5th (Fr1) over 1710m at Ballarat was 5th-7.7 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Storm Vendetta (2:02.10) on October 15 at $6.50. One of the likely contenders aided by the ace draw.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 15/10/2026 | 13 | NR 48 to 52 | $6,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Brent Murphy | 1:54.9 | 1 |
| 13.7L | $6.50 |
| 3/10 | 02/10/2026 | 8 | NR up to 50 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | R | Brent Murphy | 1:58.2 | 3 |
| 6.9L | $8.00 |
| 1/8 | 24/09/2026 | 15 | NR 46 to 49 | $5,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Brent Murphy | 1:57.3 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $2.25 |
| 1/10 | 09/09/2026 | 7 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Brent Murphy | 1:58.6 | 1 |
| 1.9L | $1.50 |
| 2/8 | 02/09/2026 | 7 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Ballarat | 2200m | Neutral | Brent Murphy | 1:57.5 | 7 |
| 1.6L | $3.60 |
| 2/10 | 26/08/2026 | 6 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Brent Murphy | 1:58.0 | 1 |
| 1.2L | $8.00 |
| 1/3 | 21/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Brent Murphy | 0 |
| 6L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/5 | 08/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Brent Murphy | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |

Driver: Adam Shaw
Stats
Comments
Good run when beaten by 4.5 m finishing fourth behind Cyclone Jenni at Cranbourne over 1609m on October 4 at $23. Then a handy effort when beaten by 9 m finishing third after being driven well back, behind Quick Crunch at Cranbourne over 2080m on October 18 at $2.10. Others better.
Last Starts 5 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 18/10/2026 | 14 | NR 45 to 50 | $7,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 2:00.1 | 6 |
| 9.7L | $2.10 |
| 4/8 | 04/10/2026 | 9 | NR 50 to 55 | $7,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 1:56.4 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $23.00 |
| 3/9 | 25/09/2026 | 12 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 1:58.4 | 2 |
| 2.5L | $9.50 |
| 3/7 | 13/09/2026 | 17 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 1:58.9 | 2 |
| 4.7L | $21.00 |
| 11/11 | 27/08/2026 | 20 | Colts Geldings No NR | $10,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 1:56.9 | 7 |
| 31.6L | $151.00 |
| 2/5 | 22/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Good | Adam Shaw | 0 |
| 15L | $0.00 | |
| 2/8 | 07/08/2026 | 7 | 0-1 WIN | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Adam Shaw | 1:58.8 | 1 |
| 2.9L | $23.00 |
| 2/4 | 25/07/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Good | Adam Shaw | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Leilani Justice
Stats
Comments
Last start 4th (Fr3) over 1609m after showing early pace at Geelong was 3rd-5.85 at the bell, beaten 7 m by Lenard Ess (1:55.50) on October 16 at $14. Before that, 8th (Fr7) over 1710m after showing early speed and racing wide at Ballarat, at the bell was leading 1.53 beaten 10 m by Our Pinup Girl (2:03.00) on October 1 at $8.50. Draws for a good showing.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 16/10/2026 | 15 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:55.5 | 3 |
| 7.3L | $14.00 |
| 8/10 | 01/10/2026 | 6 | NR 48 to 53 | $6,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | R | Michael Bellman | 1:55.7 | 7 |
| 10.7L | $8.50 |
| 1/8 | 25/09/2026 | 16 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Michael Bellman | 1:55.5 | 7 |
| 5.5L | $3.90 |
| 7/10 | 09/09/2026 | 11 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:58.5 | 7 |
| 17.2L | $71.00 |
| 6/9 | 29/08/2026 | 7 | 0W/15 0K stake | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:53.2 | 1 |
| 32.8L | $21.00 |
| 9/10 | 22/08/2026 | 7 | 0W/15 0K stake | $20,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Leilani Justice | 1:55.2 | 2 |
| 24.0L | $101.00 |
| 1/3 | 30/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Leilani Justice | 0 |
| 40L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/4 | 23/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bacchus Marsh | 1940m | Leilani Justice | 0 |
| 2.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Ryan Sanderson
Stats
Comments
Recent efforts haven't been up to his best. Last start was well back in the run when 6th (Fr4) over 2240m at this track was 8th-12.82 at the bell, beaten 18 m by Sandelton (2:44.30) in 3yo on October 9 at $17. The run previous 9th (Sr3) over 2240m at this track, at the bell was 5th-4.89 beaten 10 m by Blazin By (2:44.80) on September 25 at $6.50. Could bounce back to winning form.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 09/10/2026 | 14 | 0-2 WINs | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Kate Gath | 1:58.0 | 4 |
| 18.5L | $17.00 |
| 9/9 | 25/09/2026 | 12 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jason Lee | 1:58.4 | 3 |
| 10.0L | $6.50 |
| 1/8 | 13/09/2026 | 10 | 0-1 WIN | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:56.9 | 3 |
| 1.6L | $3.40 |
| 1/8 | 03/09/2026 | 196 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 2:01.2 | 6 |
| 0.2L | $1.28 |
| 3/7 | 17/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Geelong | 2100m | Good | Ryan Sanderson | 0 |
| 26L | $0.00 | |
| 2/7 | 11/08/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Good | James Herbertson | 0 |
| 2.6L | $0.00 | |
| 4/11 | 19/02/2026 | 11 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Ballarat | 1710m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:56.4 | 1 |
| 5.3L | $3.90 |
| 3/6 | 08/02/2026 | 15 | MAIDEN | $6,000.00 | Cranbourne | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:58.1 | 4 |
| 2.3L | $1.07 |

