Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
It will take an impressive performance if ARRIVE (7) is to overcome the outside front line barrier, however she might just have the speed to capitalise in an open JC McMullen. A winner of the QBRED Breeders from gate 1 over this trip three starts back, she has been over the middle journey from the second line at her past two.
DEMON BLUE (2) has won two of four on this deck since arriving in the Sunshine State, with his past two appearances in the Redcliffe and Southeast Derbies. Drawn the second line in each of those outings and unable to get into the contest, a return to the front line looks a huge boost.
MEGS BOY (1) faces the biggest test of his brief career, lining up as the winner at four of his five career starts. Setting a 1.52.9 PB in front with an 8m margin last start, can he make the rise?
VINSANITY (8) was beaten over the 2040 last start at Redcliffe after being sent out deep into the red. With the mapping favours, he will be searching for the openings.
SELECTIONS: ARRIVE (7), DEMON BLUE (3), MEGS BOY (1), VINSANITY (8)
SUGGESTED BET: ARRIVE (7) to win
RACE TWO
Finding the most open of the three heats in round one, SURE THING CAPTAIN (4) soon put the contest out of reach of the challengers here last week when taking control. Stacking them up, he blitzed the last 800 in 53.1 for a smart win. He has the gate to make it a rinse and repeat.
WISPER A SECRET (11) was wide off the track last start and never got into the contest after settling near the rear of the field from this same gate. It is hard to gauge exactly where he is positioned at present, but he finds the right heat to turn it all around and produce a big run.
PETES SAID SO (5) ran on when finding space to grab the bronze last week which had followed a luckless run in the Redcliffe Cup. With the right trip, he can be grabbing minor money.
MAX DELIGHT (12) was trying to work into the contest over the latter stages here last week and was just behind the placings as LEAP TO FAME carved it out in front. He can be running on again.
SELECTIONS: SURE THING CAPTAIN (4), WISPER A SECRET (11), PETES SAID SO (5), MAX DELIGHT (12)
SUGGESTED BET: SURE THING CAPTAIN (4) to win
RACE THREE
Quickly dispelling any fears of his early speed, BET N WIN (3) burrowed through to hold the front from gate 1 here last week at the 2138m and from there was never in danger with a comfortable 3m margin. He can work forward again and from the front, will be the target they need to chase.
GUS (12) scooped the sectional bonus points last week when charging home wide off the track to runt he winner GOLDEN SUNSET to a half-head margin. That was the type of performance that we know he is capable of and saved for one shot again, will be finishing over the top.
NOT AS PROMISED (10) was large in defeat here last week when parked and fighting on to be under 3m from the winner BET N WIN. The second line makes it a tougher ask.
GOLDEN SUNSET (6) was able to capitalise on the situation here last week to find the front from inside the second line and once in control, fought off the challengers. Gate 6 stings here.
SELECTIONS: BET N WIN (3), GUS (12), NOT AS PROMISED (10), GOLDEN SUNSET (6)
SUGGESTED BET: BET N WIN (3) to win
RACE FOUR
The inside of the second line was not even a speed bump in the progression of LEAP TO FAME (8) stretching his winning streak out to six here last week. This is a different gam this week however, with his only threat drawn in front. A superb tactical battle looms here, but this is Larry’s house.
DON HUGO (1) added a third successive victory this campaign when arriving in the latter stages with a first-round victory. It was not a flattering win, and the margin was not big, but he did enough. This week poses an intriguing scenario, but he secures every chance to capitalise.
CATCH A WAVE (6) was the best non-winning performance by a pacer in the first round, rattling home hard off the track in some crazy quick sectionals. Building off that, another placing would secure him a final spot.
NYACK (9) as drawn inside the second line last week and an early error ended his chances, finishing in the second half of the pack. A dive to the poles could be on the cards here which will assist his run on hopes.
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (8), DON HUGO (1), CATCH A WAVE (6), NYACK (9)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (8) to win
RACE FIVE
Eased off the gate to settle near the back, ARCEE PHOENIX (8) was strong to the line in the closing stages to be under 4m from BET N WIN. With limited runners making ground wide out on the night to highlight the performance, he just needs some space to capitalise in this.
PARISIAN ARTISTE (4) was making good metres in the latter stages to grab the bronze behind GOLDEN SUNSET, finishing just 2m in arrears of that winner. Running home behind ARCEE PHOENIX in his last lead in run to this series, he has enough early speed to challenge.
OSCAR BONAVENA (1) is still looking for open space from last week’s heat after never finding clear air at any stage. Gate 1 is probably not ideal, will that be his Waterloo?
CONSTANTINOPLE (5) eased to the inside from three the second line last week and when shaking free, was hitting the line in good order. Positioning cheaply will be key to his hopes.
SELECTIONS: ARCEE PHOENIX (8), PARISIAN ARTISTE (4), OSCAR BONAVENA (1), CONSTANTINOPLE (5)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SIX
Stung by the same gate as he copped in round 1, CAPTAINS KNOCK (7) will need to overcome the outside second line to produce a winning performance here. Huge in defeat when runner-up to DON UGO, he can press forward and settle near the action to go one better here.
