Mick Stanley's gun gelding went into the Victoria Cup as the defending champion and produced another big effort, beaten just a head into fourth in a blanket finish.
Rock N Roll Doo has been racing in good form with back-to-back wins last month including the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle.
He won the only time he raced at Geelong and can push forward from another low draw. That should see him hard to beat.
Mach Dan heads the Emma Stewart team and also comes off a good showing in the Victoria Cup when he chased along the sprint lane to be beaten only 1.6m.
He owns good strike rates at both the circuit and the distance and is capable on his day so must rate as a threat.
Stablemate Beyond Delight was terrific when returning from a lengthy spell, coming from the back row to be edged out by a nose in the Kilmore Cup.
He beat subsequent Victoria Cup winner Act Now there and strikes at 50 per cent when second up so can improve.
Major Moth is another Stewart runner who also owns a 50 per cent strike rate when fresh and has been readied with a trial. He is a talent who gets every chance from the ace draw.
Progressive trotter Harry Stamper showed his quality when coming from the back row for a resuming win as a hot favourite at Melton and looks a big chance to back that up in the McNamara Trotters Cup.
He takes a step up in grade off the fresh win but will be fitter and was a multiple Group 1 winner last season.
One Over All made a mess off the start last time but had good prior form including a Maryborough Cup win last month.
He has a good strike rate at this distance so with manners and his A-game he is good enough to overcome the handicap.
Kyvalley Hotspur was a dominant winner last time at Melton to continue a string of wins and placings. He won the only time he raced at Geelong so is a player.
Menangle on Saturday night sees the Breeders Challenge series ramping up with the semi finals for the three and four year-olds.
Oliver Dan and Captains Knock both come off good efforts in the Victoria Derby and low draws could see them fight out the first of the 3CG semis while this season's NSW Derby winner Better Be The Best is the horse to beat from a low barrier in the second having put together a string of wins.
Star Victorian Major Delight returns to Sydney in the first of the 3F semis having won the two-year-old-fillies final of this series last year. She backs up off a brave second from the back row in last week's Victoria Oaks - just her second defeat in 14 starts - and has the class to overcome the widest draw.
My Ultimate Ronnie looks a standout in the second of the 4EG semis after beating a strong field of open class pacers for a win at this circuit last time out.
BEST BETS:
Menangle Saturday Race 1 #3 Janarty @$3.00 – has the form on the board and is drawn to deliver again.
Menangle Saturday Race 6 #3 Taipo @ $3.60 – ticking over well and has the right barrier to strike.
