But the long-time trainer is not overly confident heading into his first return to metropolitan racing since Harness Racing Victoria emerged from regional-based meetings at the start of July.

"Over that distance he has run four times collecting three times and ran second the other time," Meade said of Sparkling Success' form over the distance.

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"I'm not overly confident as he hasn't run as well since his early days when he would win every third or second start but he hasn't had one in half-a-dozen starts."

In Sparkling Success' last five races he has placed three times and collected a fifth and sixth. The eight-year-old, who will have driver Darby McGuigan on board, is $26 in the early betting markets.

The Prydes Great Southern Star-winning trainer and horse return to Melton for the first time since March this year, where they collected a third in a 2240-metre group three race.

Fellow south-west trainers Darren Cole and Matt Craven also have runners at Saturday's first metropolitan race at Melton.

Terang hobby trainer Cole has The Jet Player in a $20,000 four-year-old or older pace over 1720 metres.

Craven's Crime Writer, who has three wins from his eight starts this season, will tackle a 1720-metre pacing final.

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