Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: TICTOK (13) broke stride and was stood down to trial last outing but she was very impressive in winning at the Bendigo trials since. She is a very tough mare and drops back in class for this assignment so she should prove hard to beat. TRIPOD (12) will also appreciate a drop back in class and commenced from the handicap of 20m when he finished fifth at Shepparton last outing. He is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and is worth a ticket each way. LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (6) performed well below expectations last outing ($1-70 fav) but he is a very smart trotter when at his peak and he was an impressive winner at Bendigo three starts ago so he must be respected. COUNTESS CHIRON (3) was very impressive at Ballarat last outing, where she led out then took cover. This is a race of more depth but she is likely to attempt a similar tactic here.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely early leader), 2,4
SELECTIONS: TICTOK (13), TRIPOD (12), LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (6), COUNTESS CHIRON (3)
RATINGS: 12/ 6,12/ 3/ 4,8,9
SUGGESTED BET: TICTOK (13) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: MUSCLE MEMORY (11) performed nicely at the trials and backed up with two placed performances at Bendigo and Melton. She did a lot wrong and should have won at Bendigo two starts ago so she will prove hard to beat if she delivers a fool proof display. BETSY ANNE (6) is a former New South Wales trained trotter, which joins Rebecca Bartley. She finished off well for second behind Hody Moke last outing and is capable of going one better. MILLY METER (4) has been placed in two of her past three starts and is drawn to obtain a prominent position in the early stages so she is a place chance again. NEDZA THRILLER (2) settled in the second half of the field and was never a factor at Stawell on Friday but he was placed from on the pace in his two efforts prior so he can utilize his good draw here.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 4
SELECTIONS: MUSCLE MEMORY (11), BETSY ANNE (6), MILLY METER (4), NEDZA THRILLER (2)
RATINGS: 11/ 6/ 4/ 2/ 7,8
SUGGESTED BET: MUSCLE MEMORY (11) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: FINAL BOW (9) is extremely well placed in this grade considering she has won 26 races. She attempted to lead throughout when second at Maryborough two starts ago then competed in a stronger race at her latest attempt. SALSBOY (10) gained the perfect trip and finished off best to win at Bendigo two starts ago. He is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and should be finishing off strongly again. ONECROWDEDHOUR (2) should be getting fitter after having two starts back from a spell and he is much better drawn for this assignment so an improved showing would not surprise. TOPHUT JOHNY (6) worked forward to find the lead and was able to fend off his rivals to score at Ballarat last outing. He is likely to push forward at the start again and should give another bold showing.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 5,6,7
SELECTIONS: FINAL BOW (9) SALSBOY (10), ONECROWDEDHOUR (2), TOPHUT JOHNY (6)
RATINGS: 9/ 2,6,10/ 3/ 1,4
SUGGESTED BET: FINAL BOW (9) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: POPPY WAH WAH (4) is stepping up in class from his past two wining performances but he was very impressive at his latest victory, where he posted a career best mile rate of 1.52.4. He is drawn to find the lead again so he is capable of taking the next step forward. HARRYHOO (8) is likely to be shuffled back on the markers from his awkward trailing draw but he has bounced back to his best form at his past two attempts and he recorded a slick mile rate of 1.53.0 at his latest victory so he should be running home well. DIEING ART (6) was successful at Wagga two starts ago then followed with a seventh at Bendigo where he had no clear run and should have finished closer. He is a versatile pacer and is not without a chance. TWISTED BLISS (9) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and will find this race to be easier than her latest performance at Metropolitan level so she is worth thought.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 2
SELECTIONS: POPPY WAH WAH (4), HARRYHOO (8), DIEING ART (6), TWISTED BLISS (9)
RATINGS: 4/ 8/ 6,9/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: POPPY WAH WAH (4) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: HAROLD SMITH (7) is racing in great form against similar grade and is a big chance of completing the hat trick. He started from the same handicap of 20m, worked forward mid-race to park without cover and was too good for a similar field at Melton last outing. PARISIAN ARTISTE (8) is a very fast trotter, which won a heat of the Inter Dominion late last season. He finished second in the Charlton Cup last outing and he has performed very well at the trials since so he must be respected. I’M BOBBY (6) is trotting in career best form having only missed a place once in eleven starts for the season. He endured a tough run and went down fighting when second behind Harry Stamper at Melton last outing so he should be competitive again. SUNDONS COURAGE (5) was placed twice under the standing start conditions behind HAROLD SMITH (7) prior to his latest seventh at Melton. He is a definite place chance again from behind the tapes.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely early leader), 5 (10m), 7 (20m)
SELECTIONS: HAROLD SMITH (7), PARISIAN ARTISTE (8), IM BOBBY (6), SUNDONS COURAGE (5)
RATINGS: 7,8/ 6/ 5/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 7,8/ 3,5,6,7,8/ 3,5,6,7,8 (Cost $24)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: SISTA EVARISTA (8) broke stride and lost her chance last outing but she is a good mare when she is able to put it altogether and is worth another chance. She settled four back on the outside and finished off well for second at Shepparton two starts ago. HOLD THAT MAGIC (9) produced a good finishing burst when a handy second behind Ezra Kai at Bendigo last week. She has had some issues at the start but she is a winning chance if she can get away safely. MANDA KYVALLEY (7) overcame a tough run to win at Maryborough three starts ago then followed with a second behind Dossier at Kilmore. She didn’t have much luck last time out and looms as one of the leading chances here. ABBIE (3) produced a strong performance to win last outing and THE CHOOK (6) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 3,4,6
SELECTIONS: SISTA EVARISTA (8), HOLD THAT MAGIC (9), MANDA KYVALLEY (7), THE CHOOK (6)
RATINGS: 8/ 7,9/ 6/ 3,4
SUGGESTED BET: SISTA EVARISTA (8) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: DOWNBYTHETEESIDE (1) is a first starter for trainer Emma Stewart, which showed terrific gate speed to lead from the outside of the front line and held on to win a trial at Melton on April 08 so he should prove hard to beat. SANDSTING (3) has been runner up at his past two attempts and finished off fast when second behind Break My Art in a mile rate of 1.55.4 at Melton. He is a promising maiden and is worth following. ASSIGNED (2) is a first starter for trainer Larry Walls and has performed well at the Bendigo trials. He is perfectly drawn and is not without a chance. AMERICAN ASSASSIN (4) has placed three times in succession at the trials and is worth thought along with KRAKEY (8), which has shown ability at the trials with a recent victory at Shepparton.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,3,6
SELECTIONS: DOWNBYTHETEESIDE (1), SANDSTING (3), ASSIGNED (2), KRAKEY (8)
RATINGS: 1/ 3/ 2,8/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: DOWNBYTHETEESIDE (1) to win
