Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: OPERATIVE LINE (3) is a fast beginner and has been racing at Metropolitan open class level so he appears to be a good value bet. He finished off well when fourth behind the in-form pacer Yambukian at his latest performance. ALOT LIKE LOUIE (1) is stepping up in class but is racing in great form and must be considered as a winning chance. He finished off boldly when second behind Diamond Eclipse at Wagga last outing. SOME AMERICAN (5) enjoyed an outstanding 3yo season but he hasn’t really fired this term being unplaced in all of his five starts. He progressed forward to race without cover when fourth behind CLYMENUS (2) last week and his chances will be enhanced if he can find the lead around the first turn. LOUIE LOU I (10) is racing consistently and hit the line strongly at his latest third so he is not without a chance. LE BELLE BIJOUX (7), JUSTALITTLESIP (8) and ROADMASTER (9) are all capable of figuring in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 5
SELECTIONS: OPERATIVE LINE (3), ALOT LIKE LOUIE (1), SOME AMERICAN (5), LOUIE LOU I (10)
RATINGS: 3/ 1,5/ 10/ 7,9/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: OPERATIVE LINE (3) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: YAMBUKIAN (7) won six races in succession prior to being narrowly defeated by Sahara Breeze last week. He moves to the front line now and is very strong so he can bounce back into the winning list. KEAYANG TOKYO (2) has performed nicely at his first two attempts back from a spell and looms as a danger. He worked home nicely behind YAMBUKIAN (7) at his latest appearance and is much better drawn for this assignment. OLIVER DAN (3) began quickly and attempted to lead throughout when third in the race won by Sahara Breeze last week. He should be getting fitter after having two starts back from a break and should be prominent throughout. TRIPLE EIGHT (4) was driven aggressively and didn’t kick on at the finish when sixth last outing. He was racing in great form when coming from off the speed prior and he is worth another chance. BETTER ECLIPSE (5) and BETTOR ISOLATE (6) are both racing well enough to feature prominently.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,2,7
SELECTIONS: YAMBUKIAN (7), KEAYANG TOKYO (2), OLIVER DAN (3), TRIPLE EIGHT (4)
RATINGS: 7/ 2/, 3,4/ 5,6
SUGGESTED BET: YAMBUKIAN (7) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: LADY VICI (8) galloped away at her debut and remains undefeated in six starts since. She produced an outstanding performance at her first run since April 2024 to run down Alrighty in a sizzling mile rate of 1.56.2 at Melton on July 26 so she should prove hard to beat. KYVALLEY MAVEN (3) is a classy 4yo trotter that won impressively at Bendigo last outing. He is very versatile and should make his presence felt. MORE WANTED (9) led out then took cover and finished third behind Nephew of Sonoko last outing. He settled midfield and finished off well for a close second behind Sebastians Boy at Melton two starts ago and he deserves to break through for a win. PICKET WIRE (1) trailed the leader and used the sprint lane when a close second behind Worth Waiting last week. She is drawn to receive a similar trip and is worth thought again. EL RESAMO (5) performs best when he is able to lead and is worth thought from the front line and A TRUE STORY (6) galloped when looking a chance on the home turn last week.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,2,7
SELECTIONS: LADY VICI (8), KYVALLEY MAVEN (3), MORE WANTED (9), PICKET WIRE (1)
RATINGS: 8/ 3/ 9/ 1,5,6/ 11
SUGGESTED BET: LADY VICI (8) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG STUKA (6) was resuming since a third in the Inter Dominion Final in December when a handy finishing fifth at Melton last week. He will be fitter from that run and should run a much sharper race here. IMPERIAL MONARCH (7) has been placed in all of his three starts since resuming and should go well again. He worked into a distant third behind I’m Bobby in a sizzling mile rate of 1.54.8 at his latest performance. MUFASA METRO (8) should be reaching his peak form after having two starts back from a break. He led early, was overtaken by I’m Bobby at the bell and battled on well for second at his latest effort in fast time. He has been a terrific performer at the elite level over several seasons and should make his presence felt. SEBASTIANS BOY (3) sprinted quickly through the middle when he scored at Melton two starts ago. He finished off well again last week and is worth a ticket each way.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible early leader), 6,7
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG STUKA (6), IMPERIAL MONARCH (7), MUFASA METRO (8), SEBASTIANS BOY (3)
RATINGS: 6/ 7,8/ 3/ 2,5
SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG STUKA (6) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: APOLLOSTORM (10) was resuming since April when he led throughout and blitzed his rivals at Geelong. This race is much harder but he is a quality colt and must be respected. ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (1) will appreciate his best draw for a long time and he likes to run along at a genuine tempo so he will prove very hard to catch over the sprint distance. He posted victories in mile rates of 1.55.8 and 1.54.3 in two Melton victories back in June. HEZ ALL ROCK (3) worked to the front and tried to sneak away coming up to the home turn but broke stride momentarily when second behind the classy mare Sweet Ideal last outing. He is an honest performer and is drawn to give a bold showing. THE IRON DUKE (6) has been racing in good form and is nearing a win against this class. He came from a rearward position and finished fifth ($2-90 fav) behind All Da Rage at his latest attempt.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3,7
SELECTIONS: APOLLOSTORM (10), ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (1), HEZA ALL ROCK (3), THE IRON DUKE (6)
RATINGS: 1,10/ 3/ 6/ 9,12/ 4,5
SUGGESTED BET: APOLLOSTORM (10) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: CIGANO (10) was resuming since April when he produced a strong performance to defeat Always Dancing on July 05. He is a classy colt, which has won five of his eight starts to date and is the horse to beat again. DANCE AFFAIR (9) continues to race consistently and should be competitive again. He sustained a strong run when a game third behind Sweet Ideal at Melton last outing. CHASING REX (3) has been freshened since his latest eighth behind Maxy Wants To Play. His overall form is strong and he should give a forward showing from his good draw. GOLDEN SHOOZ (8) is awkwardly drawn from the inside of the second line but she performed very well during her last preparation including a victory in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.3 so she cannot be discarded.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: CIGANO (10), DANCE AFFAIR (9), CHASING REX (3), GO SHOOZ (8)
RATINGS: 10/ 9/ 3,8/ 4,5,7
SUGGESTED BET: CIGANO (10) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: STORMRYDER (9) is resuming since a ninth in the Chariots of Fire in March and he hasn’t been to the trials but he is the class runner of the field. He was a Group 1 winner in his juvenile season and finished a close third behind Our Luciano in the Paleface Adios Stakes two starts ago. DESSIE GEE (8) is resuming since June but he is a handy pacer that should go well. He finished a close second behind He’s From Heaven at Bendigo three starts ago. OUR PRINCESS DI (1) began quickly from the pole position and battled on gamely in the straight when third behind Look Like Diamonds last outing. She is drawn to gain the perfect trip and is worth a ticket each way. Both LAYDEN (6) and HES CHARLIES ANGEL (7) have performed very well at the trials recently and are capable of improving on their numerical form.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 7
SELECTIONS: STORMRYDER (9), DESSIE GEE (8), OUR PRINCESS DI (1), LAYDEN (6)
RATINGS: 9/ 1,8/ 6,7/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: STORMRYDER (9) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: JILLIBY BALLERINI (6) won five races in succession prior to a third behind Maoris Mac last week, where she was doing her best work late. She is a classy 4yo mare and appears to be hard to beat again. VIOLET STANFORD (7) was resuming since November when she attempted to lead throughout and finished second last week. She won the Breeders Crown last season and should be sharper from her latest performance so she must be respected. ALDEBARAN VERA (5) finished off well when a close second behind Nephew of Sonoko last outing. She is versatile and should go well again. VIRGINIA CLOWERS (2) finished off nicely for fourth at her second run back from a spell and should be getting fitter. She is worth thought along with OUR MARVELLA (3) and KEAYANG GYPSY (4).
EARLY SPEED: 5 (Possible leader), 4,7
SELECTIONS: JILLIBY BALLERINI (6), VIOLET STANFORD (7), ALDEBARAN VERA (5), VIRGINIA CLOWERS (2)
RATINGS: 6/ 7/ 5/ 2,3/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: JILLIBY BALLERINI (6) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (7) was resuming since a third behind Path To Greatness in the Nutrien Classic in April. He is an outstanding colt, which has won six of his eleven starts and is clearly the horse to beat again. LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (10) endured a wide trip but proved too strong in the run to the finish when she scored in a slick mile rate of 1.55.0 at her latest attempt. She gets into this race nicely with a concession claim and should prove hard to beat again. OZZIE PUNTA (5) should be nearing his peak form after having two starts back from a break and he ran a much sharper race after setting the speed when a close up fourth behind Fox Dan last outing. He is a tough type and is not without a chance. PLAINS IN HEAVEN (2) sustained a long run and proved too strong at Melton last week. This is a race of more depth but he is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (likely leader), 1,2,5
SELECTIONS: THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (7), LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (10), OZZIE PUNTA (5), PLAINS IN HEAVEN (2)
RATINGS: 7/ 5,10/ 2/ 9/ 1,8
SUGGESTED BET: THE HIGHLIGHT REEL (7) to win
