Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
A strong race to open the card with multiple hopes and scenarios available. MULLUM HANK (3) is airborne at present and will chase a hat-trick of victories following successive wins at the mile, the latest when descending on them from the rear. Forced to grind out a big mile the start prior, he can claim the threepeat.
TURN IT UP (9) will be fresh here following a last start victory from behind the tapes in midweek company. Quickly away from the 20m to take control and fend them off in slick time, he is a warhorse and with his point-to-point speed, can never be discounted. A win pushes him past $1m in stake earnings.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY (10) is knocking on the door with placings sin five of his past six, the latest when making a mid-race move and holding on behind CHEERSTOLOU for 3rd. He is in the mix.
LANAI (1) is best suited behind the speed and allowed to take a closing shot and from this gate secures that pattern. A winner three back and close up his past two, he will be stalking.
SELECTIONS: MULLUM HANK (3), TURN IT UP (9), DISTRICT ATTORNEY (10), LANAI (1)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE TWO
Early mapping will play a big part in sorting the winner of this race and with the benefit of the fence, RESILIENT (1) has landed the initial blow. Taking them all the way to victory three back, he has been stung by wide gates in his past two, the latest when grabbing the bronze behind MULLUM HANK. With the options, he can capitalise.
JENSVILLE (3) is in great touch with three wins in her past four starts and a 2nd from the other outing. Taking them all the way in a mares qualifier last time out in a new PB, she can look to optimise the gate and press for a forward position to issue the challenge.
CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (4) is never too far from the action and secures an improved gate from recent outings. Chasing from the rear after retreating from gate 6 last time, he has claims.
SUPA AMERICAN (5) found the 2138 out of reach two starts back when just peaking as CALL TO ORDER saw them off. Forget last start when striking trouble, this is more suitable.
SELECTIONS: RESILIENT (1), JENSVILLE (3), CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (4), SUPA AMERICAN (5)
SUGGESTED BET: RESILIENT (1) to win
RACE THREE
Drawn wide in his past two visits to HQ, this looks right for XPRESS PARTY (4) to capitalise. Put a line through his last start from gate 7 where it did not suit, the start prior he chased a handy pair when 3rd behind RAKASANDY. Limiting the early burn, he can make the most of the chance here.
TINDER SURPRISE (3) is still chasing a first victory in the sunshine state, but not through lack of effort. Bursting to win on this deck, nothing has really been in his favour, the latest attempt when forced to sit parked from a wide gate as FACT FINDER dictated. This is well within reach.
HOT ROD HARRY (5) was closing strongly here last week when grabbing the silver behind FACT FINDER. Only a half-head from COMMODORE JUJON three starts back, he has podium claims.
REAL TIN TIN (1) was runner-up at this trip two starts back after flashing some early hustle and then finding 1x1 cover when 3m astern of MY ULTIMATE FLYNN. From the gate, he is in the mix.
SELECTIONS: XPRESS PARTY (4), TINDER SURPRISE (3), HOT ROD HARRY (5), REAL TIN TIN (1)
SUGGESTED BET: TINDER SURPRISE (3) win/place
RACE FOUR
The run last start from AJAY VOLSTEAD (1) must be seen to be believed. Making a complete mess of the start and his night appearing over he was that far behind, he chased and chased and somehow had the temerity to dart through a gap to be under 4m from the winner to grab 2nd. If he can get the start at least partially right, he just wins.
NOT AS PROMISED (6) will have a new race day driver for the first time on this deck since arriving with the Dwyer barn in 2023. Resuming here from a spell, he was shut down after a long season which culminated in a sizzling track record victory at the mobile mile. Sharpened with a recent trial, he may just be in need of the run.
MASTERLY (3) had out together two sound efforts to suggest a solid showing was forthcoming and did that last time out. Stepping cleanly, dictating and winning with 4m to spare. Manners will be a huge plus with how the start plays out.
GET USED TO IT (8) had been in the money in six consecutive appearances before last start when missing a cheque, despite being under 5m from the winner. Placed in three of four at the trip, he is a podium player.
SELECTIONS: AJAY VOLSTEAD (1), NOT AS PROMISED (6), MASTERLY (3), GET USED TO IT (8)
SUGGESTED BET: AJAY VOLSTEAD (1) to win
RACE FIVE
Blazing a path through the grades as he leaves horses in his wake with speed and power, CHEERSTOLOU (1) pulls into the FFA station with seven wins from his past eight starts. Another dictating victory last time with 12m to spare, he has the gate to dictate and can take the next step with another W.
SPEAK THE TRUTH (8) was fresh up here lasty week when sent to the post as fav. Finding the pocket trail, he was looming late but had to settle for the silver behind TIMS A TROOPER. Runner-up behind LEAP TO FAME when second up, he should secure a soft trip here and will be probing.
TIMS A TROOPER (4) is super consistent and added another victory here last week when finishing best to grab the prize. Runner-up behind LEAP TO FAME the start prior, he is never too far away.
