The numbers for the Savages Football Club Maiden, card opener at Scottsville on Sunday, are a little thin given that many trainers are desperate for a straight six furlongs on the grass.

But as one trainer commented, “If barrier trials hold any water, this should win by a street.”

He was referring to the Scat Daddy filly Mela Stregata who simply smoked home in her barrier trial in spite of her rider’s efforts to restrain her.

Bought out of the Mayfair Speculators dispersal, Mela Stregata has shown exceptional work at home and although Duncan Howells was stressing at possibilities when quizzed at Ashburton yesterday, the filly should not have any trouble seeing off the opposition and is likely to start deep in the red.

Howells will be hoping that she can half emulate US Triple Crown winner Justify, also by

Dyno Man is one of the ‘old boys’ in the Savages FC Old Boys Maiden but although a late starter for Garth Puller he caught the eye with a cracking debut over the Scottsville 1200m, finishing close-up behind the well fancied Autumn Rain. The gelding is bred to stay this trip and from pole position draw and Anton Marcus in the irons, he should take some beating.

If there is a danger it could come from Merlin From Belin. Ivan van Wyks’s gelding was a little disappointing last run even though he was taking on winners, but on debut had run Marchingontogether to two lengths. That form has worked out quite well.

Marcus and Puller team up with Mashari in the third with the four-year-old making his debut after two barrier trials. Puller, a master horseman and superb jockey, makes full use of the opportunity to tune up his horses in trials and Mashari has indicated in his two trials that he is good enough to win on debut.

His biggest threat could come in the form of Wildly In Love. The filly takes on males and older horses but was in a competitive maiden last time out and will prefer this trip.

Another to keep an eye on is Al Jackson. Wendy Whitehead’s colt had tongues wagging in the paddock for his barrier trial. He dwarfed most of his rivals in the paddock and is an exceptionally good-looking colt. However, he was carrying heaps of condition so his poor trial showing is probably best ignored.

He should strip a lot fitter on Sunday and should improve but his indifferent trial is a concern.

Burra Boy has been a loyal servant for owners Cathy and Blake Richard and he is definitely a horse for a course, the Scottsville 1400m right up his alley.

He has been unfortunate enough to meet up with two of Shane Humby’s well fancied runners in Waywood, a winner again next time out, and Moon Bird, but can finally score the fifth win of his career for Mark Dixon in the opening leg of the Pick 6.

Howells will be hoping for at least a double with Ninjinsky’s Son in the fifth.

Runner-up at his last two, he is at his best on the turf and was running on well enough over the mile last time out to suggest that he will have no difficulty seeing out Sunday’s trip, even though he has pulled an outside draw.

The sixth is difficult with the form behind Kilmokea likely to prove decisive but Queen’s Plain was a touch unlucky that day and can get the better of Star Evolution and Roy’s Stingray. Not a race to go light in for the exotics.

Bonnie Dawn is quick and can get the better of her male rivals in the seventh. Louis Goosen’s filly put in some good work at Ashburton on Thursday and looks primed for this.

The Goosen-trained Gratuity also showed good work and should have a good chance in the eighth while young apprentice Xola Jacobs takes 4kgs off the back of Love Theme and she could prove the biggest threat to the selection.

The last is another mine-field for punters and Lilibet, even from her wide draw, is a tentative selection from Indian Rain while Little Audrey is likely to make big improvement over this trip.

By Andrew Harrison