Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: MAXIMEZ (3) is an underrated trotter, which ran a cracking race for third in the Super Series Final behind Hilltop Hugh, where he settled in a rearward position, gained a run through the middle before being held up for a run at a vital stage and storming home at the end. His lack of early dash is a concern but he is racing well enough to test this field. JACK SPRAT (2) also performed well in the Super Series Final after he was shuffled back on the markers from the inside of the second line and found the line nicely once clear. He is trotting consistently and is worth thought again. MISTER BLINDSIDE (11) also contested the Super Series Final and finished ninth after being three wide early and moving into the death seat at the 1300m. He is a short course specialist so the drop back in distance is a definite advantage. FOUROUTOFFIVE (10) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and is not without a chance.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: MAXIMEZ (3), JACK SPRAT (2), MISTER BLINDSIDE (11), FOUROUTOFFIVE (10)
RATINGS: 3/ 2,11/ 4,10/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: MAXIMEZ (3) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: ROADMASTER (4) possesses early speed and has struck peak form so he is worth an investment. He dropped back at the start from a wide draw and finished hard when an eye-catching second behind Petracca at Geelong last outing. BETTOR ISOLATE (8) will find this race to be slightly easier than his recent performances. He progressed forward to find a prominent position before gaining a trail and chasing hard at the end when third behind Bulletproof Boy last week. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (5) didn’t seem to handle the track at St Arnaud when unplaced in the Cup and is worth another chance. He produced a strong finish to win against similar grade at Melton two starts ago. RAKAJED (7) beat a slightly easier field last week but he worked hard and recorded fast time. He is very strong and is likely to make his presence felt.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible early leader), 1,3,4,7
SELECTIONS: ROADMASTER (4), BETTOR ISOLATE (8), DIAMOND ECLIPSE (5), RAKAJED (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 5,7,8/ 3,6
SUGGESTED BET: ROADMASTER (4) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: KARTIARE (10) is returning from Western Australia and even though he lacks recent racing, must be rated highly. He finished a close second behind Louie Lou I at a Melton trial effort last week in handy time. CURYO GENTLEMAN (6) was unplaced in the St Arnaud Cup last outing but he endured a wide trip from a poor draw. He finished third in the Swan Hill Cup prior and he has been placed several times at this level recently so he must be included amongst the leading chances. FERRIGNO (1) is a fast beginner and is drawn to receive every chance so he can maintain his consistent form line. CLARENDEN EXPRESS (9) is a South Australian trained pacer, which finished off well from a rearward position at Globe Derby last outing. He has leading reinsman James Herbertson aboard and he has a trailing draw so he cannot be left out of calculations.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely early leader), 3,4,5,6
SELECTIONS: KARTIARE (10), CURYO GENTLEMAN (6), FERRIGNO (1), CLARENDEN EXPRESS (9)
RATINGS: 10/ 6/ 1,9/ 2,3/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: KARTIARE (10) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: QUIRKY CHARACTER (11) appears to be extremely well placed for this assignment. He galloped in the score up and was a clear last early before rounding the field in the final 300m to defeat the smart trotter Remus Phoenix in the Super Series Silver event last week. BAT OUT OF HILL (10) is a lightly raced trotter, which continues to improve with the benefit of experience. He was able to find the lead and was comfortable in scoring at Bendigo two starts ago so he can be competitive again. KISS AT MIDNIGHT (9) pushed forward to find the lead at the 1100m before being run down in the latter stages and breaking stride on the line at Bendigo when her first run since returning from New South Wales. She should strip fitter from that performance and is worth thought again. KYVALLEY JENNY (5) is resuming since being unplaced at Cranbourne in early September. She won a trial in reasonable time at Melton last week so she could sprint well when fresh.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible early leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: QUIRKY CHARACTER (11), BAT OUT OF HILL (10), KISS AT MIDNIGHT (9), KYVALLEY JENNY (5)
RATINGS: 11/ 9,10/ 5/ 7/ 2,4
