Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
Faced with the outside second line gate last week at the 2138m trip, ELLIS STREET (4) was wide off the track trying to get into the contest. Fighting hard but unable to grab a minor, he was 6m from the winner CHECKNOUTTHETALENT. A return to the front line is a big plus for this.
ROCKS OR DIAMONDS (1) has ticked over 12 months since his last victory, but is never far from the action, boasting a 50% strike rate of hitting the board. Wide gates have stung in recent starts and with the mapping benefits here, he can bring some winning rains to break the drought.
IN EXCESS (8) will be requiring a slice of luck at some stage to find space with the risk of being buried form this gate. Runner-up at his past two starts, if the gaps arrive, he is up to the task.
OUR INDIFFERENCE (5) started from gate seven last time out when eased to find running line position. Making a late raid to grab the bronze, positioning cheaply will be the key to his hopes.
SELECTIONS: ELLIS STREET (4), ROCKS OR DIAMONDS (1), IN EXCESS (8), OUR INDIFFERENCE (5)
SUGGESTED BET: ELLIS STREET (4) to win
RACE TWO
With three runs back from a spell now under his belt, SOHO CASABLANCA (1) secures the gate to capitalise for metro success. Releasing last start at the mile from this same gate, he didn’t get the gap with momentum when just a neck short of victory. With the options, he can cash in.
MIGHTY JOLT (2) made the most of the lamp lighting duties last start, stepping straight to the front in a standing start event and fending them off. Running a strong closing 800 in taking the W, he can look to settle handy to the action and throw down the challenge.
DRAGON (5) started from inside the second line at Redcliffe last time and did not have the smoothest run when grabbing the bronze. With early hustle, he can get handy to feature.
BRONSKI ZULU (8) was asked to do the heavy lifting outside the leader and winner ELLIS STREET last start. Game in defeat when holding 3rd, he will be taking the shortest way home.
SELECTIONS: SOHO CASABLANCA (1), MIGHTY JOLT (2), DRAGON (5), BRONSKI ZULU (8)
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO CASABLANCA (1) to win
RACE THREE
Sent out deep into the sauce here last week in his first standing start appearance, BIRKIRKARA (2) was unable to pay the punters when missing the money in finishing 6m astern of the winner SO SIRIUS. A big winner over the mile the start prior when second up from a spell, a return to mobile conditions can be the catalyst for redemption.
CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (1) has been in super consistent form in recent months, landing on the podium in seven of his past eight. Rolling around from the second line to get parked last week, he was too strong in taking a 3m margin. With the options, he can throw it down.
WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH (8) will be tucked away on the poles from this gate which should suit. Strong to the line for the bronze last time out, he can be chiming in late off the soft trip.
FREE THINKER (3) has only been behind the start car once in his past five starts, following the fence home for 3rd to LEAP TO FAME. Tackling the tapes in his other outings, this is more suitable.
SELECTIONS: BIRKIRKARA (2), CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (1), WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH (8), FREE THINKER (3)
SUGGESTED BET: BIRKIRKARA (2) to win
RACE FOUR
MOSSDALE TERRY (9) was off the 10m tape here last time and with a scratchy start was able to find running line cover when 8m astern of the winner. Runner-up in both prior starts, including a 3m margin behind SEND IT over this trip, if he can step cleanly, he gets the chance to capitalise.
ALTA SENSATION (2) has hit the board in all three standing start attempts, the latest here two runs back when stepping straight to the front and once in control, able to hold them off. Eased from the mobile last start when unplaced behind RAKASANDY, a safe start will be a big help.
SEND IT (6) was sent to the breeze last start and after the tough trip, faded over the closing stages to trail them home. Able to find the front and see them off three starts back, he has claims.
SO SIRIUS (8) was strong to the line two starts back when finishing an eye-catching 3rd behind CONEY ISLAND LOU. Franking that effort here last week when stepping it out in front, being shifted to 20m for conditions here is not ideal.
SELECTIONS: MOSSDALE TERRY (9), ALTA SENSATION (2), SEND IT (6), SO SIRIUS (8)
SUGGESTED BET: MOSSDALE TERRY (9) to win
RACE FIVE
Perhaps one of the unluckiest horses in Qld when it comes to landing a marble, APOLLO DREAMZ (5) is drawn a little awkwardly again here, but has the class to negate the impediment. Making good metres last start after retreating from seven, the only query could be the 2138.
EAGLESPRIDE (8) was shooting for the hat-trick here two starts back when securing the one-by one trail. Holding on for the bronze behind the winner JENSVILLE, he was buried last start in a slick mile. Needing some luck, he has no concerns with the trip and can swoop late.
