Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
ASPIRING VICTREE (3) has been heavily supported at each of her past two starts where she has let the supporters down with errors on each occasion. If she can reproduce her debut performance when runner-up to MONTEREY LASS, she can take this.
ARIZONA SKYE (4) has been improving at every appearance and has now placed at her past two, the latest here on Tuesday where she was strong to the line from well back in the pack for 2nd behind OUR PETABILT.
MAROON BELLS (2) was only steadily away from the tapes here on Tuesday but continued to chase all the way after also being asked to work in the run.
SELECTIONS: ASPIRING VICTREE (3), ARIZONA SKYE (4), MAROON BELLS (2)
SUGGESTED BET: ASPIRING VICTREE (3) to win
RACE TWO
Despite just the solitary win from behind the start car to her name, INSTANT DELIGHT (3) can look to improve those figures here. Making good metres for the bronze behind stablemate GET USED TO IT here two starts back, she will find this easier than last start behind HIDE AND SEEK.
THEBESTBOURBON (6) was second up in the Sunshine State last start when sent forward over the mobile mile to find the front. Once in control, she was able to step it out to claim a 10m margin in smart time. With added benefit from that, she can chase the repeat.
ITSALLANDOVER (5) is on the short back-up from Wednesday night where he was due to tackle the Redcliffe Trotters Christmas Cup. Placed two starts back, he is a podium hope again here.
MELPARK MAGIC (2) secure the economical trip last start from gate 1 and held on for the bronze. That was his second run back in Qld and he can be thereabouts again here.
SELECTIONS: INSTANT DELIGHT (3), THEBESTBOURBON (6), ITSALLANDOVER (5), MELPARK MAGIC (2)
SUGGESTED BET: INSTANT DELIGHT (3) to win
RACE THREE
Overcoming a wide second line gate over this trip two starts back, HELL OF A HAND (5) was strong to the line in claiming a smart win. Snagged back for position last start at the mile when tackling a mare’s qualifier, she has the middle trip form to capitalise.
APRIL IN PARIS (3) gives away some experience to her rivals here as a two-win mare and should be tightened following three runs back from a spell. Returning for a first-up win, she has placed in both subsequent appearances, including a tough effort first over last start.
KHULAN KID (1) fired off the arm to take them all the way here two starts back at the mile. Luckless last start from inside the second line at Redcliffe, he has options.
B MAC C (4) has been hitting good areas in recent starts and cashed in last start when finding the 1x1 trail and finishing best. At his best with one run, he can be chiming in.
SELECTIONS: HELL OF A HAND (5), APRIL IN PARIS (3), KHULAN KID (1), B MAC C (4)
SUGGESTED BET: HELL OF A HAND (5) to win
RACE FOUR
Another typically tough up to 40 and as always, the 2138 adds a further filter to add to the form referencing. CRIME TIME (5) was sent out as the fav last start at Marburg where he was forced to work hard in the run for the silver. Pressing forward, he might be able to sneak home.
MAN OF ACTION (12) scored an all the way win at the mile here four starts back and had added a 3rd to this tally since that win. The gate is not ideal nor the distance but in a wide-open event, if he can get a cart into the contest, he might be able to challenge.
LETS GET SHORTY (2) should be able to get handy from this gate and will be better suited following two tough barriers. 3rd here three starts back, he is a podium player.
ROCCO VARIETY (10) has placed in three of his past four starts, the latest when grabbing the bronze from the trail at Redcliffe. He can be joining in here.
SELECTIONS: CRIME TIME (5), MAN OF ACTION (12), LETS GET SHORTY (2), ROCCO VARIETY (10)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE FIVE
It has been a while since MUFASA BART (3) has been able to show his best, but he might just have found the right conditions here to capitalise. Strong to the line last start from deep field over the middle trip, a return to the mile should be a big plus.
TEST OF FIRE (6) was chasing a hat-trick of wins here last start when fading out to finish at the rear. His effort two starts back from the second line was vastly different and if he can bring that type of form to this contest, he can issue a challenge.
