Form Analysis by Craig Rail
R1: – 1.55pm The Weekly Advertiser Maiden Pace
1 - Fly Ahead
3 - Sizzle Oro
2 - Poachers Dream
4 - Namella
It appears to be a race of two main chances with FLY AHEAD (1) and SIZZLE ORO (3) both coming out of stronger events. SIZZLE ORO (3) has the most gate speed and might be able to gain the advantage at the start but FLY AHEAD (1) has done well in two starts to date and should keep improving.
BACK: 1 Fly Ahead – 2 Units (win)
POACHERS DREAM (2) was heavily backed and finished off fairly well for a distant second at Mount Gambier. NAMELLA (4) gained an economical run and was third behind a handy type in Tactically Perfect when resuming. DON KATTERZ (6) boasts early speed and is likely to go forward at the start.
R2: – 2.34pm Worlds Best Hoof Oil Trotters Handicap
7 - Jakarta
8 – Sky Spirit
5 – Ataboy Charlie
6 – Singara Ted
The horses commencing from the back marks appear to be superior. JAKARTA (7) is omitted from the draw but he has been stepping away nicely of late and was placed in the Horsham Cup. He will appreciate a drop back in grade.
BACK: 7 JAKARTA (2 units win)
Overview:
SKY SPIRIT (8) commences from the handicap of 40m but he was very good after working hard in the Homegrown Classic, where he was first up and without a trial. ATABOY CHARLIE (5) is at his peak form having been placed at his past five starts. He steps quickly and should be ahead of his main rivals early. SINGARA TED (6) on the other hand is very risky at the start but has the ability to be competitive.
R3: – 3.07pm Carbine Chemicals Vicbred Voucher 0-1 LTW Pace
7 – Steam Machine
8 – Eastbro Mika
6 – Lewielewis
5 – Tellmeboutit
STEAM MACHINE (7) is clearly the class horse of the field and is likely to be strongly fancied. He sat parked in the Listed Southern Cross Final at Globe Derby and was second behind the smart pacer Hez So Royal so he appears to be well placed in a 0-1 win event!
BACK: 7 STEAM MACHINE (3 units win)
EASTBRO MIKA (8) has been performing well at Mount Gambier and sustained a strong run from the 600m at her latest third. LEWIELEWIS (6) performed below expectations at Mildura but the bigger track might suit him. He was placed in the Homegrown Classic two starts ago. KYRGIOS (3) and TELLMEBOUTIT (5) are place hopes.
R4: – 3.47pm VHRD&T Association Pace
5 – Swiss Lightning
6 – Bizzie Lizzie
8 – James Garner
9 – Village Voice
Overview:
SWISS LIGHTNING (5) holds the key. He delivered clearly a career best performance when driven very aggressively and recorded a slick mile rate of 1.55.5 on December 07. He has been well short of that performance in two starts since but his early speed and the concession claim give him a chance here. BIZZIE LIZZIE (6) is also a fast beginner and is a hope of working past SWISS LIGHTNING (5) shortly after the start so it could turn into a leader and behind leader scenario. JAMES GARNER (8) is well graded and should be fitter from his first up run. VILLAGE VOICE (4) has been finding the line nicely in similar grade.
R5: – 4.17pm Clubarham – Take Me To The River Pace
9 – Jazzy Melea
8 - Komodo
1 – Zanda Man
6 - Nosweetsforyou
Overview:
There should be a genuine tempo with the strong staying types GRINNING BEACH BOY (5) and NOSWEETSFORYOU (6) being drawn on the front line. A fast tempo should suit the speedy mare JAZZY MELEA (9), which will appreciate a massive drop back in class on her overall performances. KOMODO (8) also possesses a powerful finishing burst and will be fitter from his first up fourth. ZANDA MAN (1) is a progressive horse and is aiming for his fourth win in succession. It is a significant rise in class so this race will give an indication how good the son of Art Major could be. EASTBRO KOZZY (3), GRINNING BEACH BOY (5) and NOSWEETSFORYOU (6) are all racing well enough to be competitive.
R6: – 4.57pm West Side Bistro + Sports Bar Pace
8 – Roblen Ranger
5 – Skadi
9 – One Off
7 – Hanover Jack
ROBLEN RANGER (8) returned to winning form with a strong display at Mount Gambier after parking without cover. Admittedly, the final quarter was only 32.6 seconds but this is a field of similar quality and his main rival SKADI (5) has a strike rate of 1 win from 50 starts.
BACK: 8 Roblen Ranger (1 unit) win
ONE OFF (9) won against similar grade at Ararat on October 27 and should be finding the line well from the trailing draw. HANOVER JACK (7) is a recent winner at Charlton and will appreciate a drop back in class on his latest efforts.
R7: – 5.37pm Johnson Asahi Horsham Pace
9 – Huxham Chubb
8 – No Emotion
4 – Wingate Guy
6 - Soar
HUXHAM CHUBB (9) has thrived in three runs since competing in the Super Series and the Breeders Crown events and appears to be well placed again. She recorded a slick mile of 1.55.3 when she won at Geelong on December 12, which would be more than competitive in this event.
BACK: 9 Huxham Chubb – 2 Units (win)
NO EMOTION (8) performs best when he is close to the lead so the barrier draw is a disadvantage but he is racing well enough to be a major factor. WINGATE GUY (4) and SOAR (6) are both capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward so they are not without a chance. THE DEMOCRAT (1) won from behind the leader two starts ago and is likely to gain a similar trail from the pole position. CHALKNCHEDDAR (2) performed below expectations at Mildura but the last time he ventured to Horsham, he was able to lead throughout so he should give a forward showing over the sprint trip.
