Form Analysis: Albion Park Jan 5

RACE TWO

SLICE OF HEAVEN (10) made the most of gate 1 last start and burrowing through kept them out and once in control was never in danger finishing them off with a sub 55 closing 800m split. Forced to do plenty of work 2 starts back he fought gamely and with even luck in transit can claim this.

FLAMING HERO (2) started from inside the 2^nd line last start and was buried away in transit and never had a decent shot at them yet was still only 6m from the in-form SAMS A CHAMP. He should be close to a fitness peak after returning from a break and with early hustle is in the mix.

YOUNG AMERICAN (11) was locked away on the pegs here over the 2138m trip 2 starts back and found gaps to arrive in time. He took on the FFA ranks last start and back to this grade can feature.

COLD IDEAL (7) doesn’t have much luck from this wide alley yet he is racing in great style since returning from a spell finishing 2^nd in all 3 starts. He has finished hard in each and can look to repeat.

SELECTIONS: SLICE OF HEAVEN (10), FLAMING HERO (2), YOUNG AMERICAN (11), COLD IDEAL (7)
SUGGESTED BET: SLICE OF HEAVEN (10) to win

RACE THREE

COURAGEOUS LEO (8) has returned from a break in good order with victories in 2 of his 4 starts. Pressing on to find the front off gate 6 last start he took control and setting a strong tempo over the mile finished them off. He will need some factors in his favour here but can look to find inside lines.

SIR JULIAN (1) has been struggling to land a marble and finally sees the ace after some wide draws. A strong Redcliffe winner 2 starts back from outside the front line when sent to the breeze, his last run saw him buried away in transit. He has the early speed to protect the pegs and will be fighting hard.

CLINTAL DO (3) looked to take them all the way last start over the 2138m trip and with a solid tempo was grabbed late. That followed 3 successive 2^nd line gates and with another nice alley is in the mix.

MY MASTERCRAFTSMAN (4) started from gate 6 last start and was a long way back in the pack when he closed hard to grab the bronze. This is a touch harder but with added fitness can chime into the exotics.

SELECTIONS: COURAGEOUS LEO (8), SIR JULIAN (1), CLINTAL DO (3), MY MASTERCRAFTSMAN (4)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-3-4-8

RACE FOUR

RICH VIRGIN (5) started a red figure fav from gate 2 last start and after not having the speed to cross found the space for the pocket trail and went within a half-neck of victory. He needed to see space sooner here 2 starts back when not far away and with the ability to work looks to get his chance.

LENNY THE LEGEND (6) made the most of the pocket trail last start and after an easy run in transit peeled into the space to cruise home to a 10m victory. Not suited the start prior when caught wide looking for position, if he can find a spot without getting too far back he can swoop home hard here.

ANNIKA MAGIC (1) was locked away on the pegs here last start and kept her head down to close strongly and claim the bronze behind LENNY THE LEGEND. A similar run looks likely and she can repeat.

CANKICKATARGET (8) appreciated a solid tempo to arrive over the mile here 3 starts back and has been trying to work home against the tempo his past 2. With a cheap run he will be probing for gaps.

SELECTIONS: RICH VIRGIN (5), LENNY THE LEGEND (6), ANNIKA MAGIC (1), CANKICKATARGET (8)
SUGGESTED BET: RICH VIRGIN (5) to win

RACE FIVE

GLENFERRIE HOOD (10) has started from gate 10 at his past 2 starts and each time been working home strongly wide off the track. He powered home strongly over the mile 2 starts back for a stylish victory and last start was strong to grab 4^th. There looks some good up front tempo which helps.

SAMS A CHAMP (4) shoots for the hat-trick after claiming the 2280m Redcliffe Cup and then finishing hard down the centre of the track over the sprint trip here. Finding early position will be key to his chances but if able to tuck in and see the gaps look for him finishing off hard.

BODHI TREE (5) speared out from gate 4 here last start over this trip to find the front and once in control was never in danger. He hit the line strongly here 2 starts back and will be in the fight again.

GANGSTER BOY (6) started from this same gate over this trip last start and pressed forward to the breeze. Fighting hard he was only beaten 4m and applying the acid here will be in the mix.

SELECTIONS: GLENFERRIE HOOD (10), SAMS A CHAMP (4), BODHI TREE (5), GANGSTER BOY (6)
SUGGESTED BET: GLENFERRIE HOOD (10) to win

RACE SIX

KEY LARGO (6) rolled forward and landed in the breeze last start over the mile and was fighting all the way when 4m from the winner LINCOLN ROAD. Run down over his less preferred 2138m trip 2 starts back by THE BOYS GNP he can look to burn the candle early here and will be fighting on late.

RIVERLEIGH JEFF (2) was taken back from gate 6 last start and was too far back in the run to make up late metres with the winner controlling it from the front. This is not much harder than that line-up and with an improved gate he can settle handy and look to challenge in the latter stages.

