Form Analysis: Albion Park Jun 18

RACE ONE

A strong Final assembled for this contest after a number of rounds of heats where the often-underrated ROCKS OR DIAMONDS (2) comes up with the gate to shine. Claiming his heat at Redcliffe when finishing over the top of GENERAL MONTANA, he turned over UNCLE SHANK the start prior. First to the pegs opens the options.

MAJOR JELLIS (5) rolled forward from gate 6 in his heat which was his first Qld appearance and pushed on to take it with a 1m margin. Setting a new PB winning time with the victory, it followed a narrow 2^nd to subsequent Truer Memorial winner LOORIM LAKE over the Menangle mile. He can issue the challenge.

KASHED UP (4) broke through for his first win of the season here last week in claiming a qualifier. He had to dig deep but responded well and from this alley will once again be in for the fight.

SO BOBS YOUR UNCLE (1) loves the pegs and while he may not have the brilliance that a few in this field can boast, he will be tucked away and waiting to do what he does best.

SELECTIONS: ROCKS OR DIAMONDS (2), MAJOR JELLIS (5), KASHED UP (4), SO BOBS YOUR UNCLE (1)
SUGGESTED BET: ROCKS OR DIAMONDS (2) to win

RACE TWO

Still searching for his first win here at The Creek, the conditions might just have fallen in favour of OBI ONE (2) to open his account. Gate 6 was his undoing last start when retreating and the tempo was against him and two back, he was strong to the line for 2^nd behind THE RACONTEUR. This looks his chance.

NICKS PICK (1) went a stretch of four starts where he was beaten no further than a half-neck, making the closing challenge on each occasion but just coming up short. Picking off some late metres last start behind KASHED UP, he looks set for another economical trip and can be ready to strike.

THREE RIVERS (12) is the query runner and given no favours from out in gate 12 at his first run back from a spell. The winner of 4 from 7 in his career, he needs to step up here, but a recent trial caught the eye.

FALCONS (8) is at his best saved for one shot and from this gate he looks set to be buried but will be searching for an opening. Not much was ion his favour from gate 5 last start, and he will be probing.

SELECTIONS: OBI ONE (2), NICKS PICK (1), THREE RIVERS (12), FALCONS (8)
SUGGESTED BET: OBI ONE (2) to win

RACE THREE

This is the consolation for the Final that is race 1 on the card and by virtue of the ace gate, SQUIRE (1) looks to get the opportunity to capitalise. This looks easier than his latest start when not far from FEELINGFORARAINBOW and in his heat was buried away from inside the second line.

JUST ROKIN (2) was sent forward from gate 4 last time out and pressing on to the front was able to keep them chasing throughout in claiming a 4m margin. Fighting on hard the start prior after racing first over, she was a winner here three back and from this gate will be throwing down a challenge.

HARPS (5) was sent forward from gate 4 in the heat of this series and racing first over, faded in the closing stages after a 27.6 third split at Redcliffe took the wind out of the spinnaker. He has podium claims here.

EL AGUILA (4) should take further benefit from his latest appearance where he was second up from a spell. Facing second line barriers in both return runs, he can be sharper off the front here.

SELECTIONS: SQUIRE (1), JUST ROKIN (2), HARPS (5), EL AGUILA (4)
SUGGESTED BET: SQUIRE (1) to win

RACE FOUR

It was the perfect return after 28 months off the racing scene for JILLIBY KUNG FU (4), overcoming gate 6 when sent forward to take control and see it out in a tidy 1.53.5 rate. He has been back to the trials since that first up victory and gave the pipes another good opening and he looks set to continue the comeback in style.

SCARLET BABE (1) has now had two runs back from a spell and not much has been inn her favour in either outing. Sitting parked last start from gate 2, she faded late as DEUS EX took them all the way and first up her closing panels were sharp from back in the pack. She will enjoy the prefect trip.

FIRE FOX (7) is part of the Jason Grimson travelling team and arrives with 3 wins in his past 4 attempts. A beaten fav from gate 9 over the Menangle mile last start, his win two back was sharp, and he can feature despite the gate.

INFATUATION (5) is airborne at present and last week taking inside runs was responsible for one of the fastest last 400m individual splits ever recorded here at The Creek in grabbing 2nd. The gate stings but he can chime in.

SELECTIONS: JILLIBY KUNG FU (4), SCARLET BABE (1), FIRE FOX (7), INFATUATION (5)
SUGGESTED BET: JILLIBY KUNG FU (4) to win

RACE FIVE

Resuming from a spell after having a spaced four starts last campaign, BIG WHEELS (2) has cleared the cobwebs out with a smart trial in slick time behind JILLIBY KUNG FU. A last start winner when defeating HEMSWORTH, he can get forward to find the front and keep them rolling #LeaderPeter style.

COURAGEOUS SAINT (1) placed in 3 of his past 4 starts, the latest when making some closing metres to grab 3^rd behind JUST ROKIN. With the cosy trio in behind the speed from this gate, if he can spot the gaps to right line in the stretch, can throw down a closing challenge.

WATTS UP SUNSHINE (8) rolled forward to set the speed last week from gate 4 over the 2138m and after a steady opener, the pace quickened and after a 57-middle half, he could not repel them in a sub 27 closer. He will be searching for the gaps.

LOVE YOUR WORK (10) receives no favours from this alley and will be wide trying to get into the contest at some stage. Buried and chasing behind HEMSWORTH last start, he can chime in.

