Form Analysis by Ryan Phelan
Race 1
SELECTIONS: SPIRITED GIGI (5), BEAU TRUSCOTT (4), PADRAY (3), ACACIA STRIDE (6)
OVERVIEW: SPIRITED GIGI (5) has brought good manners to all four career runs, producing consistent and improving results. His runner-up performance at Melton last start is strong enough to win this if he reproduces it. BEAU TRUSCOTT (4) beat Spirited Gigi at his only run, albeit from a more favourable draw, and comes from a strong trotting stable. PADRAY (3) is a first starter who trialled soundly and warrants respect, while ACACIA STRIDE (6) is a former NSW trotter having his first run for a new stable and comes through solid form lines.
Race 2
SELECTIONS: ROCKY VALLEY (7), TITAN STRIDE (8), MAC FLICK (5), OX KNOX (3)
OVERVIEW: ROCKY VALLEY (7) has been racing in much stronger grade at Melton, including a third last start behind the smart Jilliby Dreamlover. Despite the wide draw, he has the gate speed to press forward and if he can find the lead over the short trip he’ll take plenty of catching. TITAN STRIDE (8) is first-up for a new stable from NSW and has trialled well but will need luck from the draw. MAC FLICK (5) is a winner at this track and rarely far away, while OX KNOX (3) was a last-start winner and maps favourably.
BACK: ROCKY VALLEY (7) – 3 units (win)
Race 3
SELECTIONS: CO CAPTAIN (3), STEEL MIKI (8), ROCKNROLL COWBOY (9), DE BEAU ROCK (7)
OVERVIEW: The first starters hold the key here. CO CAPTAIN (3) has trialled impressively for the astute Svanosio camp, including a sharp 1:56.3 Melton trial which could be good enough to win from the favourable draw. STEEL MIKI (8) also brings solid trial form but must overcome a tricky draw. ROCKNROLL COWBOY (9) has been consistent across three starts and owns a solid SP profile, while DE BEAU ROCK (7) is the best of the exposed runners.
Race 4
SELECTIONS: FLOATING MOUNTAIN (1), QUAKE PROOF (3), ROMATIC NINA (6), THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (8)
OVERVIEW: FLOATING MOUNTAIN (1) looks ideally placed back against lesser opposition. An 11-time winner, he possesses good gate speed and has shown recently that he’s at his best when able to find the lead, winning back-to-back in that role. QUAKE PROOF (3) is also well suited by the class drop, ROMANTIC NINA (6) enjoys this track and was a winner four runs back, while THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (8) gets a soft trailing draw and can be in the finish.
BACK: FLOATING MOUNTAIN (1) – 2 units (win)
Race 5
SELECTIONS: PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN (2), RAKERO WARRIOR (10), HOLD THAT MAGIC (11), BLACK AND GOLD (1)
OVERVIEW: PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN (2) backs up from a strong second on Young Guns night and his form prior stacks up well. He has the gate speed to lead and take catching. RAKERO WARRIOR (10) has turned his form around since joining the Tori Hutchings stable and resumes without a trial, suggesting he’ll benefit from the run. HOLD THAT MAGIC (11) can be chancy early but can feature if he brings his manners, while BLACK AND GOLD (1) draws softly and has claims with the right run.
Race 6
SELECTIONS: ILLAWONG PHOENIX (9), SHEZABLUECHIP (8), BETTORSWEETVICTORY (3), QUICK CRUNCH (5)
OVERVIEW: ILLAWONG PHOENIX (9) gets a favourable trailing draw and was very good three runs back from a similar set-up. She’s well suited back to her own sex and her SP profile suggests she’s well placed in this grade. SHEZABLUECHIP (8) was a strong winner five runs ago when sitting parked and has since had excuses from awkward runs. BETTORSWEETVICTORY (3) beat her home two starts back at Bendigo and maps well again, while QUICK CRUNCH (5) is chasing a hat-trick but faces a sticky draw.
BACK: ILLAWONG PHOENIX (9) – 2 units (win)
Race 7
SELECTIONS: OFF YOUR FACESKI (12), WHATS THE TEA (11), JESSICAS STORY (4), CHRISTMAS BABE (3)
OVERVIEW: A very tricky race. OFF YOUR FACESKI (12) was a winner at this track in October from the back row and has been competitive since when bringing his manners. WHATS THE TEA (11) was narrowly beaten in that same race and can be in the finish again with the right trail. JESSICAS STORY (4) finds a more suitable race and is open to improvement, while CHRISTMAS BABE (3) doesn’t win often but her early gate speed allows her to take up a handy position.
Race 8
SELECTIONS: POPPY POPSTAR (7), CASTLES IN THE SKY (8), GOLDEN SKIES (10), CHAMPAGNES (12)
OVERVIEW: POPPY POPSTAR (7) won at this track two starts back when pressing forward and finding the lead, and similar tactics can see him take control again. CASTLES IN THE SKY (8) was a strong winner three runs back and ran well last time, but must overcome a tricky draw. GOLDEN SKIES (10) won her maiden two back and worked hard last start, while CHAMPAGNES (12) is always competitive in this grade but can be inconsistent with his manners.
Race 9
SELECTIONS: LESTER (4), YANKEE GAMBLER (11), TOPHUT JOHNY (10) IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (1)
OVERVIEW: LESTER (4) brings a strong SP profile since joining the Tori Hutchings stable. His last start as an odds-on favourite was a complete forgive after being forced to work hard at a solid tempo. From this draw, expect him to roll forward and be tough to run down over the short trip. YANKEE GAMBLER (11) is honest but faces a challenge from the draw, TOPHUT JOHNY (10) goes to the back row after leading all the way last time, while IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (1) stays under notice from the soft draw first-up.
BACK: LESTER (4) – 3 units (win)
