Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: STORMRYDER (9) worked hard early then gained cover when eighth in the Hamilton Cup at his latest attempt. He led throughout and blitzed his rivals in the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Final at Melton prior so he should prove hard to beat under these conditions. LOUIE LOU I (5) led out then took cover when he scored at Cranbourne three starts ago and has taken on strong opposition at his past two attempts. He finished unplaced behind Exotic Bushranger at Ballarat on Saturday night but the race was run in track record time so he warrants respect. LAYDEN (4) restrained at the start from a wide draw, went back to the markers and stormed through late when an eye-catching third at Ballarat last week. He possesses a powerful finishing burst and is worth a ticket each way. NAKULA (2) performs best when she is able to lead over the sprint distance so she perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. She is worth thought along with DANCE AWAY (1), ROCKANDANCE (3) and HES CHARLIES ANGEL (8).
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,3,5,7
SELECTIONS: STORMRYDER (9), LOUIE LOU I (5), LAYDEN (4), NAKULA (2)
RATINGS: 9/ 5/ 2,4/ 1,3/ 8/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: STORMRYDER (9) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: CLAUDY AN GUS (7) has been racing in great form with two wins and a close second at his past three attempts. He pushed forward to find the lead and was run down over the latter stages when second behind Six Nations last week. PICKET WIRE (4) began quickly to lead, took cover and finished off well when she just failed to overhaul Aldebaran Brooke last week. She is likely to try and adopt similar tactics from her good draw and is worth an investment. BITTA IRISH LUCK (3) settled three back on the markers and battled on well for fourth behind Kyvalleyhoneybunny last outing. She is a consistent mare and has claims. LAIR OF THE EAGLE (8) has won four out of his past five starts and finished off best from a nice trail to down Hillside at Charlton last week. This race is tougher but he is racing too well to dismiss.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: CLAUDY AN GUS (7), PICKET WIRE (4), BITTA IRISH LUCK (3), LAIR OF THE EAGLE (8)
RATINGS: 4,7/ 3/ 8/ 2,6,9
SUGGESTED BET: CLAUDY AN GUS (7) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: ALWAYS HOT (6) remains undefeated from four starts and is resuming since a victory in the Super Series Final. He was sensational at the trials last week and is clearly the horse to beat under these conditions. CAPTAIN MOORE (9) worked very hard to find the lead then took cover at the bell when a brave second in the Maryborough Cup. His two efforts since returning from a spell have been sound and he is a definite Quinella chance. FORTY LOVE (5) was resuming since a win in the Super Series Silver event in September when he finished off well from a rearward position at his latest fifth. He is a very smart pacer and importantly, he moves to the front line this evening so he must be considered as a place hope. GALAXY LASS (1) and SOHO THE REAL DEAL (2) finished first and second in the 3yo event at Ballarat last week and are drawn to go well again.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,3,6,7
SELECTIONS: ALWAYS HOT (6), CAPTAIN MOORE (9), FORTY LOVE (5), SOHO THE REAL DEAL (2)
RATINGS: 6/ 5,9/ 1,2,8
SUGGESTED BET: ALWAYS HOT (6) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: The champion pacer LEAP TO FAME (3) completely dominated his rivals at his race track return last week at Albion Park and will prove very hard to beat again. His record of 45 wins from just 56 starts is exemplary and he has been Australasia’s best pacer over the past two or three seasons. CATCH A WAVE (5) is resuming since a third in the New Zealand FFA at Addington in November. His past two trial performances have been excellent and he is a multiple Group 1 winner so he must be respected. REPUBLICAN PARTY (11) is a classy New Zealand pacer, which won the Invercargill Cup and the Auckland Cup at Group 1 level prior to scoring at Cambridge. He has a tough draw to overcome but he should be competitive again. TACT MCLEOD (6) attempted to lead throughout and was run down on the line by Bulletproof Boy in the Bendigo Cup then made an error at the start in the Shepparton Cup. He recorded a mile of 1.50.4 when he won at his Australian debut so he is worth another chance.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 5
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (3), CATCH A WAVE (5), REPUBLICAN PARTY (11), TACT MCLEOD (6)
RATINGS: 3/ 5,11/ 6/ 13
