Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: It is a tricky race to commence the program with three of the leading chances all having galloped at their latest attempt. AVANT GUARD (8) has a trailing draw behind the fast beginner MCGEE (1) and performed very well when a narrow second behind Little Yankee at Melton last week so he is worth a ticket each way. MCGEE (1) was resuming since August when he led and broke stride on the home turn ($2-25 fav) at Geelong. He is likely to find the lead again and will take catching if he delivers a fool proof display. TICTOK (12) is a very strong mare but she has missed away at her past three attempts. She has won three races recently and is strong enough to overcome the poor draw. TIMMY TURTLE (5) led throughout to win at Cranbourne then endured a tough run when sixth last week. He is a versatile trotter and is worth an investment.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,4,5
SELECTIONS: AVANT GUARD (8), MCGEE (1), TICTOK (12), TIMMY TURTLE (5)
RATINGS: 1,8/ 12/ 5/ 2,4,7,9
SUGGESTED BET: AVANT GUARD (8) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: ILLAWONG STARDUST (11) appreciated a drop back in class when she began well and worked to the lead at her latest victory in a heat of this series. Her previous efforts were in the Knight Pistol, Dullard Cup and the Great Southern Star so she should prove hard to beat again. ALDEBARAN BROOKE (12) won two races in succession prior a fast finishing third behind PARIS KAY (3) at Maryborough. She is versatile and is capable of showing up despite the poor draw. FREMARKSTILLY (8) won five races in succession prior to finishing fourth in her heat, where she raced without cover and broke stride when in front with 50m remaining. She is awkwardly drawn but is racing too well to dismiss. PARIS KAY (3), SALSKI (7) and OUR MARVELLA (10) are all racing well enough to figure in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 3,7
SELECTIONS: ILLAWONG STARDUST (11), ALDEBARAN BROOKE (12), FREMARKSTILLY (8), OUR MARVELLA (10)
RATINGS: 11,12/ 8/ 3,10/ 7,13
SUGGESTED BET: ILLAWONG STARDUST (11) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: MAC FLICK (10) settled in the second half of the field, came out three horses wide from the 700m and sustained a long run when a big winner in her heat of this series. She has won two of her past three starts and looms as a strong winning chance again. FROSTY GIRL (12) has also been in winning form and progressed forward to race without cover at the 900m when she proved to be too strong at Maryborough. She is versatile and is a strong winning chance again. HARD ROCK ANGEL (3) pushed forward to find the lead and scored comfortably at Geelong then didn’t enjoy the best of luck at Maryborough. She is ideally drawn and is worth an investment. NABRINA (4) has returned from a spell in peak form and should be prominent throughout from her good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: MAC FLICK (10), FROSTY GIRL (12), HARD ROCK ANGEL (3), NABRINA (4)
RATINGS: 10,12/ 3/ 4,7/ 9/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: MAC FLICK (10) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG LAVITA (6) led out then took cover when a close second at Geelong then led throughout at Terang. She is improving with every start and looms as one of the leading chances again. ROMANTIC NINA (9) is backing up quickly from her effort at Ballarat on Thursday but her overall form is strong and she possesses a powerful finishing burst. She was a winner at Charlton on January 31 and looms as one of the leading chances again. YOU REALLY GOT ME (4) is a brilliant beginner and should be in front for a long way. She performs best over the sprint distance but she was placed after trying to lead throughout over this trip last week and he should be competitive again. PROMISE DREAM (7) pushed forward to find the lead when she scored at Maryborough and has claims along with KYVALLEY ANTHONY (8) and KOTA BHARU (10).
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 3,6
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG LAVITA (6), ROMANTIC NINA (9), YOU REALLY GOT ME (4), PROMISE DREAM (7)
RATINGS: 6/ 4,9/ 7/ 8,10/ 3,5
SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG LAVITA (6) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: ARCEE PHOENIX (9) endured a torrid trip in track record time and had excuses when fifth in a heat of the Great Southern Star. He won the Maori Mile and the Knight Pistol prior and he is an outstanding trotter when at his peak form so he will make his presence felt. KEAYANG CHUCKY (7) finished off fast when a big third in the Great Southern Star then followed with a strong win in the Terang Cup. He was runner up in the Inter Dominion Final and won the Dullard Cup earlier in the season so he looms as a strong winning chance. PLYMOUTH CHUBB (10) was resuming since a seventh in the Inter Dominion Final when he enjoyed a nice run and finished third in the Terang Cup. He should be sharper from that performance and is worth an investment. HAROLD SMITH (3) worked hard mid-race and eventually gained a trail when second behind the star New Zealander Oscar Bonavena in the Cranbourne Cup. He is worth thought along with LOVEMETO (2), which has performed extremely well since coming from New Zealand.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,3
SELECTIONS: ARCEE PHOENIX (9), KEAYANG CHUCKY (7), PLYMOUTH CHUBB (10), HAROLD SMITH (3)
RATINGS: 7,9/ 10/ 2,3/ 5/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: ARCEE PHOENIX (9) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: QUEEN ELIDA (8) will appreciate competing against her own sex and will prove very hard to beat. She was runner up in the Maori Mile and the Dullard Cup then performed nicely during the Great Southern Star series. ALDEBARAN VERA (7) worked up without cover and went down fighting when a brave second in the Terang Cup. She is a durable mare and looms as one of the leading chances again. EBONYS AVENGER (2) began well but couldn’t get across to the markers and was shuffled back in the field mid-race when a big third in the Cranbourne Cup. She led out then took cover when third in the Dullard Cup on January 25 and is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4) is a versatile mare that won nicely over Sebastians Boy last week and is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely early leader), 3,4,6
SELECTIONS: QUEEN ELIDA (8), ALDEBARAN VERA (7), EBONYS AVENGER (2), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4)
RATINGS: 8/ 7/ 2/ 4/ 3,6/ 5/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: QUEEN ELIDA (8) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: The Great Southern Star winner WATTS UP PARTYTIME (8) broke stride at the start and lost valuable ground when a big seventh (11m) behind Aldebaran Acrux last week. He was outstanding in his efforts prior and will take beating if he delivers a fool proof display. IM BOBBY (6) is racing in career best form and should be in front for a long way. He attempted to lead throughout when second at Menangle last outing. LITTLE YANKEE (1) was resuming since June when he gained a late split and finished off fast to win at Melton. He is ideally drawn and is worth thought again. SEBASTIANS BOY (5) was resuming since November when he finished off strongly for second behind Aldebaran Acrux last week. He is a smart trotter when trotting at his peak form and warrants respect.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 3
SELECTIONS: WATTS UP PARTYIME (8), IM BOBBY (6), LITTLE YANKEE (1), SEBASTIANS BOY (5)
RATINGS: 8/ 6/ 1,5/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: WATTS UP PARTYTIME (8) to win
