Form Analysis by Craig Rail

Race 1:

 

OVERVIEW: KIMCANDO (5) couldn’t lead early and ended up being in the one out and one back trail when a close second behind the smart filly Lilly Lotus last week. She won nicely at Echuca three starts ago and is one of the leading chances again. ULTIMATE MIKI (10) is a maiden from two attempts and is taking on proven winners but he appears to have a lot of ability. He has won two trials recently so a bold showing would not surprise. SHAQ (11) is a strong pacer, which has won two of his past four starts. He drew on the inside of the second line and didn’t have a great deal of luck in the straight when unplaced at Bendigo last time out. LORIMERMAJOR (13) has had a big season already having won five races. He trailed the leader and used the sprint lane when he scored last week and he drops back to the second row now but he has been impressive of late.

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 4,5,6

SELECTIONS: KIMCANDO (5), ULTIMATE MIKI (10), SHAQ (11), LORIMERMAJOR (13)

RATINGS: 5/ 10,11/ 12,13/ 4,8/ FIELD

SUGGESTED BET: KIMCANDO (5) each way

 

Race 2:

 

OVERVIEW: FINAL BOW (2) was shuffled back on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line and finished off fast when an eye-catching second behind Byrneside Boom at Bendigo last week. She races best when she is able to lead and she is much better drawn for this assignment so she is capable of going one better. REIGN EM IN (4) is a fast beginner and was able to lead throughout at a Kilmore victory on January 30. He peaked over the latter stages after working hard to lead at Maryborough last outing but he is worth another chance. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (5) raced without cover throughout when he was able to win at Ballarat two starts ago. He is a tough type and should be prominent throughout. HARLEY BLUE (10) and BETTORSWEETVICTORY (12) are both racing well enough to figure in the finish.

 

 

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 2,5,6

SELECTIONS: FINAL BOW (2), REIGN EM IN (4), MONSIEUR FLAMEL (5), HARLEY BLUE (10)

RATINGS: 2/ 4,5/ 10,12/ 9/ 13

SUGGESTED BET: FINAL BOW (2) to win

 

Race 3:

 

OVERVIEW: SHEZABLUECHIP (4) began quickly and was left stranded without cover when third in a slick mile rate of 1.57.2 at Shepparton last week. She is drawn to obtain a prominent position again and is worth an investment. ATOMIC GLORY (6) is a fast beginner and did a good job to finish in fourth after striking early trouble and coming from last at Kilmore. He missed out narrowly at Bendigo prior and is worth thought under these conditions. LOLLIPOP (8) had no luck after commencing from the inside of the second line last week. Her form prior was sound and she will be competitive if she gains a little more luck in running this evening. MURIEL (3) is usually competitive against this class and is worth thought along with TEX GOES BANG (10), which won a race of similar standard at Ballarat on March 06. 

 

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 4,6

SELECTIONS: SHEZABLUECHIP (4), ATOMIC GLORY (6), LOLLIPOP (8), MURIEL (3)

RATINGS: 4/ 6,8/ 3,10/ 7,11,12

SUGGESTED BET: SHEZABLUECHIP (4) each way

 

Race 4:

 

OVERVIEW: IZARRA (12) is working into her peak form and gets into this race well with the aid of a Mares concession. She finished off strongly from the second half of the field when a close second behind Ai Sedhai at Melton last outing. SISTA EVARISTA (1) was a runaway winner over You No I’ll Be Late and Tictok (both won since) at the end of last season and finished second at Melton three starts ago. She has made errors at her past two attempts but she is a smart horse when she is able to put it altogether. THE DARK THUNDER (9) began quickly from a wide draw and ended up being behind the leader but broke stride when looking a chance over the final stages at Ballarat last outing. He should be fitter from that run and is worth thought. AETOS DYNAMIS (11) is resuming since August but he was impressive at a recent Bendigo trial victory so he is not without a chance.

