Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
Runner-up at the past two in succession, BETTERTHAN POPSY (9) looks ready to capitalise if the right trip can present. Making late metres last week behind RISK TAKER with a smart closing panel, the start prior he was just a half-head away. Trailing through early, he can prevail in an open affair.
MULLUM HANK (7) faces a tough task from the car park but has been in great touch since returning from a spell. Large in defeat when midfield after an early error two starts back, he was too classy at his next outing, sweeping home and pulling clear to score. He can challenge.
CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (12) eased from gate 6 last time and was trying to make ground in a slick last quarter as CALL TO ORDER claimed victory. The gate is not ideal, but he can chime in.
BACK TO BETOOTA (2) held the 1x1 trail last week but had no run on when presenting wider with 250m to travel. Luckless the start prior, his past five have been at the mile and up to the 2138 can feature.
SELECTIONS: BETTERTHAN POPSY (9), MULLUM HANK (7), CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (12), BACK TO BETOOTA (2)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTERTHAN POPSY (9) to win
RACE TWO
HOT AND TREACHEROUS (2) should appreciate the set up here after hitting the line strongly on Tuesday in grabbing the silver in a stand start event. Faced with a 20m handicap in that contest, he was strong against the tempo. Producing some slick panels when resuming, the added fitness and gate can see him capitalise.
THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (5) eased in the small field last start and with a steady opening half set from the front, looked in danger of not getting a shot at them. Sprouting wins when set free, she savaged the line to arrive with a 3m margin in a sizzling last 800m split. Despite an awkward gate, any tempo here can see her challenge.
CALL TO ORDER (8) has put together successive victories, including a dominant performance two runs back when overcoming the outside front line gate. Dictating from the front last start, he will require some favours from this alley.
HECTOR (3) was fresh up at the mile last start when locked away on the poles before picking off some ground late when 7m astern of the winner. Fitter for the run, he can settle handy enough.
SELECTIONS: HOT AND TREACHEROUS (2), THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (5), CALL TO ORDER (8), HECTOR (3)
SUGGESTED BET: HOT AND TREACHEROUS (2) to win
RACE THREE
The Finnis stable produce their first metro runner since relocating their operation to Qld with the last start feature race winning ALWAYS DANCING (4). Making his first 4YO appearance, the gelding has a smart record of 14 wins in 24 starts, and with good speed off the arm can look to make a winning debut at The Creek.
IM BOO (1) is a free-wheeling type that was chasing a hat-trick of victories last time out when faced with an inside second line gate. Eased off the inside early and sent to the breeze, he was faded in the latter stages. He will be burrowing through looking for inside advantage to throw down the challenge.
LENNY LINCOLN (8) should benefit from the soft trip that this gate can offer. Backing up from Tuesday when sent to sit parked from the second line, he will be probing the gaps to chase a podium finish.
KASH TIN (3) overcame a second line gate last start when descending on them to take a 2m margin. Finishing best to score from a wide gate three back, the improved gate here is a big plus.
SELECTIONS: ALWAYS DANCING (4), IM BOO (1), LENNY LINCOLN (8), KASH TIN (3)
SUGGESTED BET: ALWAYS DANCING (4) to win
RACE FOUR
LEAP TO FAME (3) steps out for the first time in 2026 as he builds into a solid first four-month campaign to start the year. Following the narrowest of 2nds behind DON HUGO, he ended last year with an effortless win in the Christmas Cup highlighted by a sizzling 53.2 close out for his 41st Albion Park victory. Victory here will be the 61st in his career.
ROCKET CITY (2) was sent hard off the arm here last week at the mile and dictating from the front was gripping on in the closing stages. In a blanket finish, he was just an eyelash short of victory and with the speed to fire the first shots here, can find the position to chase the champion into 2nd.
TIMS A TROOPER (4) looked to be out of tickets turning for home last week after working, but rose off the canvas to score as the small field fanned across the track in a four-way thriller. He is always thereabouts.