SPEAK THE TRUTH (3) returned from a small let up with an impressive victory in the midweeks to go into his first heat with some winning confidence under the girth. Securing 1x1 cover last week, he never made an impression and finished down the line. He needs big points in this.
RAKERO REBEL (6) held on for the bronze last week after being sent out as the fav from barrier 2. Finding the front before releasing, she was 7m away and can run another solid race in this.
BEACH BALL (9) never worked into the contest last eek when finishing in the second half of the pack behind SURE THING CAPTAIN. He finds the right heat to turn the fortunes.
SELECTIONS: CAPTAINS KNOCK (7), SPEAK THE TRUTH (3), RAKERO REBEL (6), BEACH BALL (9)
SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAINS KNOCK (7) to win
RACE SEVEN
Coming into this race fresh from his win on May 31 in the Breeders Final, FIGHT FOR VICTORY (8) will be relying on some factors in his favour from this gate. However, if he is in the pocket trail or at worst three markers and a solid tempo, he can be the one that stalks, snipes and scores.
FIRE AND PASSION (2) has just one defeat to his name in six career starts, when parked in the Breeders Final and fading after a tough trip. With three impressive wins since that 4th placing, if he can press to the front, he will throw down a massive challenge.
CARDIGAN DAN (1) ships in for the Emma Stewart barn with to wins in three starts, his only defeat in the Nutrien Final when drawn on the second line. He will need to be burrowing hard to hold the front and stake his claim.
ATUA MAGIC (4) was having his first look at Albion Park off the back of two impressive victories and was lost around the home bend. With the added experience and week to settle in, he can bounce back for the big one.
SELECTIONS: FIGHT FOR VICTORY (8), FIRE AND PASSION (2), CARDIGAN DAN (1), ATUA MAGIC (4)
SUGGESTED BET: FIGHT FOR VICTORY (8) to win
RACE EIGHT
THE JANITOR (13) was massive in defeat in the Rising Sun when three-wide the first 700m to the breeze and parked the remainder. Still giving deep into the stretch when only a neck away as FATE AWAITS darted up the passing lane, he can stamp his authority here.
ATTACHMENT (8) has been airborne this season and last start was game in defeat when parked and holding on for the silver behind the leader and high-quality filly CAPTAINS MISTRESS. First across the line the start prior but relegated in The Hayden, he will be probing for the openings.
BETTERTHANCASH (5) did not have much in his favour in the Rising Sun last week and fro a second line gate finished down the line. Strong in defeat the start prior at Menangle behind PPINSEEKER, he can pick up some pocket money here.
ROYAL CRUISER (2) tackled the Rising Sun Consolation last start and from the second line was unable to gain any metres in the closing stages. Off the front, he can run a bold race here.
SELECTIONS: THE JANITOR (13), ATTACHMENT (8), BETTERTHANCASH (5), ROYAL CRUISER (2)
SUGGESTED BET: THE JANITOR (13) to win
RACE NINE
With a winning streak that has reached eight successive victories, EYE KEEP SMILING (6) looks set to extend the streak, despite an awkward gate here. Pressing on to take control and claim a stylish win over this trip last time out, a recent trial was slick and she is the one they have to beat.
CHYNCHILLA (3) was sent around the from outside the second line last time out at Redcliffe and after a tough trip, faded over the closing stages. A starchy effort when parked and holding 3rd behind EYE KEEP SMILING the start prior, she can press forward to throw down the challenge.
PANDAIA (1) has good early hustle and from this gate secures the options. Only nailed in the very last stride last time out at Redcliffe, she can chase a podium again here.
RYLEE RHAYNE BOW (8) got to PANDAIA in the last bound at Redcliffe two starts back to take the Princess of the Bay. Holding on for the bronze behind CAPTAINS MISTRESS last start, the fence will be gold paved here.
SELECTIONS: EYE KEEP SMILING (6), CHYNCHILLA (3), PANDAIA (1), RYLEE RHAYNE BOW (8)
SUGGESTED BET: EYE KEEP SMILING (6) to win
RACE TEN
Chasing a hat-trick of victories, OUR GOAT (2) has hit the board in all four starts since arriving in Qld. Buried away at Redcliffe two starts back, he had the closing speed top arrive once clear and last start dictated in front. He can repeat that here.
LUX AETERNA (9) earned a ticket North off the back of an impressive Menangle victory in sharp time. Chasing home behind CAPTAINS MISTRESS last start, she is a high-class mare and if securing the right trip, can be issuing the challenge.
OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (4) was set alight down the back stretch last start but was unable to reel in the leader and winner OUR GOAT. Back to the front line can see him in the mix.
SKYLORD (6) faces another tough gate after copping a wide front-line gate last start where he was forced to sit parked. He may need to roll the sleeves again here.
SELECTIONS: OUR GOAT (2), LUX AETERNA (9), OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (4), SKYLORD (6)
SUGGESTED BET:
