Form Analysis: Albion Park Jan 08

RACE TWO

He loves to roll in front and after landing the ideal gate FIRST STRING (1) looks to get the chance to keep them chasing. Fading after sitting parked last time, he finished over the top of them from the 1x1 trail 2 starts back to claim a qualifying win. The gate is the big advantage, and he can capitalise.

COMMODORE JUJON (8) struck trouble last start that ended his chances after snagging back from gate 5 to find the poles. Midfield the start prior as EL AGUILA dictated in front, he was runner-up to that same in-form pacer 3 back. From this gate he looks set to secure the ideal trip and will be stalking ready to strike.

THE ANNOUNCER (12) has been handed the visitors draw here after making the most of scratching’s here on Tuesday. Moving into gate 2, he took control early and was never in danger thereafter. He can be chiming in.

DIKERRY (3) has faced the starter here at The Creek on three occasions and started from the second line in each. Placed in two of those outings, moving the front line is a big plus and he cannot be underestimated.

SELECTIONS: FIRST STRING (1), COMMODORE JUJON (8), THE ANNOUNCER (12), DIKERRY (3)
SUGGESTED BET: FIRST STRING (1) to win

RACE THREE

The figure form may not suggest much for ROCKNROLL ICON (1), but the numbers don’t tell the true story. Breaking 55 for his last 800m when chasing DEUS EX last start, his previous 2 starts were from gate 7 including a 3m margin behind the flying MISTERFREEZE. The gate improvement can see him reach the top of the charts.

JONAH JONES (8) was out of luck last start when searching for space that never arrived as he probed for the gaps and was just 3.5m from MISTERFREEZE. Starting from this gate 3 starts when sent to the post as the favourite, he finished best in claiming a tidy win and tucked away, he will be looking for the openings.

SUBTLE DELIGHT (10) was strong to the line last week in the FFA when not too far from the winner TURN IT UP. A winner in veteran’s grade 2 starts back when fresh up and charging home, he can be chiming in again here.

SELECTIONS: ROCKNROLL ICON (1), JONAH JONES (8), SUBTLE DELIGHT (10)
SUGGESTED BET: ROCKNROLL ICON (1)

RACE FOUR

Back in Qld for a summer campaign, SCOOB OPERATOR (7) backs up from a mid-week win here on Tuesday where he destroyed his rivals with ease. Sent forward to sit parked from this same alley, when asked to dial it up, he put them away and pulled clear in a sub 55 last half to score by 14m. He may not get the 2^nd panel breather this time, but he looks up to it.

KEY LARGO (10) made the most of his speed off the arm here last week when firing out from gate 3 to take control and then rolling throughout to keep them chasing. His best work is in front which dents his hopes from this alley.

ROLL WITH ROCKY (1) shoots for the hat-trick following wins here over the mile and then on The Triangle over the 1780m. Leading throughout in both, he lands the options to be right in the mix.

SELECTIONS: SCOOB OPERATOR (7), KEY LARGO (10), ROLL WITH ROCKY (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SCOOB OPERATOR (7) to win

RACE FIVE

This ballot division of race 6 looks an intriguing battle with the barrier draw adding an extra layer the converging form lines. RECIPE FOR DREAMING (9) was a winner here 3 starts back when finding the front before releasing and landing the winning blow up the passing lane. 2m away here on Tuesday, his best work is normally against the poles, but he can sneak home in this open affair.

LIFEOFBRIAN (5) secured the perfect trip in behind the speed last start and was trying to make a closing rally when out of the money but within 2m of the winner in a blanket finish. Runner-up to SPIKE BROMAC the start prior, this looks a race that he can throw down the challenge.

TRACER BULLET (2) brings the best numbers to the contest after completing a hat-trick of wins last start, enjoying the end of year with the 3 wins in a 7-day period. Too strong last start to grind out the victory, this is a rise in grade, but he has the confidence up.

SOHO SINATRA (10) was asked to sit parked last start over the mile but could not cope in a solid tempo and wilted in the latter stages. Grabbed late when setting the tempo 2 starts back, he can be sharper here.

SELECTIONS: RECIPE FOR DREAMING (9), LIFEOFBRIAN (5), TRACER BULLET (2), SOHO SINATRA (10)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE SIX

GOLIGHTLY (6) faces a significant class drop from his last start where he was far from disgraced after being thrown into the FFA to ensure it went ahead. Chasing all the way as TURN IT UP made it a last panel blitz, he was strong to the line the start prior behind OHOKA CHOPPER. The gate is the only dampener to his chances.

CAPTAINS PICK (5) ended his 3YO season in a flurry of success, completing a hat-trick of wins all at the 2138m and all when leading throughout. Aided by gate 1 to take them all the way in the Members Cup last time, he can feature again.

LE TISSIER (1) might just lack enough early hustle to make full use of the inside gate but burrowing through should still appreciate the economical trip. Not far away in the Members Cup 2 starts back, he is a podium hope.

SELECTIONS: GOLIGHTLY (6), CAPTAINS PICK (5), LE TISSIER (1)
SUGGESTED BET: GOLIGHTLY (6) to win

 

RACE SEVEN

ARTFUL MAID (2) was a winner here 5 starts back over the 2138m trip when holding them all wide from gate 1 and taking them all the way. Placed in 3 runs since that win, the latest of those was when 5m from SPIKE BROMAC which could have been less with a cleaner passage. From the gate she can make a challenge.

SHES KOALA TEE (4) was knocking on the door after finishing as the bridesmaid on 3 consecutive occasions before waltzing through with wins at her past 2 starts. Angled off the leaders back into open space and sprinting past to score last time, she is in the mix again here.

SWEET JEMMA (6) was sent to the post deep into the red here last week in a mare’s qualifier from gate 1 and after a squirt to hold the front, wilted in the stretch. This is tougher but she can be sharper.

SELECTIONS: ARTFUL MAID (2), SHES KOALA TEE (4), SWEET JEMMA (6)
SUGGESTED BET: ARTFUL MAID (2) to win

 

RACE EIGHT

This looks a tough mares race to close out the card and does not look to have a great deal of early speed drawn tight. RAANI (5) bounced back to winning form with the removal of the ODM embargo being a catalyst for the improvement. Capitalising on gate 1 at Redcliffe, she kept them wide and led throughout. Despite a sticky gate, she looks up to taking this.

GOALKICKER (9) has been in nice touch of late and can be forgiven for her run here last week in the top division mares’ qualifier where gate 7 was her undoing. Her previous 5 were all in the money including a pair of wins, the latest of those 2 starts back from gate 10. This is within reach.

SNUGGLES BANYULA (6) tried to take them all the way last start when firing out of the machine and looking for an all the way win only to be nabbed up the passing lane. From the gate she can place.

BETTOR MEMORIES (1) has not been too far away and has placed in 2 of her past 3 starts, the latest when chasing home for the bronze last week behind SUNNY RICE. The gate is a big help.

SELECTIONS: RAANI (5), GOALKICKER (9), SNUGGLES BANYULA (6), BETTOR MEMORIES (1)
SUGGESTED BET: RAANI (5) to win