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (3), ROCKET CITY (2), TIMS A TROOPER (4)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME / ROCKET CITY (2/3) quinella/exacta
RACE FIVE
OUR MIKI DIVA (4) is chasing her first victory here in the Sunshine State and might just have found the conditions to claim the breakthrough. Gate 7 made it a tough ask here last week when sent forward to sit parked, with her effort two starts back solid from inside the second line and buried.
HARPERVILLE (2) is on the back up from Tuesday where she lined up from this same gate. Finding the 1x1 trail she was in a wall of finishers chasing home the winner LANAI. Sent to the front from gate 6 two starts back, she led them deep into the stretch, only to be collared in the last strides and beaten a head. With early hustle, she can challenge.
MAJORITA JUJON (8) was second up from a spell here last time and never in the mix after settling at the rear from a second line gate. If the run presents, she can be chiming in.
A PERFECT DANCE (5) was only beaten a half-neck here two starts back when sent forward and fighting to the wire. The second line stung last start and back to the front can see her feature.
SELECTIONS: OUR MIKI DIVA (4), HARPERVILLE (2), MAJORITA JUJON (8), A PERFECT DANCE (5)
SUGGESTED BET: OUR MIKI DIVA (4) to win
RACE SIX
Building towards a victory after some smart performances where the efforts were not rewarded, EYE SEE THESEASIDE (4) found the right set up here last week. Sent forward from gate 6 in qualifying company, she found the front and was able to fend off the challengers to score. From the gate she can chase the repeat.
MISS FROUFROU (2) has early speed and lands the gate to press forward in the early stages here. Runner-up at Redcliffe two starts back, she was 5m from MOOPS last time when settling in the trail. A return to tackle her own sex combined with the good gate can see her issue a challenge.
AURORA JOY (6) was shuffled back along the markers from gate 1 last start and needed gaps sooner when just behind the placings as REELY NAUTI prevailed. Despite the wide gate, she can be joining in.
SWEET AGENDA (5) went too hard in the opening 800 in holding the front here two starts back when fading late. A beaten fav when 3rd here last week after leading, she has the speed to fire an early shot.
SELECTIONS: EYE SEE THESEASIDE (4), MISS FROURFROU (2), AURORA JOY (6), SWEET AGENDA (5)
SUGGESTED BET:
RACE SEVEN
With five wins and a narrow second in six appearances here at The Creek, CHEERSTOLOU (3) finds the right conditions to continue the march through the grades from this gate. Dictating last week when only really required to sprint a quarter, the start prior he was able to overcome the second line. Sent forward, a threepeat is on.
RISK TAKER (5) was building towards victory after finishing with the silver in successive appearances. Taking full advantage from gate 1, he led throughout with 4m to spare on the wire. Searching for gaps from inside the second line two starts back, he was probing for the gaps when chasing home CALL TO ORDER. Despite the gate, he can challenge.
MIRACLE MOOSE (1) was angled to the inside from a second line gate last time and did not a clear shot in time as CALL TO ORDER scored. Runner-up to that same winner the start prior, the soft gate here will help a podium claim.
SELECTIONS: CHEERSTOLOU (3), RISK TAKER (5), MIRACLE MOOSE (1)
SUGGESTED BET: CHEERSTOLOU (3) to win
RACE EIGHT
Building towards a victory after placings in four successive appearances, including a 2nd in the DJA Final, GET USED TO IT (3) found winning conditions last time out. Sent forward from gate 5 over this same trip, he was never in danger in carving out a dictating win with 10m in hand. From the gate, he can light the lamps and chase a repeat.
MASTERLY (2) was first up in five week here last week when finding the pocket trail from the 10m tape. Just having his momentum checked, he did peak late when 6m from VAN SANK. Still chasing a first win since arriving in Qld, the added fitness and small field will be in his favour as he looks to issue a challenge.
LOVE GUN (5) started off the 20m tape here last week and was making a late raid when just a head from victory behind VAN SANK. An error ended his chances the start prior and with the small field, he can feature.
SELECTIONS: GET USED TO IT (3), MASTERLY (2), LOVE GUN (5)
SUGGESTED BET: GET USED TO IT (3),