ONE WISE MAN (1) made an early error last start but was able to finish off strongly to be 5m from the winner FRANCO TARIQ. Close up here 2 starts back he will be in the action from this gate.

MACHEASY (8) was sent forward from gate 6 last start over the 2138m and finding the pegs was only grabbed right on the wire when beaten a nose. Not entirely suited to the inside, he is in the mix.

SELECTIONS: KEY LARGO (6), RIVERLEIGH JEFF (2), ONE WISE MAN (1), MACHEASY (8)
SUGGESTED BET: KEY LARGO (6) to win

RACE SEVEN

DARKERSHADEOFPALE (7) found 1x1 cover last start from gate 3 when sprinting hard in the closing stages and only beaten a half-neck. The start prior she took on a strong race where from gate 11 it was always a task with a 55.4 closing 800m set from the front. Despite the gate she is up to this.

ZARAS DELIGHT (3) looked for the pegs last start from the 2^nd line and was solid to the line behind the smart SLICE OF HEAVEN. Looking for gaps here 2 starts back she ended up in the passing lane when it was all over and from the gate she can look to get forward early and can ask the questions.

SHARDS HALO (10) doesn’t get many favours from this alley but if the tempo is strong she can be finishing off strongly. Working in the breeze last start she fought gamely and has podium claims here.

IMA GRUMPY POSSUM (2) settled in the running line last start and was strong to the line when 6m from the all-the-way winner PARISIAN ROCKSTAR. Back to mares only is a big plus and she has claims.

SELECTIONS: DARKERSHADEOFPALE (7), ZARAS DELIGHT (3), SHARDS HALO (10), IMA GRUMPY POSSUM (2)
SUGGESTED BET: DARKERSHADEOFPALE (7) to win

RACE EIGHT

WITH AUTHORITY (9) doesn’t have the greatest of numbers next to his name but he is doing better than his returns suggest. Sent for a freshen his past 2 runs have been from 2^nd line gates with his run 2 starts back a nice effort. He can find position in the run here and with a solid tempo look to swoop.

GASMONKEY (1) might not have the early hustle to hold them out but he should be able to find a cosy trip. Finding the front here 3 starts back he took them all the way and while he is a type not ideally suited to be saved for a short sprint, he can be ready to take his shot when the gaps arrive.

BELLS BEACH HOUSE (3) had an early shot here last start but was unable to get across but after the early burn didn’t have much left at the end. That followed some wide gates and if able to find the pegs he is a sharper prospect.

BET IM SPECIAL (7) found the line nicely at Redcliffe 2 starts back to run up behind them and then last start had no luck when probing for an opening. Despite a tough gate he can feature in this.

SELECTIONS: WITH AUTHORITY (9), GASMONKEY (1), BELLS BEACH HOUSE (3), BET IM SPECIAL (7)
SUGGESTED BET: WITH AUTHORITY (9) to win

RACE NINE

ARGYLE BEACH (8) has been runner up at her past 3 in succession all from gate 12 and is crying out to win one of these mares qualifiers. Working home wide off the track last start she chased gamely behind RED CHARMER. She will need some luck but seeing space in time can claim this.

IMA KENNEDY TWO (1) rolled forward to the breeze last start and was fighting hard when falling under 1.5m from victory behind the all-the-way winner VALTONA. A long way back when trying to make ground here 2 starts back she can look to capitalise on the ace gate.

JUST ROKIN (3) had an early look from gate 5 last start before able to tuck in for cover and then finish hard and only beaten a hair. From the gate she can have a look and is right in the fight here.

MIGHT AND MAIN (12) went down fighting last start after darting in behind the leader and along the passing lane was only a half-head away. The gate hurts but if the tempo is strong she can close hard.

SELECTIONS: ARGYLE BEACH (8), IMA KENNEDY TWO (1), JUST ROKIN (3), MIGHT AND MAIN (12)
SUGGESTED BET: ARGYLE BEACH (8) to win

RACE TEN

IVANOV (4) started off a 50m impost last start and was doing his share of work to get into the contest when holding on for the bronze. That followed a tidy effort in the DJA final over the longer trip after a 2^nd in the 2^nd round heats. A great beginner, if he can find the pegs he might just be able to sneak away with this.

MISTER GUNSEN (13) was sent forward from a 20m tape last start over the 2647 and doing work in the run couldn’t go with them late and faded out. His runs through the DJA Series had merit and from the 10m tape here back to the 2138m trip are both in his favour and he can throw down a challenge.

DIEU DE LAMOUR (10) was hitting the line strongly last start after being a long way back in the pack from a 40m tape. With a front line mark he can look for early position and looks to have place claims.

SCORCHED (1) took on the mobile 2138m last start and was locked away on the pegs when finishing hard to be 7m from the winner QUIETLY SPOKEN. With a safe start and settling close he is in the mix.

SELECTIONS: IVANOV (4), MISTER GUNSEN (13), DIEU DE LAMOUR (10), SCORCHED (1)
SUGGESTED BET: IVANOV (4) each-way