Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 22

RACE TWO

RICH VIRGIN (2) rolled forward to the breeze here 3 starts back over the mile and was in for the fight through a slick closing 800m panel when only a head from the winner. 2^nd to COLT THIRTY ONE at his next start he lost momentum when needed from the trail last start. From the gate he can arrive.

KOTARE YORK (1) was locked away on the pegs last start and was hitting the line strongly along the passing lane to be 3m from the winner CANKICKATARGET. With good early speed he has the options and with those choices from the gate can be right in the fight.

EVERYTHING (5) was after a hat-trick of victories 2 starts back and after working hard in the run wasn’t far from the winner FRANCO TOTEM. Taken back from gate 7 last start he can challenge here.

SIR JULIAN (12) was hitting the line strongly wide off the track last start when only 5m from the winner FRANCO TOTEM. He has no favours from the gate but can be working home strongly.

SELECTIONS: RICH VIRGIN (2), KOTARE YORK (1), EVERYTHING (5), SIR JULIAN (12)
SUGGESTED BET: RICH VIRGIN (2) to win

RACE THREE

DARKERSHADEOFPALE (3) has landed 2^nd row draws at her 2 Qld runs this prep and been forced to chase home behind the smart MR KALYPSO and then last start when wide off the track trying to make ground against the tempo. Returning to the front line and back to mares company is a big plus.

SHARDS HALO (6) is after the hat-trick after wins at both the mile and the 2138m trip. With the perfect run in the pocket trail last week she sailed on by when finding space in the stretch to post a 6m victory. That followed a tough win from the breeze and despite a tricky gate can challenge.

ANNIKA MAGIC (10) found the 1x1 in the Forever Gold Mares last start and chased home gamely for the bronze behind SMOOTH SHOWGIRL. Never far from the action she will be in the mix.
JUST SEDUCE ME (1) speared out from gate 5 last start before taking cover on SMOOTH SHOWGIRL. With this a shade easier and from the ace gate she can look to chime into the exotics.

SELECTIONS: DARKERSHADEOFPALE (3), SHARDS HALO (6), ANNIKA MAGIC (10), JUST SEDUCE ME (1)
SUGGESTED BET: DARKERSHADEOFPALE (3) to win

RACE FOUR

CHANGE OF MIND (7) started fav at Menangle on Tues but made an early error from gate 1 and was never in the hunt. His run 2 starts back when 2^nd up from a break was a tidy effort when hitting the line strongly from well back in the field. With good early speed he can be in the firing line here.

EXCEPTIONAL MACH (4) drops back to claiming company which should suit after taking on a mid-week FFA last start. Sent to the front from gate 6 the opening panel was a sub 27 sizzler and fighting late he was 6m from the swooping winner. Finding a cheaper lead he will look to fight them off.

RORY MACH (1) was the beneficiary of a smart steer last week. After being up on the gate from position 7, he was snagged back and taking short-cuts arrived for the prize. He will be probing again.

KETUT (9) has been freshened since his last appearance when hitting the line strongly along the passing lane at Redcliffe in a Band 5 event. That followed a claiming victory and he is in the mix.

SELECTIONS: CHANGE OF MIND (7), EXCEPTIONAL MACH (4), RORY MACH (1), KETUT (9)
SUGGESTED BET: CHANGE OF MIND (7) to win

RACE FIVE

GLENFERRIE HOOD (11) was returning from a freshen last start in the Qld Cup and fired off the arm looked to take them all the way over the 2138m trip. Fighting hard he was gathered up late to finish 4m from the winner COLT THIRTY ONE. At his best from the front he might just be a bit sharper than his opponents.

ADMIRAL BRONSKI (1) hit the line hard to grab the silver behind MACH ALERT over the Menangle Mile 3 starts back and then had no luck at all in the Be Good Johnny Sprint when wide throughout. He went within a neck of victory last week and with all the options can throw down a challenge.

MATCH POINT (3) lands his best gate since arriving in Qld and can look to take full advantage. Forced back 2 starts back he found the line well and last start was again closing out hard. He can podium at career start 100.

FRANKIE ROCKS (10) will appreciate getting back to the mile where he is much more effective after a pair of tidy runs behind COLT THIRTY ONE his past 2. With the right run in transit he can be storming home,

SELECTIONS: GLENFERRIE HOOD (11), ADMIRAL BRONSKI (1), MATCH POINT (3), FRANKIE ROCKS (10)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE SIX

CASINO GRIN (1) was strung up in traffic here on Tues and never got a clear crack at them after being buried away in the run. The start prior he was trying to make ground when the leader slipped home in a 27.2 closer making it near impossible for the chasers. With a cosy trip he can take the snipers shot.

COURAGEOUS LEO (3) rolled across to the front from gate 5 here on Tues and taking control from the front was never in danger in scoring a 2m victory. He was 2^nd up from a break in that and will strip fitter for the run and from this alley can look to go back-to-back.

COREY WILLIAM (5) has taken on some stronger races at his past 2 starts and will find this a shade below what he met in those. With good early speed he can look to fire out and can feature.

