Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: BULLETPROOF BOY (9) was returning from a strong Sydney campaign when he raced out three horses wide for most of the trip and produced a big effort to win the Stampede. He is racing in great form and should prove hard to beat again. YAMBUKIAN (6) endured a tough run and went down fighting when a brave third in the Geelong Rocket. He recently recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.50.9 at a Bendigo victory so a bold showing is expected. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (2) steps up to the open class for the first time but he boasts high speed and was impressive last week so he might be able to take the next step forward. BETTOR ISOLATE (5) is resuming since November but has the speed to be in the finish and TRIPLE EIGHT (11) will run his usual honest race.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,3,4,5,7
SELECTIONS: BULLETPROOF BOY (9), YAMBUKIAN (6), CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (2), BETTOR ISOLATE (5)
RATINGS: 6,9/ 2/ 5,11/ 1,7
SUGGESTED BET: BULLETPROOF BOY (9) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (4) is a classy mare that produced a big performance to win after working hard from the outside of the second line at her first run since October. She was competitive against the best of her age group last season and is much better drawn for this assignment so a bold showing is expected. SIR JIMMY (13) performed below expectations after leading out then taking cover in the Melton Plate but his form prior was strong and this race is easier so he is worth another chance. MY UNCLE STAN (10) produced a big finish to defeat BLAKE BOLAC (12) two starts ago then got too far back from an awkward draw at his latest handy finishing seventh. He is racing in good form and is worth an investment. TRIPLE ROCK SAINT (2), JACCKA CONNOR (3), RAKAJED (9) and BLAKE BOLAC (12) all have claims in a quality race.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader) 2,3,5
SELECTIONS: LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (4), SIR JIMMY (13), MY UNCLE STAN (10), RAKAJED (9)
RATINGS: 4/ 13/ 10/ 9,12/ 2,3,8
SUGGESTED BET: LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (4) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: It is an open race with many winning chances. ODIN (9) is racing consistently and attempted to lead throughout when a close third behind Look Like Diamonds at Melton last outing so he gets the nod. MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8) beat easier grade at Mildura last outing but he is drawn behind the likely leader so he rates as a value hope. SNOW HUNTER (1) is a fast beginner and is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern so she is not without a chance. MOMENTUM SHIFT (13) charged home from a rearward position when an eye-catching third last week and is worth thought despite the poor draw. ROSBERG (5), ALL BLAZING GUNS (6) and KEAYANG TACO (12) all have the ability to show up prominently.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,3,6
SELECTIONS: ODIN (9), MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8), SNOW HUNTER (1), MOMENTUM SHIFT (13)
RATINGS: 9/ 1,8,13/ 6,12/ 5/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: ODIN (9) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: MAORIS MAC (11) is resuming since a third behind the star filly Keayang Zahara in the Victoria Oaks in October but she has had a few quiet trials at Shepparton and should be hitting the line strongly. BITTA IRISH LUCK (6) dropped out to a rearward position from a similar wide draw and finished off boldly for third behind Susan Is Her Name at Melton last outing. She is a consistent mare and is worth a ticket each way. MISTER BLINDSIDE (10) is resuming since a close second in the Breeders Crown Final in November. He will be fitter after two recent trial efforts, the latest being a second at Melton so he must be respected. ALDEBARAN DEMI (2), DESTRIER (4), KEAYANG LAVITA (9) and PICKET WIRE (12) are all capable of showing up without surprising in another race of great depth.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,2
SELECTIONS: MAORIS MAC (11), BITTA IRISH LUCK (6), MISTER BLINDSIDE (10), KEAYANG LAVITA (9)
RATINGS: 6,10,11/ 9/ 2,4/ 12/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: MAORIS MAC (11) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: HARRY STAMPER (6) was slow away from his handicap of 30m and did very well to finish as close as he did when fourth behind Harold Smith last week. He does possess very good gate speed when he is able to put it altogether and he is racing in good form so he may take catching. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3) ran a brave race for second behind I’m Ready Jet in the Sumthingaboutmaori FFA last outing. She continues to race consistently at a high level and is one of the leading chances again. ALDEBARAN ZEUS (7) followed a fifth in the Hammerhead Mile at Menangle with a game third behind Arcee Phoenix in the Scotch Notch Memorial. He should go well despite the extreme draw. WATTS UP PARTYTIME (8) won the Great Southern Star earlier in the season and sustained a long run to win last week so he must be rated highly.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,2,5,7