Driver: James Herbertson
Stats
Comments
Last start ran on strong from last on the turn and posted a big 5 m win when driven back in the field, (Fr4) held up early, at Geelong (1:55.50) beating Brave Art in on October 16 at $7 at the bell was 6th-11.42. May be hard to beat again.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 16/10/2026 | 21 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.5 | 4 |
| 4.9L | $7.00 |
| 5/9 | 25/09/2026 | 14 | NR 50 to 55 | $6,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:58.4 | 1 |
| 4.1L | $7.00 |
| 6/10 | 11/09/2026 | 14 | NR up to 55 | $8,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.6 | 5 |
| 7.0L | $5.00 |
| 1/8 | 28/08/2026 | 7 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:55.8 | 2 |
| 8.6L | $1.40 |
| 1/9 | 21/08/2026 | 18 | NR 42 to 46 | $5,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | James Herbertson | 1:58.5 | 1 |
| 8.3L | $2.00 |
| 8/9 | 03/08/2026 | 3 | NR up to 49 | $5,000.00 | Maryborough | 2190m | Neutral | Ryan Sanderson | 1:59.3 | 3 |
| 21.8L | $3.50 |
| 2/5 | 12/08/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Greg Sugars | 0 |
| 5L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/4 | 06/08/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Melton | 2240m | Greg Sugars | 0 |
| 1.5L | $0.00 |

Driver: Rodney Petroff
Stats
Comments
Finished fifth at his last two starts since resuming from a spell. Last outing was beaten 11 metres behind My Mate Ace at Kilmore over 2180m on October 14. May be ready to show more.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6 | 14/10/2026 | 10 | NR up to 60 | $7,000.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Good | Rodney Petroff | 2:00.2 | 4 |
| 11.2L | $7.50 |
| 5/7 | 04/10/2026 | 114 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | Rodney Petroff | 1:57.7 | 7 |
| 2.2L | $51.00 |
| 3/5 | 22/09/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Kilmore | 2180m | Good | Rodney Petroff | 0 |
| 20L | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 12/06/2026 | 6 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Rodney Petroff | 1:54.5 | 1 |
| 10.9L | $7.00 |
| 4/11 | 06/06/2026 | 7 | 0W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Rodney Petroff | 1:52.9 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $31.00 |
| 6/10 | 30/05/2026 | 18 | 0W/15 0K stake | $10,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Rodney Petroff | 1:55.8 | 5 |
| 7.6L | $9.00 |
| 1/7 | 12/05/2026 | 13 | NR 52 to 56 | $7,000.00 | Shepparton | 1690m | Neutral | Rodney Petroff | 1:55.3 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $3.00 |
| 2/3 | 09/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Rodney Petroff | 0 |
| 14L | $0.00 |

Driver: Daryl Douglas
Stats
Comments
Last start was well back in the run when 6th (Fr4) over 1690m at Kilmore was 4th-5.82 at the bell, beaten 16 m by Dembe (2:02.00) on October 14 at $14. At the run before 8th (Fr1) over 2240m at this track, beaten 30 m by Earl Of Pembroke (2:44.30) on October 9 at $6. Better placed.
Last Starts 9 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/6 | 14/10/2026 | 5 | NR up to 75 | $8,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | D K Douglas | 1:56.2 | 4 |
| 16.1L | $14.00 |
| 8/8 | 09/10/2026 | 6 | NMWL6M (NR 80) | $8,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:58.1 | 1 |
| 29.9L | $6.00 |
| 3/8 | 03/10/2026 | 7 | NR 67 to 75 | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | R | Ellen Tormey | 1:54.7 | 2 |
| 3.1L | $8.50 |
| 10/11 | 26/09/2026 | 9 | NR up to 88 | $17,500.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Josh Duggan | 1:53.7 | 2 |
| 8.6L | $51.00 |
| 6/9 | 17/09/2026 | 4 | NMWL6M (NR 80) | $8,000.00 | Kilmore | 1690m | Neutral | Ellen Tormey | 1:54.9 | 5 |
| 5.6L | $41.00 |
| 3/9 | 13/09/2026 | 9 | NR 56 to 64 | $7,000.00 | Cranbourne | 2080m | Neutral | D K Douglas | 1:56.6 | 2 |
| 2.1L | $4.80 |
| 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 |