Form Analysis: Albion Park Aug 28

RACE TWO

Now a five-time winner here at The Creek TOMMY LINCOLN (7) should appreciate this with some of the big hitters absent. Given time to balance early, he then pressed the button to take control just before the mile marker and ran a sizzling 55.3 middle half. He might need to do it a little tougher than last start, but he is up to the task.

OUR UNCLE SAM (9) started from inside the 2^nd line last start over the mile and was soon buried in the run and needing luck to find open space. With the leader starting to yield ground, he was hampered at a critical point and then ran into dead ends in the stretch. He can challenge here.

WILL THE WIZARD (3) has not been sighted since finishing down the line in the 4YO Championship behind SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS. He did plenty of work the start prior and while he steps up to open company, he is in the mix.

MACH DA VINCI (6) started form gate 10 when squaring off against TOMMY LINCOLN last week when making a mid-race move to get to the breeze. In for the fight, he could not quite reel in the winner. The gate stings this time.

SELECTIONS: TOMMY LINCOLN (7), OUR UNCLE SAM (9), WILL THE WIZARD (3), MACH DA VINCI (6)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE THREE

Owning his own red saddlecloth number to avoid using the club issue OUR BONDI BEACH (1) will start from the inside for the 7^th time in his past 9 starts. Finishing strongly to take the prize last start over the mile, he was strong to the line and that followed a 3^rd when chasing hard from 3 back against the poles behind THE DEMOCRAT. With the ideal trip he can strike in the stretch.

SUBTLE DELIGHT (7) should appreciate a return to Veteran’s grade after tackling the FFA last week from this same gate. Easing to secure position, he was powering home in a real eye-catcher as they stretched across the track. The tempo will suit, and he can throw down the closing challenge.

VINNY CHASE (9) settled in the running line last start when sent out as the fav and was strong to the line for the silver behind SAM IS PERFECTION. Trailing through he can look to make a play.

AT WEST POINT (2) loves to do his own thing up on the engine and from this gate will be setting the target once again. He struck trouble last start when working and the start prior in this grade was nabbed in the last strides. He will be gripping on again.

SELECTIONS: OUR BONDI BEACH (1), SUBTLE DELIGHT (7), VINNY CHASE (9), AT WEST POINT (2)
SUGGESTED BET: OUR BONDI BEACH (1) to win

RACE FOUR

There may just be the 8 runners in this field, but it is a tricky little contest made no easier by a few queries over the 2138m. This looks a nice drop in grade for KASH US BACK (8) who was hitting the line in nice style from back in the pack last start behind TOMMY LINCOLN. Asked to grind it out first over 2 starts back when only 3m from OUR UNCLE SAM, the 2^nd line options are a big plus.

LOMBO HEAVEN (1) will take some benefit from his run here last week when returning from a 3-run NSW venture that did not bear fruit. Settling rearward from inside the 2^nd line, he could not work into it as TOMMY LINCILN and MACH DA VINCI pulled clear of the pack. The distance is the query but with all the options from the ace, he can challenge.

WE SALUTE YOU (3) was shuffled back one further position in the run than where he looked to be on paper last week, but he was still able to find the space to charge home and grab the prize. He can tuck in behind again and be swooping.

MISTERFREEZE (7) took the benefit of his first run back from a let-up when able to keep on driving to the wire for the prize here 2 starts back. Strong again last start when 3^rd behind TOMMY LINCOLN he can be cold early before heating up over the latter stages.

SELECTIONS: KASH US BACK (8), LOMBO HEAVEN (1), WE SALUTE YOU (3), MISTERFREEZE (7)
SUGGESTED BET: KASH US BACK (8) to win

RACE FIVE

First up in 8-months here last week when tackling the 2138m trip and forced to sit parked, there was plenty to take out of the return of GOVERNOR JUJON (6). After two steady trials in readiness for the return, he was game to the wire when only a half-neck in arrears. Fitter for the run, a return to the mile suits and he can prove too classy.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING (9) is crying out to win one of these qualifiers having placed at his past 2 attempts in this grade. Eased early from gate 7 last time, he was strong to the line over the latter stages to get within a head of the winner LIFE LAVROS. Trailing through early, if the Gov is still a little underdone, he can capitalise.

SIMON (1) burrowed through to lead from this alley 3 runs back and was trying to fight them off when wilting in the closing stages to be 8m from the winner. Not suited last start when working hard, the gate is a big help here.

KING TRITON (10) settled in the running line from gate 9 last start but was unable to go on with it over the closing stages. Placed in 3 of his previous 4 attempts, he can hit the board again here.

SELECTIONS: GOVERNOR JUJON (6), DOUBLE OR NOTHING (9), SIMON (1), KING TRITON (10)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE SIX

After 4 starts since arriving in Qld THE IDEAL DANCER (8) may have found suitable conditions for a breakthrough victory here. In the trail from gate 1 last week when making one last dive at VIRGIL only to be 1m in arrears, he chased gamely the start prior behind the smart looking DEUS EX. If he can hit the lane with momentum he can arrive.

ROCKNROLL DUDE (1) kept them wide from the ace at Redcliffe 3 starts back and dictating the tempo took them all the way. Hitting the line in nice order when 4m from the winner MISTER DIAMOND in a qualifier 2 starts back, he was strong when working last start. He will be gripping on.

GOOD AS IT GETS (5) pressed ahead before receiving cover over the 2138m here 2 starts back and made a late dive to be 1m from the in-form YEP GOT CHOOKS. Strong to the line for 3^rd last start after being locked away, he is right in the mix.

BEAST MODE (3) is a newcomer to the Sunshine State, joining the stables of Grant Dixon. Last seen at Bathurst on July 21, he closed out in nice style and settling handy from this alley can feature first up.

SELECTIONS: THE IDEAL DANCER (8), ROCKNROLL DUDE (1), GOOD AS IT GETS (5), BEAST MODE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-3-5-8

 

RACE SEVEN

This is a mouth-watering 3YOP clash chock full of talent and is clearly the race of the night. Placed in 3 races through the Constellations despite 2 of those being from the 2^nd line CAPTAIN CRUSADER (1) finally lands a nice alley. Crushing older opponents in a dominant qualifying win last start, it followed his 2^nd to AMERCIAN DEALER in the Derby. Holding all the aces from this gate, he is the one to beat.

KASHED UP (8) had no luck in the Qld Derby when unable to secure position from gate 6 and forced to retreat. From back in the pack, he was always facing a task and just could not get into the contest. A real eye-catcher in the Rising Sun 2 starts back, he defeated AMERICAN DEALER 3 back. The gate makes it tricky, and he will be sweating on the gaps opening.

UNCLE SHANK (6) has proven to be a real speedster and the rise to the 2138m is a massive query for this against some classy opponents. Taking a seat in the JC McMullen last start, he out-scooted them up the stretch to score. The gate is an added sting, but he cannot be taken lightly.

OUR ACTION MAN (2) is on the back-up from Tuesday where he started as the lone 2^nd line runner and was attacking the line strongly to grab the bronze. Too strong in front in claiming victory by 8m the start prior, he has podium claims.

SELECTIONS: CAPTAIN CRUSADER (1), UNCLE SHANK (6), OUR ACTION MAN (2), KASHED UP (8)
SUGGESTED BET:

 

RACE EIGHT

Left in Qld by Bernie Hewitt at the end of his Sunshine State Raid, METAKI MAJIC (2) joins the Dixon stable and lands the right gate here. Looking to take them all the way last start over the 2138m, she was worried out of it by the in-form MAJORCA. Buried in the run the start prior behind HEMSWORTH, she can capitalise from this gate.

HOT N GOLD (4) settled in the pocket trail last start from inside the 2^nd line over the 2138m trip and was hampered behind a leader that could not get her to the lane and all the momentum was gone. An all the way winner the start prior defeating subsequent winners OUR ACTION MAN and CHARMING CHARLOTTE, she has been freshened and can throw it down.

QUICK STEP (9) eased from gate 5 to find position here 2 starts back and was making some closing metres from a rearward position behind the flying YEP GOT CHOOKS. Gunned down in front last start, she has been kept fresh but is in the mix.