SELECTIONS: HARRY STAMPER (6), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3), ALDEBARAN ZEUS (7), WATTS UP PARTYTIME (8)
RATINGS: 3,6/ 7,8/ 9/ 10/ 2,5
SUGGESTED BET: HARRY STAMPER (6) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: RAGING WHITEBAIT (7) continues to build on his impressive record since coming from New Zealand and is a winning chance despite the wide draw. He was heavily supported last week and finished in second behind Captain Bellasario after progressing forward to find the lead shortly after the start. DESSIE GEE (5) attempted to lead throughout when a close third behind TIGER BAND WAGON (9) prior to a game second behind Bulletproof Boy in the Stampede. He is a short course specialist and should give another forward showing. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (1) ran a great race for third in the Autumn Gift at Menangle last week, where the winner Timmy Rictor paced an outstanding mile of 1.49.2 so he warrants consideration. ROCKANDANCE (3), RAKERO SLAMMER (4) and TIGER BAND WAGON (9) are all racing well enough to feature prominently.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,3,4,7
SELECTIONS: RAGING WHITEBAIT (7), DESSIE GEE (5), DIAMOND ECLIPSE (1), ROCKANDANCE (3)
RATINGS: 5,7/ 1,3,9/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: DESSIE GEE (5) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: MERCENARY (9) was going to win the Charlton Cup but switched into a pace with 150m remaining and was subsequently disqualified. He was held up behind the tiring leader and finished fast when he eventually gained a clear passage at his latest fourth so he is racing much better than his form reads. LITTLE YANKEE (7) continues to race consistently and finished off nicely for third behind Watts Up Partytime last outing. He found the line strongly when third in the Charlton Cup prior so he is worth following. PINNIE (3) performed below expectations at her first run since finishing third in the Victoria Derby but she should be fitter from that effort and is worth another chance. EL RESAMO (2) couldn’t lead early and had excuses when fifth at Melton last week. He gave a great sight in the front running role when second prior so he is worth thought from his good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: MERCENARY (9), LITTLE YANKEE (7), PINNIE (3), EL RESAMO (2)
RATINGS: 9/ 3,7/ 2/ 4,5/ 11
SUGGESTED BET: MERCENARY (9) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: GOLDEN SHOOZ (1) is resuming since a tenth in the New South Wales Breeders Challenge in October but she has been going extremely well at the trials and is drawn to run a big race. ULTIMATE JOY (4) was placed in the Homegrown Classic late last season and has won two of her three starts since. She dashed home in fast final sectionals to win at Melton last outing so she is capable of taking the next step forward. HUGO ROCKS (8) was aggressively driven to find the lead early and battled on well for fourth last week. He has the perfect trailing draw behind GOLDEN SHOOZ (1) so he appears to be a good value chance. DEUCE COUPE (6) is racing in career best form and has the speed to be in the finish. IDEAL MOTH (3), PLAINS IN HEAVEN (11) and CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (12) all have the ability to show up without surprising.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 4
SELECTIONS: GOLDEN SHOOZ (1), ULTIMATE JOY (4), HUGO ROCKS (8), DEUCE COUPE (6)
RATINGS: 1/ 4,8/ 6/ 3,11,12/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: GOLDEN SHOOZ (1) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: PERUN (5) is a former New Zealand pacer, which joins trainer Jamie Kirk and will be fitter after a second behind Rakajed at a Cranbourne trial effort last week. He was racing well against handy opposition across the Tasman and his latest Addington victory was over 2600m so he should be competitive under these conditions. LUVA SCRAP (13) is terribly drawn but he has been in very good form and he put in a brave performance when second behind the in-form pacer Frugal Fare last week so he warrants respect. NEATNTIDY (12) is stepping up in class but he was able to dash home in a sizzling final quarter of 26.8 seconds to win at Swan Hill last outing so he cannot be underestimated. THESTATESMAN (10) is resuming since a second in the Super Series Silver event in September but he won a trial over Nakula at Melton recently so he can go well first up.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible early leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: PERUN (5), LUVA SCRAP (13), NEATNTIDY (12), THESTATESMAN (10)
RATINGS: 5/ 12,13/ 4,10/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: LUVA SCRAP (13) each way
