Form Analysis by Will Norman
Race 1
SUES PASSION (3) was over 2 months between runs when beaten as an odds-on favourite at Launceston last start. She should strip fitter second-up today and looks well suited here in the small field. OUTBACK ROCK (6) breezed throughout at Hobart last Sunday when finishing runner-up to Far Left Fletch. Despite the wide draw today, he gets the opportunity to work forward given the small field. TASSIE DAZZLER (5) has had several chances, but he found the line quite well to finish 3rd at Hobart last start. JUST LIKA DREAM (2) is nearly 3 months between runs, but she can be thereabouts on her return if she is ready to go fresh.
Selections – SUES PASSION (3), OUTBACK ROCK (6), TASSIE DAZZLER (5), JUST LIKA DREAM (2)
Race 2
ROCKY ROCKS (6) has only had the 1 start where he finished down the track at Shepparton. He was making good ground before racing roughly on the turn. He trialled well at Shepparton last week and I think he finds a suitable race today. OZZIE PEARL (4) makes her debut today for the Conor Crook stable. She comes out of some quick races in Victoria in recent starts and if she can get forward early from her middle draw, she should be right in the finish. QUETZALLI (10) is an improving filly who was not far away in the Evicus final last start. She has a tough draw to overcome today but can be thereabouts again. MY FATAL CHARM (8) draws to have a soft run in transit today and could be able to sprint well fresh off a midfield pegs run.
Selections – ROCKY ROCKS (6), OZZIE PEARL (4), QUETZALLI (10), MY FATAL CHARM (8)
Race 3
SMOOTH REASON (2) was a comfortable winner of the 3YO Fillies Championship last start at Hobart. She draws to race right on the speed here and looks tough to beat. HARBOUR SPRINGS (3) makes the trip down from NSW for the Bandbox series. She has been consistent at Penrith in recent starts, and she should appreciate dropping back to 3yo fillies grade. GLENVIEW LANIKAI (5) was a nice effort last start at Launceston when not having the best of luck. She should strip fitter again here third-up and looks to be a filly with good upside. TULLAH GIRL (1) pulled up with issues last start but her previous form was consistent and gets her chance to be in the mix from the pole draw.
Selections – SMOOTH REASON (2), HARBOUR SPRINGS (3), GLENVIEW LANIKAI (5), TULLAH GIRL (1)
Race 4
Strong first heat of the Golden Apple. STAR MAJOR (9) is usually a good beginner from the stand, and I am hoping he can offset his 30m handicap with another good beginning here. He is ultra consistent in this grade and if he can work forward without using a lot of energy, he will be hard to beat. Last year’s Golden Apple winner, GLENLEDI ELVIS (8) brings consistent recent form into the series. He can mix his getaways from the stand but if he steps away, he should be competitive here. DE GOEY (7) resumed with a very good effort to finish a close-up 2nd to Star Major. With further fitness on his side today, he looks to be a leading chance. KEAYANG FITZY (10) must overcome a tough handicap today but he is racing consistently enough to be in the mix.
Selections – STAR MAJOR (9), GLENLEDI ELVIS (8), DE GOEY (7), KEAYANG FITZY (10)
Race 5
Looks a race with 2 main chances. BARBARY TALES (4) returns to Tasmania after contesting tougher races at Melton in her past two starts. She has a strong record here at Launceston and has the draw advantage on her main rival. THE BRIDE (7) was a winner in fast time at Melton last start. She is likely to be driven with aggression early here and if she finds the right run in transit on speed, she will be hard to beat. SMILING MIA (1) was an improved effort last start when finishing runner-up to Smooth Reason in the 3yo Fillies Championship. She has options from the draw and looks a good place chance. ALWAYSATIGER (2) faces her toughest race to date but she is a winner of two races this preparation and continues to show improvement.
Selections – BARBARY TALES (4), THE BRIDE (7), SMILING MIA (1), ALWAYSATIGER (2)
Race 6
OURTIGER (9) resumed with a win at Hobart to bring up a hat-trick of wins. He beat home the in-form My Way and the smart Horatius Speculo. He looks to have a nice trailing draw today and I think he can be hard to beat again. HUNGRY HIPPO (7) has only tasted defeat once in his career to date and despite the wide draw today, he looks to have good ability and is from the strong Emma Stewart stable. OKANUI BEACH (10) resumes today but has had the benefit of 3 recent trials. He has good ability on his day, and he can be dangerous off the right trip. JUSTLIKEDAVE (5) comes out of some decent races in Victoria in recent starts and might be able to get forward early from his middle gate.
