Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
A winner in two of his three starts on this deck, the only miss for SUPA AMERICAN (2) came in a small field controlled in front by eventual winner CAPTAIN SHUFFLES. Descending on them in this same grade last week for an impressive win from gate 6, the improved alley is a huge asset.
BRONSKI ZULU (1) was near the rear in transit from a second line starting gate last time around at Redcliffe and the tempo made it too hard to make any ground. Placed both prior starts including a 2nd to the airborne TREMENDOUS SENSATION, he can throw it down from this gate.
CALL TO ORDER (6) held the 1x1 trail here last week when second up from a spell but was locked away and went to the line without getting a crack at them as SUPA AMERICAN arrived. The gate stings here.
OUR INDIFFERENCE (3) has good arm hustle and from this gate can be firing some early bullets looking for a forward position. Collared late at the mile last week in front, he can feature again.
SELECTIONS: SUPA AMERICAN (2), BRONSKI ZULU (1), CALL TO ORDER (6), OUR INDIFFERENCE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: SUPA AMERICAN (2) to win
RACE TWO
WAIKAKA MAGIC (2) was sent for a break back in April off the back of a strong win at the mile highlighted by a 54.2 close out from the front. Given one start in September when beaten by the barrier behind FINAL DEADLINE, he returned 11 days back when a beaten fav from gate 7 in a Peak of the Creek heat when parked in 1.50.7. From the front end, he will be hard to stop.
CHEERSTOLOU (8) is unbeaten since arriving in Qld, but this will be the biggest test to date from the awkward draw. Overcoming gate 10 first up when circling to the front, he blitzed the Peak of the Creek Series with successive sub 1.50 miles from the front. He has the speed, but can he find the space to display it?
REDS ABLAZE (4) was too slippery in front in claiming the same heat WAIKAKA MAGIC started fav in, before holding 2nd from the pocket trail in the final behind CHEERSTOLOU. Positioning cheaply will be vital.
RUBY RULES (10) has been consistent since returning from a spell, with placings at her past three in succession from tough draws. The gate makes it hard, but she can be rallying late.
SELECTIONS: WAIKAKA MAGIC (2), CHEERSTOLOU (8), REDS ABLAZE (4), RUBY RULES (10)
SUGGESTED BET: WAIKAKA MAGIC (2) to win
RACE THREE
Revved up and engaging attack mode at the 1100 in last week’s mares feature, SWEET MIA (1) found the front from a second line gate. Turning for home, she was under siege in battling on well for the bronze when 3m astern of the winner. The improved gate will make all the difference and with the absence of any early pressure, can dictate.
TREMENDOUS SENSATION (10) added a feature win to her impressive picket fence form line here last week> Showing early speed before being crossed by SWEET MIA, once the gap presented, she was too slick in the stretch to score. Mid-race tempo may be lacking here, however if it isn’t, she has the speed to descend on them.
LUX AETERNA (8) is the class runner of the field and lines up off the back of successive wins at the Menangle mile. Drawn to follow the speed, whether she has the push button speed to dart through when the gap opens is a query. If there is track to work with, she will be hard to stop.
SOAP OPERA (3) was forced to roll the sleeves and do all the work outside the leader here last week and faded after the tough trip, although only beaten 8m. Working again is the concern.
SELECTIONS: SWEET MIA (1), TREMENDOUS SENSATION (10), LUX AETERNA (8), SOAP OPERA (3)
SUGGESTED BET: SWEET MIA (1) to win
RACE FOUR
Placed at his past four starts, the set up looks right for GET USED TO IT (5) to land a breakthrough. Exposed early last week before receiving cover, he then had to make the three-wide move when the horse in front could not take him beyond the 450. Finishing 2m astern of the winner, he has good arm hustle to press forward and stake claim.
MUFASA METRO (9) should appreciate a return to mobile start conditions after coming through the DJA Series off 20m. Under 4m from the winner in the first round, it didn’t really go his way at the next two runs. Setting the tempo in front that resulted in the NOT AS PROMISED track record five starts back, he can challenge.
TAYLAD TO USE (3) took them all the way in the 2647m DJA Final last week, stepping off the tapes to take control and fend off the late challenge. Questionable early speed from behind the start car could sting here.
BERRIESANDCHERRIES (10) was the eye-catcher out of the DJA final when charging home to grab the bronze. Both heat rounds were solid and with the right trip, look for her late.
SELECTIONS: GET USED TO IT (5), MUFASA METRO (9), TAYLAD TO USE (3), BERRIESANDCHERRIES (10)
SUGGESTED BET: GET USED TO IT (5) to win
RACE FIVE
Crossing the Tasman to join the Jason Grimson stable, RAKERO ROCKET (3) should have no issue with the 13 furlongs of this contest, having won the 3000m Methven Cup four starts back. Down the line last start in the NZ Cup behind KINGMAN, a G1 winning 4YO, he should be too classy for this line up.
ALBY TWO CHAINS (9) was the beneficiary of an opening 800 blitz last week, eased off the arm as the opening half appeared in 54.9. Set alight at the 600, he powered up and pulled clear to post a 15m margin in a career PB mile. With the right tempo, he can make a closing play.
DARIN (2) has been super consistent this season, hitting the board in eight of nine, which includes four wins. Scoring a PB at the mile last start, he can get forward for cover to chime in.
CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (4) has placed in both runs since resuming from a spell, the latest when under 2m from CAPTAIN SHUFFLES. He has podium claims from the tricky gate.
SELECTIONS: RAKERO ROCKET (3), ALBY TWO CHAINS (9), DARIN (2), CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (4)
SUGGESTED BET: RAKERO ROCKET (3) to win
RACE SIX
The opening price of $1.04 is completely justified for KEAYANG ZAHARA (9), the star 4YO mare which has tasted defeat just once in 20 career starts. Putting a 14m margin on the field after overcoming a second line gate last start for her ninth G1 success, sit back and watch trotting perfection in full flight.
MAORIS MAC (5) has placed at her past four in succession, the past two when chasing home for 2nd behind KEAYANG ZAHARA through the VicBred Series. Working forward from the second line to sit parked in the final, she had 10m to spare over the third placed runner and from the front line can do her best to mount the challenge.
AJAY VOLSTEAD (10) appears the best placed of the local hopes, coming into the G1 feature off victory last week in the Stellar Square after grinding out the win. A cart into the contest will help.
SUNSET HILL (12) has gone two from two since arriving in Sydney with the Morris stable, the latest a smart win at the mile from the front. This is the test, but he looks progressive.
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG ZAHARA (9), MAORIS MAC (5), AJAY VOLSTEAD (10), SUNSET HILL (12)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 9 / 5-8-10-12 / 4-5-8-10-12
RACE SEVEN
Champions know how to rise off the canvas and LEAP TO FAME (10) did exactly that last start, backing up after a mammoth run in the NZ Cup to claim the FFA just three days later. While he may have been a level below his best in Vic prior to heading across the ditch, he returns to his home deck where he is unbeaten in his past 24 appearances.
DON HUGO (4) is the big winner from the barrier draw, landing the front line where his main dangers have both drawn the second line. Sectionally powerful in last week’s Sunshine Sprint, his previous two runs were enormous and if the home town champion is to be defeated, it will likely be at the hooves of the reigning Miracle Mile champion.
THE JANITOR (12) was huge in defeat at the sprint trip last week, sitting parked and taking the leader and winner all the way to the wire, only beaten a head. Where and how he gets into the contest appears the query.
BIRKIRKARA (2) was down the line in last week’s Sunshine Sprint yet produced a sizzling last 800. Slicing between runners for bronze in the CJ the start prior, an improved gate is a huge plus.
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (10), DON HUGO (4), THE JANITOR (12), BIRKIRKARA (2)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (10) to win
RACE EIGHT
Looking to have his chance to capitalise here last week at 2138, MULLUM HANK (8) threw his chances away after 200m when making an error. Resetting and still able to finish midfield when 9m from the winner, if he is in the trail here, he will be hard to hold out.
CARBINEER (2) was a winner from gate 5 here five runs back when sent to sit parked and able to grind out the victory. Drawn wide in all four since including another 5 when chasing CHEERSTOLOU in 1.48.9. The improved alley can see him throw down the challenge.
SHARDS MATRIX (1) will strip fitter following his return in the Peak of the Creek heats where he was out sped first up. With a string of bad gates against his name, the ace and options appeal.
HELLO I TEA (4) was making some closing ground last start when 8m astern of the winner WORKS FOR ME. Grabbing the bronze the start prior, positioning cheaply will be key here.
SELECTIONS: MULLUM HANK (8), CARBINEER (2), SHARDS MATRIX (1), HELLO I TEA (4)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE NINE
Chasing down a hat-trick of victories after putting together two on the bounce at the sprint trip, FERNCO NEL (5) looks well placed in the small field to add a 2138 victory to the tally. Three from three at track and trip, he has the early hustle to get forward and from the front should continue his march through the grades. The threePete is on.
WITHDISTINCTION (2) beat the older horses at Redcliffe two starts back when taking them all the way from gate 1 in a new class record on The Triangle. Runner-up to ELLIS STREET last start from the trail, he can look for the fence and then stalk the speed to issue the challenge.
DEMON BLUE (6) is afforded no favours as the widest runner in the small field, but the middle trip looks more favourable than three runs back from a spell which have all been at the mile.
SELECTIONS: FERNCO NEL (5), WITHDISTINCTION (2), DEMON BLUE (6)
SUGGESTED BET: FERNCO NEL (5) to win
RACE TEN
With dictating wins at her past two starts, KYLOAN QUEEN (3) finds a race no harder and from the good alley can press the button early to chase the front. Ripping home a 54.7 last 800 two starts back, a return to mares’ company is an added plus and she looks set for the threepeat.
HELL OF A HAND (1) maps for the perfect trip behind the speed from the gate and will be looking for the gaps. Backing up from a midweek effort at Redcliffe where she finished midfield from a second line gate, the soft trip can see her look to mount a challenge.
A PERFECT DANCE (5) has been racing consistently and lines up here with placings at her past three in succession. Only a neck away from BETTORS MOON last start, she has claims.
EYE SEE THESEASIDE (4) held the 1x1 trail last start and tried to make a late play when runner-up to SEASIDE GLORY. Striking trouble the start prior, she is a podium player in this.
SELECTIONS: KYLOAN QUEEN (3), HELL OF A HAND (1), A PERFECT DANCE (5), EYE SEE THESEASIDE (4)
SUGGESTED BET: KYLOAN QUEEN (3) to win
