Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: BARWEN STORM (4) gained a nice trip and was successful under similar conditions last week. He possesses early speed and should prove hard to beat again. JACKSBOY (8) is awkwardly drawn but he appears to be very well graded in this event and should be hitting the line strongly. ARRAPS (3) is a very quick beginner and appears to be the likely leader. He attempted to lead throughout and was beaten on the line when second behind Shezabluechip last week. MISS HERMES (9) will appreciate a significant drop back in class for this assignment and rates as a value chance.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 4
SELECTIONS: BARWEN STORM (4), JACKSBOY (8), ARRAPS (3), MISS HERMES (9)
RATINGS: 4/ 3,8/ 2,9/ 5,7
SUGGESTED BET: BARWEN STORM (4) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: HELLO SWEETHEART (4) has been promising a win for some time and gets her chance to break through under these conditions. She commenced from the second line, circled around the field to race without cover mid-race and went down fighting at her latest narrow second at Mildura. ALAMO (10) came from a long way back when third behind Percession in a handy mile rate of 1.57.5 last outing so he is not without a chance. IVE AN IDEA (9) settled last on the markers, used the sprint lane but ran out of room in the latter stages when an unlucky fifth last week. She has been placed in two of her past four starts against similar opposition so she is worth an investment. ON A NIGHT (2) and ROYLE BLOOD (3) both galloped when looking a winning hope in the home straight at Shepparton last week so they cannot be left out of calculations.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely early leader), 4
SELECTIONS: HELLO SWEETHEART (4), ALAMO (10), IVE AN IDEA (9), ROYLE BLOOD (3)
RATINGS: 4/ 9,10/ 3/ 2/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: HELLO SWEETHEART (4) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: ALTA BEDFORD (6) settled at the tail of the field from the extreme draw and made ground when a handy third at his first run since June 14. He possesses early speed and performs best when he is able to lead so he should take beating under these conditions. BUDD SIDEWINDER (10) appears to be well placed in this event with the aid of a concession claim and is capable of improving on his numerical form. JOEYS HANGOVER (1) has won two races under similar conditions recently and he is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern so he is worth an investment. BE A GOOD SCOUT (8) is better than his form reads and is drawn to receive an economical run so he warrants consideration.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: ALTA BEDFORD (6), BUDD SIDEWINDER (10), JOEYS HANGOVER (1), BE A GOOD SCOUT (8)
RATINGS: 6/ 1,8,10/ 5/ field
SUGGESTED BET: ALTA BEDFORD (6) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: PET KITTY (5) is shooting for six wins in succession and is a good chance of completing the task. She recorded a slick mile rate of 1.56.1 when she scored at Shepparton last time out. LILS NIGHTMARE (1) battled on well for fourth in a survival of the fittest at Bendigo on Wednesday night. She is drawn to receive every chance and appears to be a good value bet. HEZ HARRYWHO (4) is stepping up in class but he was a very impressive winner at Shepparton last outing and he has the early speed to be prominent throughout. IM JIMMY JONES (2) and MY WAY (3) are racing well enough to warrant consideration from their good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: PET KITTY (5), LILS NIGHTMARE (1), HEZ HARRYWHO (4), MY WAY (3)
RATINGS: 5/ 1,4/ 2,3/ 9,11
SUGGESTED BET: LILS NIGHTMARE (1) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: CREDULOUS (9) began quickly and ended up having to race without cover throughout when a big winner over Royal Starzzz at Shepparton last week. He won a race of Metropolitan standard three starts ago so he appears to be very hard to beat again. THEROCKGOD (3) was resuming since October 2022 when third at Bendigo in May. He had another break and is resuming this evening but he battled on very well for third behind Roarforroscoe at a Shepparton trial effort on Thursday so he must be respected. CAN FEEL THE FURY (4) is a former New South Wales pacer, which sustained a long run when he scored at his Victorian debut. This race is a little harder but he is worth thought again. CHANGEOVER GIRL (6) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and rates as a value hope.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,5
SELECTIONS: CREDULOUS (9), THEROCKGOD (3), CAN FEEL THE FURY (4), CHANGEOVER GIRL (6)
RATINGS: 9/ 3,4/ 6/ 1,5,8
