Form Analysis: Albion Park Jul 18

RACE TWO

LILAC FLASH (10) has a few things in his favour despite the tough gate. Fitter again after 2 runs back from 12 months on the sidelines, he sneaks into this race nicely under a ballot clause from the Mr Feelgood. Always facing a task 1^st up with a sub 27 closing panel set from the front  by COLT THIRTY ONE, he made an error in last week’s FFA and this looks ideal to return to winning form.

SOLE AMBITION (5) settled in the pack 2 starts back in the Redcliffe Cup over the 2613m and came with a well-judged run to arrive on the line for a smart win. Sent to the front last start, he was gripping on when only SPEECH IS SILVER and KID MONTANA got past him. He can throw it down.

MIDNIGHT MAN (3) pressed forward from gate 4 over the sprint trip last start, with the price to find the front ticking over at 26.4 seconds. Releasing for respite, he soon had his momentum stripped as the white flag was hoisted by the leader. With better luck he can bounce back.

SUBTLE DELIGHT (8) is the emergency in the Mr Feelgood and whether gaining a start in that or here, he will need luck either way. Closing strongly here on Tues when within 3m of the winner, he can feature if the gaps open.

SELECTIONS: LILAC FLASH (10), SOLE AMBITION (5), MIDNIGHT MAN (3), SUBTLE DELIGHT (8)
SUGGESTED BET: LILAC FLASH (10) to win

RACE THREE

A great edition of the Mr Feelgood in store here with most of these stepping up to the 2138m after the mile trip from last week’s Wondais Mate. He has not landed the best gate, but the rising star SPEECH IS SILVER (6) might just get the right trip to utilise his finishing power. His closing splits last week were superb and up to the middle distance, the early power looks set to be in his favour.

COLT THIRTY ONE (5) had to do it the tough way here last week over the mile, grinding away outside the CRUZ in a track record equalling effort. It was a game effort in finishing only 4m in arrears to claim the silver. A turn and burn winner when sprinting the last 400m over this trip the start prior, he will be in for the fight.

CRUZ (4) was looking to lead last week and when driver Leonard Cain declared pre-race he wouldn’t be handing up if touching down in front, the stage was set. In beast mode once the Hilux pulled away, he equalled the track record, doing it all himself out in front. Can it be rinse and repeat over the middle trip?

MAJOR CAM (1) was strong to the line when within 6m of CRUZ over the mile last week after landing the 1x1 trail. Better suited at this trip, he has the right gate to feature and should not be discounted.

SELECTIONS: SPEECH IS SILVER (6), COLT THIRTY ONE (5), CRUZ (4), MAJOR CAM (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SPEECH IS SILVER (6) each-way

RACE FOUR

ESCALERA (1) will take good benefit from his latest outing when 1^st up from a break at his return to Qld. Finding the front prior to releasing, he was using the passing lane to get within 3m of the winner BETTERTHANAJEEP in holding the silver. With all the options from the gate, he gets every chance.

HANDSOME HERO (2) had been returning some tidy performances from tough gates, suggesting that a win was not too far away. Buried in the run last start from inside the 2^nd line, he attacked the line when the gaps opened to arrive for a narrow victory. With the improved gate he can challenge.

TACTICAL RESPONSE (5) made a winning start to his Qld career when securing the pocket trail and making the closing shot a winner over this trip 2 starts back. Runner-up last start to ROLL ONE OVER, he is in the mix.

IFOUNDTHEBEACH (9) was a winner over this trip 3 starts back when making the most of gate 2 in taking them all the way. Holding running line position from gate 3 at his next outing, he was closing in good order when 5m from the winner HEZA BROMAC. With the right trip he can feature.

SELECTIONS: ESCALERA (1), HANDSOME HERO (2), TACTICAL RESPONSE (5), IFOUNDTHEBEACH (9)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FIVE

This is the 2^nd of 2 heats for a Final to be held next Saturday, with this heat looking by far the stronger of the two. CULTURE KING (2) was runner-up to ROLL WITH LACHLAN here 2 starts back when landing inside the 2^nd line and needing plenty of luck. Taking them all the way last start over the 2138m in strong fashion, he has the gate to capitalise.

ROLL WITH LACHLAN (9) made the most of the gate advantage over CULTURE KING last start, putting the power on to take control from gate 6 over this trip. Once in front, he was never in danger in taking the prize. The gate advantage is reversed this time and he will be chasing to issue the challenge.

MOHS EM DOWN (10) returned from a spell for his 1^st appearance here at The Creek when dictating over the 2138m for a smart win. Doing plenty of work wide off the track last start behind CULTURE KING, he will need to work again.

SAM IS PERFECTION (3) was hitting the line in nice order here 2 starts back when 3m in arrears of the winner SIR JULIAN. Closing nicely 3 starts back when only 1m off the winner, he can settle close enough to chime in.

SELECTIONS: CULTURE KING (2), ROLL WITH LACHLAN (9), MOHS EM DOWN (10), SAM IS PERFECTION (3)
SUGGESTED BET: 

RACE SIX

It has been a superb season for GOVERNOR JUJON (5) and despite what could potentially be a tricky gate, he has the class to add another feature race to an ever-expanding CV. With a 5-win picket on the board, his last start win at Redcliffe was clinical from the breeze in a sizzling closing half. With his main dangers looking to be the fillies, victory will nudge him over $300k in stakes.

JENDEN STRIKE (3) was sent forward in the middle stages in the SE Oaks last start, with the difference between being victorious and vanquished coming with the early move. Under the urgings of a great steer, she arrived to score a smart win. With added fitness and her best gate in some time, she can issue a challenge.

