Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: CEE CEE LOU (11) produced a very strong performance when fourth behind Ideal Moth at Bendigo on Wednesday as he had a decent crack for the lead and was left stranded without cover. He was placed at his previous eight starts and should run his usual honest race. SIR SONNY MAGUIRE (5) worked hard in the early stages to find the lead and peaked at the end when fourth behind Ruby Wingate last outing. He led throughout to win at Shepparton three starts ago and he should give another forward showing here. ALIZA HILL (6) is a fast beginner and won two races at Shepparton back in February when she was able to lead throughout. There are several fast beginners drawn on her inside here but she is a winning chance if she can get across to the markers shortly after the start. MCWIZARD (8) bounced back into winning form with a victory in a mile rate of 1.56.0 last outing and he is not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,2,3,6
SELECTIONS: CEE CEE LOU (11), SIR SONNY MAGUIRE (5), ALIZA HILL (6), MCWIZARD (8)
RATINGS: 11/ 5/ 6,8/ 7,9
SUGGESTED BET: CEE CEE LOU (11) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: DIRECT COMMAND (9) left a trailing position to move up without cover at the 1200m when sixth in fast time at Bendigo on Wednesday. He missed out narrowly behind Muselet prior and he is tough enough to overcome the trailing draw. BYRNESIDE BOOM (8) was working into the race nicely but broke stride on the home turn and lost his chance last week. He is a tough type and is usually competitive against this class so he must be respected. BEE GEE CEE (1) hasn’t won a race since December 2022 but he is dropping back into a workable grade and he is a possible improver from the pole position. KALKADOON DREAMING (5) is a tough pacer, which raced without cover throughout to win at Horsham two starts ago. He has won four races for this season to date and he should be competitive again.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 4,5
SELECTIONS: DIRECT COMMAND (9), BYRNESIDE BOOM (8), BEE GEE CEE (1), KALKADOON DREAMING (5)
RATINGS: 8,9/ 1/ 5/ 3,4
SUGGESTED BET: DIRECT COMMAND (9) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: NEW YORKER (10) appears to be very well graded for this assignment and should prove hard to beat. He has been doing most of his recent racing at Metropolitan level and he worked home well for fourth in fast time at Bendigo last outing. DAY TWO (5) led throughout at a Wagga victory in a mile rate of 1.55.2 then couldn’t work into the race from the second half of the field at Shepparton last outing. The move to the front line is a definite advantage so he is worth another chance. TOORAM CEE CEE (2) finished third behind the classy pacer He’s From Heaven at Bendigo three starts ago and is drawn to gain a trail close to the speed so he warrants respect. BIG BAD OSSIE (7) and WATTLEBANK ARNIE (8) are both dropping in class for this assignment and are worth thought despite the awkward draw.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,2
SELECTIONS: NEW YORKER (10), DAY TWO (5), TOORAM CEE CEE (2), BIG BAD OSSIE (7)
RATINGS: 10/ 2,5/ 7,8/ 9
SUGGESTED BET: NEW YORKER (10) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: VOLDAGHA (3) is resuming since an eighth in the Super Series Final back in September but he produced a good effort when second at a Shepparton trial effort last week behind Nordic Reign and he strikes a very suitable race now. BUMPER SERVICE (2) worked home nicely for third behind Skyvalley Boy last week and he should continue to improve with the benefit of racing. MI BOW (5) ran a much sharper race when third behind Princess Du Fer at Shepparton and should go well if she gets away safely. SAMMY HALLER (6) came from a long way back when a handy finishing sixth at Bendigo last outing. He has ability and rates as a value chance.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 3,5
SELECTIONS: VOLDAGHA (3), BUMPER SERVICE (2), MI BOW (5), SAMMY HALLER (6)
