Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: SHE REALLY MATTERS (10) is poorly drawn but will appreciate a massive drop back in class from her recent efforts and should be hitting the line strongly. She recorded a mile of 1.56.1 when she scored at Geelong on January 25 and her latest unplaced run was behind Samkerr at Metropolitan level. IM FIELD MAJOR (3) was resuming since June and had no luck whatsoever when fifth behind Ideal Affair, where he was stranded out three horses wide and was forced to drop back to a rearward position. He is a handy type when racing at his peak form and is worth another chance. AUCKLAND RED (6) was runner up in a heat of the Ararat Cup then followed with a ninth in the Final. He appears to be better suited against this class and possesses early speed so he should give a forward showing. INEXORABLE (1) should receive the perfect trip from the pole position and will be dangerous via the sprint lane with the likelihood of BONA KHAN (2), CALEDONIAN RANGER (4) and AUCKLAND RED (6) going hard early to find a forward position.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 4,6
SELECTIONS: SHE REALLY MATTERS (10), IM FIELD MAJOR (3), AUCKLAND RED (6), INEXORABLE (1)
RATINGS: 10/ 3,6/ 1,4/ 3,5,8,9,11
SUGGESTED BET: SHE REALLY MATTERS (10) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: OH NO NEVER AGAIN (6) should be reaching his peak form after having two starts back from a break and he hit the line strongly at his latest third. There are several fast beginners drawn on the front line and a genuine early tempo will aid his chances. HIGHVIEW HAMMER (7) has been in winning form with recent victories at Shepparton and Cranbourne. He is a very quick beginner and is capable of finding a forward position despite the wide draw so he must be included amongst the leading chances again. ROBLEN RANGER (8) led out then took cover when fourth behind the very smart pacer Golden Tribe at Cranbourne last outing. He scored at Cranbourne three starts ago and is worth thought again. PICKLE IT (3) will be fitter after his first up effort and performs best when he is able to lead. ILLAWONG PHOENIX (4) is usually competitive against this class and is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: OH NO NEVER AGAIN (6), HIGHVIEW HAMMER (7), ROBLEN RANGER (8), ILLAWONG PHOENIX (4)
RATINGS: 6/ 7,8/ 4/ 3/ field
SUGGESTED BET: OH NO NEVER AGAIN (6) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: HARLEY LANE (8) is a nicely bred filly, which created a good impression at her latest Cranbourne trial victory, where she led throughout and defeated the Metropolitan class pacer Denis William. She is awkwardly drawn but appears to have a promising future. MEDINA (4) is another first starter that has performed nicely at the trials. He finished second at Melton on Tuesday but the final quarter was a very quick 27.3 seconds so he warrants consideration. ONYX (5) led throughout at his latest Melton trial performance. He makes his debut for trainer Alison Alford and has the ability to give a forward showing. EMMA ROX (3) is another nicely bred first starter that must be kept safe in a race where the betting market might be the best guide.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely early leader), 2,5
SELECTIONS: HARLEY LANE (8), MEDINA (4), ONYX (5), EMMA ROX (3)
RATINGS: 8/ 4,5/ 3/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: HARLEY LANE (8) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: FESTINALENTE (6) finished off well from a nice trail to defeat the in-form pacer Dooo Don’t Think at Bendigo on February 19 then was doing her best work at the end when third at Ararat. This race is no harder so she should be competitive again. OCEANIQUE (5) angled across to find the back of the leader Alpha Crucis and sprinted home quickly to get the better of that runner when she scored at Cranbourne last outing. She is meeting a field of similar standard here so she must be considered as a winning chance again. ROLLING REMONA (3) was heavily supported and was able to get the job done when she led throughout to score at Wangaratta on Sunday. ILLAWONG DANNY (8) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and he follows out behind the fast beginner KARDESLER (1) so he must be included amongst the leading chances.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3
SELECTIONS: FESTINALENTE (6), OCEANIQUE (5), ROLLING REMONA (3), ILLAWONG DANNY (8)
RATINGS: 5,6/ 3,8/ 1,2/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: FESTINALENTE (6) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: STEADY DREAM (5) won at Maryborough three starts ago and worked into third behind Heza Gun in a strong race at Cranbourne last outing. She is a nicely bred filly and is improving with the benefit of racing so she is worth an investment. ALLWATFUNJINGLES (3) is backing up quickly from his effort at Melton on Friday night but he must be considered as a winning chance. He chased hard when second behind Baarlinee at Ballarat three starts ago. YOU REALLY GOT ME (8) is a speedy trotter when he is able to put it altogether and will be competitive if he delivers a fool proof display. He broke stride at the start and lost his chance when sixth at Cranbourne last outing. BLANCO CANYON (4) finished second in a very similar race won by Right of Reply at Cranbourne last outing and is a place chance again.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible early leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: STEADY DREAM (5), ALLWATFUNJINGLES (3), YOU REALLY GOT ME (8), BLANCO CANYON (4)
RATINGS: 3,5/ 8/ 4/ 7/ 1,6
SUGGESTED BET: STEADY DREAM (5) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: ILLUMINANCE (7) is a beautifully bred filly, which has unfortunately broken stride and lost her chance at her two starts to date. She won a trial over MAORI TATTOO (1) recently and she also finished second in her first trial behind Steady Dream with the subsequent winner Volsteadsdelight finishing in third so she has the ability to be competitive if she delivers a fool proof display. MAORI TATTOO (1) left a trailing position to move up without cover at the bell and broke stride with 300m remaining at his latest third. He has finished second at the trials since and should be competitive if he is on his best behaviour. KICKABARREL (3) is a nicely bred first starter that has been performing quite nicely at the Bacchus Marsh trials and must be kept safe. PARLEZVOUS PATTY (4) is showing some potential but has also made a few errors in his career to date. He is worth thought in a race where racing manners will be the key to the result.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 6
SELECTIONS: ILLUMINANCE (7), MAORI TATTOO (1), KICKABARREL (3), PARLEZVOUS PATTY (4)
RATINGS: 1,7/ 3/4/ 5,6/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: ILLUMINANCE (7) each way