Ryan Phelan's Friday best at Melton (30/05)

OVERVIEW: ALLWATFUNJINGLES (2) was rewarded for a string of tenacious efforts with a deserved victory last start, and he did it impressively. He looks well placed again here with the claim and should be able to race prominently over the short trip. This race doesn’t appear any harder than the one he won. MASSIF CENTRAL (3) is a brilliant beginner who loves leading over the mile, winning two of his past four in those circumstances. He also benefits from the junior concession and if he crosses comfortably, he’ll take catching. RHYMES (12) can be a little unreliable in his gait, but when he trots cleanly, he produces strong performances. His past two runs have rated well on the clock and despite the draw he can work home hard late. AT THE DISTANCE (8) comes from a strong trainer-driver combination and improved sharply last start when runner-up, though the awkward draw is a concern.

SELECTIONS: ALLWATFUNJINGLES (2), MASSIF CENTRAL (3), RHYMES (12), AT THE DISTANCE (8)

OVERVIEW: COLTRANE (11) drops sharply in grade after contesting stronger Saturday night company here at Melton where he was solid late from a backrow draw when fourth. He was a strong winner prior and unlucky the start before that, suggesting he’s trending in the right direction. His best form is superior to these. SPANISH RIZARDO (1) draws to advantage and can utilise his early gate speed to either lead or secure the ideal trail. He won here four starts ago from behind the leader. KENNYS SON (10) has been flying with three wins from his past four starts, including defeating several of these, though the move from the front row to the back row makes things tougher. VOLDAGA (4) resumed below expectations but bounced back strongly with a good Shepparton win last start, albeit in slightly easier company.

BACK: COLTRANE (11) – 3.5 units (win)

SELECTIONS: COLTRANE (11), SPANISH RIZARDO (1), KENNYS SON (10), VOLDAGA (4)

OVERVIEW: AMERICAN GUY (9) has been competitive in most of his eight career starts and broke through for a maiden win three runs ago when able to utilise his gate speed from the pole. He backed that effort up well before racing in stronger company last time, where he still rated well despite finishing down the track. With speed engaged off the front row, the race shape should suit him. ARZALI ROCKSTAR (3) won here two starts ago when mapping well and sprinting sharply in a slowly run affair. He got too far back last start and can be forgiven. CAPTAINS RUSH (5) returns to the front row after winning from the back row two starts ago before doing too much work last time. With better luck he can bounce back quickly. KITZBUHEL DELIGHT (10) won a feature in breaking his maiden but hasn’t threatened since. Two recent trials keep him under notice for the astute stable.

BACK: AMERICAN GUY (9) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: AMERICAN GUY (9), ARZALI ROCKSTAR (3), CAPTAINS RUSH (5), KITZBUHEL DELIGHT (10)

OVERVIEW: MATRIARCH DAISY (5) was heavily backed last start when she led comfortably but over-raced and was nabbed late in quick time. She maps well again here with a leading driver engaged and if she settles better, she can go one better. TAKAO (11) was a sneaky good debut effort at massive odds, having to work from the back row before closing off strongly. He’ll improve with race experience and fitness and could represent value. SWEETHEART DIOR (2) is a quick beginner who should appreciate a kinder map in easier company than last start. SHES NANCY (7) draws awkwardly but drops in grade and can finish hard with the right run.

BACK: MATRIARCH DAISY (5) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: MATRIARCH DAISY (5), TAKAO (11), SWEETHEART DIOR (2), SHES NANCY (7)

OVERVIEW: WOODLEA DIEGO (6) scored here three starts ago when driven patiently before producing a sharp finishing burst. The rise in distance looks ideal, especially against several rivals who are better suited over shorter trips. With the state’s leading driver aboard and the right race shape, he’s hard to beat. OUR TRUE COLOURS (4) beat him home last start when second after leading. There’s speed around her again, but with the right trail she’ll be competitive. CALEDONIAN TERRA (2) can use his speed to hold a peg-line position and conserve energy for late. MISTER FONZI (8) finds a much more suitable race than recent assignments and if he can reproduce his January winning form, he’s right in the finish.

SELECTIONS: WOODLEA DIEGO (6), OUR TRUE COLOURS (4), CALEDONIAN TERRA (2), MISTER FONZI (8)

OVERVIEW: ODIN (5) gets a favourable draw and drops sharply in grade. Despite the middle gate, his brilliant gate speed should allow him to press forward and likely find the front, where he performs best. His third placing last Saturday from well back was very good. The slight concern is his strike rate at the distance, with 10 placings from 19 starts. EMILY VINCENT (4) comes through the same race after trailing the leader and working home soundly. She looks much better suited away from Saturday grade. SEA FURY (8) would have gone on top from a better draw, but he may have to work from out wide despite his terrific consistency. LUVA SCRAP (7) has been racing well in stronger company, and the extra distance suits his tough racing style.

SELECTIONS: ODIN (5), EMILY VINCENT (4), SEA FURY (8), LUVA SCRAP (7)

OVERVIEW: SWEET IRISH LOCH (6) was outstanding first-up at Ballarat when sitting parked and winning in fast time, producing a slick final half. She now meets her own sex and although giving away some experience, she looks to have more wins in store this campaign. OUR BELLA LUCIA (2) may look for the lead after winning from that position here last start, albeit in weaker company. She’s in form and warrants respect. LADY IN LINE (1) draws to receive a soft run and is generally at her best when saved for one sprint. RAKAROMPA (5) resumed with a strong second placing and maps reasonably well over the short trip.

BACK: SWEET IRISH LOCH (6) – 2.5 units (win)

SELECTIONS: SWEET IRISH LOCH (6), OUR BELLA LUCIA (2), LADY IN LINE (1), RAKAROMPA (5)

OVERVIEW: EVILEYE (8) is a versatile mare who should be suited by the expected early speed despite the back-row draw. She won five starts ago with a blistering finish and may get the chance to reproduce that here. Her numerical form doesn’t jump off the page, but her recent sectionals have been excellent, particularly last week when she kept coming in a fast final half. SOHO HUDSON (7) was brave last start after working hard from the back row and sticking on strongly for second. He has ability but also quirks and faces another tough draw. BREATHE EASY (2) drops back into more suitable company and his prior efforts in this grade were strong. KYORETSU (3) may press for the lead but there are several other speed influences. He’s racing well but this is slightly tougher.

SELECTIONS: EVILEYE (8), SOHO HUDSON (7), BREATHE EASY (2), KYORETSU (3)

OVERVIEW: FRENCH MISSILE (7) resumes after taking on elite three-year-old fillies throughout her previous campaign in black-type races. She’s had several recent trials, winning two at Bacchus Marsh, and this trainer-driver combination has an excellent strike rate. If she trots cleanly, she should prove very hard to beat. MISS HOLLY RED (6) has led and placed at her past three starts and looks capable of finding the top again. Her fitness and reliability are major assets if some of the key rivals make mistakes. BIG RAIN (2) resumes after trialling behind French Missile on two occasions and her previous campaign form was solid. KYVALLEY REEVA (1) debuts here and while her trials haven’t been spectacular, this is a race where exposed form is questionable.

SELECTIONS: FRENCH MISSILE (7), MISS HOLLY RED (6), BIG RAIN (2), KYVALLEY REEVA (1)

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