Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: YOUNG BLUEY (4) began quickly and eventually found the lead when he trounced his rivals in track record time in the St Arnaud Cup. He finished third in the 4&5yo Championship prior so he appears to be extremely hard to beat again. LAYDEN (1) possesses a powerful finishing burst and he will be very dangerous if he can land the position behind the leader without having to do too much work in the early stages. ROARFORROSCOE (6) worked hard to move up without cover and ran another game race when second behind We Bettor Believe It at Geelong. He is awkwardly drawn again but he is a tough competitor and should give another bold showing. RUBINS PLIGHT (8) and DHAULAGIRI (9) both performed gallantly in the St Arnaud Cup and should go well again from their trailing draw.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 3,6,7
SELECTIONS: YOUNG BLUEY (4), LAYDEN (1), ROARFORROSCOE (6), RUBINS PLIGHT (8)
RATINGS: 4/ 1,6/ 8,9/ 7,11,12/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: YOUNG BLUEY (4) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: THE BIGBOSS (5) held the front from the pole position, appeared to be under pressure on the home turn but kicked on strongly to win in a slick mile rate of 1.52.2 at Melton last outing. He should be reaching his peak form after having two starts back from a spell and another forward showing is expected. NATHAN STREET (4) was headed off from the pole position and ended up being three back on the markers when a creditable fourth behind Some American in the Breeders Crown Final last week. He will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and looms as one of the leading chances. LOUIE LOU I (2) was heavily supported and missed out narrowly behind Layden two starts ago then followed with a sixth behind THE BIGBOSS (5). He is a handy pacer with a consistent record so he is worth a ticket each way from his good draw. GYPSY PRINCESS (9) should be hitting the line strongly and SKINNYDIP (1) is a possible improver from the pole position.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 2,4
SELECTIONS: THE BIGBOSS (5), NATHAN STREET (4), LOUIE LOU I (2), GYPSY PRINCESS (9)
RATINGS: 5/ 4/ 2,9/ 1/ 3,6,8
SUGGESTED BET: THE BIGBOSS (5) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: PRINCE OF ROCK (9) is a classy 4yo trotter that will take beating if he delivers a fool proof display. He ran a huge race when second behind The Locomotive in the Super Series Final then galloped at his next two attempts but he has won a trial since. KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY (10) took on the open class when seventh behind Mufasa Metro two starts ago then finished off best to win at Geelong. She is a speedy mare and should be competitive again. LOVE YA BROTHER (2) finished off solidly for third at St Arnaud and was seemingly a winning chance when he broke stride in the home straight prior. He has ability when he is able to put it altogether so he warrants respect. HANOVER DA MOON (6) was running a big race before galloping on the home turn when fifth at Geelong. He has claims along with SUGA DADDY (1) and I DREAM OF MILLIE (8).
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible early leader), 4,6
SELECTIONS: PRINCE OF ROCK (9), KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY (10), LOVE YA BROTHER (2), HANOVER DA MOON (6)
RATINGS: 9/ 2,10/ 6,8/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: PRINCE OF ROCK (9) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: CEE CEE LOU (9) won twice in succession prior to contesting the South Australian Derby series, where he was placed in a heat and finished sixth in the Final. He endured a tough run at St Arnaud last outing and is worth another chance. MARLO MAREAU (1) worked hard throughout and had excuses when fifth at Bendigo last outing. She ran home well for second at Wagga prior and she scored impressively at Swan Hill on October 01 so she must be included amongst the leading chances. NINEDOLLA TOASTIE (3) is a speedy mare that is likely to settle in a trailing position close to the speed. She was without cover early before gaining a one out and one back trail at the bell when a handy second behind Feel The Reign at Kilmore last week. HAVADASH JOH (6) is stepping up from the maiden class but he did record a mile rate of 1.54.9 at his debut performance so he obviously has a promising future.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible early leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: CEE CEE LOU (9), MARLO MAREAU (1), NINEDOLLA TOASTIE (3), HAVADASH JOH (6)
RATINGS: 1,9/ 3/ 6/ 5,10,12
SUGGESTED BET: CEE CEE LOU (9) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: QUIET STORM (1) worked very hard and ran a big race despite finishing sixth (7m) in a slick mile rate of 1.53.3 at his latest attempt. He is drawn to receive every chance here so he appears to be a good value bet. WE BETTOR BELIEVE IT (5) was resuming since July 2023 when he led out then took cover and defeated a good field in a mile rate of 1.55.0 at Geelong. He should have benefited from the run and must be considered as a winning chance again. WATTLEBANK ARNIE (8) is a very handy sprinter, which won four races in succession prior to a second at Wagga. He appeared to have his chance last time but the leader did run a last quarter of 26.6 seconds and he is drawn behind a fast beginner here so he is capable of returning to winning form. HOT DEAL (10) has a tough draw to overcome but he is a very strong pacer that bounced back to winning form at Mildura last time out and is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3,5,6
