OVERVIEW: VERBICI (5) is a star two-year-old trotter who is undefeated from five career starts and heads here as one of the horses to beat in the series. He had a freshen after his victory in the Group 2 NSW Trot Final in early July and returned in glamourous style with a dashing win from the one-one at Melton on August 22. He was driven confidently by Chris Lang and speared past leader REGAL GALA (7) with a slick last half and quarter to win. He’s very good. KYVALLEY DIABLO (1) was trapped parked in that race and dropped out late but had trialled well behind VERBICI (5) before that, won incredibly well on debut in June and draws well here, REGAL GALA (7) has really improved with experience and probably has the gate speed to lead this contest, while KEAYANG MARCUS (3) won on debut at Terang on July 12 when leading, beating home subsequent winner Miss Muscle. He’s a factor, along with the returning THE WOOL BROKER (8), who was a big trial winner at Bacchus Marsh, and PASTOR CASH (9), who was sound when second on debut. Monitor the markets for first-starter MISTER FUNDADA (4), who trialled really nicely with a come-from-behind win at Maryborough latest.