Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: WAR DAN BUDDY (9) is the emergency for the Victoria Cup so he is a very good chance of taking the opening event. He chased hard when a game second behind Catch A Wave in fast time at his latest Melton appearance. MACH DAN (11) is resuming since a close second in the Geelong Cup back in March but he has been performing nicely at the trials. He does tend to race best when he is able to lead so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he is one of the class runners of the field. CODE BAILEY (6) has worked home well at his two starts back from a long spell and rates as a value hope. LOUIE LOU I (5) continues to build on his consistent record and has the early speed to be prominent throughout. HES FROM HEAVEN (7) had little luck when unplaced behind Catch A Wave at his latest attempt. His overall form is sound so he must be respected.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely early leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: WAR DAN BUDDY (9), MACH DAN (11), CODE BAILEY (6), HES FROM HEAVEN (7)
RATINGS: 9,11/ 5,6,7/ 4,8,10
SUGGESTED BET: WAR DAN BUDDY (9) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: It is a very good race with form lines coming from three different States and also a debutante that was very impressive at the trials last week. SOHO PARK AVENUE (6) was placed in the Bathurst Gold Crown Final followed with a second in the Paleface Adios Classic and was fifth in the Protostar. He has won brilliantly at his past two attempts and must be considered as a winning chance again. MOST EXCITING (5) is making his debut for trainer Emma Stewart and couldn’t have been more impressive at his trial success last week. He strikes a tough field first up but must be respected. SOHO CHARMER (4) is facing his toughest test but he has completely dominated his rivals at his two Penrith victories to date and has the early speed to be prominent throughout. SHORELINE DREAM (1) has been impressive at his past two victories in Tasmania and in South Australia and is drawn to receive every chance. BETTORLEFTALONE (8) was an impressive debut victor at Bathurst and is worth thought.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,4,5,6,7
SELECTIONS: SOHO PARK AVENUE (6), MOST EXCITING (5), SOHO CHARMER (4), SHORELINE DREAM (1)
RATINGS: 5,6/ 4/ 1,8/ 2,7/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO PARK AVENUE (6) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: SOHO AMERICANO (9) was defeated by BEACH DIAMOND (8) in her heat performance last week but her effort was just as good as the winner. She left a trailing position to move up without cover and went down fighting so she can turn the tables the way the draw has panned out. BEACH DIAMOND (8) is shooting for five wins in succession and is a good chance of completing the task. She scored in the Tasmanian Oaks two starts ago then led throughout to win her heat last week. GOLDEN SHOOZ (10) was the fastest of the two heat winners after she led out then took cover and outgunned LET HER ROLL (11) over the final stages last week. She is not as well drawn for this assignment but is worth thought again. SOAP AND BUBBLES (2) sprinted home nicely for third last week and has claims along with the New Zealander JOYRIDE (4) and LET HER ROLL (11).
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible early leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: SOHO AMERICANO (9), BEACH DIAMOND (8), GOLDEN SHOOZ (10), SOAP AND BUBBLES (2)
RATINGS: 8,9/ 10/ 2,11/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO AMERICANO (9) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: The champion mare KEAYANG ZAHARA (4) produced a stunning performance at her first run since May, where she sustained a long run from last to win easily. She has only suffered defeat once in seventeen starts and that was in record time so she is clearly the horse to beat. JILLIBY BALLERINI (2) is another top mare, which has won nine of her eleven starts for the season. She pushed forward to find the lead and recorded a sensational last half of 54.4 seconds when a runaway winner at Melton last outing and she looms as a definite danger. PARISIAN ARTISTE (9) finished fifth in the Inter Dominion Final during the Queensland Winter Carnival. He led throughout when an effortless winner at Menangle last outing and should be hitting the line strongly. DEREK THE JET (3) was beaten for the first time in ten starts when fifth in the Australasian Trotting Championship. That was his first run for a year so he should be fitter and is worth thought. The Inter Dominion Champion ARCEE PHOENIX (12) hasn’t been at his best form in three starts since resuming but he is very strong and should be getting fitter so he is too good to dismiss.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG ZAHARA (4), JILLIBY BALLERINI (2), PARISIAN ARTISTE (9), DEREK THE JET (3)
RATINGS: 4/ 2/ 9/ 3,12/ 8,10
SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG ZAHARA (4) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: FATE AWAITS (11) is a very good value chance after his cracking heat second last week, where he finished off strongly in a sizzling final half of 54.3 seconds. He won the Protostar during his juvenile season and also the Rising Sun during the Queensland Winter Carnival so he has the class to test this field. FOX DAN (1) was runner up in the Eureka and was very impressive when he overcame a tough trip to win his heat. He may be headed off at the start but will take beating if he can hold a forward position in the early stages of the event. SAO PAULO SIMBA (9) pushed forward to find the lead and won comfortably in his heat last week. He drops back to the second line now but is racing too well to dismiss. STORMS COLLIDE (13) produced a big effort when second in the Mimosa Homes Classic then gained the perfect trip when he won his heat last week. He is building up a strong record and must be respected. FINAL DEADLINE (7) showed brilliant gate speed to lead from the extreme draw last week and rates as a knockout chance.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible early leader), 1,2,4
