Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 23

RACE ONE

Not much has been going the way of SURF ACE (1) in recent times, highlighted by his outing last start where he was poleaxed soon after the start and out of business. Buried two back before hitting the line smartly behind MIDNIGHT CALM, he lands the marble to open all the options to cash in.

LUXURY LAD (8) looks set to enjoy the benefits of an economical trip and will be stalking the speed. A winner at the 2138m here two back when powering home over the top to claim a half-head margin, he was just 4m from ANIMADO last start and can take the snipers shot here.

B MAC C (4) had been running some sectionally super performances in recent starts without featuring before capitalising last start at Redcliffe with a half-head victory. Positioning cheaply will be key.

REGULUS (9) was wide off the track last start when trying to make a closing raid at Marburg where the effort was full of merit to be just 3m in arrears. That followed a smart win on this deck, and he has claims here.

SELECTIONS: SURF ACE (1), LUXURY LAD (8), B MAC C (4), REGULUS (9)
SUGGESTED BET: SURF ACE (1) to win

RACE TWO

With four starts to his name since returning from a Sydney sojourn, MAJESTIC SIMON (6) should appreciate the mobile conditions on offer here. Settling back at his past two starts where he has faced a 30m impost in each, he has been unable to overturn the deficit. His effort under these conditions three back when beaten a neck is the pointer to him reclaiming winning form.

KING OF THE NORTH (2) will take benefit from his last start where he was resuming from a spell. That was in the Christmas Cup where he was buried three back from the 10m tape, holding on to 4^th behind INDFENSIBLE. A two-time winner from the mobile, he can be handy enough to challenge.

IM THE COMMANDO (1) was a winner from the tapes here four starts back when stepping safely from the 20m and able to get to the front and see it out. Buries last start, he can possie up to feature.

KINGDOM COME (5) has been running some super races since his Carnival feature and last start grabbed the silver behind INDEFENSIBLE. Early position will be key but if he can lob a spot cheaply, he can be in the finish.

SELECTIONS: MAJESTIC SIMON (6), KING OF THE NORTH (2), IM THE COMMANDO (1), KINGDOM COME (5)
SUGGESTED BET: MAJESTIC SIMON (6) to win

RACE THREE

A tricky second division qualifier to dissect here with quite a few runners searching to recapture some winning form. One of those is HEY MISTER TAYLOR (2) who will relish the chance to start from an improved alley after facing some wide gate in recent starts. Not beaten far his past three, he can get forward and if in front will take some stitching.

ROCKSLIDE (4) was a Redcliffe winner three starts back when burrowing through to hold the front and take them all the way. Beaten by gate 6 at his next start when retreating, forget his last start when he was put out of business. He has the gate to press forward to challenge.

BLACKJACK BART (10) bought some winning rains with him last start to overturn an extended drought when out-toughing them to score over the 2138m. some confidence can help his cause.

CANT BLUFF YOU (3) has had tough gates at his past three that have made his task too hard. Back to the front line he can fire out and look to turn it around.

SELECTIONS: CANT BLUFF YOU (3), ROCKSLIDE (4), BLACKJACK BART (10), HEY MISTER TAYLOR (2)
SUGGESTED BET: HEY MISTER TAYLOR (2) to win

RACE FOUR

Finding the front in the early stages before taking cover on the eventual winner OKINAWA BEACH here last week, BETTOR ROMANCE (2) was able to fight off the charging cavalry to hold 2^nd. A passing lane 3^rd here three starts back, she has the early hustle and finds conditions to cash in.

DELTA THREE (8) was runner-up here two starts back when forced to graft it out first over as SOME GIRLS DONT landed the prize. That effort has been sandwiched by a pair of victories, the latest a smart effort when eased away from the inside and proving too strong. She will be searching for a way clear.

GOLDIES A DELIGHT (7) was sent forward to sit parked from gate 5 over the middle trip last start and was able to recapture winning form after an indifferent middle part of the season. Off the back of that effort, she is in the mix again here.

SHESA POCKETROCKET (1) fired out and looked to see it out last week but came up a half-neck short of the prize. A half-head away here three back from this gate, she can be in a position to feature.

SELECTIONS: BETTOR ROMANCE (2), DELTA THREE (8), GOLDIES A DELIGHT (7), SHESA POCKETROCKET (1)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTOR ROMANCE (2) to win

RACE FIVE

These 70Series’ have been producing some great racing and this Final is no exception with speed and power across the board. MIDNIGHT CALM (6) was not interested in staying three poles in last week’s Members Cup and was sent forward to sit parked in the middle stages but was gone 400 from home. That is the only blemish on a super record since arriving in Qld and he can bounce back.

ALTA REVELRY (1) has been runner-up at his past two starts where he has been defeated a neck and then last start was charging late to get within an eyelash of the winner. He lands the right gate to his preferred pattern and releasing to the right leader can stalk the speed to strike in the stretch.

ANIMADO (8) eased into the running line last start and a slick opening panel set up the tempo and he was able to descend on them. He does appear in danger of being locked away here but can be rattling home.

BANGKOK DEEJAY (5) should take plenty of benefit from his latest outing where he was second up from a spell and closed out smartly along the passing lane. The gate dents his claims.

SELECTIONS: MIDNIGHT CALM (6), ALTA REVELRY (1), ANIMADO (8), BANGKOK DEEJAY (5)
SUGGESTED BET: ALTA REVELRY (1) to place

RACE SIX

Firing out to take control at Redcliffe and lay out a big mile two starts back, HESTON ZOOLANDER (2) tackled the Members Cup last start and was looking to see it out over the 2138m. With a solid tempo he led all bar when it counted when nailed up the passing lane. He can bounce back with this.

