Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
Not much has been in the favour of SKYLORD (2) since arriving in Qld, facing the outside front line first up and then only moving in one position last time. The temp was against anything chasing last week as OUR GOAT dictated in front and a similar scenario presented in his first outing as the same winner controlled from the front. He gets his chance here.
ROCKET CITY (10) faces a tough gate to continue his winning ways after winning three of four since arriving in Qld. Too slippery in front last start punching out a 1.51.6 victory, his only blemish since arriving was when faced with gate 7 and BIRKIRKARA. Despite the gate, he can challenge.
JORDY (1) rolled forward to sit parked here on Tuesday and despite working hard in the run, was still giving on the wire when 3m astern of the winner. The gate is a big asset.
COMMODORE JUJON (4) was beaten by gate 7 last start when eased to the rear and then sent looking for short cuts. He can find running line position to feature here.
SELECTIONS: SKYLORD (2), ROCKET CITY (10), JORDY (1), COMMODORE JUJON (4)
SUGGESTED BET: SKYLORD (2) to win
RACE TWO
This is a cracking line up for the 2025 edition of the 4YO Championship where THE JANITOR (9) will be looking for redemption after being defeated a neck and a half-neck at his past two starts. Working forward to sit parked from gate 12 last week, he was collared in the last stride, which followed a might effort in the Rising Sun.
AIR EXPRESS (6) struck trouble last start in the Rising Sun Consolation and his chances expired. Game in defeat the start prior behind BIRKIRKARA, he is effective off speed and with this likely to generate good heat, can make the closing challenge a strong one.
MAJOR HOT (1) should appreciate an improved gate here and can be looking to settle just behind the speed without the early burn. From that position, he can feature.
ATTACHMENT (12) started from inside the second line last start and was soon buried in the run before making a late impression behind OUR LUCIANO. He can be working home to feature here.
SELECTIONS: THE JANITOR (9), AIR EXPRESS (6), MAJOR HOT (1), ATTACHMENT (12)
SUGGESTED BET: THE JANITOR (9) to win
RACE THREE
The first emergency for the Pacers Final, NYACK (11) is afforded no favours from this gate should in line up in this ID Consolation. Hitting the line in good style for the silver behind LEAP TO FAME on night two, he struck trouble on the opening night. This is well within reach.
BETTER ECLIPSE (4) has finished fourth in both heat rounds to narrowly miss a spot in the big one. Faced with gate 12 in the second heat when chasing home behind LEAP TO FAME, he was shuffled back in the opening week from gate one. Positioning cheaply can see him challenge.
WISPER A SECRET (9) has probably been below his best through this Series despite sectional performances that have had merit. Another tough gate does him no favours.
JIMARTEE (3) has finished midfield both weeks of this Series, chasing home DON HUGO and then LEAP TO FAME. With even luck, he can be a podium player here.
SELECTIONS: NYACK (11), BETTER ECLIPSE (4), WISPER A SECRET (9), JIMARTEE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: NYACK (11) to win
RACE FOUR
Undefeated in three appearances since crossing the Tasman, CAPTAINS MISTRESS (11) looks set to continue her winning ways here. Burrowing through to hold them wide take out the Rising Sun Consolation last start, it followed the most impressive of Redcliffe Derby wins. It all points to her continuing her run.
MANHATTEN CHICK (1) started from the second line in the Southeast Oaks and had the speed to charge home over the top for an impressive victory. Taking further benefit from that performance, she secures an improved gate and with all the options at hand, can throw down the challenge.
COOL AND CLASSY (5) will be out to add the Queensland Oaks to her NSW Oaks trophy, but has been given no favours from an awkward gate. Her effort in the Redcliffe Oaks was brave and she will need to be again here.
RUBY RULES (8) was sent around them to work in the run last start in the qualifier when holding on for the bronze behind SOHO AMERICANO. With a cosy trip, she has the closing speed to feature.
SELECTIONS: CAPTAINS MISTRESS (11), MANHATTEN CHICK (1), COOL AND CLASSY (5), RUBY RULES (8)
SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAINS MISTRESS (11) to win
RACE FIVE
Starting from this same gate in the Rising Sun, JACKS ULTIMATE FURY (9) made an early move to get around the field and then secure the 1x1 trail on the back of THE JANITOR. Challenging strongly in the stretch, he was under 2m from the winner to grab the bronze. Despite a tricky gate, he is up to the task.
HESITATE (1) could not work into the Rising Sun after being shuffled back in the run from gate 2. Forcing the issue when working forward to assume control in the qualifier for this race last week, he was able to dictate with a 54.4 close out over the 2138. The distance query and his early speed will be tested here.
FATE AWAITS (10) sat behind the speed in the Rising Sun and was able to arrive in the last stride to claim victory and history as the first 3YO winner of the race. Runner-up in the Redcliffe Derby the start prior, he can feature again.
SEATHESTARS (13) completed a hat-trick of victories in the Southeast Derby when darting through on the passing lane to score. He has been dealt a tough blow from this gate.