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (3) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG CHUCKY (13) was runner up in the Inter Dominion Championship at Menangle then broke at the start and lost his chance in the Maori Mile. He bounced back with a huge win from the handicap of 50m in the Hamilton Cup and he will take beating again if he produces a fool proof display. QUEEN ELIDA (12) enjoyed a fruitful Inter Dominion campaign having won two heats and was fifth in the Final. She ran a brave second in the Maori Mile at Bendigo last outing and will run her usual hones race. AARDIEBYTHEHILL (10) faces a negative swing in the barrier draw but he has improved with every run since coming from New Zealand and chased hard for second in the Knight Pistol at Ballarat last week. He is worth thought along with his stable mate MUFASA METRO (11), which appeared to be a bit below his best during the Inter Dominion series but has been competitive at the elite level for several seasons. LOVEMETO (8) has performed well since coming from New Zealand and is not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible early leader), 1,5
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG CHUCKY (13), QUEEN ELIDA (12), AARDIEBYTHEHILL (10), MUFASA METRO (11)
RATINGS: 13/ 12/ 10,11/ 8/ 2,4
SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG CHUCKY (13) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: WATTS UP PARTYTIME (2) is resuming since finishing unplaced behind The Locomotive in the Super Series Final back in September but he has performed very well at the trials with a fast finishing third when taking on the pacers so he must be respected. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4) attempted to follow behind Kings Guard in the back straight and lost ground approaching the home turn but rallied when she balanced up in the straight at her latest Shepparton fourth. She is a classy mare when she can put it altogether and is worth an investment. IM BOBBY (3) is a bold front running trotter that has been racing in handy form and is a good chance of assuming his favourite role of being the pacemaker. He led throughout at a Bendigo victory in a mile rate of 1.57.0 two starts ago. RAPID RETURN (5) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and has claims along with ALDEBARAN MILEY (8) and HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (9).
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: WATTS UP PARTYTIME (2), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4), IM BOBBY (3), ALDEBARAN MILEY (8)
RATINGS: 2,4/ 3/ 8/ 5,9/ 10
SUGGESTED BET: WATTS UP PARTYTIME (2) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: METRO ASSASSIN (3) faces a steep rise in class but he appears to be a top prospect considering the only time he has been beaten in five starts, he was going to win but galloped with 50m remaining. He came from a near impossible position when a huge winner at Hamiton last outing so he should prove hard to beat again. THE NARCISSIST (6) remains undefeated in two Victorian starts to date and looms as the logical danger. He led throughout and posted a mile rate of 1.54.7 at Hamilton last outing. KIA ORA BEAUTY (2) is a fast beginner and won convincingly in a mile rate of 1.54.6 at Shepparton last outing so she is not without a chance. ULTIMATE JOY (1) chased hard when third in the Homegrown Classic two starts ago then followed with a victory at Melton, where she led throughout. She is ideally drawn and is capable of taking the next step forward.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,5,6
SELECTIONS: METRO ASSASSIN (3), THE NARCISSIST (6), KIA ORA BEAUTY (2), ULTIMATE JOY (1)
RATINGS: 3,6/ 1,2/ 8,9,10
SUGGESTED BET: METRO ASSASSIN (3) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: SEW WHAT (8) is a proven open class mare, which appears to be well graded against this line up. She trailed the leader from the pole position and tried hard when second (3rd past the post) in the Shepparton Cup last outing. SWEETNIKKILOU (6) is a tough mare, which has been very impressive at her past two victories and should be competitive again. She finished second in the Breeders Crown last season. SWEET BELLA (7) is resuming since a victory over SWEETNIKKILOU (6) in November but she will prove very hard to beat. She has won 12 of her 20 starts including the Super Series Final so she is a very classy mare. HEAVENLY GIPSY (4) led out then took cover when a close second behind Raging Whitebait at Ballarat last week. She has the early speed to gain a prominent position again so she is a definite place possibility.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible early leader), 1,5,7
SELECTIONS: SEW WHAT (8), SWEETNIKKILOU (6), SWEET BELLA (7), HEAVENLY GIPSY (4)
RATINGS: 6,7,8/ 4/ 1/ 2/ 3,5
SUGGESTED BET: SEW WHAT (8) each way