SELECTIONS: BIG WHEELS (2), COURAGEOUS SAINT (1), WATTS UP SUNSHINE (8), LOVE YOUR WORK (10)
SUGGESTED BET: BIG WHEELS (2) to win

RACE SIX

Resuming from a spell in this 13-furlong contest, SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (2) was last seen when attacking the line for 2^nd to KING OF SWING in the Miracle Mile. His progression from this time 12 months ago where he claimed a qualifying pace here at The Creek has been enormous and with two trials to prepare, can strike fresh.

MAJESTIC CRUISER (9) will be first up following his three start NZ campaign where he was beaten a neck in The Race at Cambridge behind SELF ASSURED and then turned the tables two starts later with victory in the Messenger over 2700m. He can follow through to secure a handy position to issue the challenge.

BLACKSADANCE (7) has been responsible for a pair of top efforts in both standing start events at his past two outings. A return to mobile conditions suits and he can fire some early bullets to get into the contest.

COLT THIRTY ONE (1) could not get warm over the closing stages in the Flashing Red last start from the standing start. Strong to the line the start prior when 3m from MACH SHARD, he should get a cosy trip.

SELECTIONS: SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (2), MAJESTIC CRUISER (9), BLACKSADANCE (7), COLT THIRTY ONE (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (2) to win
 

RACE SEVEN

I NEED YOU NOW (2) made a winning start to her Qld campaign when pressing ahead from gate 7 in a midweek contest. Finding the front, she was able to see it out with a neck to spare on the line. This is a step up from that, but with some confidence in scoring her first win since crossing the Tasman and the improved gate, she can repeat.

DELIGHTFUL DUDE (6) returns to Qld for another Carnival after missing the board in all 4 attempts here last year in some tough races. 6m from the winner after being asked to sit parked last start over the Menangle mile, he had a pipe opener at the trails and can issue the challenge here.

KING TRITON (1) scored in a midweek contest last time out after racing in the trail from inside the second line and then taking the winning shot up the passing lane. With the cosy trip, he has claims.

BOMBADIER JUJON (3) was a passing lane winner four starts back when settled in the trail from inside the second line. Thereabouts without threatening at his past three, he can podium in this.

SELECTIONS: I NEED YOU NOW (2), DELIGHTFUL DUDE (6), KING TRITON (1), BOMBADIER JUJON (3)
SUGGESTED BET: I NEED YOU NOW (2) to win

 

RACE EIGHT

Resuming from a spell last start and set to the post deep into the red, SOHO ALMASI (9) was trying to see it out over the mile but was collared up the passing lane by VALKYRIE. A beaten fav behind ELEKTRA two starts back, the added fitness will be a plus and she can claim redemption.

BALLERINI (6) arrives for NSW trainer Bernie Hewitt and brings a last start Menangle 2^nd when finishing withing 3m of the winner LITTLE BLISS. Runner-up to LYRICAL GENIUS in the Western Region Championship three starts back, she can make a challenge despite a tricky gate.

LADY AVANA (8) will take benefit from her latest outing where she was resuming from a spell. Taken to the rear from gate 5, she was strong to the line wide off the track for 2^nd to BAKER CREEK and with a soft trip here will be probing.

GIRLS ARE BEST (4) was sent forward from the second line here last week and working wide out was still strong to the line behind VALKYRIE in holding 3^rd, the only runner off the fence to make ground.

SELECTIONS: SOHO ALMASI (9), BALLERINI (6), LADY AVANA (8), GIRLS ARE BEST (4)
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO ALMASI (9) to win
 

RACE NINE

With just the front line to contend with, ROCKNROLL ICON (7) might just be able to pinch this contest. Going a little better than his numbers suggest, he was forced to do it tough when first over last start and just wilted late as FEELINGFORARAINBOW arrived. He gets no mapping favours but has been meeting some handy opposition.

MOHS EM DOWN (3) fired off the arm over the mile last time out and finding the front was able to take them all the way to claim a Veteran’s event. Luckless the start prior when buried in the run and never getting a crack at them, he can use his early speed to be in a challenging position once again.

BETTERTHANDIAMONDS (1) was not interested in a forward position last start from gate 2 and instead settled with 1x1 cover when finishing 5m in arrears of the flying INFATUATION. She lands all the options to feature.

SAM IS PERFECTION (2) eased from gate 7 to settle neat the rear last start and then could not get into the contest. Within 3m of the winner two starts back, he can settle closer to make a play.

SELECTIONS: ROCKNROLL ICON (7), MOHS EM DOWN (3), BETTERTHANDIAMONDS (1), SAM IS PERFECTION (2)
SUGGESTED BET: ROCKNROLL ICON (7) to win

RACE TEN

Completing a hat-trick of victories at his latest appearance, SUGAR APPLE (5) was sent for a break after the win and resumes here. Cherry-picking his recent targets following a 4^th in a NSW Derby Heat, the hat-trick came about courtesy of victory in the Young Derby, followed by the Rowleyalla Sprint at Bathurst and then a sizzling victory at Wagga. He can strike fresh.
TIMS A TROOPER (4) settled in the running line last start from gate 5 but could not eat into the deficit last time out as DANGERZONE controlled it in front. Too classy in the APG Bullion the start prior, he faces a tricky gate in the small field here but can try to launch the challenge for the locals.

AMORE VITA (6) is given no favours with the outside gate but arrives with brilliant form lines to her name. Sent for a break after finishing 3^rd in the NSW OAKS when sent out as the fav, she resumed with an effortless Melton victory.  She can build into her Qld Oaks campaign strongly here.

SELECTIONS: SUGAR APPLE (5), TIMS A TROOPER (4), AMORE VITA (6)
SUGGESTED BET: SUGAR APPLE (5) to win