Form Analysis by Craig Rail

Race 1:

 

OVERVIEW: MY UNCLE STAN (5) was having his second run since the Super Series Final in September when he charged home to defeat a field of similar standard last week. He is versatile and should be getting fitter so he is a big winning chance again. NEW YORKER (4) sustained a long run from the back of the field when a game third behind Always Hot at Melton last outing. He finished fourth behind Captain Hammerhead and Swayzee in the Albury Cup prior so he rates as a value hope. DAWSON (2) has performed nicely in four starts since coming from New Zealand and was placed in the Ararat Cup last outing. He moves to the front line for the first time in Australia so he must be respected. FIRST DANCE (7), SMOKEN ACE (8) and LE BELLE BIJOUX (11), which drops back in class, are all capable of showing up without surprising.

 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,4,5

SELECTIONS: MY UNCLE STAN (5), NEW YORKER (4), DAWSON (2), FIRST DANCE (7)

RATINGS: 5/ 2,4/ 7,8/ 1,9,11

SUGGESTED BET: MY UNCLE STAN (5) to win

 

Race 2:

 

OVERVIEW: QUEEN ELIDA (9) finished fourth in the Great Southern Star then followed with a big victory over ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3) in the Breed for Speed Gold Final, where she posted a sizzling mile rate of 1.54.9. She should prove hard to beat again from her trailing draw. HARRY STAMPER (10) led out then took cover when second behind Keayang Chucky (won again since) in the Australasian Championship then followed with a strong third to Aldebaran Zeus in fast time. He is a versatile trotter and should go well again. IM BOBBY (6) steps up to the open class for the first time but he is racing in career best form and came from off the speed to win at Melton last week. He possesses brilliant gate speed and should give a bold showing. EBONYS AVENGER (2) is drawn to suit her racing pattern and has claims along with ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3), PLYMOUTH CHUBB (7) and IM READY JET (8).

 

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 2,7

SELECTIONS: QUEEN ELIDA (9), HARRY STAMPER (10), IM BOBBY (6), EBONYS AVENGER (2)

RATINGS: 9/ 6,10/ 2/ 3,7,8

SUGGESTED BET: QUEEN ELIDA (9) to win

 

Race 3:

 

OVERVIEW: MITCHELL WRAP (4) is stepping up in class for this assignment but he has been very impressive at his past two victories. He finished off brilliantly and scored by a large margin at Ballarat last week so he is capable of taking the next step forward. MEGA SPUR (5) was runner up in the Queensland Oaks back in July and is resuming since a sixth behind the star filly Keayang Zahara in the Super Series Final in September. She finished a close second behind Pinnie at a recent Melton trial performance and has the class to be in the finish. LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (6) was resuming since a sixth in the Breeders Crown when he overcame a tough run to win at Bendigo. He is a talented trotter and should have a prosperous campaign. TIMMY TURTLE (9) recorded a slick mile rate of 1.55.2 when he scored at Melton last outing and is worth thought again. EL RESAMO (10) drops back in class for this assignment and has claims along with SIR EROS (11).

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible early leader), 5,7

SELECTIONS: MITCHELL WRAP (4), MEGA SPUR (5), LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (6), TIMMY TURTLE (9)

RATINGS: 4/ 5,6/ 9/ 10,11/ 2,7/ 12

SUGGESTED BET: MITCHELL WRAP (4) each way

 

Race 4:

 

OVERVIEW: COASTAL DRIVE (4) is a talented colt, which followed a close second behind Shadow Celt at Melton with a big victory at Shepparton, where he rolled along at a genuine tempo in the lead. He is likely to find the lead again and should take catching. PLAINS IN HEAVEN (10) is racing in peak form and finished off solidly for second behind Give Dave A Wave last week. He was a winner over KWICK SAND (2) at Ballarat on February 20 and he should be finishing off well again. ZENA RHAYNE BOW (7) is a fast mare, which is resuming since a seventh in a heat of the Super Series back in August. She has a tough draw to overcome but she will be fitter after two recent trial performances and is too good to dismiss. Both IDEAL MOTH (3) and NEATNTIDY (6) have been in winning form and are worth thought in a quality event.