Selections – OURTIGER (9), HUNGRY HIPPO (7), OKANUI BEACH (10), JUSTLIKEDAVE (5)
Race 7
Excellent Heat Two of the Golden Apple. Leaning with the Emma Stewart trained HEZAPUNKROCKER (5) who followed up a good effort at Menangle with a strong win at Melton last start. He doesn’t have a lot of stand experience, but he looks very well placed in this series off the front mark. The smart TRIEDTOTELLYA (10) resumes today after being last seen at the races in June. He has only had the one public trial leading into today’s race, but he has plenty of class and should be right in the mix on his return. RAGING WHITEBAIT (1) doesn’t have a lot of stand experience but he hasn’t been too far away in strong races at Melton in recent starts. Less than 10m from Code Bailey in the City of Melton FFA two starts back looks a strong form line for today’s race off the front mark. STEPPING STONES (9) has resumed with back-to-back wins at Hobart. She faces a step up in class today, but she is a mare in form and has race fitness on her side.
Selections – HEZAPUNKROCKER (5), TRIEDTOTELLYA (10), RAGING WHITEBAIT (1), STEPPING STONES (9),
Race 8
FUN TO LOVE (1) looks very well placed here on her stable debut for the Michael Laugher stable. She was runner-up in fast time at Melton two starts back before finishing 4th last start after leading. She looks the likely leader today and it looks a step back in class on recent races. SABINE (3) looks well placed back in Up to 63 grade following the claim for Malcom Jones. She should be able to find a forward position from the nice draw. She has finished either 1st or 2nd at Launceston in 9 of her last 11 starts at the track. KARALTA ARTEMIS (8) has a nice trailing peg draw today and if he can hold the back of Fun To Love early, he should be thereabouts. LETSGOBRO (9) drops in grade here and could be an improver with the services of Alex Ashwood.
Selections – FUN TO LOVE (1), SABINE (3), KARALTA ARTEMIS (8), LETSGOBRO (9)
Race 9
Quality 45 to 54 race with several chances. Small lean to ROLLWITHARTY (3) who was a winner here three starts back against some of his key rivals today. He is likely to settle down off the speed in the moving line but with the potential for mid-race pressure, I think he can be finishing off well at the end of 2200m. ARMA ROLLING STONE (10) and Mitch Ford have formed a strong combination and he continues to race in very good form. I’m expecting him to push forward at some stage in the race and if he doesn’t burn too much energy in doing so, I think he can be right in the finish again. HARRYS DEAL (5) is nearly a month between runs, but he might be able to push forward early from his middle draw and find a favourable run on speed. He finds it tough to win but he is a consistent type who should be around the placings. BET SHEZA LADY (6) brings a different form line to her rivals here after doing all her recent racing in Victoria. She resumes today from a tough draw but has been readied for a good fresh performance with a trial win at Shepparton recently.
Selections – ROLLWITHARTY (3), ARMA ROLLING STONE (10), HARRYS DEAL (5), BET SHEZA LADY (6)
Race 10
The likely map here could see this develop into a match race up the home straight. I’m expecting ZARA TINDALL (1) to lead out early before taking cover on BETTABLACK TIGER (5). I’m sticking with ZARA TINDALL (1) who brought up her third win this preparation since joining the new stable. She has a sharp turn of foot and with the right trail and even luck here, I think she will be hard to hold out. BETTABLACK TIGER (5) is well graded following the claim for Malcom Jones. He is building a very good record having had the 16 starts for 7 wins and if he does find the front, will take catching. CAPTAIN PINS (7) was much improved last start when finishing 3rd to One Big Shew. He has a tough draw to overcome today, but with the right trip, I expect him to be finishing off well. HAMMER DAN (6) was driven to perfection by Dylan Ford last start when winning at Hobart. He is likely to be driven for one run here, but he does possess a good turn of foot.
Selections – ZARA TINDALL (1), BETTABLACK TIGER (5), CAPTAIN PINS (7), HAMMER DAN (6)
