TOC runs his eye over all Group 1 races on Breeders Crown night

Tim O’Connor takes a look at the eight Group 1s at Melton on Saturday Night.

RACE 3 (7.04pm) 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings ($75k)

Favourite: Not As Promised

Blowout chance: Grumpee

Final word: Not often an interstate trotter rolls into town and starts showing the Victorians how it’s done, but Not As Promised has represented Queensland proudly in his two starts down south. He won the Victoria Trotters Derby at huge odds then led and controlled his Breeders Crown heat last week. He’s got the barrier advantage over multiple Group 1 winner The Locomotive and that might be the deciding factor in this intriguing contest.

Suggested bet: Not As Promised win

RACE 4 (7.37pm) 3YO Trotting Fillies ($75k)

Favourite: Rockinwithattitude

Blowout chance: Our Marvella

Final word: Rockinwithattitude has been the dominant filly of her age group, but there’s a sense of vulnerability about her in recent times. She’s led in many of her 16 career wins, but don’t be surprised if Nathan Jack on Shesawish looks to hold the top here after going equally as good as her main rival in the heats last week. Could there be a blowout if the two fancies go too hard? For sure, so don’t discount the chances of horses like Shes Ruby Roo and Our Marvella.

Suggested bet: Shesawish win

RACE 5 (8.10pm) 2YO Pacing Colts and Geldings Final ($250k)

Favourite: Timmy Rictor

Blowout chance: Some American

Final word: Ripping showdown between the juvenile boys, but there just might be something next-level about the favourite Timmy Rictor. He’s looked elite every time he’s stepped out at the races, including in his semi-final last weekend when he led and charged clear to score decisively. He’s drawn a little sticky and that gives stablemates Stormryder and Kingman, as well as fellow semi-final winner Nathan Street, a fighting chance.

Suggested bet: Timmy Rictor win

RACE 6 (8.44pm) 2YO Pacing Fillies ($250k)

Favourite: Very Pretty

Blowout chance: Lux Aeterna

Final word: Shapes as a match race between two unbeaten stablemates who both appear stars of the future. The marbles look to have fallen the right way for favourite Very Pretty, who will be nearly impossible to run down if she finds the front. That said, Draw A Dream is already a Group 1 Vicbred champion from September and has a shade more experience under her belt. Sure to be one of the highlights of the night!

Suggested bet: Very Pretty win

RACE 7 (9.13pm) 3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings ($150k)

Favourite: Oliver Dan

Blowout chance: Final Collect

Final word: Another showdown that appears a race in two with semi-final winners and stablemates doing battle. Oliver Dan couldn’t have been more impressive in last weekend’s semi when he sat parked and crushed his rivals, while Perfect Class led, dictated and dashed home too sharply. With the two rounds of qualifiers as key reference points, and an apparent barrier draw advantage to Oliver Dan over Perfect Class, it’s hard to go past the former.

Suggested bet: Oliver Dan win

RACE 8 (9.45pm) 3YO Pacing Fillies ($150k)

Favourite: Major Delight

Blowout chance: Perfect In Pink

Final word: What a great race this is between star stablemates Major Delight, Joyful and Sweet Bella. I’d be surprised if there was a winner from outside that trio, but identifying who prevails is very difficult. Major Delight has drawn comparisons to the great Ladies In Red, but might have to do it the tough way given her gate six draw. I’ll be siding with Joyful, who might just get to the front first and prove too hard to run down.

Suggested bet: Joyful win/Perfect In Pink place 

RACE 9 (10.15pm) 2YO Trotting Colts and Geldings ($100k)

Favourite: Kyvalley Maven

Blowout chance: Kyvalley Michael

Final word: One of the more open Group 1 events of the night and that’s no surprise with two-year-old trotters, who are always a chance of doing something wrong. That said, Kyvalley Maven has long had a good spruik on him from trainer-driver Chris Svanosio and appears a good bet here given his great heat performance when he hit the line hard in good closing splits behind Thunda Struck. The other leading chances include Val Thorens, Maximus Meridius, Phoenix Red and Kyvalley Michael.

Suggested bet: Kyvalley Maven win

RACE 10 (10.40pm) 2YO Trotting Fillies ($100k)

Favourite: Nordic Reign

Blowout chance: Amalia Pearl

Final word: Another tricky assignment for punters with a host of winning chances, but quick beginner Nordic Reign is drawn favourably and is justifiably the favourite. She’s been well supported in early betting given her likely spot in the lead, but if she doesn’t get it all her own way in front then there’s really another half-dozen hopes. For me, Third Eye looks a bet after his eye-catching effort in the heats behind Malibuu last week. Intriguing race!

Suggested bet: Third Eye each-way

 Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre