Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 09

RACE ONE

Making full use of the gate on Tuesday to get forward and take control, SPEAK THE TRUTH (3) kept the power on throughout, becoming just the second horse to break 1.52 for the 2138 on this deck. Resuming from a spell in the opening Round where sectionally he was strong behind LEAP TO FAME, he can force it early and position to chase a repeat.

NERANO (1) was strong to the line and taking ground off LEAP TO FAME in the mile heats and then up to the middle trip, descended on them in the closing stages to claim a smart victory with a slick closing panel. Early hustle and where he positions look to be his biggest danger in taking this.

OUR MONEY ROCKS (10) was buried away in the opening Heat and went to the line probing. With the bold move to chase an all the way win on Tuesday, it nearly came off when he led them deep into the stretch. The gate is tough this time.

HOT AND TREACHEROUS (12) has not been too far behind them in both Rounds and had to be doing his share of work on both occasions. The gate doesn’t make it any easier.

SELECTIONS: SPEAK THE TRUTH (3), NERANO (1), OUR MONEY ROCKS (10), HOT AND TREACHEROUS (12)
SUGGESTED BET: SPEAK THE TRUTH (3) to win

RACE TWO

The first up Qld run of the Morris trained HANDS ON (1) was an eye-catcher here last week, retreating off gate 7 from the mile. Only sitting at the rear for the briefest of moments, he was then sent to sit parked by the 1100 and then went within a nostril of victory. The gate is a big asset.

THE TAX CULLECTOR (8) worked home off speed last start to score a victory and may have marginally altered the theory that he is a leader only. That gives his chances here more weight and if he is stalking the leader when the swing for home, he can throw down the challenge.

CATSEYE BEACH (3) claimed a strong first up victory and then second up with over five weeks between starts, struck trouble. Attacking the line last start, from an improved gate, he can feature.

WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH (5) resumes from a long spell after his last appearance came back in January when faced with a tough run. His preparatory trials have been sound, and he can grab some minor money fresh.

SELECTIONS: HANDS ON (1), THE TAX CULLECTOR (8), CATSEYE BEACH (3), WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH (5)
SUGGESTED BET: HANDS ON (1) to win

RACE THREE

The Victorian 5YO BETTER ECLIPSE (10) was one of just two horses that came into the Series with successive victories and was able to make it a hat-trick with a first round victory. He was again game in Round 2 when sent around from the second line to sit parked. If SWAYZEE faces too many obstacles, he can capitalise.

SWAYZEE (1) was the only other runner with successive victories prior to the Series starting and like BETTER ECLIPSE extended that in Round 1 before faltering on Tuesday. Looking like his night was done on the home turn chasing SPEAK THE TRUTH on Tuesday, he rallied to hold 3^rd. Where he ends up in the run is the big query here, but if he is forward with more than a lap to travel, he can flex.

TIMS A TROOPER (8) somehow ended up at the rear of the field from gate 2 on Tuesday and was able to run home in sub 54 wide off the track. A soft fence trip here might be what he needs to be closer to the money.

CLASSIE WASHINGTON (7) made full use of the trail on Night 1 to follow the speed and bank some big points when runner-up to BETTER ECLIPSE. He was above a pass mark when 4^th in Round 2 from gate 6 and can be around the money again.

SELECTIONS: BETTER ECLIPSE (10), SWAYZEE (1), TIMS A TROOPER (8), CLASSIE WASHINGTON (7)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTER ECLIPSE (10) to win

RACE FOUR

With the ideal cart into the race here on Tuesday and then sitting outside a runner he should be expected to power past, LEAP TO FAME (7) was forced to dig in for the fight in taking a narrow victory. He was never in danger at the mile on the first night and although the wide gate is not ideal, he can complete the heats unbeaten.

CANTFINDABETTORMAN (11) was sent forward in the first round and forced to do it hard first over where he was also resuming from a spell. Working home from deep field as SPEAK THE TRUTH fought them off in the second round, the run was sectionally strong. Again, dealt a cruel gate, he can chase some valuable and needed points.

PETES SAID SO (1) probably had his chance to get past SPEAK THE TRUTH here on Tuesday after securing the prefect trip on his back throughout, but had to settle for 2^nd. Another prime gate aids his chances of more big points.

CAPTAIN SHUFFLES (12) tried to fight them off over the sprint trip but found BETTER ECLIPSE too strong in finishing 3^rd. Luckless on Tuesday yet producing some wicked closing splits, with the right cart home, he is a sneaky podium hope.

SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (7), CANTFINDABETTORMAN (11), PETES SAID SO (1), CAPTAIN SHUFFLES (12)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (7) to win

RACE FIVE

It may have been a performance on the plain side in tasting defeat in the First found but QUEEN ELIDA (2) was given the ultimate stink-eye by GUS and forced into taking the trail after working to the front. Fighting on to hold 2^nd as OLLIVICI took the cold shot, she can re-assume the throne here with her first Heat win of the Series.

PLYMOUTH CHUBB (4) was super on Night One when rattling hard in the closing stages to grab the upset victory over QUEEN ELIDA. On Tuesday, he made an error in the score up and had to chase the gate before filling the spot and then leading them up and nearly claimed another big scalp, running JUST BELIEVE to a half-neck. He will be throwing it down.

MUFASA METRO (3) has gained placings in both rounds to date, just being nabbed on the wire by OLLIVICI on Night 1 and then chasing for the bronze on Tuesday behind JUST BELIEVE. With good speed off the arm, he can look to get across early and avail the options thereafter.

SIR FAHRENHEIT (1) has valuable points in the bank following a 2^nd to JUST BELIEVE and on Tuesday was just out of the money behind that same winner. The gate is a huge help to making it to Saturday December 16.

SELECTIONS: QUEEN ELIDA (2), PLYMOUTH CHUBB (4), MUFASA METRO (3), SIR FAHRENHEIT (1)
SUGGESTED BET: QUEEN ELIDA (2) to win

RACE SIX

If his Round 1 victory was clinical, then JUST BELIEVE (3) did what he had to in Round two, seemingly with still plenty in reserve despite the narrow margin to PLYMOUTH CHUBB. He lands an ideal gate here and can be steady in working forward to take control and assert his dominance on the Series.

OLLIVICI (5) was content to sit off the war declared in front by QUEEN ELIDA and GUS and when angled into open space in the stretch, had the closing speed to arrive in time. Peeling off caver to win the opening round, he will be hoping for a repeat of night two to land the last shot.

GUS (7) was monstrous in defeat here on Tuesday, pressing ahead from outside the second line to throw the heat at QUEEN ELIDA. Not relenting, he worked to the front and was dead game in finishing just 1m from the winner. A move to the front line is a plus.

MAJESTIC LAVROS (1) was just behind the placings again in Round two, to sit inside the top 12 with the Final in sight. He lands the ideal alley to chase his spot in next week’s big one.

SELECTIONS: JUST BELIEVE (3), OLLIVICI (5), GUS (7), MAJESTIC LAVROS (1)
SUGGESTED BET: 3 / 1-5-7 / 1-5-7-10

RACE SEVEN

This shapes as a tricky little battle where with the right trip, BOMBADIER JUJON (4) might just be able to pinch this. Buried in the run last start, he was midfield as ALTA REVLERY arrived and two back tackled a standing start contest. Not far from MR MCLAREN three runs back, he looks up to the task.

O B LEGAL (2) was locked away three back on the poles last start and when shaking free was picking off god metres over the closing stages to finish as the runner-up to BIG SKEWY. Hitting the board at his past five in succession, he can settle handy and looms as a genuine threat.

BETTERTHAN POPSY (8) has been sectionally super at his pas two starts, the latest when closing strongly from wide off the track to be just 5m from the winner ART JESTER. A small field is a plus.

LIGHTNING DAN (5) was taking his first spin around The Creek here last time when eased off the arm and unable to get into the battle as BIG SKEWY carved it out in front. This looks more suitable.

SELECTIONS: BOMBADIER JUJON (4), O B LEGAL (2), BETTERTHAN POPSY (8), LIGHTNING DAN (5)
SUGGESTED BET: BOMBADIER JUJON (4) to win

RACE EIGHT

Faced with the second line last start, HOLI STARZZZ (8) was trying to eat into the margin but ultimately was just behind the placings as BIG SKEWY carved it out. Making the most of gate 3 to lead throughout two starts back, with second line options and back to mares company, she can capitalise.

MERGE RIGHT (4) rolled forward and was forced to sit parked last start and despite the tough trip, was able to grind it out in finishing just a neck adrift of the winner. Winning successive starts prior to the latest effort, she might just be able to wrangle the lead to throw down the challenge.

SHEZ NOTORIOUS (5) should appreciate a return to mare’s company after meeting stronger allcomers her past two, chasing ID aspirants in each behind CAPTAIN SHUFFLES and CLASSIE WASHINTON. Early speed aids her chances.

MIGHT AS WELL (6) secured the ideal trip in behind the speed last week and when angled to the passing lane, needed every last inch of it to arrive. Gate 6 makes a repeat win a tough ask.

SELECTIONS: HOLI STARZZZ (8), MERGE RIGHT (4), SHEZ NOTORIOUS (5), MIGHT AS WELL (6)
SUGGESTED BET: HOLI STARZZZ (8) to win

RACE NINE

Powering home over the top of a small but select field of 3YOs last start, AARDIES FLASH (1) has proven to have the right afterburners to charge home with one run. Both placed runners he beat last start have since won to frank the form and with the chance to follow speed, he can cash in again.

SO SIRIUS (3) forced the issue from gate 5 to get to the front here two starts back in a 70Final and controlling the speed pulled clear to a 4m margin. The task from gate 10 as FRANKIE FEROCIOUS carved it out in front last start was too hard but back to the front, he can throw it down.

MIDNIGHT CALM (8) pressed forward from a wide gate last start to take control and led them deep into the stretch to be under 2m from the winner. With second line options, he can feature.

LUVBITE (5) has placed at his past two and is always a consistent performer. Holding on for 3^rd behind BIG SKEWY, he was strong to the line two starts back and can be thereabouts again here.

SELECTIONS: AARDIES FLASH (1), SO SIRIUS (3), MIDNIGHT CALM (8), LUVBITE (5)
SUGGESTED BET: AARDIES FLASH (1) to win

RACE TEN

Second up in Qld last time out and slammed with the outside second line at the 2138 trip, PACIFICO DREAM (3) was trying to work home wide off the track but against tempo it was a hurdle too high. First up off a spell and claiming a strong win here two starts back, he can press ahead and dictate.

GOTTA GO MILKING (8) is running some terrific races in recent starts, but they are not translating to the numbers and dollars on his form sheet. Gate 7 made the task tough here last week, yet he was strong to the line when 3m from the winner ART JESTER. Second line options aid his chances here.

MAKARA (7) caught the eye three runs back when finishing off stoutly behind PACIFICO DREAM and converted that at his next start to claim a qualifier. Luckless last start, the gate is a stinger.

AMAMI (2) led the three-wide train from the 600 last start and was game in defeat to be just 1m from the winner ART JESTER. Settling handy from this gate, a small field is a boost to his hopes.

SELECTIONS: PACIFICO DREAM (3), GOTTA GO MILKING (8), MAKARA (7), AMAMI (2)
SUGGESTED BET: PACIFICO DREAM (3) to win