Form Analysis: Albion Park Feb 23

RACE TWO

TOP TRIO (2) has some ordinary numbers next to his name from his past 3 starts but there can be excuses made for him and his run 2 starts back he was only beaten 4m. His run 4 starts back was a tidy effort when 3^rd and with the return to a good gate over the mile, this looks a winnable target.

MY MASTERCRAFTSMAN (9) is having no luck in landing a marble of late and faces another 2^nd line gate here. Going around for practice last start when snagging back from gate 7, his effort here 3 starts back was solid when 3^rd from gate 10. With the right trail through early he can challenge.
 
IMTHE GOLDEN CHILD (10) went back from gate 7 last start when sent to the pegs looking for luck. Settling well back he attacked the line strongly. Racing well without much luck he can turn it around.

WERELIVINGTHEDREAM (1) took on a mares event last start when landing gate 7 and was sent forward closer to the speed. With the options from the gate, possessing early speed she has claims.

SELECTIONS: TOP TRIO (2), MY MASTERCRAFTSMAN (9), IMTHE GOLDEN CHILD (10), WERELIVINGTHEDREAM (1)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE THREE

MR MEDDLE (3) is racing well and sees his best alley for some time. From the pocket trail last start he chased hard but couldn’t reel in the airborne LINCOLN ROAD. Luckless at his previous 2 starts including in a much stronger race taken by SLICE OF HEAVEN when not beaten far, this looks ideal.

JUMPING JOLT (2) is after the hat-trick after successive win at the mile. Finding 1x1 cover last start he closed hard to take a 3m victory, with his run 2 starts back a solid all the way effort from gate 4. With the good gate he can be at the pointy end in transit and will take some holding out.

OUR MAJOR DAY (5) isn’t having much luck of late and last start was put out of play in a scrimmage. His run 2 starts back from gate 6 was full of merit when only beaten 5m and he can bob up here.

MONIVAE (1) lands his best gate for some time and with the improved gate can settle close to the speed. Strong from the breeze when 2^nd in a 2^nd division qualifier 2 starts back, the gate is a big plus.

SELECTIONS: MR MEDDLE (3), JUMPING JOLT (2), OUR MAJOR DAY (5), MONIVAE (1)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FOUR

MATT BELFORD (1) was 3 wide from gate 7 here 3 starts back when resuming from a spell and faded late under the effort. Following that with a tough run over the 2138m from gate 5 and claiming the silver, he was then too tough here on Tues in a stylish win. From gate 1 he looks set to dictate.

WEE JIMMY (8) took on a stronger line-up last start and was only 9m from the winner over the 2138m in a strong closing 800m. Placed in his previous 4 starts in succession including when beaten a head behind ARK PATROL 2 starts back, he can utilise the cosy trip and be ready to strike.

SIR SEMPER FIDELIS (9) didn’t have much luck in the run in a 2^nd division qualifier here 2 starts back when locked away on the pegs. Finishing best over the 2040m at Redcliffe last start he has claims.

HE GETS IT (12) doesn’t have many favours from the extreme gate but with even luck in transit can look for the podium. Locked on the pegs last start he charged home when the gap opened and can chime in here.

SELECTIONS: MATT BELFORD (1), WEE JIMMY (8), SIR SEMPER FIDELIS (9), HE GETS IT (12)
SUGGESTED BET: MATT BELFORD (1) to win

RACE FIVE

BIG BRUCE (5) will strip fitter following his latest start when resuming from a 4-month break. Angled to the pegs for luck after landing gate 12, it was a pleasing return when finding the line in good order in the latter stages. His form prior to the break was strong including 2 wins in his past 5 and this looks well within reach.

OYSTER STRIDE (2) made the most of gate 1 in a 2^nd division qualifier here 2 starts back and after taking the trail was able to finish best to claim a 2m victory. Not suited in a tougher race last start he can get to the pegs 1^st and then look for cover and be ready to take the snipers shot.

JOHNNYCAKE (1) is racing well and looks set to have conditions to suit his pattern again here. Using the passing lane to win 2 starts back, he chased hard last start for the bronze. He is a place hope again.

RIVERLEIGH ROCKET (3) turned his fortunes around here last start in a 2^nd division qualifier when pouncing straight on the pegs and leading throughout. He was starting to tippy-toe late but managed to hold on and can take good confidence from the win.

SELECTIONS: BIG BRUCE (5), OYSTER STRIDE (2), JOHNNYCAKE (1), RIVERLEIGH ROCKET (3)
SUGGESTED BET: BIG BRUCE (5) to win

RACE SIX

This race shapes as an intriguing contest with the class runner of the field MATTGREGOR (7) landing the worst gate. That might not stop him being set alight early to look to take control. His last in the Newcastle Mile was a nice effort after making an early error and he is the one to beat.

THE SHADY ONE (1) has enough early speed to dictate who he releases to the front here and saved for one run has a sharp turn of hoof.  Fitter from 2 runs back from a break, he wasn’t really suited chasing last start and with the right run in the pocket trail can take the snipers shot.

