Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 31

RACE ONE

Holding on to 4^th place behind BLACKSADANCE in the AP Xmas Cup three starts back, LILAC FLASH (12) looked to have found his race at Redcliffe but came up short when rattling home in the closing stages. Buried last start behind  TURN IT UP, a return to veteran’s company at the 2138m trip is a huge boost.

MAJORDOIT (3) was beaten by a second line gate last start at Redcliffe when trying to make closing metres behind KANYE CRUSADER. Game in defeat two starts back when sitting parked and finishing 8m from TARGARYEN, he was 3^rd three back when chasing a hat-trick of wins. From this gate he can throw it down.

ITS MR CLOONEY (8) was too strong last start when sitting parked over the mile and grafting out a determined victory. A similarly tough win at this trip three back, he will be searching for open road.

MOHS EM DOWN (5) does not have the greatest numbers next to his name, but he has been easing or had wide gates in recent starts. Getting forward here can see him closer to the action and a podium player.

SELECTIONS: LILAC FLASH (12), MAJORDOIT (3), ITS MR CLOONEY (8), MOHS EM DOWN (5)
SUGGESTED BET: LILAC FLASH (12) to win

RACE TWO

Bumping into TARGARYEN like many of his rivals have in recent outings, COPPERFIELD (2) finds the right gate to weave some magic. A winner three back when taking control and holding on to score a smart win, he was under 5m away at his next start when hemmed away in the run. He can get forward to lay it down.

LE TISSIER (5) was chasing down a hat-trick of wins last start when he was trying to see it out on the front end. It was only the airborne TARGARYEN that thwarted the threepeat as he held on for the silver. The wider gate dents the hopes but he is going well enough to throw down the challenge.

CALL ME KEITH (10) is given no favours from the second line gate but with the right tempo can be filling a minor. Just 5m from KANYE CRUSADER at Redcliffe last start, he can be joining in.

LETS BLAZE (1) was beaten by the wider gate last start when retreating from gate 5 which followed a midfield return in the Members Cup from the second line. The improved gate is a huge help here.

SELECTIONS: COPPERFIELD (2), LE TISSIER (5), CALL ME KEITH (10), LETS BLAZE (1)
SUGGESTED BET: COPPERFIELD (2) to win

RACE THREE

Buried in the run last start after starting from inside the second line, LYRICAL GENIUS (2) was never in the battle when snookered as HESTON ZOOLANDER pulled clear to a big win. Luckless the start prior from the same alley, he can fire out early and gets his chance to hit the right note.

BRIGADIERS SON (6) added another minor to the tally last start when firing across from this gate and then taking the trail on eventual winner HESTON ZOOLANDER. Taken off the arm two starts back when midfield to REGULUS, he has good numbers at the middle trip as he chases his first Aus win.

MISTY CREEK (12) cops another stinker at the barrier draw, on a streak of wide gates. Still returning some strong performances, he was under 3m from WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH last start in the Redcliffe Guineas.

ROLLYARRRZ (11) was runner-up to CAPTAIMN NEMO two starts back when having his second Qld start. Strong to the line on Tuesday behind BONNIE PRINCE LOUIS, he can be chiming in late.

SELECTIONS: LYRICAL GENIUS (2), BRIGADIERS SON (6), MISTY CREEK (12), ROLLYARRRZ (11)
SUGGESTED BET: LYRICAL GENIUS (2) to win

RACE FOUR

After returning from a spell with a stylish display in claiming the Redcliffe Christmas Cup, MANILA PLAYBOY (5) should be tightened from the performance for a second up tilt. Overcoming the second line and claiming a new track record at the 2280m with the victory, the gate looks awkward, but he can capitalise.

MAKE MINE MEMPHIS (1) is one of the most consistent performers in Qld on the Saturday night circuit and comes into this after darting along the passing lane last start to grab a narrow victory. Placed his previous five in succession, he can stalk the speed to issue the closing shot.

ROCK BOTTOM (8) will appreciate a return to this grade after a more than respectable effort last time behind TURN IT UP in the open. Taking them all the way here two back, he can be probing.

BOMBADIER JUJON (3) settled in the 1x1 trail from this gate last start and was trying to make closing ground, grabbing the bronze behind MAKE MINE MEMPHIS. He can press forward here to feature.

SELECTIONS: MANILA PLAYBOY (5), MAKE MINE MEMPHIS (1), ROCK BOTTOM (8), BOMBADIER JUJON (3)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FIVE

This second division qualifier is an open battle with the majority looking to recapture some form. With the benefit of the tight gate ROCKSLIDE (2) can look to force the issue in the early stages to work his way to the front. With some handy figures over the middle trip, this looks his chance.

JIGAMAROO (1) made an early error last start from gate 5 over this trip and was chasing all the way. Runner-up the start prior behind subsequent winner HESTON ZOOLANDER in slick time at Redcliffe, he holds all the options here to issue the challenge.