RATINGS: 3/ 2/ 5,6/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: VOLDAGHA (3) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: JILLIBY ILLUSION (5) was resuming since a seventh in the Homegrown Classic in December when she led throughout for a comfortable victory at Shepparton. She should be further improved by that performance and must be considered as a winning chance again. LADY OF HOPE (3) was resuming since November when a convincing winner from off the speed in a mile rate of 1.56.2 at Wagga. She moves to the front line now and is likely to be competitive again. TEXAN BRANACH (8) produced a career best performance when he sustained a long run to win at Wagga last outing. This race is harder but he was impressive last time out so he warrants respect. TURBO JAY (2) chased hard when a game second at the trials last week and is capable of improving on his debut fifth.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: JILLIBY ILLUSION (5), LADY OF HOPE (3), TEXAN BRANACH (8), TURBO JAY (2)
RATINGS: 5/ 3/ 2,8/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: JILLIBY ILLUSION (5) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: FLIP A COIN (8) was shuffled back on the markers and was held up behind tiring leaders when an unlucky sixth at Shepparton last week. He is racing better than his form reads and should go well against this class. FULLOFFIGHT (7) finished off best to win at Bendigo two starts ago then followed with an unplaced effort behind Karuma Kev in fast time at Bendigo. This is a suitable assignment and he should go well. ALTATUDE (5) didn’t have much room in the straight when unplaced behind Mynameisruby at Shepparton last week. This is a race of less depth and she is worth a ticket each way. BERYLS BOOTS (1) and the New South Wales trained pacer MISTER BOOMBASTIC (2) are both capable of showing up without surprising.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader) 2,5
SELECTIONS: FLIP A COIN (8), FULLOFFIGHT (7), ALTATUDE (5), MISTER BOOMBASTIC (2)
RATINGS: 7,8/ 5/ 1,2
SUGGESTED BET: FLIP A COIN (8) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (7) has won three of his past six starts and recorded handy time when he defeated Scar (won since) at Cranbourne last outing. He is a tough trotter and looms as one of the leading chances again. WHATS THE TEA (8) finished off best to score over Major Max at Bendigo on Wednesday night. This is a race of similar standard so he is worth thought again. SILVER SPOON (5) was resuming since March when She finished off best from midfield to score at Shepparton last week. She does possess gate speed and should be competitive again. THE NIGHT QUEEN (2) has been placed in three of her past four starts and was doing her best work late when third behind WHATS THE TEA (8) last week. She is capable of filling a place again from her good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 3,7
SELECTIONS: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (7), WHATS THE TEA (8), SILVER SPOON (5), THE NIGHT QUEEN (2)
RATINGS: 7/ 5,8/ 2/ 3,6
SUGGESTED BET: AGAINST THE BRIDLE (7) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: OX KNOX (8) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and should prove hard to beat. He was runner up behind Mielicki two starts ago and did very well after missing approximately thirty metres in the score up at his latest seventh (6m). ABBIE (2) continues to race consistently against similar opposition and has claims from her good draw. SKYVALLEY BOY (1) settled midfield and was able to run down the tearaway leader Taken By Wine two starts ago then finished fourth behind the smart trotter Hilltop Hugh. He is ideally drawn and is worth an investment. WALLIS (5) should be hitting the line strongly and AT THE DISTANCE (6) is tough enough to figure in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: OX KNOX (8), ABBIE (2), SKYVALLEY BOY (1), WALLIS (5)
RATINGS: 8/ 2/ 1,5/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: OX KNOX (8) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: RIDE THE HIGHS (5) is a smart filly, which finished a close second in the Australian Gold Graduate at Melton last outing. She possesses early speed and should prove hard to beat. USYK (6) appears as the logical danger. He is resuming since being unplaced in the Bathurst Gold Crown Final in March and he hasn’t been to the trials but he showed a lot of promise during his first campaign of racing. IM BIG BUSINESS (4) is a strong pacer and is building up a consistent record. He pushed forward to race without cover and battled on fairly well for fourth at Bendigo last outing. MISTER SEASIDE (7) produced a strong performance to win at Wagga last outing and has place claims despite the wide draw.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 6
SELECTIONS: RIDE THE HIGHS (5), USYK (6), IM BIG BUSINESS (4), MISTER SEASIDE (7)
RATINGS: 5,6/ 4/ 7/ 1/ 2/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 5,6/ 5,6/ 4,7 (Cost $4)
