Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: SCHEMING (5) was resuming since a sixth in the Super Series Silver event when she was driven aggressively and ran a brave race for third behind Followtheace. She should strip fitter from that run and must be considered as a winning chance. NOMORELYING (6) was headed off from the pole position and was shuffled back on the markers when unplaced at Shepparton last outing. His form prior was strong so he is worth another chance. HERAKLES (10) is a former Tasmanian pacer, which struck trouble at his Victorian debut. He finished fourth in the $60,000 Raider Stakes Final in Tasmania at his previous attempt so he must be respected. CLASSICALLY SMOOTH (8) attempted to lead throughout when second at Bendigo on Wednesday night. He finished quickly to defeat Harley Blue (won since) prior so he is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 2
SELECTIONS: SCHEMING (5), NOMORELYING (6), HERAKLES (10), CLASSICALLY SMOOTH (8)
RATINGS: 5/ 6,10/ 8/ 4/ 2,3
SUGGESTED BET: SCHEMING (5) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: THE CHOOK (3) chased hard when second behind Tictok last outing and should give a forward showing from her good draw. She is a speedy type and is usually competitive against this class. USED TO BE A MAID (9) is resuming from a break but she has performed well at the trials and she was competing in much stronger races at the end of her last campaign so she is not without a chance. MAJESTIC MONARCH (2) is stepping up in class from his past two attempts but he has retuned from a spell in peak form with two strong victories and he is drawn to be prominent throughout. GLENGARRY RED (1), YANKEE LOVER (6) and WATCH AND ACT (7) all have claims in an open race.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,3,4
SELECTIONS: THE CHOOK (3), USED TO BE A MAID (9), MAJESTIC MONARCH (2), GLENGARRY RED (1)
RATINGS: 3,9/ 6/ 1,2,7/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: THE CHOOK (3) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (2) was resuming since November 2022 when he battled on well for third behind ALIZA HILL (5). He performed extremely well at the trials prior and he should have derived a lot of benefit from his first up run so he must be respected. ALIZA HILL (5) began quickly and was able to lead throughout against similar opposition at her latest attempt. She has won five races for the season and is a good chance of finding the lead again so she looms as the horse to beat. BRONSKI MOMENT (9) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward as evidenced by his latest victory over THE MAJORS GIRL (4). He has the perfect trailing draw and is worth thought again. MAJORS CREEK (8) will be fitter after her first up sixth and she was racing consistently during her last preparation so she is not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 3,7
SELECTIONS: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (2), ALIZA HILL (5), BRONSKI MOMENT (9), MAJORS CREEK (8)
RATINGS: 2,5/ 9/ 8/ 4,7/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (2) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: TEX GOES BANG (7) settled in the second half of the field and finished off strongly when a close second behind TOPHUT JOHNY (9) last week. He is versatile and is capable of turning the tables. TOPHUT JOHNY (9) began quickly to find the lead and held off all of the challengers to win narrowly at Shepparton last week. He is racing consistently having been placed at his past seven starts and this race is no harder. MURIEL (10) defeated TOPHUT JOHNY (9) after enjoying the perfect trip behind the leader at Kilmore last outing. She faces a negative swing in the barrier draw but is worth thought again. AMBER ALERT (5) attempted to sustain a long run out four horses wide from the 500m when a creditable fifth last week and is not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,4,5
SELECTIONS: TEX GOES BANG (7), TOPHUT JOHNY (9), MURIEL (10), AMBER ALERT (5)
RATINGS: 7,9/ 10/ 5/ 2,3,6
SUGGESTED BET: TEX GOES BANG (7) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: SETTLE THE BILL (4) produced a big performance at her first start for trainer Damian Wilson where she drew well clear of her rivals to win by a large margin. This race is no harder and she should prove hard to beat again. MONTANA MUSCLE (3) was finishing off well and was probably going to run second when she broke stride with 100m remaining at Shepparton last outing. She was runner up behind Dances prior and is worth another chance. ABBIE (1) raced without cover in the early stages before gaining a trail when second at Shepparton last week. She has been runner up in three of her past five starts and is drawn to give another good showing. MAGIC LAW (8) is a speedy type and ran a good race after racing without cover throughout at her latest third so she cannot be left out of calculations.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 3,5
