Form Analysis by Craig Rail

Race 1:

 

OVERVIEW: CIGANO (9) is resuming since a fifth in the Protostar in Queensland in July but he won a trial at Melton recently so he should be somewhere near his peak form. He is clearly the class runner of the field and should take beating. SCHERGER THAT (7) is resuming since an unplaced effort in a semi-final of the Super Series in September. He will be fitter after having two trial trials at Bacchus Marsh and he showed a lot of ability during his last preparation so he is worth an investment. IDEAL AFFAIR (2) is resuming since an eighth at Bendigo in August. She is a speedy filly and finished second at a recent Melton trial performance so she is not without a chance. OLIVIA ROSE (6) has been impressive in winning at her past two starts. She is meeting a field of more depth now but is worth thought again. BLAZIN HEAVEN (1) and IMAGINATION ORO (8) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.   

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,3,4,7

SELECTIONS: CIGANO (9), SCHERGER THAT (7), IDEAL AFFAIR (2), OLIVIA ROSE (6)

RATINGS: 9/ 2,7/ 6/ 1,8

SUGGESTED BET: CIGANO (9) to win

 

Race 2:

 

OVERVIEW: I AM THE STORM (3) is resuming since a seventh in the Super Series Final at Melton in September but he finished a close second behind Viney at a Melton trial performance and he appears to be very well placed against this grade. GOLDEN TRIBE (4) is resuming since an eighth in a heat of the Breeders Crown in November but he has been performing extremely well at the trials with his latest effort being a runaway victory so he must be respected. WRITTENINTHESKY (2) is racing consistently and is a good chance of landing behind the leader so he is a minor place chance. JUST MIKI (5) was a winner at Cranbourne two starts ago and has the speed to be in the finish. SKIP TO ME LOU (8) and POPCORNFRIDAY (10) are both minor place chances in the event.  

 

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 4,5,7

SELECTIONS: I AM THE STORM (3), GOLDEN TRIBE (4), WRITTENINTHESKY (2), JUST MIKI (5)

RATINGS: 3,4/ 2,5,8,10

SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 3,4/ 3,4/ 2,5,8,10 (Cost $8)

 

Race 3:

 

OVERVIEW: SILVER PISTOL (3) was resuming since September when he finished off best to win in a sizzling mile rate of 1.53.9 at Ballarat. He is a classy pacer and was runner up in a semi-final of the Super Series last season so he should prove hard to beat again. SNOW HUNTER (6) has been placed in five of her past six starts and looms as one of the leading chances again. She pushed forward to race without cover and battled on bravely for third behind Shadow Celt last week. ROCCO AMERICANO (5) is a fast beginner and should be prominent throughout. He raced without cover throughout when a brave fourth to Michaywey at Cranbourne last outing. EL BOSTON (10) was runner up four starts in succession prior to a victory at Charlton in a mile rate of 1.57.5. He is poorly drawn but is capable of being competitive again. HEAVENLY BRIGADE (4) and CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (8) are racing well enough to be considered in multiple combinations. 

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 2,5,6

SELECTIONS: SILVER PISTOL (3), SNOW HUNTER (6), ROCCO AMERICANO (5), EL BOSTON (10)

RATINGS: 3/ 5,6/ 10/ 4,8

SUGGESTED BET: SILVER PISTOL (3) to win

 

Race 4:

 

OVERVIEW: MIKI TO SUCCESS (3) led throughout and recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.50.0 when he defeated a top field in the 4yo Bonanza at Melton last outing. He has won ten of his twenty-two starts to date and he is heading for a tilt at the Chariots of Fire so he must be respected. BULLETPROOF BOY (6) won four races in succession including the Bendigo and Ballarat Cups prior to his latest sixth behind the champion pacer Leap To Fame in the Cranbourne Cup. This race is more suitable and he should prove hard to beat. TRIPLE EIGHT (5) sustained a long run when he scored in the Pure Steel prior a fifth in the Terang Cup, where he made ground from a rearward position. He continues to perform well at open class level and should be competitive again. ROCK N ROLL DOO (4) is a strong staying type that worked hard to find the lead and fought on well for second behind Catch A Wave last outing. He will be suited if there is a genuine tempo throughout.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,6

SELECTIONS: MIKI TO SUCCESS (3), BULLETPROOF BOY (6), TRIPLE EIGHT (5), ROCKNROLL DOO (4)

RATINGS: 3/ 5,6/ 4/ 1/ 2

SUGGESTED BET: Boxed First Four 3,4,5,6 (Cost $24)

 

Race 5:

 

OVERVIEW: BALBOA ROCK (1) bounced back to his best form when he moved up without cover and blitzed his rivals at Cranbourne. COLLECTIVE WORKS (3) began quickly to find the lead, took cover and battled on fairly for fourth at Terang last outing. He should be fitter from that run and will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment so he must be respected. MY UNCLE STAN (5) is resuming since an eighth in the Super Series Final at Melton in September but he produced a big performance to easily win a trial at Melton last week. He is a talented pacer and should go well despite the awkward draw. CRIME WRITER (2) was shuffled back on the markers and finished fifth behind Catch A Wave last week. He is usually competitive against this class and is worth a ticket each way.  

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 3,5

SELECTIONS: BALBOA ROCK (1), COLLECTIVE WORKS (3), MY UNCLE STAN (5), CRIME WRITER (2)

RATINGS: 1/ 3,5/ 2/ 6,9,10

SUGGESTED BET: BALBOA ROCK (1) to win

 

Race 6:

 

OVERVIEW: TINSEL TIARA (2) has been placed in five of her past six starts and came from last when she produced a big finish for third behind She Will Wantano at Terang last week. She is ideally drawn over the sprint distance and gets her chance to break through for a win. ROBLEN RANGER (13) pushed forward to find the lead and won comfortably at Cranbourne last outing. He drops back to the second line now but he is racing in peak form and should go well again. MAJOR CRUNCH (12) is resuming since a ninth at Melton in November but will be fitter after a recent trial fourth. He has ability and is worth thought despite the poor draw. REALLY SMARTIE (11) is racing well and finished off nicely for third behind Kalkadoon Dreaming last outing so he is not without a chance. OUR KINKY BOOTS (6) won under similar conditions at Melton three starts ago and has claims along with PISTOL QUEEN (9), which is returning from a successful Tasmanian campaign.   

 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 5,7

SELECTIONS: TINSEL TIARA (2), ROBLEN RANGER (13), MAJOR CRUNCH (12), REALLY SMARTIE (11)

RATINGS: 2/ 12,13/ 11/ 6,9

SUGGESTED BET: TINSEL TIARA (2) to win