JIMMY JOYCE (9) was building towards a win and landed it here three starts back over the 2138m trip. Runner-up in both runs since, he can be making a podium play again here.
MISTER HART (1) sat in the pocket trail from this gate two starts back and was unplaced. Trying to make ground off the second line last start, he can chime in off the good alley here.
SELECTIONS: MUFASA BART (3), TEST OF FIRE (6), JIMMY JOYCE (9), MISTER HART (1)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SIX
If the mapping is in her favour and she can get to the passing lane with momentum, KEAYANG TARA (1) will take some stopping. 2m from the winner last time at Redcliffe, she can look to get the ideal trip stalking the speed.
SHEREACTS (4) put together successive wins and then was slammed with the outside gate when chasing the hat-trick. Forced to hang tough first over, she was attacking the line last start when just 1m from the winner GINA DEL RAY. She can roll forward to challenge.
ROCK HAMMER (10) faces a drop in grade from his recent assignments but is afforded no favours from the gate. Not suited last start, he has faced some tough barriers of late.
DIEGO DELGADO (8) has been closing out in good order in recent starts, grabbing a victory here three starts back when finishing over the top. He will be probing for the gaps from this gate.
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG TARA (1), SHEREACTS (4), ROCK HAMMER (10), DIEGO DELGADO (8)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SEVEN
Starting from inside the second line last start SPLASHNDASH (2) was bereft of luck when shuffled out of it before making some good metres when a gap did present. A beaten fav two starts back, he can make the most of the improved gate to stake his claim.
JOHN SNOW (3) finally found the breakthrough last start to open his account after 10 attempts. Sliding forward to find the 1x1 trail, he finished best to claim the prize. With some winning confidence, he can look to build.
SPORTS BOUNTY (8) was too strong for them at Marburg two starts back and followed that with a 3rd over the 2138 on this deck. He will be probing for the openings.
ALTANA BLUE (10) was working towards a win and found it last start at Marburg where all his recent racing has been done. Still a maiden here at HQ, he is a place hope.
SELECTIONS: SPLASHNDASH (2), JOHN SNOW (3), SPORTS BOUNTY (8), ALTANA BLUE (10)
SUGGESTED BET: SPLASHNDASH (2) to win
RACE EIGHT
Needing some factors in her favour from this gate, if MY LATIN LADY (8) can spot the openings with momentum on her side, she can be rattling late. Bereft of luck last start when striking trouble, it was a big effort to get as close as she did.
GINA DEL RAY (10) found the right conditions here last start when eased from gate 6 before powering home over the top to grab a narrow victory. Not too far from them three starts back when runner-up, look for her making the closing raid.
VALENTINE QUEEN (6) was having just her second career start here last week when trying to fend them off from the front. Collared in the last stride, this is a tougher assignment.
PRESS STATEMENT (1) finished down the line last time out on The Triangle and heads back to town where his conversion record is not great. The gate can help alleviate that issue.
SELECTIONS: MY LATIN LADY (8), GINA DEL RAY (10), VALENTINE QUEEN (6), PRESS STATEMENT (1)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE NINE
Making his first race appearance since arriving in Qld, JAMAICAN ROCK (5) arrives a 10-time winner. Making a n impression with a smart local trial performance, he finds the right race to kickstart his Qld career.
MY ROCKY ROMANCE (9) finished best from the 1x1 trail here two starts back and then last start eased from a wide gate before finishing best for the silver behind DARIN. Hitting the board at his past four in succession, he can chase another here.
THE MASKED CRUSADER (3) is still yet to slot one home on this deck after 12 attempts that has produced eight placings. Only a neck away here two starts back, he is a podium player.
SHACKOUTTHEBACK (1) made the most of an easier assignment last start at Redcliffe where she was able to claim a 3m margin. Striking trouble two back, she has the options.
SELECTIONS: JAMAICAN ROCK (5), MY ROCKY ROMANCE (9), THE MASKED CRUSADER (3), SHACKOUTTHEBACK (1)
SUGGESTED BET: JAMAICAN ROCK (5) to win
