Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: There are several fast beginners drawn on the front line and a hectic early tempo might suit CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (11). He is a short course specialist, likes a genuine speed throughout and has been in the peak of form so he is worth a ticket each way. BIZZNESS CLASS (10) finished off solidly from a rearward position when a close second in a race of similar standard last week so he is also capable of showing up without surprising. The battle for the early lead will be a key ingredient to the result with HEZ HARRYWHO (2), EMILY VINCENT (4), NAKULA (5) and TALLULAH LEE (6) all having a preference of being on the pace. NAKULA (5) is strong and may find the lead eventually so she appears to be one of the leading chances. THE IRON DUKE (7) has a tough alley to overcome but he will find this assignment to be easier than his latest fifth in the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship Final.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 2,4,6
SELECTIONS: CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (11), BIZZNESS CLASS (10), NAKULA (5), THE IRON DUKE (7)
RATINGS: 5,10,11/ 6,7/ 4/ 2/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (11) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: SEVE (1) has had a few chances since resuming but he is much better drawn for this assignment and his latest run was encouraging. He was caught wide early, restrained to last and finished off nicely over the latter stages. He gets his chance to run a big race from the pole position. OZZIE PUNTA (11) is racing in fine form and is ready to break through for a win. He missed away and did a big job to finish off well for second at Wagga then made up a lot of ground over the concluding stages when second behind LOUIE LOU I (7) last week. LOUIE LOU I (7) led comfortably and scored against similar opposition last week. He is not as well drawn for this assignment but he is worth thought again. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (4) drops back in class for this assignment and has claims along with LAYDEN (9) and VEE EM GEE MACRAY (10).
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3,4,7
SELECTIONS: SEVE (1), OZZIE PUNTA (11), LOUIE LOU I (7), VEE EM GEE MACRAY (10)
RATINGS: 1,11/ 7/ 9,10/ 4/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: SEVE (1) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: RONNIE THE HAMMER (7) pushed forward to find the lead and won comfortably over CAPTAIN PERFECT (6) in his heat of this series. He will have to work hard early from the extreme draw but his past two efforts have been excellent. SPEEDY HEALEY (9) broke stride at the quarter pole and made up many lengths in the latter stages when an enormous third behind FIRE MARSHALL (11) in his heat. He won at Gunbower prior and rates as a value hope. NUGGET ROGERS (1) is a very quick beginner and did well after striking early trouble last week. He impressively won a trial at Shepparton prior and is worth another chance. CAPTAIN PERFECT (6) is racing well enough to be competitive while OLLIES THE BOSS (10) and FIRE MARSHALL (11) both performed well enough last week to be included amongst the leading chances.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely early leader), 2,6,7
SELECTIONS: RONNIE THE HAMMER (7), SPEEDY HEALEY (9), NUGGET ROGERS (1), OLLIES THE BOSS (10)
RATINGS: 7/ 9/ 1,10,11/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: RONNIE THE HAMMER (7) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: LOOKS PERFECT (9) was a brilliant winner on debut, where she worked hard in the run and drew well clear of her rivals in a sizzling mile rate of 1.53.4. She should have benefited from the run and will prove hard to beat again. ILL BE GONE (6) looms as the logical danger. She was resuming since a second in the Sapling Stakes when she won her heat in a mile rate of 1.54.5 last week and she does have the advantage of being drawn on the front line so she should take catching. TIVOLI (2) is a promising filly, which produced a big finishing burst to win at her debut then followed with a third in her heat last week, where she left a trailing position and chased hard in the back straight. She should go well from her handy draw. WAZOWSKI (1) set up the hectic tempo and did well when second in the fastest heat. She is a place chance along with GUARANTEED END (5) and SOHO PLAYGIRL (7).
EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 1,5
SELECTIONS: LOOKS PERFECT (9), ILL BE GONE (6), TIVOLI (2), WAZOWSKI (1)
RATINGS: 9/ 6/ 1,2/ 5/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: LOOKS PERFECT (9) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: SWEETNIKKILOU (10) settled a long way back and did a terrific job to come out very wide and charge past her rivals to win at Melton last outing. She is stepping up in class for this assignment but she is an outstanding filly and should prove hard to beat again. CAPTAIN PINS (6) tried to sustain a long run and hit the lead on the home turn before being gunned down on the line when second at Bendigo then followed with an unplaced effort in the Gunbower Cup. He is a tough competitor and should be competitive against this line up. RAKERO SLAMMER (7) worked very hard in fast time last week so he had excuses. He is racing much better than his form reads and is worth a ticket each way. LETSROCKLETSROLL (3) showed a glimpse of his best form when a fast finishing fifth last week and has claims along with HES CHARLIES ANGEL (1), which will appreciate his best draw for some time.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: SWEETNIKKILOU (10), CAPTAIN PINS (6), RAKERO SLAMMER (7), LETSROCKLETSROLL (3)
RATINGS: 10/ 6,7/ 3/ 1/ 8,9
SUGGESTED BET: SWEETNIKKILOU (10) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: ALRIGHTY (3) shot to the lead at the start and completely dominated his rivals when he easily won the preview of this series. He is meeting the same field and is drawn to lead again so he is clearly the horse to beat. JUST AS I AM (2) was confidently supported first up and was running home nicely before breaking stride with 100m remaining. He obviously has ability and will be competitive if he delivers a fool proof display. KING OF KVINTET (7) was a runaway winner of the Maori Legend at Stawell then finished second in the Preview after trailing the leader throughout. He faces a negative swing in the barrier draw but he is a place chance again. TENASEA WHISKEY (8) is poorly drawn but his overall form is sound and he is capable of running into a place if he gains the right luck in running.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: ALRIGHTY (3), JUST AS I AM (2), KING OF KVINTET (7), TENASEA WHISKEY (8)
RATINGS: 3/ 2,7/ 8/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: ALRIGHTY (3) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: MORE WANTED (4) is racing consistently and deserves to break through for a win. He began quickly and ended up being behind the leader when second behind the smart trotter Harold Smith last outing so he is capable of going one better here. EL RESAMO (5) led and finished fourth in the race won by Harold Smith then followed with an unplaced run last week. He is a bold front running trotter, which will take catching if he can find the top. ILLAWONG STARDUST (6) ran a sharper race when she made ground via the sprint lane last week and rates as a value hope. ILLAWONG LARAJAY (7) is usually competitive against this class and GRUMPEE (8) performed well after breaking stride in the score up and chasing hard in the early stages at his latest fifth.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: MORE WANTED (4), EL RESAMO (5), ILLAWONG STARDUST (6), ILLAWONG LARAJAY (7)
RATINGS: 4,5/ 6,7/ 3,8/ 1,2
SUGGESTED BET: MORE WANTED (4) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: SHES RUBY ROO (8) moved up without cover in a solid tempo and battled on fairly well when fourth ($1-60 fav) behind PERFIDIOUS SUE (4) last week. She finished fast when second behind Lovemeto prior and will be suited from the trailing draw so she is worth another chance. EBONYS AVENGER (6) bounced back to her best form with a big victory last week. She sprinted sharply from three back on the markers to defeat Lovemeto and Ollivici so she appears to be beautifully placed racing against her own sex this evening. PERFIDIOUS SUE (4) likes to roll along at a genuine tempo and has been in fine form having won at her past three appearances. She did break stride on the line last week, which is a concern, but she is drawn to give another forward showing. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3) broke stride with 500m remaining then made up a lot of ground late so she was unlucky at her latest fourth. She has ability when she is able to put it altogether and cannot be underestimated.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 2,3,6
SELECTIONS: SHES RUBY ROO (8), EBONYS AVENGER (6), PERFIDIOUS SUE (4), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3)
RATINGS: 6,8/ 4/ 3/ 5,7/ 2/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: SHES RUBY ROO (8) each way
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: ZIPPING VOLSTEAD (2) produced a terrific performance on her debut to win the Preview of this series and can only have benefited from the experience so she appears to be hard to beat. She led out, took cover and finished fast to post a slick mile rate of 1.57.8. IRON WOMEN (5) finished in second after working past ZIPPING VOLSTEAD (2) to find the lead and being run down late. She was a brilliant winner over Old Dominion (won since) prior so she may be able to turn the tables. MYHEARTBEATSTRUE (4) was behind the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers when third in the Preview and is a place chance again. TRACY THE JET (1) is nicely bred and possesses a good turn of speed so she is a possible improver. NO MONEY NO HONEY (3) broke stride at the 300m in the Preview and is a definite place chance if she delivers a fool proof display.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely early leader), 5
SELECTIONS: ZIPPING VOLSTEAD (2), IRON WOMEN (5), MYHEARTSBEATTRUE (4), NO MONEY NO HONEY (3)
RATINGS: 2/ 5/ 3,4/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: ZIPPING VOLSTEAD (2) to win