DOCTA FEELGOOD (1) has been to the track four times since returning from a spell and been unplaced on each occasion. Each of those has been from tough gates, with the one a big plus.
KALASA (2) was buried from inside the second line at Redcliffe last start and never warmed up in the closing stages. Working hard in smart time at the mile the start prior, he is a podium hope.
SELECTIONS: APOLLO DREAMZ (5), EAGLESPRIDE (8), DOCTA FEELGOOD (1), KALASA (2)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SIX
Just the small field of five to do battle in this FFA contest where THE JANITOR (5) will step out fresh following his last appearance at Menangle in the Len Smith Mile. His unplaced performance was enormous on a night where nothing went right. He can bounce back in style on his home deck where he was an effortless 1.51.2 winner two runs back.
TURN IT UP (1) has placed at his past two starts, including just a head margin from the winner WISPER A SECRET when pouncing on the lead from gate six last time. Strong to the line after retreating two starts back, he can dictate which runner he lets go here and will be challenging.
TIMS A TROOPER (3) was in for the fight here last week after doing it the tough way in the small field when under 2m from WIPSER A SECRET. The field could be in single file here and he will be chasing.
SELECTIONS: THE JANITOR (5), TURN IT UP (1), TIMS A TROOPER (3)
SUGGESTED BET: THE JANITOR (5) to win
RACE SEVEN
Making her first appearance for the new stable, COASTAL BABE (3) has been to the trials twice in readiness for the return. Beaten into 3rd last start when sent out as a $1.10 shot, at her best she should be taking care of this field and has the gate to get handy and capitalise first up.
JENSVILLE (1) has been a model of consistency throughout her career, missing a top three just five times in 28 appearances, and just once in eight on this deck. Strong to the line for 3rd last start when 2m from SKY FAWKES, she has all the options to throw down the challenge.
WORKS FOR ME (8) will appreciate the economical trip here, tucked away on the poles and awaiting some space. Placed in four successive runs before a last start 5th, she will be probing.
KYLOAN QUEEN (2) burrowed through to hold them wide last start and from the front was able to grip on for the silver when under 2m from the winner. She can be thereabouts again here.
SELECTIONS: COASTAL BABE (3), JENSVILLE (1), WORKS FOR ME (8), KYLOAN QUEEN (2)
SUGGESTED BET: COASTAL BABE (3) to win / Exotics 3 / 1-8 / 1-2-8
RACE EIGHT
In a great streak of form since arriving in Qld, BETTORS MOON (10) has been in the money at 13 of her past 15 starts which includes six victories. Looking to dictate from the front at Redcliffe last start, she led for every stride bar the one that counted when beaten an eyelash. Despite the gate, she is up to the task.
BROOKFIELDS BEAUTY (4) returns from a let up, after her last appearance back in August when finishing in 3rd at Redcliffe after being sent to the post as the fav. Beaten by a second line gate the start prior, she can look for position and find the right race to challenge fresh.
PENNIE PACKER (3) has good speed out of the machine and can get forward from the gate in the early stages. Runner-up two starts back when using the passing lane, she has claims.
OUT OF EDEN (1) was runner-up at her first appearance for the new barn when making good metres in the closing stages. Unplaced at her next four, she has been freshened and should appreciate gate one.
SELECTIONS: BETTORS MOON (10), BROOKFIELDS BEAUTY (4), PENNIE PACKER (3), OUT OF EDEN (1)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTORS MOON (10) to win
RACE NINE
SKY FAWKES (2) claimed her first win since arriving in the Sunshine State when finishing over the top to take a narrow margin here last week. Under 2m from the winner the start prior, she has the gate to be up near the action and chase back-to-back wins.
CREDULOUS (5) was able to work to the front last start after being beaten for early speed and fend them off late to take a 5m margin. Buried away the start prior and hitting the line strongly when 3m astern of the winner, positioning cheaply from the awkward draw will assist her challenging chances.
CHEER LEADER (3) is never too far away and last week was stung by a wide gate when finishing 4th. Placed her previous three in succession, she can be handy enough to bounce back onto the podium.
IMA QUEEN BEE (6) was a winner here three starts back when finishing best to take the prize. Just behind the placings in two subsequent starts from tough gates, she is a place chance here.
SELECTIONS: SKY FAWKES (2), CREDULOUS (5), CHEER LEADER (3), IMA QUEEN BEE (6)
SUGGESTED BET: SKY FAWKES (2) to win
