Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: BARWEN STORM (4) led out then took cover when second behind the smart pacer Sirlou (won again since) in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.0 at Wagga last outing. He is very versatile and should run a big race again. WAZOWSKI (2) did well during the Homegrown Classic series where second in a heat followed by a fourth in the Final. She performed below expectations when last of seven at Shepparton on January 07 but she is much better than that run suggests and is worth another chance. HEZ HARRYWHO (8) performs best when he is able to lead so he is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second line but he will appreciate a significant drop back in class for this assignment. He has won five of his nine starts at Shepparton previously so he must be respected. RUBY WINGATE (9) is a versatile mare, which has been placed in four of her past five starts and looms as one of the leading chances again.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: BARWEN STORM (4), WAZOWSKI (2), HEZ HARRYWHO (8), RUBY WINGATE (9)
RATINGS: 4/ 2,8/ 9/ 5,10
SUGGESTED BET: BARWEN STORM (4) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: I LIKE WHAT I SEE (7) began quickly before gaining a trail and finished off best to win comfortably last week. This is a field of similar standard and she should prove hard to beat again. HARLEY BLUE (6) was caught up behind the tiring leader and didn’t enjoy the best of luck when fourth at Cobram last outing. She won at Charlton three starts ago in a slick mile rate of 1.56.3 and should go well again under these conditions. ANIMADO (8) was heavily supported ($1-85fav) but was caught wide early and was forced to ease to a rearward position so he didn’t have a great deal of luck last week. He is awkwardly drawn again but is capable of figuring in the finish. I KNEW NOT WHERE (3) is resuming since January 2024 but performed nicely at a Bendigo trial performance last week and could sprint well when fresh.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely early leader), 3,4,6
SELECTIONS: I LIKE WHAT I SEE (7), HARLEY BLUE (6), ANIMADO (8), I KNEW NOT WHERE (3)
RATINGS: 6,7/ 8/ 3/ 1,4,10
SUGGESTED BET: I LIKE WHAT I SEE (7) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: SHEZABLUECHIP (6) progressed forward to race without cover and fought on strongly for third behind Johnny Redcoat at Charlton last outing. She is racing well and is working up to a win against this class. HOME AND DRY (8) has returned from a spell in good form having been placed at his past three starts and should receive an economical run from his trailing draw so he is worth a ticket each way. AMBER ALERT (5) attempted to lead throughout when second behind Our Mystery Bet at Shepparton prior to her effort at Melton on Thursday night. She is likely to find the lead again and should take catching. BERYLS GRIN (7), VERY TEMPTING (9), ACE DUIGAN (10) and IAMAWINGATE (11) are all worth thought in multiple combinations.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 1,2,3,6
SELECTIONS: SHEZABLUECHIP (6), HOME AND DRY (8), AMBER ALERT (5), BERYLS GRIN (7)
RATINGS: 6/ 5,8/ 7/ 9,10,11
SUGGESTED BET: SHEZABLUECHIP (6) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: SETTLE THE BILL (2) has won under the same conditions (Up to NR49) at her past three attempts so she should prove hard to beat again. This race might have a little more depth to it but she has the early speed to be prominent throughout. TUNBRIDGE (7) is backing up quickly from his effort at Melton on Friday night but he ran a game second behind Jakarta prior and he appears to be well placed against this field. LOTS OF CHANGE (10) was confidently supported ($2-30 fav) but ruined his chances by galloping away when seventh last week. He was runner up at his two efforts prior and he has a lot of ability when he is able to put it altogether so he is worth another chance. ABBIE (1) is a strong mare and ran a handy race when third behind SETTLE THE BILL (2) last time out so she is worth an investment from the pole position.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,7
SELECTIONS: SETTLE THE BILL (2), TUNBRIDGE (7), LOTS OF CHANGE (10), ABBIE (1)
RATINGS: 2,7/ 10/ 1/ 3,8/ 11
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 2,7,10/ 2,7,10/ 1,2,7,8,10,11 (Cost $24)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: SISTA EVARISTA (8) is a classy mare when she is able to put it altogether and ran a very brave race after enduring a wide trip when second behind Tictok at Melton last outing so she should be highly competitive against this line up. MAJESTIC CHARMA (7) is stepping up in class but was very impressive last week and is capable of figuring in the finish again. She moved up without cover and always travelled well in the run when she easily defeated Straight To Thetop last week. CHRISTMAS BABE (1) is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern and should be competitive again. She led throughout at a Melton victory on December 27 and finished third behind Jakarta in a handy mile rate of 1.58.8 last outing. HILLSIDE (3) and GLENGARRY RED (5) are both racing well enough to figure in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: SISTA EVARISTA (8), MAJESTIC CHARMA (7), CHRISTMAS BABE (1), HILLSIDE (3)
RATINGS: 7,8/ 1/ 3,5/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: SISTA EVARISTA (8) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: FOLLOWTHEACE (7) has returned from a spell in outstanding form with two impressive victories, the latest being in the Echuca Cup, where he progressed forward to find the lead and scored by a large margin. This race is no harder and he is clearly the horse to beat again. WEMADE FREO (6) endured a tough run and had excuses last outing. He settled midfield on the markers and finished off well for fourth in the Gunbower Cup prior so he is not without a chance. BUBBY TO BASE (3) performed below expectations last outing but she was an impressive winner at Wagga in a mile rate of 1.52.4 on November 22 so she is worth another chance. CHANGEOVER GIRL (2) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and is a minor place chance from her good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 3
SELECTIONS: FOLLOWTHEACE (7), WEMADE FREO (6), BUBBY TO BASE (3), CHANGEOVER GIRL (2)
RATINGS: 7/ 3,6/ 2/ 5/ 4/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: FOLLOWTHEACE (7) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: CALEXICO (4) is a talented 3yo pacer, which had no luck in the Graham Head Memorial on Shepparton Cup night and is likely to find this assignment to be much easier. He finished off in fast final sectionals when second at his first run since September and he was a winner at Shepparton during his juvenile season. FRUGAL FARE (6) was narrowly beaten at his first run since July then followed with a big performance at Shepparton, where he raced well clear over the concluding stages. He is building up a consistent record and looms as one of the leading chances again. MOMENTUM SHIFT (5) settled four back on the markers and did well to run into second in a slick mile rate of 1.53.7 at Shepparton last week. He moves to the front line now and possesses early speed so he must be considered as a winning chance. ANYWHEREIGOHUGO (7) made ground at his latest fourth behind Paris Princess. He has been unplaced in three starts since an impressive debut victory but he has the ability to figure in the finish if he produces a peak performance.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 4
SELECTIONS: CALEXICO (4), FRUGAL FARE (6), MOMENTUM SHIFT (5), ANYWHEREIGOHUGO (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 5,6/ 7/ 2/ 1/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: CALEXICO (4) to win
