News & Media

11 June 2012 No Excuses For Melsop At Gloucester Park

Notabadexcuse capped off a top return to racing at Narrogin last month and looms as a top prospect to continue that form in the Tab Form Pace (2100m) at Gloucester Park today.

Freshened after an eight week spell, the Bob Melsop-trained gelding was one-out and two-back at the bell but finished powerfully to get over the top of Lord Jowers by a narrow margin.

The Live Or Die gelding has been a consistent performer since joining the Melsop stable and a terrific money earner for connections with four wins and three placings from his eight appearances.

Melsop has a strong opinion of the four-year-old and is keen to gauge his progress against better class opposition.

“A great honest horse and it will be interesting to see how he goes up in grade,” said Melsop.

“I think it will suit him as the quicker they go up in front the better he will like it.

“I have a lot of time for him and the next six months will be his test.”

Melsop was pleased by the last-start performance of Trents Courage at Narrogin but believes he will face a tougher task in the Lancaster Park Pace (2100m).

The former New Zealand pacer had shown good form at his previous two outings when placed second twice but charged through to score an impressive maiden win for the stable.

The Courage Under Fire gelding covered his rivals easily and scored by a dominant 27m margin from China Powers with Unchartered Waters filling third position.

“The margin may have been a little flattering and this is a different field,” said Melsop.

“But in saying that he did feel super and if he can be saved for one final run he should be amongst them.”

Melsop also rates Don Guerrero as a strong winning chance if he steps away cleanly in the Gannon’s Pacing Colours Trotters Discretionary Pace (2504m).