SELECTIONS: JACKS ULTIMATE FURY (9), HESITATE (1), FATE AWAITS (10), SEATHESTARS (13)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SIX
With an awesome record highlighted by a long winning streak, EYE KEEP SMILING (2) secures the right gate to chase another G1 triumph. The early scratching to her outside will also be a benefit in her favour and with the gate to likely press forward, take control and fend them off, she looks set to continue the picket fence.
STENO (4) has faced the starter on three occasions since arriving in Qld and been off the second line each time. Running EYE KEEP SMILING to a head margin last week after doing plenty of early work to get around the field, she can settle easier from this gate to challenge.
TAY TAY (1) worked home strongly here last week from deep field to be just 4m from the winner EYE KEEP SMILING. With the options at hand, she is right in the fight.
LUX AETERNA (8) secures the fence line which will be the perfect place to be in this contest. A slick Menangle winner two starts back from the front, she will be probing in this.
SELECTIONS: EYE KEEP SMILING (2), STENO (4), TAY TAY (1), LUX AETERNA (8)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 2 / 1-4-8
RACE SEVEN
This 2025 Trotters ID Final looks to have multiple winning chances and ARCEE PHOENIX (1) secures the inside advantage after placing in both heat rounds from awkward barriers. Hitting the line strongly in the opening round behind BET N WIN, he was grinding it out first over last week when runner-up to PARISIAN ARTISTE. He is building at the right time.
GUS (13) has been able to warm his way into the Series and produce some impressive finishing performances in defeat. Just a half-head away in the opening round, he was tracking home strongly last start when 5m from BET N WIN. With a number of solid winning hopes, his closing speed might be the winning weapon.
BET N WIN (5) is looking to sweep the Series and is the only trotter in the field that has won both heat rounds. Arriving up the passing lane last week after releasing, he will fly the Kiwi flag high.
PARISIAN ARTISTE (4) will incredibly line up in his third successive ID Final. Making full use of the situation last week to roll forward and take control for a dominant win, he can feature again.
SELECTIONS: ARCEE PHOENIX (1), GUS (13), BET N WIN (5), PARISIAN ARTISTE (4)
SUGGESTED BET: ARCEE PHOENIX (1) to win
RACE EIGHT
Will gate 1 be a problem? So many times, in the past 12 months there has been talk of the barrier being a concern for LEAP TO FAME (1) in a big race. However, that has not stopped the Queensland Champion from delivering on the big stage. With a winning streak at this venue dating back to November 23 and 20 wins, sit back and enjoy the show.
DON HUGO (6) came up with the inside gate last week and was soon shuffled back along the inside before angling into the running line to be exposed. Never looking a winning hope last week, he arrived in time on opening night. He will need to turn it all around but has the class and the conditioner to bounce back.
MAX DELIGHT (11) keeps on keeping on and in the second round was faced with a wide second line gate. Moving around to sit parked, it was a brave 2nd when 4m from SURE THING CAPTAIN. He is never far away.
SURE THING CAPTAIN (12) joins LEAP TO FAME as the only winner of both heats but has been dealt a cruel blow from this gate. With the right cart into the contest, he can grab a minor.
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (1), DON HUGO (6), MAX DELIGHT (11), SURE THING CAPTAIN (12)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (1) to win
RACE NINE
Forced to do the heavy lifting in the opening round, ALDEBARAN ACRUX (6) sat parked and was game when grafting out a 4m deficit behind GOLDEN SUNSET. Striking trouble last week, she can roll forward here and look to capitalise from a prominent position in the run.
SIR FAHRENHEIT (10) was faced with gate 7 in the first round and fired off the gate, was able to get across them, before taking cover. Holding on to be just 3m from the winner GOLDEN SUNSET, nothing went his way in round two. He can throw down the challenge in this.
MCGEE (4) did not contest the ID Series but comes into this with strong form since arriving in Qld. Game in defeat here on Tuesday when parked, this will be his first attempt over the trip.
BERRIESANDCHERRIES (2) was not that far from the winner in the opening heat round and then last week was faced with a second line gate. This looks a golden chance to earn some good stakes.
SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN ACRUX (6), SIR FAHRENHEIT (10), MCGEE (4), BERRIESANDCHERRIES (2)
SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN ACRUX (6) to win
RACE TEN
The first emergency for the Derby, STRIKEM (3) lands the gate advantage in this combined Derby/Oaks Consolation. With just one run since arriving in Qld, which was from gate 12 in the Derby qualifier where he was able to run a credible 3rd behind HESITATE. This looks within reach.
HEZA MALTEEZA (7) was faced with gate 7 in the Derby qualifier and was sent forward to sit parked and after the tough run where the leader stomped out a 54.4 closing half, the effort was full of merit to just miss a minor. Chasing COASTAL BABE the start prior, he can challenge.
ITS ELECTRIFYING (9) may be vulnerable at the 13 furlongs they have to cover for this journey. Midfield in the Southeast Derby two starts back, he has the second line options to chime in.
WILLIAMS (6) is afforded no favours from the wide gate but has done well in two runs on the mid-week circuit. This is a tougher test, but a smaller field will help.
SELECTIONS: STRIKEM (3), HEZA MALTEEZA (7), ITS ELECTRIFYING (9), WILLIAMS (6)
SUGGESTED BET: STRIKEM (3) to win
