Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: IAMAWINGATE (10) commenced from the inside of the second line, trailed the leader and was held up for a run at a vital stage when third behind Icanmotor last week. He was a winner at Geelong four starts ago and looms as a strong winning chance again. OUR MYSTERY BET (11) raced without cover throughout when a brave second at Kilmore three starts ago. He has been placed in four of his past six starts and he strikes a suitable assignment again. NORTHERN TERROR (9) gained a nice trail and just failed when second behind Icanmotor last week. He hasn’t won a race since November 2023 but his recent form has been encouraging. SILVER DOMINO (5) was placed against similar grade three starts ago and is worth thought again.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,7
SELECTIONS: IAMAWINGATE (10), OUR MYSTERY BET (11), NORTHERN TERROR (9), SILVER DOMINO (5)
RATINGS: 10/ 9,11/ 5/ 7,8
SUGGESTED BET: IAMAWINGATE (10) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: DIVINE TILLY (6) finished third at Bendigo when on debut then was sent for a spell. She was impressive in winning a trial at Bendigo last week and she must be considered as a winning chance. ROXELLA (5) raced on the outside of the leader, went back to the inside approaching the home turn and battled on well for third at Shepparton last outing. She possesses early speed and is worth a ticket each way. HELLODARLIN (7) trailed the leader, was held up for a run at a vital stage and battled on well for second at Shepparton. She was placed behind the handy performer I’m All Business three starts ago and must be considered as a winning chance against this line up. COOGEE (11) ran a nice race for third when making his debut and TURBO JAY (12) has been runner up in two recent trial efforts leading up to his first attempt.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: DIVINE TILLY (6), ROXELLA (5), HELLODARLIN (7), COOGEE (11)
RATINGS: 6/ 5,7/ 11,12/ 4/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: DIVINE TILLY (6) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: KARUMA KEV (6) has had three wins and two seconds from his past five starts and he looms as one of the leading chances again. He led throughout to win comfortably over Dancingonstarlight (won since) then followed with a close second behind Kimcando at Echuca. KALKADOON DREAMING (9) is searching for three straight victories and is a strong chance of completing the task. He sustained a strong run to win easily at Kilmore last outing. CLIVES GIRL (2) was held up for a run at a vital stage and didn’t have much luck when sixth at Shepparton last outing. She won in a handy mile rate of 1.57.7 at Melton three starts ago and should be competitive again. SHONNY LOU (11) is a former New Zealand pacer, which has been placed in one of his four Australian attempts to date. He broke stride and lost his chance at Wagga last outing but is worth another chance under these conditions.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: KARUMA KEV (6), KALKADOON DREAMING (9), CLIVES GIRL (2), SHONNY LOU (11)
RATINGS: 6/ 2,9/ 11/ 3,8,10
SUGGESTED BET: KARUMA KEV (6) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (10) will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment after his recent efforts and should prove hard to beat. He ran fourth in the Ballarat Cup on January 18, which is a terrific form reference for this event. FOLLOWTHEACE (3) won four races in succession including the Echuca Cup prior to finishing second at Menangle, where he attempted to lead throughout. He is drawn to lead again and should give a bold showing. SPIRIT OF ARION (8) is resuming since a third at Bendigo in November but he has had a win and a second in two recent trial performances so he must be respected. ARGGGHHH (9) pushed forward to race without cover and battled on strongly for fifth in the Hamilton Cup. He continues to race in consistent form and is worth a ticket each way.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 5
SELECTIONS: OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (10), FOLLOWTHEACE (3), SPIRIT OF ARION (8), ARGGGHHH (9)
RATINGS: 10/ 3/ 8,9/ 5,6,7
SUGGESTED BET: OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (10) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: ALOT LIKE PENDLES (10) finished off best to win clearly in a mile rate of 1.57.0 at Shepparton last week. His past two efforts have been sound and he looms as one of the leading chances again. APACHE PLUME (7) was resuming since August when she settled in a rearward position and finished off well for third at Kilmore. She is likely to drop back at the start again but she went well enough first up to warrant respect. VINCHESKA (3) had no luck whatsoever at her first up fourth behind Wicked Mitzi last week. She will be fitter from that run and should prove hard to beat. ALAMO (5) possesses early speed and has claims along with HESAA LISTER (6).