FOR REAL LIFE (5) is brilliant at his best but has battled some niggles over time. Returning with a November victory first up from off-speed, nothing went right at Redcliffe in the CJ at his next outing. Fresh up here, he stays under notice.
SELECTIONS: CHEERSTOLOU (1), SPEAK THE TRUTH (8), TIMS A TROOPER (4), FOR REAL LIFE (5)
SUGGESTED BET: CHEERSTOLOU (1) to win
RACE SIX
A 4YO contest with plenty of depth where fitness edge might just be enough for MOONSHINER (3) to capitalise. Overcoming gate 6 when rolling forward and forcing the issue with a 2m margin, he defied the second line last start with a strong last 800 at the 2138 to score. This is the biggest test of his ability to date.
FINAL DEADLINE (6) will be second up following an easy victory when resuming in a standing start contest. Safely off the mark to set the tempo, he ripped home a sizzling 54.6 last 800. Runner-up in a heat of the Vic Derby three starts back when leading from gate 7, he has some wheels out of the machine and will throw it down.
FRENCH FRIES (5) lines up fresh since a last start G1 victory after taking the 3YO Triad last time out with a dominant display over the middle trip. With one trial to prepare, he has claims.
DAISY DIANA (7) was hitting the line strongly last time out when just a half-neck astern of the winner MULLUM HANK. Scoring a narrow victory the start prior, the gate makes it a tough ask.
SELECTIONS: MOONSHINER (3), FINAL DEADLINE (6), FRENCH FRIES (5), DAISY DIANA (7)
SUGGESTED BET: MOONSHINER (3) to win
RACE SEVEN
ALLMIGHTY MAX (1) has been flying under the radar in recent starts, producing some good runs that are not being rewarded. Grabbing the bronze when 2m from the winner MULLUM HANK two starts back, he flashed some early hustle here last week as BIGGER THE BETTOR saw them off. The options from this gate appeal.
CONGO LINE (8) will secure an economical trip and with a good record on the passing lane, will be sweating on the 1 looking to take them all the way. Making good metres last week when just behind the money, the start prior, he was luckless behind CALL TO ORDER. With the right trip, he can challenge.
WINDY HILL TARA (2) finished at the rear of the small field last start but was sectionally strong over the latter stages. Not too far from QUADDIE VC the start prior, she is in the mix here.
IMA QUEEN BEE (4) will benefit from being back in the main draw after facing the ODM embargo at her past two. Overcoming gate 7 to claim a mare’s event two starts back, she can feature.
SELECTIONS: ALLMIGHTY MAX (1), CONGO LINE (8), WINDY HILL TARA (2), IMA QUEEN BEE (4)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-4-8
RACE EIGHT
EUREKA JO (4) is first up for the Turpin stable and makes her first appearance since finishing down the line behind KISS in a VICBRED final. Not asked for much in a recent trial, right throughout her career she has tackled feature races and boasting an excellent record, finds the conditions to throw down the challenge fresh.
MULLUM RUBY (2) should appreciate returning to her own grade for this battle following two run in open company. Holding on for the bronze behind SHES A WARRAWEE last time, she was slicing through a gap when charging home behind SOAP OPERA the start prior. This is within reach.
POST PAINTER (8) has been flying but is given no favours from this gate as she looks in danger of being buried behind tempo. A tough win highlighted by a strong last 800 two starts back, she was again tough in victory last start and will be searching for a way clear.
SEASIDE GLORY (1) rolled forward early to secure the 1x1 trail last start and fought on late for the bronze behind FACT FINDER. Just a half-neck from BEACHRIDE the start prior, a return to her own sex from this gate are both in her favour.
SELECTIONS: EUREKA JO (4), MULLUM RUBY (2), POST PAINTER (8), SEASIDE GLORY (1)
SUGGESTED BET: EUREKA JO (4) to win
RACE NINE
Sent to the post deep into the red last week, SWEET ADDITION (1) found the front early but was out of tokens turning for home when finishing 4m astern of the winner AURORA JOY. Hitting the line strongly for the bronze the start prior, she lands the gate and set up to chase redemption.
MISSED CONSEQUENCES (6) overcame this gate to take a qualifier last week and complete a hat-trick of victories. On the back up from Wednesday where she finished at the tail, she was keen in running when parked which may have contributed to the fade out. She can bounce back.
A PERFECT DANCE (5) rolled forward to sit parked last time out and despite the tough trip was still giving to the line when 1m from the winner. She can be thereabouts once again.
SERGIOS ROCKET (3) was banished to the trails last start after fading to the rear and has come through that with a sound performance. With good early speed, she can be handy enough to feature.
SELECTIONS: SWEET ADDITION (1), MISSED CONSEQUENCES (6), A PERFECT DANCE (5), SERGIOS ROCKET (3)
SUGGESTED BET: SWEET ADDITION (1) to win