CANT BLUFF YOU (6) found the front early before releasing in a similar contest last start at the mile when holding onto 4^th, albeit 21m from the winner. The gate is not ideal, but he is a podium player.

ALLMIGHTY MAX (5) was sent to sit parked over the mile last week and after the tough trip was unable to offer much in the closing stages. Fitter again after three runs back from a break, he can chime in.

SELECTIONS: ROCKSLIDE (2), JIGAMAROO (1), CANT BLUFF YOU (6), ALLMIGHTY MAX (5)
SUGGESTED BET: ROCKSLIDE (2) to win

RACE SIX

This is a cracking 2YO contest to close the season, with a mix of experience, hype and littered with winning form. BORELLA (10) is a three-time winner that is furnishing into the real deal. Defeating older horses last start over the 2138m when pulling clear to an 11m margin, it followed a effortless win from gate 1 with margins of 11m x 28m. The gate hurts but he is more than up to this.

ARODA (2) is still a maiden after four NZ attempts but has clashed with some handy horses at each outing. The half-brother to the champion 3YO AKUTA arrives to join the Dixon stable and lands the gate first up to display his talent.

ALTA MAGACIAN (5) is undefeated in two starts since his career began here in Qld. Releasing from gate 1 and then darting past them on debut, he closed smartly from the second line last time. This is a test, but he looks smart.

FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (7) resumes from a spell following his last start 3^rd in the QBRED Final when sitting parked and holding on for 3^rd behind FOR REAL LIFE. The gate stings first up and with no public trial, night be short for this battle.

SELECTIONS: BORELLA (10),ARODA (2), ALTA MAGACIAN (5), FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (7)
SUGGESTED BET:  BORELLA (10) to win
 

RACE SEVEN

Looking to close out his season in the best way possible by adding another victory to his 8 already in the bag for the term, TARGARYEN (2) looks to have the class edge on his opposition once again. Darting up the passing lane last start, he can balance up and then force the issue to complete a hat-trick of wins.

KARLOO BRADLEY (3) was wide and working last start from the outside front line gate and did it tough as the leader was throwing down a slick last 400m. Under 4m from ANIMADO two starts back, the peg trip saw him grab the silver three back behind SOEXTRA. He can look for the tag and release play to chase.

KEAYANG MARVEN (4) has placed at his past two starts in mid-week company, the latest when easing from gate 5 early before closing out in nice order for the bronze. He can be chime in late.

DESPONDENT (1) was beaten by a wide gate last start behind TARGARYEN but has the peg line benefits here. With the cosy trip either leaders back or three fence, he looks a nice exotic filler.

SELECTIONS: TARGARYEN (2), KARLOO BRADLEY (3), KEAYANG MARVEN (4), DESPONDENT (1)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 2 / 1-3-4 / 1-3-4-8

RACE EIGHT
 

After four runs back from a spell where she has placed twice and landed a last start victory, FLIGHT CREW (7) takes her shot at Saturday night success. Large in victory from the chair last start at Redcliffe in swift time, she has early hustle and can get forward to capitalise.

SCENE OF TERROR (4) has been a victim of poor draws in recent starts and should relish the chance to be tighter to the poles in this contest. Luckless last week behind BETTOR ROMANCE from the second line, she was hitting the line strongly two back. Settling handy can see her throw it down.

GOLDIES A DELIGHT (5) was sent forward to sit parked at the 2138m two starts and grafted out a tough win. Taken back last start and never a factor, she is up to the task but position is key.

NO MOTIVE (9) was a yours for theirs fav last start when chasing a hat-trick of wins and looking to remain undefeated in Qld. Gate 6 was her undoing and with the right trail, she can feature here.

SELECTIONS:  FLIGHT CREW (7), SCENE OF TERROR (4), GOLDIES A DELIGHT (5), NO MOTIVE (9)
SUGGESTED BET: FLIGHT CREW (7) to win

RACE NINE

Tackling the mobile 2138m last start where he was sent forward from the wide gate, MAJESTIC SIMON (10) was trying to grip on in a breakaway but was grabbed late, beaten a half-neck by SUGARINSPICE with a further 20m back to 3^rd. Slotting in nicely with the 10m lift under these conditions, he gets every chance.

RIGONDEAUX (2) has hit some nice form in recent attempts and tackles this off a last start Redcliffe Christmas Cup victory. Overcoming the 10m impost to power home over the top in that event, it was a tidy effort for 3^rd behind INDEFENSIBLE two back after making an error. From the front tape, he can challenge.

STRESS FACTOR (3) has good manners from the tapes and can look to fire out early. Collared late when 2^nd to INDEFENSIBLE last time he led at this trip four starts back, he is right in the fight.

KING OF THE NORTH (6) has had two runs back from a spell, the latest when wilting in the 2138m trip under mobile conditions. Generally safe from the tapes, he can be sharper in this.

SELECTIONS: MAJESTIC SIMON (10), RIGONDEAUX (2), STRESS FACTOR (3), KING OF THE NORTH (6)
SUGGESTED BET:  MAJESTIC SIMON (10) to win