CONDAFEW (8) was trying to make ground wide off the track last start at Tamworth when finishing mid-field. He was attacking the line strongly here 2 starts back and with a cosy trip will be probing.

SELECTIONS: CASINO GRIN (1), COURAGEOUS LEO (3), COREY WILLIAM (5), CONDAFEW (8)
SUGGESTED BET: CASINO GRIN (1) to win

RACE SEVEN

THE BOYS GNP (5) was the recipient of arguably the drive of 2018 in securing victory on Tues. A long way back at the 800m he found gaps and swooped over the top off a solid tempo to score. He has been in great form with wins at 3 of his past 4 here at AP over both the mile and 2138m and can take this.

SOMEMONDOSOMEWHERE (1) was after the hat-trick last start when starting from the 2^nd line and trying to make ground through a slick closing half set at the front-end by MARK OF INTEGRITY. Both wins came when leading all the way and from the ace he will be in front for a long way.
 
GOTTA GOOD REASON (4) claimed victory at Redcliffe last start in a much easier race when working home strongly from back in the pack. With an improved gate he can be around the money.

SKYFELLA CAM (8) was a tough winner from the breeze at Redcliffe 2 starts back and then last start from the 2^nd line was sent forward before fading late. With a cosy trip he can be looking for the gaps.

SELECTIONS: THE BOYS GNP (5), SOMEMONDOSOMEWHERE (1), GOTTA GOOD REASON (4), SKYFELLA CAM (8)
SUGGESTED BET: THE BOYS GNP (5) to win

RACE EIGHT

RED CHARMER (2) has faced the starter on 3 occasions since returning for her 4YO term and taken on some handy performers in all 3. Last start she worked home well when mid-field behind FAME ASSURED which followed a passing lane 3^rd to MR KALYPSO. With the good alley she can capitalise.

ARGYLE BEACH (12) has been runner-up at her past 2 runs in these mares qualifiers both times when starting from this same gate. Last week she was working home chasing the big winner IM NORMA JEAN and that followed a swooping finish behind SHARDS HALO. Look for her attacking late.

OUR DIAMOND EDITON (1) was after the hat-trick last start when starting from gate 12 and her effort was sound when within 10m of the winner. Back in the main draw and a cosy trip can see her on the podium.

ROCKNROLL EMMA (5) was buried on the pegs here 3 starts back and chased nicely when 6m from the winner SHARDS HALO. On the back-up from Wed where she looked well placed, she can feature.

SELECTIONS: RED CHARMER (2), ARGYLE BEACH (12), OUR DIAMOND EDITON (1), ROCKNROLL EMMA (5)
SUGGESTED BET: RED CHARMER (2) to win

RACE NINE

LENNY THE LEGEND (4) has been in a good rhythm this season that has seen him finish in the top 3 on 11 of 14 outings. Sent to the breeze last start from gate 5 he was in for the fight and was within 1.5m of the swooping winner NUI TOC TIEN. Settling off a strong tempo he can arrive over the top.

WHISKEY BLAZE (5) took on a conditioned race over the 2138m 2 starts back and worked home in good style to claim the prize. A long way back in the pack last start when trying to make ground he couldn’t pick them up late. Sliding into the running line he can look for a cart into the contest.

SLICE OF HEAVEN (1) has started twice this prep and should be further tightened from the latest outing. Luckless 1^st up he dug in for the fight from the breeze last start. He will be looking for space.

SECRET JACK (9) returned from a spell with a half-neck 3^rd via the passing lane and then last start was forced to work leading the 3 wide train. Pressing through early to settle handy he can be in the mix.

SELECTIONS: LENNY THE LEGEND (4), WHISKEY BLAZE (5), SLICE OF HEAVEN (1), SECRET JACK (9)
SUGGESTED BET: LENNY THE LEGEND (4) to win

RACE TEN

MAYBETOTHEMAX (5) missed the recent DJA series and comes into this fresh but has been to the trials for a nice hit-out to sharpen for this. He worked home in good order last start from a 20m tape when 3m from ASTRAL RULER. Off the front line he looks well placed in this.

OUR OVERANOVA (9) looked well placed off 45m in the DJA Series but for the 1^st time in his career when driven by Grant Dixon, went consecutive runs without a placing. Just not quite at the level we have come to expect from the winner of 52 races, look for him to bounce back in this.

QUIETLY SPOKEN (1) was sent forward from the 40m tape last start to find the front, but the effort took its toll as she faded late. From the inside line she can land a good spot in transit to issue a place challenge.

SOUTHERN ALPS (4) made a mess of the 1^st round heats of the DJA that ended his race. In the 2^nd round he was buried in the run and worked home in good order behind eventual series winner MONARO MIA. He can be thereabouts in this.

SELECTIONS: MAYBETOTHEMAX (5), OUR OVERANOVA (9), QUIETLY SPOKEN (1), SOUTHERN ALPS (4)
SUGGESTED BET: MAYBETOTHEMAX (5) to win