Form Analysis: Albion Park Jul 13

RACE TEN

With the scratching of the mare from gate 1, WESTERN ARTERRA (2) now secures the perfect position to dart through. Hitting good areas at present, if he can replicate anything close to his 1.51.8 all the way effort two starts back, he will be the one they have to beat.

AMAMI (8) looks sick to enjoy a perfect trip in behind the speed where he will be stalking until the stretch. Not enjoying much luck with barriers of late, he was not too far from MY MOONLITE DREAM two starts back. He can fire some late bullets.

BETTERTHAN POPSY (9) followed the pegs home last start to grab the bronze behind EYE KEEP SMILING. With the right trail, he can be making a closing play.

HANDS ON (3) likes to be up near the action and from this gate will be in that position. Too far back last start, the start prior when was just a half-head away and can feature again.

SELECTIONS: WESTERN ARTERRA (2), AMAMI (8), BETTERTHAN POPSY (9), HANDS ON (3)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE ONE

Outside the second line is a tough ask but AIR EXPRESS (12) should appreciate a return to the big deck after making an error at the start in the Redcliffe Derby Consolation and having his chances expire before they started. Overcoming gate 7 three starts back, he can arrive.

RESET THE BAR (7) fired out to take control at Menangle last start at his fourth career start when looking to remain undefeated. Leading until deep stretch, he was collared on the line when a half-neck from the winner VINKE B. The gate stings but he looks up to the challenge.

FORCE FULL (1) started from gate 1 last start at Menangle and was shuffled to three back before finding space late to run the winner to 4m. The options present from the ace.

BRONSKI ZULU (2) started from inside the second line last start and was buried in the run and never had a crack at them. 4m from MAJOR HOT two starts back, he can be handy enough.

SELECTIONS: AIR EXPRESS (12), RESET THE BAR (7), FORCE FULL (1), BRONSKI ZULU (2)
SUGGESTED BET: AIR EXPRESS (12) to win

RACE TWO

A few of the runners in this Rising Sun Consolation would not be out of place in the main race, none more so than BLUTO (12). Beaten in the closing strides at Menangle last start from a wide gate, the start prior he was 1.5m from HECTOR after finding the trail. Despite the gate, he looks to have the edge.

FREE THINKER (11) was huge in defeat in the Qld Sun last week when pressing through from the second line to sit parked for the last 1200. Putting the leader away and hitting the front, he was collared in the closing strides by ARODA. Sitting parked in 51.9 mile the start prior, he can challenge.

EYE KEEP SMILING (5) will line up here a massive chance if not required in the big one where she is the emergency. A smart win here last week at this trip, she looms large.

MILLWOOD BLISS (1) takes the step of tackling the older performers but brings excellent credentials north as she chases the Qld Oaks. A soft trip can see her chime in.

SELECTIONS: BLUTO (12), FREE THINKER (11), EYE KEEP SMILING (5), MILLWOOD BLISS (1)
SUGGESTED BET: BLUTO (12) to win

RACE THREE

An open edition of the South East Derby with a tough map to decipher. MAJOR HOT (9) switches to the White stable following his luckless 2^nd in the Redcliffe Derby where he was buried from inside the second line. Charging late when the gap presented, he just needs the right gap here.

IRON CLAD (5) was resuming from a spell last week from gate 2. Forced to make a move earlier than what would have been ideal, he sat parked the last 1200 and was game in defeat when 6m from the passing lane winner AMERICAN SPIRIT. Positioning cheaply can see him challenge.

MINOS (7) is given no favours from the outside paint and follows his outside second line gate in the Redcliffe Derby. Sent around to sit parked and grafting out a 6m deficit, he faces another tough ask.

SHARDS MATRIX (12) is a newcomer to the Dixon stable, arriving with successive Addington wins to his name. This is a step up but with a sound trial, the race for the minors is open.

SELECTIONS: MAJOR HOT (9), IRON CLAD (5), MINOS (7), SHARDS MATRIX (12)
SUGGESTED BET: MAJOR HOT (9) to win

RACE FOUR

EVER ART (10) has put together a smart record in a short period. Making the most of the inside gate at Redcliffe in their Oaks, she took them all the way in a fillies class record. After four runs back from a spell, she will be close to being rock hard and while a few factors will need to be in her favour, she can continue on her upward trajectory.

AARDIE B MIKI (7) was first up since crossing the Tasman went tackling the Redcliffe Oaks off the back of an electric trial on The Triangle. She was one of the few runners on the night to make ground from back in the field. The gate hurts but she might just be lit up early, to make a statement.

LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (2) makes her first appearance in Queensland for David Miles and has early speed to hold position. Beaten in red figures last start at Melton when collared late, she can be handy enough to feature.

SOAP OPERA (12) has mixed her form in recent starts and is given no favours from this alley. A much more encouraging effort last time when hitting the line, if she can find her best form she has podium claims.