SELECTIONS: SETTLE THE BILL (4), MONTANA MUSCLE (3), ABBIE (1), MAGIC LAW (8)
RATINGS: 4/ 1,3,8/ 2,9/ 10
SUGGESTED BET: SETTLE THE BILL (4) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: TENMINUTES (4) was resuming since August when he was held up for a run over the latter stages and finished an unlucky seventh in a heat of the Home Grown Classic at Melton. He should be fitter and this is a much easier assignment so he must be respected. FRUGAL FARE (3) is resuming since July but he has the ability to figure in the finish. He has been placed in three trials with the latest being a third behind the subsequent Gunbower Cup winner Western Sonador, which is a good form reference for this event. ART IDEAL (5) drew poorly and had excuses at his first run since August. He has ability and should be competitive under these conditions. HESAA LISTER (7) missed out narrowly last week and he has been placed in three of his past four starts against similar grade so he warrants consideration.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 5
SELECTIONS: TENMINUTES (4), FRUGAL FARE (3), ART IDEAL (5), HESAA LISTER (7)
RATINGS: 3,4/ 5/ 7/ 6,10
SUGGESTED BET: TENMINUTES (4) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: G B BRAVE (10) raced on the outside of the leader throughout and battled on well for a close up fourth at Shepparton last outing. He was placed at Kilmore prior and should be competitive against this line up. EAGLE MAJOR (2) attempted to lead throughout when a close third behind Momentum Shift at Shepparton last outing. He is drawn to be prominent throughout and is nearing a win against this class. FLIP A COIN (6) is a 2yo pacer taking on older horses but he sprinted sharply from three back on the markers when he scored in a mile rate of 1.57.1 at Bendigo last outing so he must be included amongst the leading chances. ALAMO (3), THAT MAJ YA LOOK (4) and ALABAMA ICE (7) all have claims in an open betting event.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,5,6
SELECTIONS: G B BRAVE (10), EAGLE MAJOR (2), FLIP A COIN (6), ALAMO (3)
RATINGS: 10/ 2,6/ 3,4,7/ 8,9
SUGGESTED BET: G B BRAVE (10) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: BROADWAY BRENDA (2) has been placed at her past three attempts and is looming up to a win against this class. She began quickly and worked forward to find the lead when third behind the smart pacer Bearhunta at Shepparton last outing. THELEGENDCONTINUES (6) is a first starter for trainer Trish McVeigh, which recorded reasonable time at a Maryborough trial victory last week. He strikes a suitable assignment first up and must be considered as a winning chance. ALTATUDE (5) has been unplaced in all of her five starts to date but she has shown some ability at the trials and is still learning. She gets her chance to show improvement under these conditions. SON OF A BROAD (3) was runner up at Shepparton five starts ago and could show up from his good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 6
SELECTIONS: BROADWAY BRENDA (2), THELEGENDCONTINUES (6), ALTATUDE (5), SON OF A BROAD (3)
RATINGS: 2,6/ 5/ 3/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: BROADWAY BRENDA (2) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: COTCHINELLIE (4) hasn’t had much luck at his recent performances and should run a good race against this line up. He raced without cover throughout when third behind Remi Lou in fast time at Kilmore last outing. WIND SOCK (5) overcame a tough run when he scored impressively at Cranbourne last outing. This race is slightly tougher but he should prove hard to beat again. VINSANITY (7) missed away and lost his chance when resuming then had excuses at Wagga, where he worked hard in a slick mile rate of 1.52.8. He is widely drawn but is better than his form reads and is capable of showing up prominently. STYLISH GEM (2) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and had little luck at Charlton on Wednesday so she rates as a value hope.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely early leader), 4,5,7
SELECTIONS: COTCHINELLIE (4), WIND SOCK (5), VINSANITY (7), STYLISH GEM (2)
RATINGS: 4,5/ 7/ 2/ 3/ 6/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: COTCHINELLIE(4) each way