SELECTIONS: FATE AWAITS (11), FOX DAN (1), SAO PAULO SIMBA (9), STORMS COLLIDE (13)
RATINGS: 1,11/ 9/ 13/ 4,5,7/ 12/ 10
SUGGESTED BET: FATE AWAITS (11) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: Australasia’s champion pacer LEAP TO FAME (8) was surprisingly beaten after finding the lead last week but he was having his second run back from his Inter Dominion success and had the trip down from Queensland in the days leading up to that performance so he is capable of bouncing back into winning form. CATCH A WAVE (1) led throughout to win the Casey Classic in fast time two weeks ago and produced a phenomenal finishing burst when he scored on August 23. He is a multiple Group 1 winning pacer and is drawn to go close. HI MANAMEISJEFF (2) is a brilliant beginner and will take catching if he can head off CATCH A WAVE (1) at the start. He led throughout in successive Menangle victories prior to a close second in a mile of 1.49.6 last week. KINGMAN (4) is racing in outstanding form and produced a top performance when he gunned down the star pacer Swayzee at Menangle last outing. He has several fast beginners drawn on his inside but he cannot be left out of calculations. BAY OF BISCAY (10) was able to make up ground in slick final sectionals when fourth last week. He won the Eureka prior and will be suited if the race turns into a real staying test.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,4,5
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (8), CATCH A WAVE (1), HI MANAMEISJEFF (2), KINGMAN (4)
RATINGS: 8/ 1/ 2,4,10/ 5,9
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (8) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: The Trotters Oaks brings up the rematch of GATESYS GEM (1) and TRACY THE JET (3) with their last meeting resulting in a narrow success to GATESYS GEM (1) in the New South Wales Oaks. TRACY THE JET (3) produced a storming finish when second in that prestigious event and hasn’t looked like being beaten in five starts since so she is capable of turning the tables. GATESYS GEM (1) followed her New South Oaks success with a victory against the colts and geldings in the Derby. She was resuming since May when a big winner at Melton on October 04 and is drawn to give another bold showing. I AM WILMA (4) got into trouble shortly after the start and did a big job to finish in third behind TRACY THE JET (3) in the Need For Speed Princess. She is a talented filly and is capable of filling a place again. KEAYANG KURKI (7) has been runner up behind TRACY THE JET (3) at her past four attempts and is a place chance again.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: TRACY THE JET (3), GATESYS GEM (1), I AM WILMA (4), KEAYANG KURKI (7)
RATINGS: 3/ 1/ 4,7/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: TRACY THE JET (3) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: KISS (7) was resuming since August when a big winner at Melton, where she sustained a long run from a rearward position. She should be even better from that performance and looms as the horse to beat again. LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (6) finished unplaced behind KISS (7) at her latest attempt but she endured a torrid trip and had excuses. Her form prior was sound and she should give a forward showing under these conditions. SURFINGMAKESCENTS (1) is an honest mare that has been placed at her past six starts and is drawn to receive every chance. She finished off well for third behind KISS (7) last outing and is worth a ticket each way. DELIGHTFUL STAR (2) and THE ANSWER (5) have both been racing well in New South Wales and are not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,2,5
SELECTIONS: KISS (7), LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (6), SURFINGMAKESCENTS (1), THE ANSWER (5)
RATINGS: 7/ 1,6/ 5/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: KISS (7) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: STRIKEM (4) is a handy 3yo pacer, which finished unplaced in a heat of the Victoria Derby last week but he was finding the line well in sizzling final sectionals. He led throughout at an Albion Park victory prior and is worth thought under these conditions. NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (7) has performed well in two starts since returning from South Australia and recorded a slick mile rate of 1.53.9 at his latest victory. He is versatile enough to overcome the poor draw. DESSIE GEE (8) finished off well from a rearward position when fourth behind Petracca at Melton last week. He is racing consistently and is not without a chance. MIKI COHEN (3) has been racing in peak form having won three of his past four starts at Menangle. He led throughout at his latest victory in a mile of 1.51.3 and should be prominent throughout again from his good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 4,5
SELECTIONS: STRIKEM (4), NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (7), DESSIE GEE (8), MIKI COHEN (3)
RATINGS: 4,7/ 8/ 3/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: STRIKEM (4) each way