ITS JUST KENNY (3) will be better suited from this gate where he can look to get forward. Last start when snagged back from gate 7 his best work was in the closing 200m and he can be sharper here.
 
CLINTAL DO (5) had the pocket trail here last start and once he angled into open space let down well to arrive for the prize. If he sits off what is sure to be a sizzling tempo look for him swooping hard with MARETTI (6) and LILAC FLASH (9) also adding some great flavour to a mouth-watering contest.

SELECTIONS: MATTGREGOR (7), THE SHADY ONE (1), ITS JUST KENNY (3), CLINTAL DO (5)
SUGGESTED BET: MATTGREGOR (7) to win

RACE SEVEN

MACH ALERT (5) was taken back from gate 7 here last start and settling back in the pack was really hitting the line strongly in the closing stages, running home in a sub 55 last 800m. An all the way winner from gate 4 here 3 starts back over this trip, he has enough early speed to take control.

GLENFERRIE HOOD (9) went straight to the front here last week over the mile and was able to get a breather through the 2^nd panel which was enough to hold them off late. Sent forward from the 2^nd line here 2 starts back he faded late but if limiting the burn here can look to make it Albion Park win 20.

WATCH PULP FICTION (3) had put the writing on the wall with some nice runs including when beaten a half-neck and then a neck. Sent forward last start he found the front and then was never in danger. He is up to the task.

ALLELUIA (1) resumes from a freshen and was last seen when doing the hard yards in the breeze over the 2138m trip when beaten 10m. with the benefit of the soft run he can take late splits.

SELECTIONS: MACH ALERT (5), GLENFERRIE HOOD (9), WATCH PULP FICTION (3), ALLELUIA (1)
SUGGESTED BET: MACH ALERT (5) to win

RACE EIGHT

ARBIT MAJOR (1) lands his best gate for some time and with enough early speed he will have options at his disposal. Settling in the running line last start from gate 5 he found the line soundly behind RIVERLEIGH ROCKET with his run from gate 7 here 3 starts back a tidy effort. He gets his chance in a wide-open event.

ROCKNROLL MUSIC (3) went to the front from this gate and trip 3 starts back and was looking to take them all the way when grabbed in the closing stages. Not suited by 2^nd line draws his past 2 starts, he returns to the front and can look to use his pace and be gripping on in the stretch.

RIVERLEIGH JEFF (8) looks set to be buried in transit but without spending a cent he can look to be taking short-cuts home. His past 2 have been from wide gates and he looks better suited in this.

READILY (4) was sent forward from gate 6 at Tamworth 2 starts back and was up for the fight when proving too strong over the 2360m trip. On the back-up from Wed, if he can find position early he has place chances.

SELECTIONS: ARBIT MAJOR (1), ROCKNROLL MUSIC (3), RIVERLEIGH JEFF (8), READILY (4)
SUGGESTED BET: ARBIT MAJOR (1) to win

RACE NINE

JOSSIE JAMES (9) can be a frustrating horse to follow as she needs conditions in her favour which has seen her burn favourite backers on many occasions. Her closing splits were again superb as she was hitting the line strongly last start to grab the bronze, making it a placing in 4 of her past 5. There looks some tempo here and settling closer will this be her night?

JUST ROKIN (3) rolled forward from gate 4 here last start to cut the breeze and was in for the fight and only faded in the closing stages. That followed a tidy effort when chasing hard behind TRILIGHT BRIGADE and if able to limit the early burn she can look to throw down the challenge.

BURNING AMBITION (1) returns to the Mitch Dawson yard after a previous stint and arrives a last start Tamworth winner over the 1980m trip. Freshened since that run she has good early speed and should be in a great position here.

CHARLYSE (8) has been runner-up at her past 3 starts in succession and all in these mares only qualifying events. Closing out strongly here last week she was only beaten a head and with a soft trip will be probing for the gaps.

SELECTIONS: JOSSIE JAMES (9), JUST ROKIN (3), BURNING AMBITION (1), CHARLYSE (8)
SUGGESTED BET: JOSSIE JAMES (9) to win

RACE TEN

NEEDLE (3) was starting off 20m here last start under discretionary conditions and after stepping cleanly was back in the pack when finishing off nicely to be 7m from the winner. Runner-up at each of her previous 3 starts including by the narrowest of margins 2 starts back, she can capitalise here.

MIRACLE RISING (7) worked home in good style here 3 starts back from a 10m tape to grab the bronze and was attacking the line strongly his next run, putting the writing on the wall. That was franked last start from the 2^nd line under mobile conditions he arrived with a well-timed run to score.

GEE UP NEDDY (6) features in a stable change and will line up for Jack Butler for the 1^st time. Not raced since September, he opened the pipes with a nice trial and has podium claims.

OUR OVERANOVA (13) returns from a freshen with his last start back in late December. A beaten fav on that occasion he was only 5m from the winner in a strong 2138m mobile trip. His record is brilliant and he can never be ignored.

SELECTIONS: NEEDLE (3), MIRACLE RISING (7), GEE UP NEDDY (6), OUR OVERANOVA (13)
SUGGESTED BET: NEEDLE (3) to win