Form Analysis: Albion Park Jul 21

RACE TWO

SKYLINE (10) will strip fitter following his latest start when 2^nd up from a spell. Hitting the line nicely when resuming over this trip from the front tape, he was not too far away. From the 10m tape here last week, aggressive early tactics paid dividends when scoring a smart win. There is no reason why it cannot be a rinse and repeat.

DAY TOURER (2) is always in the mix in these type of races, courtesy of his brilliant manners from the tapes. Straight to the front last week, he released the pressure in the middle stages to SKYLINE, sticking to his guns to hold 3^rd. Only 3m in arrears of THE REAPER over this trip 3 starts back, he can challenge once again.

PUMA ROAD (1) makes his 1^st appearance in Qld for the Rickie Alchin barn with most of recent form from the mobile. His last attempt from the tapes saw him step safely, albeit a little slowly away. With a cosy trip, he is in the mix.

AURORA (5) backs up from Friday where she was again too good for own age. This is the big test as she steps up against the open-age performers and while the ability is there, off equal terms 1^st up is a big ask.

SELECTIONS: SKYLINE (10), DAY TOURER (2), PUMA ROAD (1), AURORA (5)
SUGGESTED BET: SKYLINE (10) to win

RACE THREE

NICKS PICK (3) started from gate 1 as the race fav here last week and when the field sorted themselves out, he was soon buried 3 back on the pegs. Using the passing lane to get within 5m of the win, he has now placed in 5 of 8 for the term and this can be the day the maiden win arrives.

SCOTCH EN ICE (10) went within a half-neck of victory last week when stepping out for the 2^nd time in his career. Finding the front from gate 3, he led all bar the stride that counted when nabbed on the wire. With the added race experience, he can look to overcome the tough gate.

BAILEYS WITH LEGS (1) is Queensland’s most experienced 2YO, with the filly getting closer to what has so far been an elusive maiden breaking win. Grabbed in the closing stages last start, she can go close again.

NOT THE KINGSWOOD (4) caught the eye on debut last week when snagging back from gate 6. Looking for gaps in the stretch, he was slicing between runners in a nice effort. With the added experience, he can be thereabouts.

SELECTIONS: NICKS PICK (3), SCOTCH EN ICE (10), BAILEYS WITH LEGS (1), NOT THE KINGSWOOD (4)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FOUR

VIRGIL (1) started from this gate last start and after being slowly away, soon found himself buried in the wash-up. Too far back to have any impact, his closing splits were strong as he attacked the line strongly in the latter stages. Gunned down in front the start prior, he looks to get every chance here.

HAVING THE FAITH (8) was shooting for the hat-trick of victories last start when he was sent forward over the 2138m from gate 10. Forced to do it the tough way, he faded in the closing stages under a slick closing 400m. His previous 2 wins were sharp and with the easy trip can take the closing shot.

GINGER MICKY (2) will take benefit from his latest offering when returning from a freshen. Sent forward over the mile, he found the pegs prior to releasing and was soon buried. The smaller field suits.

ARK ME (4) found her race last start when capitalising on gate 1 over the Redcliffe sprint trip, taking them all the way. Her previous efforts had been sound, and she can be around the money here.

SELECTIONS: VIRGIL (1), HAVING THE FAITH (8), GINGER MICKY (2), ARK ME (4)
SUGGESTED BET: VIRGIL (1) to win

RACE FIVE

SOHO TSUNAMI (6) has the wide gate to contend with, however his efforts have been solid since arriving in Qld. Bets of the cashing pack behind the dictating winner A RAINBOW DIAMOND last start, he was wide off the track in a nice effort. Runner-up the start prior, he can take this.

COPPERFIELD (1) will take great benefit from his last start when stepping out in Qld for the 1^st time off the back of a 4-month break. Starting in red figures, he was sent forward from the 2^nd line to face the breeze and was in for the fight when over the 2138m when 3m shy of victory. He looks the threat.

JILLIBY JACKPOT (10) started from the 2^nd line last start and was charging home in the closing stages to get within a head of victory. Within 5m of the winner 2 starts back, he will be swooping late.

BLUE SHARD (8) has been in nice touch since returning from a spell, placed his past 8 in succession. Working home in good order after retreating from gate 6 last start, he can get the cosy trip to chime in.

SELECTIONS: SOHO TSUNAMI (6), COPPERFIELD (1), JILLIBY JACKPOT (10), BLUE SHARD (8)
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO TSUNAMI (6) to win

RACE SIX

There will be no place for the faint-hearted in this race with an abundance of early speed and pressure drawn off the front. AT WEST POINT (3) brutalises his opponents if he is able to lead and has been able to score 2 crushing victories in his past 3 starts with the power on. With a 1.51.9 victory here 3 starts back, he obliterated the Redcliffe track record last start, becoming the 1^st horse to ever go sub 54 on the triangle.