BRIGADIERS SON (6) has been around The Creek on six occasions and placed in four of those as he still chases his first win on Australian soil. Snagged off the arm last time from gate 5 he didn’t really warm up. It took TARGARYEN every inch of the stretch to collar him two back and he can throw it down.

FAST TRACKER (1) charged over the top to score from gate 4 here two starts back in taking a 5m margin in a new PB rate. Buried last start, he will be tucked behind the speed ready to strike again.

ITZ CHEROKEE JACK (9) claimed feature success five starts back and since that win has been beaten by some tough gates. He has another tricky alley here but should press through early to settle handy enough to feature.

SELECTIONS: HESTON ZOOLANDER (2), BRIGADIERS SON (6), FAST TRACKER (1), ITZ CHEROKEE JACK (9)
SUGGESTED BET:  HESTON ZOOLANDER (2) to win

 

RACE SEVEN

Getting the job done from some tough gates in recent starts, TARGARYEN (1) gets a big gate improvement and lands all the options that come with it. Exposed early before receiving cover last start, he arrived on the line to make it 3 wins from his past 4 starts and can capitalise once again.

LE TISSIER (2) is 2 from 2 since joining the Donny Smith barn, backing up here off a passing lane victory on Tuesday where he started from inside the second line. Overcoming a wide gate in a small field two starts back at Redcliffe, he can be close enough to the action to throw down the challenge.

MUCH BETTOR (8) enjoys a fence trip and from this gate should be closer to the leader than his last appearance when chasing ANIMADO. A passing lane 3^rd to ASHARK at his previous peg trip four runs back, he can join in.

WHATA ROLLER (3) has placed at his past two starts, the latest from the fence after easing early to find position and then rattling home to be 4m in arrears. He can fire some early bullets to get handy.

SELECTIONS: TARGARYEN (1), LE TISSIER (2), MUCH BETTOR (8), WHATA ROLLER (3)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-3-8

RACE EIGHT

The favours were not with ITS MR CLOONEY (5) here on Tuesday where he was snookered from the inside second line and never saw the space to issue a challenge. Grafting out a tough win at the 2138m here two starts back, a return to the mile suits and he can power up early to take his shot.

CARDLESFRONHEAVEN (7) is afforded no favours from the outside paint but should appreciate a return to this company. Sitting parked in the Be Good Johnny Sprint was a tough ask where he was brave. Sharpened with a recent trial where he hit the line smartly, he can throw it down.

OHOKA JIMMY (1) backs up from Tuesday where he was able to arrive in the nick of time for a narrow victory. With the benefit of the peg line run, he can be joining in.

SWAGGIE SHANNON (9) was runner-up here two starts back from the 1x1 trail when chasing ITS MR CLOONEY over the 2138m. Luckless last start in tougher grade, back to veteran’s puts him in the mix.

SELECTIONS: ITS MR CLOONEY (5), CARDLESFRONHEAVEN (7), OHOKA JIMMY (1), SWAGGIE SHANNON (9)
SUGGESTED BET: ITS MR CLOONEY (5) to win

RACE NINE

A tricky open mare’s contest where the barriers have made it tricky for a few of these including LUCKY NUTTER (8) who will need some favours going her way. Swooping and pulling clear to a stylish 7m margin two starts back, she was 3^rd to TARGARYEN last start. Back to her own sex, she just needs the gaps in time.

BETTERTHANDIAMONDS (6) was sent forward to sit parked last start and the tough trip told in the latter stages as she faded to be near the rear. Wide gates have been her nemesis in recent outings and despite again facing a tough gate, she returns to her own sex which shapes as a big plus.

CALA JANE (10) tackled a tough contest last start made tougher by gate 7 and when eased after the start was never in the mix. Running ROCK BOTTOM to a head two starts back, she can be chiming in.

OKINAWA BEACH (2) faces a step up in grade, but she has been in nice touch with two wins from her past three. Overcoming gate 7 in smart fashion here to take a qualifier last week, the improved gate is a big plus.

SELECTIONS: LUCKY NUTTER (8), BETTERTHANDIAMONDS (6), CALA JANE (10), OKINAWA BEACH (2)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE TEN

A field of 10 in this divided FFA where a front line with plenty of speed could make this a tactical game of cat and mouse to secure position. TURN IT UP (10) held on for the silver in the Lord Mayors Cup last start behind MACH DA VINCI. It has been an uber consistent season where he has hit the board in 16 of his 17 appearances and he can see out his term with another victory.

NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (9) angled to the fence last start and held on for the bronze as BLACKSADANCE took the prize. The slow tempo in the opening half put the race out of reach for the chasing pack two back and despite the second line, he can press through to issue the challenge.

UNCLE SHANK (7) cops a tough gate here as he chases his first win in the FFA ranks. Strong to the line two starts back in a small field, he chased gamely last start at the 2138m and is right in the fight.

LILAC FLASH (1) is on the two day back up from Redcliffe where he was rattling late but just ran out of track to grab 2nd. Holding on to 4^th behind BLACKSADANCE two starts back, he receives peg line favours to boost his podium hopes.

SELECTIONS: TURN IT UP (10), NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (9), UNCLE SHANK (7), LILAC FLASH (1)
SUGGESTED BET: TURN IT UP (10) to win