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,5
SELECTIONS: ALOT LIKE PENDLES (10), VINCHESKA (3), APACHE PLUME (7), ALAMO (5)
RATINGS: 3,10/ 7/ 5,6
SUGGESTED BET: ALOT LIKE PENDLES (10) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: KAYUU (1) is a first starter for trainer David Miles, which won a trial at Geelong last week and strikes a suitable field at his debut so he must be considered as a winning chance. TROTTERSMAKEMEGREY (5) produced his best performance in four starts to date when she worked into second behind Hold That Magic last week. This is a race of similar standard and she is worth thought again. TWIST TEE (7) broke stride at the start and picked up a lot of ground when fifth at Shepparton last week. He is still learning but has the ability to win his Maiden. HEART OF GRACELAND (10) also did well after a slow beginning last outing and is not without a chance. He has finished in the top four at four of his past five starts.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: KAYUU (1), TROTTERSMAKEMEGREY (5), TWIST TEE (7), HEART OF GRACELAND (10)
RATINGS: 1/ 5,7/ 3,10/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: KAYUU (1) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: MCWIZARD (5) is resuming since a third at Wagga in November but he will take beating if he is somewhere near his peak form. He was placed in all of his last four starts at the end of his last campaign. SEA SILK (2) was placed in the Gold Chalice and in the Breeders Crown Silver Pace in 2023. She hasn’t started since January 2024 but she was competing against much stronger opposition during her last campaign so she must be kept safe. TELERN LOFTY (10) is resuming since a victory at Ballarat in September but will be fitter after two recent trial performances and has the ability to be in the finish. ANYWHEREIGOHUGO (4) and FORESIGHT (7) are both racing well enough to feature prominently.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: MCWIZARD (5), SEA SILK (2), TELERN LOFTY (10), ANYWHEREIGOHUGO (4)
RATINGS: 5/ 2,10/ 4,7/ 9
SUGGESTED BET: MCWIZARD (5) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: CALEXICO (8) is a very talented 3yo pacer, which is shooting for four wins in succession. He raced without cover throughout when he defeated On The Hunt (won since) at his latest Shepparton performance. HES LETHAL (2) is resuming since a ninth at Bendigo in December but he has performed nicely in two recent trial performances. He lacks solid racing but he is a smart pacer and he gets into this race with a concession claim so he must be respected. CHANGEOVER GIRL (1) settled in a rearward position and charged home out wide on the track when an eye-catching second at Wagga last week. She is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern and is worth a ticket each way. EYE SEE PHILTRA (4) did well after racing without cover throughout at his latest fourth and rates as a value hope.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,5
SELECTIONS: CALEXICO (8), HES LETHAL (2), CHANGEOVER GIRL (1), EYE SEE PHILTRA (4)
RATINGS: 8/ 1,2/ 4,7/ field
SUGGESTED BET: HES LETHAL (2) each way
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: RACING WRITER (7) was resuming since a win at Shepparton in October when a close second behind the smart pacer Forever Yin at Albury. He is widely drawn but will be sharper from his latest performance and should give a bold showing. ANIMADO (1) will appreciate his best draw for some time and he is racing consistently. He worked hard early before gaining a trail and battled on well for a close up fourth behind Final Bow last week. MADAM REACTOR (6) began quickly and ended up trailing the leader when she finished off best to win in a mile rate of 1.56.7 last week. She is not as well drawn for this assignment but she is worth an investment. EAGLE MAJOR (2) is stepping up in class from his past two victories but he is very strong and is drawn to be prominent throughout.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,6
SELECTIONS: RACING WRITER (7), ANIMADO (1), MADAM REACTOR (6), EAGLE MAJOR (2)
RATINGS: 7/ 1,6/ 2/ 3,4
SUGGESTED BET: RACING WRITER (7) each way