PELOSI (7) has been slugged with gate 7 again, adding to the same barrier she had to contend with in last week’s Oaks. Taken back, she was a long way back when trying to make a challenge. The closing splits were strong, yet she was just too far back. No doubting her class, the map is the concern.

CRUNCH TIME (11) was sent around them early last start over the mile when 1^st up from a spell. Doing plenty of work in the run, it was a tidy effort when within 2m of the win. With a cart into the contest, he can chime into a race where there looks to be plenty of contenders for the minor money.

SELECTIONS: GOVERNOR JUJON (5), JENDEN STRIKE (3), PELOSI (7), CRUNCH TIME (11)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE SEVEN

LOVE MY SISTER (1) was the winner of a mares qualifier 2 starts back at her 1^st Qld outing when sent forward from gate 7 to score in sharp time. Her run from gate 10 last start had merit when mid-field. With the improved gate and strong record, she also is the omen runner, with this race named in honour of her dam, the millionaire mare Fleur De Lil.

FAME ASSURED (8) settled in the 1x1 trail last start in the Queen Of Hearts and was hitting the line in nice order to grab 2^nd behind JUSTALITTLE TORQUE. Taking inside runs the start prior when mid-field to COLT THIRTY ONE, she will get the cosy trip here and look to take the snipers shot.

JUSTALITTLE TORQUE (3) has been in great touch since returning from a spell, finishing runner-up to COLT THIRTY ONE when resuming. Finding the front from gate 4 and then releasing for the trail, she had bullets to fire in the stretch to claim a passing lane win. Once again, she will be in the mix.

WEEKS END (2) was an impressive Redcliffe winner at her Qld debut when doing all the worm in the breeze and putting her opponents to the sword. Mid-field last start from inside the 2^nd line, the move to the front-line suits.

SELECTIONS: LOVE MY SISTER (1), FAME ASSURED (8), JUSTALITTLE TORQUE (3), WEEKS END (2)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-3-8

RACE EIGHT

SPORTS STORY (5) has been running some great races of late, but she seems to be just finding something a little better or one that gets a better trip. Forced to do it the tough way last start, she was game when not too far away behind RUBIES FOR TASH. Runner-up to LOVE MY SISTER the start prior, she can overcome the sticky gate.

HUNZA VALLEY (9) has found touch and lines up here with 2 wins in her past 3 starts. Sticking to the inside, she arrived on the wire at Marburg 3 starts back and then last start retreated from gate 6 at Redcliffe before arriving for the prize, hitting the line strongly. With even luck, she can challenge.

JERADAS DELIGHT (6) steps out in Qld for the 1^st time, joining the Jack Butler barn. Runner up last start at Parkes when wide of the track in the latter stages, she has a solid record and has claims.

HUGHIES SISTER (1) was a winner here 3 starts back over the 2138m when finishing best to take the prize. 3^rd under similar circumstances 2 starts back from this gate, she has claims with the easy trip.

SELECTIONS: SPORTS STORY (5), HUNZA VALLEY (9), JERADAS DELIGHT (6), HUGHIES SISTER (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SPORTS STORY (5) to win

RACE NINE

These capacity field events over the long trip are always tricky to dissect with the moves and positioning all important. MAJESTIC SIMON (12) was not suited at Redcliffe last start and made an error in the run ending his chances. Strong late under mobile conditions the start prior, he can get back to his best here.

NORTHERN MUSCLE (14) was safely away as per normal from his 20m tape last start and was soon sent forward in a fast move, looking for a bulrush move. Right as he loomed up towards the leading runners, he broke gait and that was his race done. Placed his previous 2 starts, he can bounce back.

GALLEONS VICTORY (6) will make his 1^st appearance in Qld for the Powerful Craig Cross barn. A winner at 3 of his past 5 starts, he wasn’t too far away from the winner QUIETLY SPOKEN last time out and he is right in the mix.

GREG THE GREAT (13) finished best over the 2138m trip last time out after coming from the 20m tape. He can be a bit hit and miss, but if finding the right position, he has the finishing punch to land a hit.

SELECTIONS: MAJESTIC SIMON (12), NORTHERN MUSCLE (14), GALLEONS VICTORY (6), GREG THE GREAT (13)
SUGGESTED BET: MAJESTIC SIMON (12) each-way

RACE TEN

BLACKWHITEANDBLUE (1) has earned a cheque in all 3 outings here at The Creek since arriving, including a sharp victory over this trip. Sent to the front from the three-hole, he kept the power on throughout to score by 9m. Probing for gaps to chime in for 3^rd last start, he holds the keys to this contest.

BLUE MOON RISING (3) is knocking on the door, returning some strong efforts in recent starts. Angled to the pegs last start, he was making some nice metres in the latter stages behind ROLL ONE OVER. Hitting the line nicely for 3^rd 2 starts back, early position will be key to his chances.

STORMY RAIDER (5) is a member of regular NSW winter visitor Dean Cernovskis stable and arrives with tidy Menangle form. A winner over the 2300m 4 starts back when finishing strongly, he has claims in this.

LIFES A JUNGLE (4) is not far off cracking a qualifying victory when the conditions are right. Placed in 3 of his past 4 starts, he was chasing gamely last start for 3^rd in a sharp mile behind UNCLE JORD.

SELECTIONS: BLACKWHITEANDBLUE (1), BLUE MOON RISING (3), STORMY RAIDER (5), LIFES A JUNGLE (4)
SUGGESTED BET: BLACKWHITEANDBLUE (1) to win