FEELS LIKA WINNER (7) cops a big whack with this alley, but she has been in great touch, finishing runner-up at her past 2 outings. Grinding it out sitting parked last start, she was still only 1.5m in arrears and is a podium hope once again.

SELECTIONS: METAKI MAJIC (2), HOT N GOLD (4), QUICK STEP (9), FEELS LIKA WINNER (7)
SUGGESTED BET:

 

RACE NINE

10 of the 12 trotters lining up here did battle against one another over this same distance last week where the winner posted an 8m winning margin. Of those chasing SIR FAHRENHEIT (10) was one of just two horses to eat into the deficit in hitting the line well for the silver. A big plus is that he moves forward 10m this week and that can be the difference in arriving in this.

ALADDIN SANE (5) stepped safely to go straight to the front here last week over this same trip and keeping an even tempo from the front had them chasing all the way, cruising home to an easy 8m victory. Starting and trotting much more cleanly in recent starts, he has the front tape once again and can look for the repeat.

DOUG (7) was up to his old tricks last week when making a starting error that put him out of commission. His win 2 starts back over this trip was a true indication of his ability and if he can manage to step safely, he looms large.

GODOFTHUNDER (8) was locked away on the pegs last start and chased hard to hold on for the bronze when 12m away from the winner. He should take benefit from that outing where he was 1^st up from a freshen and he can feature again.

SELECTIONS: SIR FAHRENHEIT (10), ALADDIN SANE (5), DOUG (7), GODOFTHUNDER (8)
SUGGESTED BET: SIR FAHRENHEIT (10) to win
 

RACE TEN

TOTAL DIVA (1) was sent to the post as fav here last week from gate 4. Rolling forward she was obliged to park out and was trying to grip on when fading under the tough run to be 6m in arrears of the winner A RAINBOW DELIGHT. Finding the line nicely the start prior behind WAHS FIRE BUG, she has the speed to lead and can dictate to this field.

WAHS FIRE BUG (2) eased from gate 6 here last week to secure position before charging home in the closing stages to get within a head of the winner. Locked away before hitting open road and sweeping home to score here 2 starts back, she can dart in behind early and will issue a big challenge in the stretch.

OAXACAN DREAM (6) eased from gate 4 to secure position last start in a strong Band 5 race when hitting the line in nice order to be 4m from the winner MISTERFREEZE. A qualifying winner 2 starts back, a return to mares’ company is a big plus.

SPORT MENTAL (5) fired out from gate 1 last start when looking to take them all the way over the 2138m. With an even tempo through the opening half, she was unable to finish it off. The small field should suit.

SELECTIONS: TOTAL DIVA (1), WAHS FIRE BUG (2), OAXACAN DREAM (6), SPORT MENTAL (5)
SUGGESTED BET: TOTAL DIVA / WAHS FIRE BUG (1 / 2) quinella / exacta

RACE ONE

Making the most of his early hustle to find the pegs first over this trip last week, VIRGIL (1) was able to take control and then fight them off late to make it 2 dictating wins in 5 days. He lands the plum alley here and with the speed to take control looks set to get every opportunity to complete the threepeat.

MAKE MINE MEMPHIS (8) makes his first appearance for Vicki Rasmussen after being left in Qld by his former trainer Bernie Hewitt. Setting the speed from gate 1 last start, he could not see it out when grabbed in the closing strides by MISTERFREEZE. Only 1.5m from MACH DA VINCI the start prior, he will be ready to strike.

BLACK HAWK JOE (6) started from inside the 2^nd line last start and was buried in the run and needed space sooner than it arrived as he charged late to be an eyelash from the winner VIRGIL. The wide gate stings but he can look to make a play.

NOWHERE CREEK (5) eased from a wide gate last start as FRANCO HAMPTON was carving it out in front. Making a closing play in a slick last quarter, he chased gamely. Not having much luck in landing a marble, he can chime in.

SELECTIONS: VIRGIL (1), MAKE MINE MEMPHIS (8), BLACK HAWK JOE (6), NOWHERE CREEK (5)
SUGGESTED BET: VIRGIL (1) to win