Form Analysis by Craig Rail

Race 1:

 

OVERVIEW: The Queensland Oaks winner SOHO AMERICANO (5) made a terrific return in the Frith Stakes, where she ran to the line strongly from a rearward position and finished a close up fourth in a sizzling mile of 1.50.3 last week. She should be fitter from that outing and she is much better drawn so she should prove hard to beat. The Tasmanian Oaks winner BEACH DIAMOND (3) looms as the logical danger. She has won five of her eight starts to date and completely dominated the Tasmanian fillies feature so a bold showing is expected. SURFE LA MER (6) dropped out to a rearward position and finished off well for a close second at Ballarat last week. She recorded a handy mile rate of 1.54.6 when she scored prior so she must be respected. IDEAL MOTH (7) has won four of her past six starts and finished off fast from a long way back to score at Shepparton last outing. She is awkwardly drawn but she is capable of running into a place.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 5,6

SELECTIONS: SOHO AMERICANO (5), BEACH DIAMOND (3), SURFE LA MER (6), IDEAL MOTH (7)

RATINGS: 3,5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 1,2/ 4

SUGGESTED BET: SOHO AMERICANO (5) to win

 

Race 2:

 

OVERVIEW: IMPERIAL COMMAND (7) is likely to use his brilliant gate speed to find the lead, despite being drawn on the outside of the front line. He attempted to lead throughout when a close third behind Remus Phoenix last outing and this race is slightly easier so he is worth an investment. HEZA GUN (12) broke stride at the start and was still a winning chance in the home straight when he broke stride again at his latest fourth. He appeared to be a good thing beaten last outing and his previous form was sound so he will take beating if he is able to deliver a fool proof display. RUBYS DREAM (8) is shooting for seven straight victories and is a chance of completing task but the barrier draw makes it awkward. She has been placed in two recent trial performances and was hitting the line strongly at her latest Melton trial third. MAJESTIC TOOTH (1) and TIMMY TURTLE (2) are both performing well enough to be worth thought from their good draw.

 

 

EARLY SPEED: 7 (likely leader), 1,2

SELECTIONS: IMPERIAL COMMAND (7), HEZA GUN (12), RUBYS DREAM (8), TIMMY TURTLE (2)

RATINGS: 7/ 8,12/ 1,2/ 6/ 4,5,9/ Field

SUGGESTED BET: IMPERIAL COMMAND (7) to win

 

Race 3:

 

OVERVIEW: GO MIKI (3) won four races in succession prior to working home well for fourth in the Eureka. He is versatile and should make his presence felt from his good draw. HESITATE (9) is very strong and was runner up in the Queensland Derby during the Winter Carnival. He tried hard when a game third in the Eureka and chased a smart one when second in a slick mile of 1.50.2 at Menangle last week so he must be respected. FOX DAN (8) has won eight of his thirteen starts and was runner up in the Eureka last outing so he looms as one of the leading chances but he is likely to be shuffled back on the markers from his awkward trailing draw. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (2) has struck his peak form having led throughout and his past two attempts and is drawn to lead again. He has claims along with SANCHEZ (1), SOHO THE REAL DEAL (5), CALEXICO (7) and FORTY LOVE (10).

 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,3,4,5

SELECTIONS: GO MIKI (3), HESITATE (9), FOX DAN (8), MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (2)

RATINGS: 3,9/ 8/ 2/ 1,5/ 7/ 10

SUGGESTED BET: GO MIKI (3) each way

 

Race 4:

 

OVERVIEW: The classy colt FATE AWAITS (3) finished second in fast time at Albion Park last week and is capable of going one better. He won the Rising Sun and was placed in the Queensland Derby during the Winter Carnival so he has the class to test this field. OUR SWEET DELIGHT (2) pushed forward to find the lead and was too strong in the run to the finish when he took out the Carousel Final at Menangle last outing. He is ideally drawn and should give another forward showing. STORMS COLLIDE (8) won three races in succession prior to a huge second behind It’s Confidential last week, where he endured a wide trip in a strong mile rate of 1.53.0. He will be giving his main rivals a big start from his awkward draw but he is racing too well to dismiss. CAPTAIN PERFECT (7) led throughout to easily win the Tasmanian Derby last outing. He is building up a good strike rate and is worth thought again.

 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,4,6,7

SELECTIONS: FATE AWAITS (3), OUR SWEET DELIGHT (2), STORMS COLLIDE (8), CAPTAIN PERFECT (7)

RATINGS: 2,3/ 7,8/ 6/ 4,5

SUGGESTED BET: FATE AWAITS (3) each way

 

Race 5:

 

OVERVIEW: FINAL DEADLINE (7) is poorly drawn but he has been in outstanding form in Queensland with his latest victory being over Fate Awaits in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.6 with his last quarter being 25.7 seconds! He continues to improve with the benefit of experience and should go well again. CIGANO (3) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off quickly when an eye-catching third behind ITS CONFIDENTIAL (9) last week. He won at his previous three attempts and he moves to the front line now so he must be respected. SAO PAULO SIMBA (2) is stepping up to the staying trip of 2760m but his past two victories at Menangle have been first class considering he has posted miles of 1.48.9 and 1.49.9. He possesses early speed and should be prominent throughout. SILVER PISTOL (4) won a heat of the New South Wales Derby earlier in the season and is worth thought along with STRIKEM (6), PICK UP ELVIS (8), ITS CONFIDENTIAL (9) and VINEY (10) in a very strong heat.