SELECTIONS: QUIET STORM (1), WE BETTOR BELIEVE IT (5), WATTLEBANK ARNIE (8), HOT DEAL (10)
RATINGS: 1,5/ 8/ 6,10/ 9
SUGGESTED BET: QUIET STORM (1) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: RAKERO REBEL (8) motored to the line when a big second in the Make Mine Cullen then also produced very slick final sectionals at her latest fourth in the Caduceus Classic. She is an outstanding mare and will be hard to hold out in the run to the finish. JILLIBY WILLOW (7) has defeated RAKERO REBEL (8) the last two times they have met and is the logical danger again. She recorded a slick mile rate of 1.53.3 when she won the Make Mine Cullen last time out and how much work she has to do early from the wide draw might determine the result in this event. SWEET BELLA (5) raced on the outside of the leader throughout when third in the Make Mine Cullen. She is the winner of 11 races from just 19 attempts and should give another bold showing. SWEETNIKKILOU (1) chased hard when a game second behind Kiss in the Super Series Final last week. She is a tough competitor and is drawn to run a good race.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: RAKERO REBEL (8), JILLIBY WILLOW (7), SWEET BELLA (5), SWEETNIKKILOU (1)
RATINGS: 8/ 7/ 5/ 1/ 4,6
SUGGESTED BET: RAKERO REBEL (8) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN VERA (6) pushed forward to race without cover and remained strong at the finish when she scored comfortably at Melton last outing. She is a very classy mare and should prove hard to beat again. SHES RUBY ROO (7) was resuming since July when she finished a long way behind Mufasa Metro at Melton last week. She is a Group 1 winning mare and finished fourth in The Great Square (Group 1) two starts ago so she is certainly worth another chance. ILLAWONG LARAJAY (5) is racing very consistently and looms as one of the leading chances again. She was a winner at Melton on October 19 and was placed behind ALDEBARAN VERA (6) at her latest attempt. VIRGINIA CLOWERS (8) worked to the front and was run down late when third in the Swan Hill Cup then followed with an unplaced run in the Delvin Dancer Classic, where she endured a wide trip. She has won six of her ten starts for the season and is worth thought.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible early leader), 2,4,6,7
SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN VERA (6), SHES RUBY ROO (7), ILLAWONG LARAJAY (5), VIRGINIA CLOWERS (8)
RATINGS: 6/ 5,7/ 8/ 1,2
SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN VERA (6) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: SPRINGFIELD AFFAIR (6) worked hard to lead and went down fighting when a game second in the Veterinary Surgeons Cup at Globe Derby last week. He competed in the South Australian Cup three starts ago and has performed well at Melton previously so he appears to be hard to beat. TERROR EYES (2) didn’t seem to handle the track at St Arnaud and had excuses when seventh last outing. He was placed at his five starts prior including victories at Maryborough and Ballarat so he must be given another chance. MIRAKURU (8) is awkwardly drawn but he has bounced back to his best form recently with a fast finishing third followed by a strong second behind the in-form pacer Wattlebank Arnie. He appears to be well placed against this line up and will be hard to hold out if he gets the right luck in running. GIVE DAVE A WAVE (3) and DRESSED IN GOLD (9) finished first and second respectively in the Yarra Valley Cup last outing so they must be included amongst the leading hopes.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,2
SELECTIONS: SPRINGFIELD AFFAIR (6), TERROR EYES (2), MIRAKURU (8), DRESSED IN GOLD (9)
RATINGS: 6/ 2,8/ 9/ 3/ 4,7
SUGGESTED BET: SPRINGFIELD AFFAIR (6) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: HAROLD SMITH (7) is a very smart former New Zealand trotter, which makes his Australian debut for leading trainer Emma Stewart. His trial form has been fairly good without being brilliant but he was taking on the elite trotters across the Tasman so he must be rated highly. KEAYANG STUKA (6) worked forward to find the lead, copped plenty of pressure mid-race and ran a great race for second behind the top mare Rockinwithattitude at Melton two starts ago. He performed well below his best form in a heat of the South Australian Cup last outing but he boasts an exceptional record at Melton so he is worth another chance. IMPERIAL MONARCH (8) gets into this race nicely with a concession claim and he ran a handy race for fifth in the Delvin Dancer Classic at his latest attempt. He should be finishing off strongly from his trailing draw. EL RESAMO (3) led throughout in two impressive victories prior to a fourth behind Aldebaran Vera. He is ideally drawn and will take catching if he is able to find the lead again. AVANT GUARD (1) is trotting in peak form and is drawn to receive every chance.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 1,2,6
SELECTIONS: HAROLD SMITH (7), KEAYANG STUKA (6), IMPERIAL MONARCH (8), EL RESAMO (3)
RATINGS: 6,7/ 8/ 3/ 1/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG STUKA (6) each way