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,3,4,7

SELECTIONS: IZARRA (12), SISTA EVARISTA (1), THE DARK THUNDER (9), AETOS DYNAMIS (11)

RATINGS: 1,12/ 9/ 3,5,11

SUGGESTED BET: IZARRA (12) each way

 

Race 5:

 

OVERVIEW: CRAFTY OLD FOX (8) finished second at Temora two starts ago then followed with a fifth behind Clives Girl last week, where he worked home well in the latter stages. He is awkwardly drawn but should be hitting the line strongly. VERY TEMPTING (6) was placed in a stronger race behind Nothing Sweeter at Ballarat last week, where he showed very good gate speed. He is likely to go forward at the start again and is worth an investment. SELF EXCLUSION (1) has been safely held at his past two attempts but he is capable of better and is perfectly drawn against suitable opposition. BLUE OCEAN (5) is a grinding type that performs best when he is close to the pace. He was placed at Geelong two starts ago so he is not without a chance.

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,2

SELECTIONS: CRAFTY OLD FOX (8), VERY TEMPTING (6), SELF EXCLUSION (1), BLUE OCEAN (5)

RATINGS: 8/ 1,6/ 5/ 9/ FIELD

SUGGESTED BET: CRAFTY OLD FOX (8) each way

 

Race 6:

 

OVERVIEW: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (9) progressed forward from a wide draw to find the front and was run down in the latter stages when second behind Nellie Joy at Bendigo last outing. He is racing consistently and looms as one of the leading chances again. SURPRISE TO ME (6) is backing up quickly from his effort at Charlton on Sunday but his overall form has been sound and he should go well. He finished off best to down Tension Seeker at Birchip and was also a winner at Maryborough on February 12. BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (4) was confidently supported ($2-50 fav) and landed a reasonable position early but broke stride at the 1200m and lost her chance at Melton on Friday. She finished off nicely for second at Ballarat prior so she is worth another chance. WALLIS (10) was runner up behind Red Kermit at Shepparton two starts ago and has the ability to show up if he is somewhere near his peak.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 6,7

SELECTIONS: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (9), SURPRISE TO ME (6), BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (4), WALLIS (10)

RATINGS: 6,9/ 4/ 10/ 3,8

SUGGESTED BET: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (9) to win

 

Race 7:

 

OVERVIEW: OZZIE SUNSHINE (6) endured a wide trip and ran a big race when third behind Edwarde Grange (won again since) at Kilmore then couldn’t work into the race after commencing from a poor draw in a Metropolitan race at Melton. She appears to be better placed against this field and gets her chance to break through for a win. BULLDOG KHAN (3) went back at the start from a wide draw and was in the second half of the field throughout when he was resuming at Bendigo last week. He should be fitter from that run and he performs best when he is able to lead so an improved effort would not surprise. SMART AND MIGHTY (8) has ability but has had a few gait issues since returning from a break. He is a speedy pacer and is a winning chance if he delivers a fool proof display. STEEL THE MOMENT (2) and MAJOR MANBAR (7) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 1

SELECTIONS: OZZIE SUNSHINE (6), BULLDOG KHAN (3), SMART AND MIGHTY (8), STEEL THE MOMENT (2)

RATINGS: 6/ 3/ 2,7,8/ FIELD

SUGGESTED BET: OZZIE SUNSHINE (6) to win

 

Race 8:

 

OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN TUCKER (6) began quickly from the pole position and dominated his rivals when he scored by over thirty metres at his debut. His trial form prior was sound and he should prove very hard to beat again. TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (7) finished off stylishly when a close second behind CEEJAY ON BROADWAY (5) last week. She galloped away on debut and made up many lengths for fourth so she appears to have a promising future. CEEJAY ON BROADWAY (5) worked into a distant second behind ALDEBARAN TUCKER (6) on debut then proved to be too strong after working early at Maryborough. This is a very similar field so she looms as one of the leading chances again. SILENT VALLEY (1) galloped and lost his chance at his debut but he won a trial at Bendigo prior so he cannot be dismissed.

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,2

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN TUCKER (6), TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (7), CEEJAY ON BROADWAY (5), SILENT VALLEY (1)

RATINGS: 6/ 5,7/ 1/ 2,3

SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN TUCKER (6) to win