 

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,4,5,6,7

SELECTIONS: FINAL DEADLINE (7), CIGANO (3), SAO PAULO SIMBA (2), SILVER PISTOL (4)

RATINGS: 7/ 3/ 2,4/ 9,10/ 8

SUGGESTED BET: FINAL DEADLINE (7) each way

 

Race 6:

 

OVERVIEW: Australasia’s champion pacer LEAP TO FAME (6) returned in style with an effortless victory at Albion Park last week. He completely dominated throughout the Inter Dominion series during the Queensland Winter Carnival and he should give another dazzling display to wrap up his Victoria Cup preparation. MIKI PINS (2) has been racing in great form in New South Wales and is a strong Quinella chance from his good draw. He worked hard when third in a sizzling mile of 1.49.5 last outing. The grand old warrior BULLETPROOF BOY (1) is resuming since June and is meeting a strong field but he is ideally drawn over the sprint distance so he is worth a place ticket. BAY OF BISCAY (7) bounced back to his peak form when he worked forward to find the lead and won the Eureka. He is likely to endure a tough trip from the extreme draw but he is one of the class runners of the field.

 

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 1,2,7

SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (6), MIKI PINS (2), BULLETPROOF BOY (1), BAY OF BISCAY (7)

RATINGS: 6/ 2/ 1,7/ 8,9/ 5/ 3/ 4

SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (6) to win

 

Race 7:

 

OVERVIEW: The champion mare KEAYANG ZAHARA (7) returns after suffering her first defeat in sixteen starts when second in record time at Group 1 level in May. She has won several trials leading up to her return and is likely to make her presence felt. The Inter Dominion champion ARCEE PHOENIX (4) has been unplaced at his two starts since resuming but he has commenced from big handicaps from the standing start and the switch to mobile racing is a big advantage. He is very strong and should take beating under these conditions. WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6) is resuming since June but he will be fitter after three recent trial performances and he won the Great Southern Star earlier in the season so he must be respected. OLLIVICI (5) should be fitter after his first up fourth and has been performing well at the trials so he is worth a place ticket.

 

EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible early leader), 4,6

SELECTIONS: KEAYANG ZAHARA (7), ARCEE PHOENIX (4), WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6), OLLIVICI (5)

RATINGS: 4,7/ 6/ 5/ 2,3/ 1

SUGGESTED BET: KEAYANG ZAHARA (7) to win

 

Race 8:

 

OVERVIEW: REMUS PHOENIX (7) was shuffled back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage when an eye-catching third behind Jilliby Ballerini at Melton last week. He impressively won at his previous two attempts and he is very versatile so he should prove hard to beat again. PINNIE (3) stepped away nicely from the standing start and worked to the front early before taking cover when second behind Jilliby Ballerini at Melton last week. She should be reaching her peak form after having two starts back from a break and should be prominent throughout. DICHOTOMY (2) chased hard when second behind the top mare Lady Vici two starts ago then followed with a fourth in fast time at Melton. She is a classy mare and looms as one of the leading chances again. OUR MARVELLA (1) finished a close second behind REMUS PHOENIX (7) last outing and she is drawn to receive every chance so she cannot be left out of calculations.

 

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,2,5

SELECTIONS: REMUS PHOENIX (7), PINNIE (3), DICHOTOMY (2), OUR MARVELLA (1)

RATINGS: 3,7/ 2/ 1/ 9

SUGGESTED BET: REMUS PHOENIX (7) to win

 

Race 9:

 

OVERVIEW: PETRACCA (8) hasn’t raced since August 2024 but the 2023 Victoria Derby champion recorded a sensational mile rate of 1.52.1 when he won a trial at Melton last week so a bold showing is expected. TUAPEKA LOU (1) is a classy New South Wales pacer, which won four races in succession prior to finishing unplaced in the Carousel Final at Menangle. He is ideally drawn and will take catching. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (7) settled in the second half of the field and produced a strong finish when fourth behind Kiss at Melton last week. He recorded a quick mile rate of 1.52.2 when he won prior and is a place hope if he gains the right luck from his poor draw. ALOT LIKE LOUIE (4) parked on the outside of the leader throughout and proved to be too strong at Shepparton last week. This race is much harder but he is worth thought in multiple combinations.

 

EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,4,5,6,7

SELECTIONS: PETRACCA (8), TUAPEKA LOU (1), DIAMOND ECLIPSE (7), ALOT LIKE LOUIE (4)

RATINGS: 1,8/ 7/ 4/ 5/ 2,3/ 6

SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 1,8/ 1,8/ 2,3,4,5,7 (Cost $10)

 

Race 10:

 

OVERVIEW: LET HER ROLL (5) was resuming since June when she ran a game second in the Tasmanian Oaks. She won the Breeders Crown last season and was runner up in the Super Series so she has the class to test to this field. JOYRIDE (6) is a consistent New Zealand filly, which battled on well when a narrow second at Addington last outing. She should be suited to competing over the staying trip and is worth an investment. SOAP AND BUBBLES (7) sustained a long run when a big winner over Tallaras Shadow at Melton last week. She is poorly drawn but is capable of running into a place. BARBARY TALES (1) is racing in good form in Tasmania and is worth a place ticket along with GOLDEN SHOOZ (3) and ALIFETIMEFORLIVING (8).

 

EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 6,7

SELECTIONS: LET HER ROLL (5), JOYRIDE (6), SOAP AND BUBBLES (7), ALIFETIMEFORLIVING (8)

RATINGS: 5,6/ 7/ 1,8/ 3/ 4/ 2

SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 5,6/ 5,6/ 1,3,7,8 (Cost $8)