SELECTIONS: EVER ART (10), AARDIE B MIKI (7), LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (2), SOAP OPERA (12)
SUGGESTED BET: EVER ART (10) to win

RACE FIVE

The defending champion LONDON TO A BRICK (7) will need to be at his best to overcome the outside gate. But he brings three successive victories including a last start grinding effort over the mile where he defeated SHES RUBY ROO with a 56-closing half. He can force the issue here and look to claim the title defence.

ROCKINDOWNUNDER (6) was made to work in the early stages when left exposed before pressing onto the front at the 1200 last week. In for the fight when runner-up to BET N WIN, she has the speed to run the arm and put herself in position.

SHES RUBY ROO (4) takes a little longer to wind up off the gate which might see her working at some stage. She’s a classy mare that was only collard at Menangle in the last stride.

HIDE AND SEEK (12) was trotting well and moved into the race strongly last week when put out of play by the galloping leader. He has the ability to chase some of the minor money.

SELECTIONS: LONDON TO A BRICK (7), ROCKINDOWNUNDER (6), SHES RUBY ROO (4), HIDE AND SEEK (12)
SUGGESTED BET: LONDON TO A BRICK (7) to win

RACE SIX

Despite landing a wide second line gate LEAP TO FAME (11) might actually have that work to his advantage in this set up. There will be solid tempo off the arm with a number of frontline runners taking their chance to press forward. He was super last start and despite the gate stamp his authority.

CANTFINDABETTORMAN (7) attacked the line in good order last week behind LEAP TO FAME with a smart closeout. Seven is no luxury but if able to find position cheaply and with the predicted tempo look for him to be rattling down the stretch.

DON LOU (4) on exposed form looks to have the speed to take control of this. What the options are there after will determine where and how well he can finish.

JIMARTEE (12) takes a step up for this battle but there is no denying that he is in career-best form. Strong to the line last week when 1m from DEUS EX, with the right trip, he can bob up for a minor at odds.

SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (11), CANTFINDABETTORMAN (7), DON LOU (4), JIMARTEE (12)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (11) to win

 

RACE SEVEN

AARDIES EXPRESS (2) arrives in Queensland for Jason Grimson following her last start defeat, her first since crossing the Tasman. Winning her first three on Aussie soil, two of those in a sub 1.50 mile, her defeat last time was at the 2300. She may need to Balance up before pulling the trigger but a return to the mile looks clearly in her favour.

TAY TAY (9) should secure the perfect through in the early stages to land in an ideal position making a move at the thousand to start back. She pulled away for a smart victory then last week savage the line in the closing stages to just go under if she is closer enough, she will throw down the gauntlet.

ILLAVABUBBLES (8) maps for the economical trip behind the speed and with the absence of work to be done can be chiming in for some of the minor money.

MANHATTAN (3) has been close up in two runs since returning to the Jack Butler stable and from this gate can get handy enough to feature.

SELECTIONS: AARDIES EXPRESS (2), TAY TAY (9), ILLAVABUBBLES (8), MANHATTAN (3)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 2-3-8-9

RACE EIGHT

He may have a wide second line gate to contend with, but CAPTAINS KNOCK (12) can bring some excellent credentials. In FFA company two starts back, he faced gate 10 at the Menangle mile when 6m from TAIPO. Buried last start at the 2300, he has been building to this and with the likelihood of a slick tempo, he can descend on them.
 
FOR REAL LIFE (4) hit the line nicely last week in the Queensland Sun not that far from the winner ARODA. Never in the mix the start prior in the Patrons Purse from the second line, the whole field basically faced the same scenario. He gets his chance to press forward to find position and put his name up in lights.

AARDIES FLASH (9) probably had to make his run a little sooner than ideal last week when sliding forward in the Qld Sun to ensure he had three wide cover from the 800. With the quickest last mile out of that race, he was still giving on the line and if he can shorten his sprint, he has the power to arrive.

LUX AETERNA (1) can burrow through in the early stages from this gate to put herself in an ideal position. She will need to be at her best, but a cheap run can see her grab minor money.

SELECTIONS: CAPTAINS KNOCK (12), FOR REAL LIFE (4), AARDIES FLASH (9), LUX AETERNA (1)
SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAINS KNOCK (12) to win

RACE NINE

HUNGER STRIKE (1) was clearly the most impressive of the two heat winners with her time, the manner of the victory and how she pulled clear of her rivals. Securing the prefect draw for this big money APG Final she is clearly the one they have to beat.

PATS BOYS (6) made his debut last Friday in the heats where he was well supported and delivered on those expectations, griding out the margin. Taking good benefit and experience from the outing, he looks the second pick despite a tough gate.

DUAL CAM (7) is it two-time winner that was best of the chasing pack behind HUNGER STRIKE in the heats. The outside gate makes it a tough ask for him to reverse the result.

HEZA MAYWYN (9) should enjoy a nice trail through in the early stages limiting the early burn. He can be the run-on horse that can make an impression.

SELECTIONS: HUNGER STRIKE (1), PATS BOYS (6), DUAL CAM (7), HEZA MAYWYN (9)
SUGGESTED BET: HUNGER STRIKE (1) to win