SUGGESTED BET: QUIRKY CHARACTER (11) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: DAY TWO (6) was shuffled back in the field mid-race and worked home well for fifth (5m) behind Rakajed last week. He missed out narrowly behind IMA TERMINATOR (7) prior and should be competitive under these conditions. SPIRIT OF ANARCHY (3) began quickly to lead from the pole position and battled on well for second in the St Arnaud Cup at his Victorian debut. He couldn’t work into the race after settling in a rearward position from a wide draw last outing and is worth another chance. MITZI SAID (4) is a fast mare that will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment. She finished fifth in the Ladyship Cup then was doing her best work at the end when fourth behind Uniquely Ideal in fast time. STRAPPING RED (8) led throughout to defeat JACCKA CONNOR (2) at Melton last week. She is not as well drawn now but she should be finishing strongly.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,5,6,7
SELECTIONS: DAY TWO (6), IMA TERMINATOR (7), SPIRIT OF ANARCHY (3), MITZI SAID (4)
RATINGS: 6,7/ 3/ 4,8/ 1,2,5
SUGGESTED BET: DAY TWO (6) each way
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: HES NO ROMEO (4) is a brilliant beginner and has performed well in three starts since coming from New Zealand. He led throughout in a mile rate of 1.55.2 two starts ago and is a good chance of finding the lead again so he should prove hard to beat. ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN (8) gained the perfect trip behind the leader when he finished off best to score at Melton last outing. He is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row but he should be hitting the line strongly again. WATTLEBANK ARNIE (1) raced on the outside of the leader throughout when a handy fourth last week. He was runner up behind Pesci (won since) at Bendigo prior and he is drawn to suit his racing pattern so he must be considered as a winning chance. KIA ORA BEAUTY (3) was a big winner at Shepparton two starts ago and has claims along with CHIRRIPO (7).
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 3
SELECTIONS: HES NO ROMEO (4), ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN (8), WATTLEBANK ARNIE (1), CHIRRIPO (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 1,8/ 3,7/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: HES NO ROMEO (4) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: ALOT LIKE LOUIE (6) had no luck in the Super Series Final won by Miki To Success last week after a game second behind War Dan Buddy in a semi-final. He is a talented 4yo pacer and this is easier so he should prove hard to beat. PESCI (7) produced a big performance when he dashed home to score in a slick mile rate of 1.53.6 at Melton on Saturday night. He has won three of his past five starts and looms as one of the leading chances again. BLACK ONYX (4) set up a genuine tempo and was caught on the line by Mach Da Vinci in fast time at Penrith last week. He should be reaching his peak form after having two starts back from a spell and a forward showing is expected. REPELLING (3) led early, was overtaken at the 600m and kept on kicking when third behind Rakajed last week. He is nicely drawn and should go well against this class.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,5
SELECTIONS: ALOT LIKE LOUIE (6), PESCI (7), BLACK ONYX (4), REPELLING (3)
RATINGS: 6,7/ 4/ 3/ 8/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: ALOT LIKE LOUIE (6) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (7) is working back to his best form and strikes a suitable assignment. He motored along the inside when a narrow second behind IMPERIAL COMMAND (8) then followed with a third behind Ollivici, where he led early then took cover in a strong standing start event last week. EL RESAMO (5) dominated his rivals at his first two starts since resuming from a spell then galloped away from the standing start and lost his chance in the Stawell Cup. He will appreciate the mobile start again this evening and should give a forward showing. IMPERIAL COMMAND (8) will be unsuited to being drawn on the second line but he is racing too well to dismiss. He led throughout to win comfortably at Geelong then missed away from the standing start last week. KYVALLEY MAVEN (4) is a versatile trotter and was runner up in the Super Series Final at Melton last outing. He is likely to gain a trail close to the pace from his good draw and is worth a ticket each way.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 1,7
SELECTIONS: GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (7), EL RESAMO (5), IMPERIAL COMMAND (8), KYVALLEY MAVEN (4)
RATINGS: 5,7/ 8/ 4/ 1,6/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (7) each way