BLACKWHITEANDBLUE (1) will be hoping his effort on Saturday can be put down to an off night after finishing last from this gate over the 2138m. Starting in red figures, he set the tempo but was a beaten horse a long way from home. His 3 Qld starts prior to that had been sharp with the right trail can bounce back.

THE CRUISE MISSILE (8) backs up from Friday where he was able to overcome gate 9 in working home best to claim the prize. Forced to work when mid-field the start prior, he can chime in off the hot tempo here.

UNCLE JORD (7) was big in his Qld debut here last start when rolling forward to get outside the leader and then proving too tough in slick time, defeating subsequent winner ROCKNROLL CLASSIC. He has claims despite the gate.

SELECTIONS: AT WEST POINT (3), BLACKWHITEANDBLUE (1), THE CRUISE MISSILE (8), UNCLE JORD (7)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE SEVEN

ARTHUR LOWE (9) started from the centre of the line last start when retreating in the early stages to find position over the 2138m trip. With a back-straight charge, he worked home strongly wide off the track to be 7m from the passing lane winner. With the right early trail, this is within reach.

SPRING CAMPAIGN (2) took on the 2138m last start when settling in the running line where he had no answer behind the flying CULTURE KING. Hitting the line strongly from the 2^nd line the start prior, his effort here 3 starts back was full of merit. The improved gate is a huge plus for his hopes.

LETTUCEFIRESTAR (6) will take some benefit from his latest outing following 4 weeks between runs. Sent forward from gate 7 over the 2138m to lead, he was in for the fight. He can throw it down.

PSYCHEDELIC (4) was a winner here 2 starts back when easing from gate 5 to find position and then finishing over the top to claim the prize. Positioning cheaply will be key to his closing chances here.

SELECTIONS: ARTHUR LOWE (9), SPRING CAMPAIGN (2), LETTUCEFIRESTAR (6), PSYCHEDELIC (4)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE EIGHT

APHORISM (7) was sent forward from gate 6 here last week over the 2138m trip and asked to roll the sleeves to do it the tough way. Grinding away, it was a tough performance to get within a half-head of victory. The gate does him no favours, but his 1^st win this Winter campaign is achievable.

RICH VIRGIN (1) returns from a break after his form began to taper last campaign. After completing a hat-trick of victories, it started to go south after a string of bad gates. Opening the pipes in a recent trial when closing out in nice order, the improved gate is a big advantage for his chances in this.

JUMPING JOLT (10) was working home in the closing stages last start to grab the bronze behind the in-form KID MONTANA. Too far back the start prior, he can swoop late with the right cart home.

CLARRY (5) will take added benefit from his latest start when 2^nd up from a spell. Holding running line position, he was sound to the wire behind SPARKLING CULLECT. He has podium hopes here.

SELECTIONS: APHORISM (7), RICH VIRGIN (1), JUMPING JOLT (10), CLARRY (5)
SUGGESTED BET: APHORISM (7) to win

RACE NINE

ABERCROMBIE TAB (4) was luckless at Redcliffe 2 starts back when having his 1^st run in Qld, shuffled out behind a tiring leader before picking up some closing metres when some space opened. Holding on for 3^rd here last week after settling in the pocket trail, he looks to have found the right conditions here.

REMEMBER ME NOW (9) will strip fitter from his latest start when resuming from a spell. Angled to the pegs for an economical trip at his return, he found the line in good order to hold 3^rd. Not much went to plan last campaign when resuming as an early 3YO, but his latest run suggests he can feature in this.

FAST IS BETTOR (1) will take benefit from her 1^st run for Chris Frisby last start when also 1^st up after a 6-week gap between runs. Hanging on for 3^rd over the Redcliffe sprint trip, the gate is a big plus.

JIVE (3) makes her Qld debut for Megan Gillies, arriving from the Shaky Isles with 1 win and 9 minors to her name. Given a nice pipe opener at the trials behind the Derby winner GOVERNOR JUJON, she moves one gate closer and stays under watch.

SELECTIONS: ABERCROMBIE TAB (4), REMEMBER ME NOW (9), FAST IS BETTOR (1), JIVE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: ABERCROMBIE TAB (4) to win

RACE ONE

ALDEBARAN SELENA (5) made a mess of her 1^st outing when arriving in Qld, breaking gait as she measured up. Her past 2 starts have been professional, stepping cleanly, trotting cleanly and scoring a pair of smart victories. With those perfect attributes displayed thus far, the threepeat is on.

OKANAGAN (2) looked just as professional after winning all 3 starts to kick-off his career, with a mix of a clean gait and safe getaways. It went pear-shaped at his 4^th start when striking trouble before claiming 3^rd his past 2, albeit after an early error last time. Getting it back on-track, he can challenge.

DEAD SET MUSCLE (3) held on for 2nd last start behind the clear-out winner ALDEBARAN SELENA. Slowly starting to get it together, if she can take the next step, she can show more improvement.

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN SELENA (5), OKANAGAN (2), DEAD SET MUSCLE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN SELENA (5) to win