 

EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 1,2,7

SELECTIONS: COASTAL DRIVE (4), PLAINS IN HEAVEN (10), ZENA RHAYNE BOW (7), IDEAL MOTH (3)

RATINGS: 4/ 10/ 3,6,7/ 8/ 2,5

SUGGESTED BET: COASTAL DRIVE (4) to win

 

Race 5:

 

OVERVIEW: NAKULA (6) was driven aggressively to find the lead and fought on gallantly when second in a slick mile rate of 1.53.1 behind The Narcissist at Melton last outing. She is a strong mare and should give another forward showing. MONA MIA (1) will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment and she recorded a super mile rate of 1.52.9 when she scored at Melton in January so she must be respected. JACCKA CONNOR (10) finished off fast when an eye-catching third at Melton when resuming. He was driven for early speed and didn’t finish the race off as well last week but he is worth another chance from the trailing draw. EDWARDE GRANGE (8) defeated NAKULA (6) at a Kilmore victory on February 13 and led throughout for a comfortable Shepparton win last week. He is awkwardly drawn but will be competitive if he gains the right luck in running.

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,4

SELECTIONS: NAKULA (6), MONA MIA (1), JACCKA CONNOR (10), EDWARDE GRANGE (8)

RATINGS: 1,6/ 10/ 8/ 4/ 2

SUGGESTED BET: Boxed Trifecta 1,6,8,10 (Cost $24)

 

Race 6:

 

OVERVIEW: YAMBUKIAN (8) progressed forward from the second line to find the lead and produced a big performance to win in a mile rate of 1.50.9 at Bendigo when resuming then was shuffled back on the markers and finished off boldly when sixth (6m) behind Rakero Rebel (won Geelong Cup since) on March 01. He appears to be well placed against this class and should make his presence. ROCKNROLL HAMMER (6) finished off best to defeat Captain Bellasario (won since) prior to a game second behind Rakero Rebel. He is back to his best form and looms as a strong winning chance again. LOUIE LOU I (2) finished off strongly and just failed to overhaul Tiger Band Wagon at Melton last week. He is very consistent and looms as one of the leading chances again. IDEAL ESCAPE (7) has a tough draw to overcome but he will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment.

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 2

SELECTIONS: YAMBUKIAN (8), ROCKNROLL HAMMER (6), LOUIE LOU I (2), IDEAL ESCAPE (7)

RATINGS: 6,8/ 2/ 7/ 4

SUGGESTED BET: Boxed Trifecta 2,6,7,8 (Cost $24)

 

Race 7:

 

OVERVIEW: PINNIE (3) is resuming since finishing third in the Victoria Derby in October. She won a heat of that series prior and most of her starts during her last campaign were at feature level so she must be rated highly. She will strip fitter after a recent Melton trial victory. ZAREM (8) should be getting fitter after having two starts back from a spell and is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward. He was caught behind tiring runners and had little luck last week so he rates as a value chance. ALDEBARAN BROOKE (5) is a fast beginner and is racing in great form having been placed at her past six starts. She has performed well after commencing from the second line at her past two attempts. ALDEBARAN DEMI (6) is a strong mare and will appreciate a slight drop back in class for this assignment so she is not without a chance.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 2,5,6,7

SELECTIONS: PINNIE (3), ZAREM (8), ALDEBARAN BROOKE (5), ALDEBARAN DEMI (6)

RATINGS: 3/ 5,6,8/ 4,7/ 2/ 1

SUGGESTED BET: PINNIE (3) to win

 

Race 8:

 

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6) is a former smart New South Wales pacer, which joins trainer Andy Gath. He won six races during his juvenile season and he competed in the Protostar so he has the class to be competitive against this line up. He has also been very impressive at the trials. FORTY LOVE (7) was runner up in the Caduceus Classic prior to a Sydney campaign, where he won at Menangle then finished fourth in a heat of the New South Wales Derby. He is a classy colt and is capable of overcoming the poor draw. CALEXICO (5) is racing in outstanding form having won at his past four attempts. He produced a big finishing burst at his latest Shepparton victory so he is capable of taking the next step forward. GOLDEN TRIBE (4) is a fast beginner and is drawn to be prominent throughout.

 

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,3,6

SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6), FORTY LOVE (7), CALEXICO (5), GOLDEN TRIBE (4)

RATINGS: 6,7/ 5/ 4/ 1,3/ 2

SUGGESTED BET: MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (6) to win