SUGGESTED BET: CREDULOUS (9) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: JUST BELIEVE (8) is backing up quickly from his first up performance at Melton on Saturday night and is likely to attract plenty of supporters to the track for his appearance in the Shepparton Cup. He was at his brilliant best during his New Zealand trip, where he remained undefeated in four starts and is set for another top campaign. HARRY STAMPER (7) is racing in great form and should produce another big performance. He recorded a slick mile rate of 1.56.6 when he worked to the front two starts ago then came from a trailing position at his latest victory. TRAVEL BUG (6) is a fast beginner and has performed nicely at the trials looming up to his first run since February. He is meeting a tough field first up but is capable of filling a place. HADTOBEHARRY (1) sliced through late when a handy third behind Aldebaran Miley last week and is worth thought in multiple combinations.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 5,6
SELECTIONS: JUST BELIEVE (8), HARRY STAMPER (7), TRAVEL BUG (6), HADTOBEHARRY (1)
RATINGS: 8/ 7/ 1,6/ 2/ 4,5/ field
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 8/ 7/ 1,2,6 (Cost $3)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: MYSTERY FRED (6) raced without cover throughout when sixth (5m) in a handy mile rate of 1.59.0 last outing. His overall form is sound and he should make his presence felt. EZRA KAI (3) is a fast beginner and should be prominent throughout. He has been placed at his past five attempts so he deserves to break through for a win. KINVARA KATE (2) is resuming since a fourth in the Nutrien Final in April. She won a trial at Bendigo on Monday night and is drawn to go well first up. MAJIC VALLEY (5) is a speedy filly that won over EZRA KAI (3) two starts ago. She has claims along with the debutante MECARNO (4) and also the consistent filly NIPOTINA (7).
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 2,6
SELECTIONS: MYSTERY FRED (6), EZRA KAI (3), KINVARA KATE (2), MAJIC VALLEY (5)
RATINGS: 6/ 2,3/ 5/ 4,7
SUGGESTED BET: MYSTERY FRED (6) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: VIOLET STANFORD (6) is an outstanding filly, which remains undefeated in six starts to date. She was resuming since the Super Series Final in September when she dashed home to win the Maryborough Oaks and is a big chance of adding the Shepparton Oaks to her already impressive record. IKIGAI (4) was able to win at Metropolitan level two starts ago then worked home nicely for third behind Pinnie last week. She is racing in great form and looms as the main threat to VIOLET STANFORD (6). CENTURION DREAM (3) was placed in the Breeders Crown last season and is resuming since being unplaced in the Foundation Final at Menangle in June. She has performed nicely at the trials and is worth a place ticket. LINK IN BIO (5) was a strong winner at Bendigo three starts ago and has claims despite the awkward draw.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible early leader), 2,5,6
SELECTIONS: VIOLET STANFORD (6), IKIGAI (4), CENTURION DREAM (3), LINK IN BIO (5)
RATINGS: 6/ 4/ 3,5/ 2/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: VIOLET STANFORD (6) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: VERY TEMPTING (5) is backing up quickly from her effort at Kilmore on Thursday night but she appears to be well placed against this field. She finished off well for second behind Foregone Conclusion at Kilmore on August 01. ROBERTS DELIGHT (7) has been racing consistently against similar opposition recently and has claims despite remaining a maiden from 23 starts for the season. EAGLES AND INDIANS (1) will appreciate his best draw for some time and he won under similar conditions at Shepparton on June 20 so he could improve on his numerical form. The former Queensland pacer OFFICE BAD BOY (2) and PINNACLE HOPE (6) both have claims in an open betting event.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 5,6
SELECTIONS: VERY TEMPTING (5), ROBERTS DELIGHT (7), EAGLES AND INDIANS (1), PINNACLE HOPE (6)
RATINGS: 5/ 1,7/ 2,6/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: VERY TEMPTING (5) each way
Race 10:
OVERVIEW: PLAYNICE (3) has shown more gate speed recently having led from wide barrier draws at his past two attempts. He is a good chance of finding the lead again and he has been placed in three of his past four starts so he must be included amongst the leading chances. OUR CHRISTIANO (1) is also a fast beginner and she tends to perform best over the sprint distance so she has the conditions to suit her here. TERROROAN (6) worked forward to find the lead and scored comfortably at Mildura two starts ago. He missed out at Shepparton last week but is worth another chance under these conditions. FANTASY BEACH (4) and OLLY ODD POTTS (5) are both capable of showing up without surprising.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 1,5,6
SELECTIONS: PLAYNICE (3), OUR CHRISTIANO (1), TERROROAN (6), FANTASY BEACH (4)
RATINGS: 3/ 1,6/ 4,5
SUGGESTED BET: PLAYNICE (3) to win
