Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 31

RACE TWO

MUSCULUS (5) was 2^nd up from a break over the 2138m last time out when sent forward to face the breeze from a 20m tape. Fighting hard, he flexed his strength to score a 3m victory, following his 1^st up 3^rd. With the added fitness, he looks to get his chance again and can break his duck over the longer trips.

LANSBURY (2) has been in the money at her past 2 in succession when 5m and 6m in arrears of the winner on each occasion. With safe manners, she secured the pocket trail last start from position 5 and the start prior chased hard when buried away under mobile conditions. She is right in this.

ALS LAW (7) settled back in the pack last start from his 10m tape and when asked to present attacked the line with gusto to arrive for the prize. Back to 20m, look for him swooping late again.
 
SCORCHED (6) stuck to the inside last start and was closing out in good order to be mid-field. Fitter from the outing after being 1^st up off 1 trial, he can take inside runs and chime in late.

SELECTIONS: MUSCULUS (5), LANSBURY (2), ALS LAW (7), SCORCHED (6)
SUGGESTED BET: MUSCULUS (5) to win

RACE THREE

JEDDY R YA READY (12) will be approaching a fitness peak after 3 runs back from a spell with his efforts strong in all 3 outings. Working home stylishly over this trip 2 starts back to grab silver behind MUSCULUS, he was wide last start over the longer 2647. This looks his chance to cash-in.

HAVANA MAGIC (1) stepped cleanly over the long trip last time and once in control was able to trot cleanly to claim an all the way victory. Placed her previous 2 outings as she was starting to put the writing on the wall a victory wasn’t far away, she can build off the last start win and give a sight.

AVEROSS DON (10) will find this a few pegs below recent starts through the DJA Series where he made an error in the final. Holding on for 3^rd in the 1^st round heats, the return to the grade is a big plus.

KAPAI (9) makes his Aus debut for Graham Dwyer, arriving from the North Island of NZ. An Alexandra Park winner 3 starts back over the 2700m, he stays under notice here 1^st up.

SELECTIONS: JEDDY R YA READY (12), HAVANA MAGIC (1), AVEROSS DON (10), KAPAI (9)
SUGGESTED BET: JEDDY R YA READY (12) to win

RACE FOUR

BODHI TREE (7) worked forward from gate 3 over the 2138m on Sat night and taking control was able to deal in front, ripping home a sizzling closing 800m in 54.5. He arrived from back in the pack 2 starts back for a smart win and with the small field here, can make it 3 from his last 4.

SPIKE BROMAC (6) tackled his less-preferred 2138m trip on Sat night from gate 1 and after holding early, released BODHI TREE to the lamp-lighting duties. Chasing hard, he claimed the silver, 6m in arrears with that following successive 3^rd placed outings. He can charge out and be gripping on.

BIG BANG LEONARD (4) shoots for the hat-trick after a win in the Claiming Challenge followed with a mid-week win here. With a sharp closing sprint, the small field suits and he will be charging in the closing stages here.

RECIPE FOR DREAMING (1) was buried back in the pack from this gate last start and without the clearest path, was really attacking the line late to grab the silver. He can chime into the money here.

SELECTIONS: BODHI TREE (7), SPIKE BROMAC (6), BIG BANG LEONARD (4), RECIPE FOR DREAMING (1)
SUGGESTED BET: BODHI TREE (7) to win

RACE FIVE

TIZ A SIZZLER (10) might be facing the tough gate, but he faces a big class drop from his latest outing when finishing 8m from VIRGIL after doing all the work in the run. That was just his 4^th career start, with his 1^st-up Aus win a stylish run when dictating over the mile. He has the class to prevail.

DEVOUGED (2) was attacking the line with venom over this trip 3 starts back to get within a pimple of the prize behind SIRIUS VICKI. Put a line through both of his next runs where he has a duck-egg but has struck trouble in each. With a much-improved gate, he looms as the challenge here.

JUST JOSHIN (4) will be 2^nd up this campaign and will strip fitter from his return at Redcliffe when runner-up at a red figure quote. The 2138m will ask a few questions in his search for a podium.

JOVIAL JULIE (9) has faced the starter 3 times this season, with her past 2 outings spaced. From her 2^nd to 3^rd start was a 47-day break and she lines up here 41 days between starts. Placed in 2 of those 3, she can be around the money again.

SELECTIONS: TIZ A SIZZLER (10), DEVOUGED (2), JUST JOSHIN (4), JOVIAL JULIE (9)
SUGGESTED BET: TIZ A SIZZLER (10) to win

RACE SIX

SWEET AS (8) was buried from this gate last start over the 2138m and still sitting last at the 300m was able to extricate form the inside to find space wide out and charge into the money. Racing well without much going her way, she will be sweating on the 1 taking control and can take the snipers shot in the stretch.

OUTLAW FELLA (6) was sent forward over the 2138m last start and putting the foot to the floor, took control at the mile. Keeping a solid tempo, he was looking for respite with 150m to run and fought hard to hold 4^th. Where he positions here will be key to his chances and he can challenge.

COURAGEOUS LEO (1) will be 2^nd up from a break since joining the Ron Sallis barn after making a return to Qld. Well supported when 1^st up off the 2^nd line at Redcliffe, the added fitness and good early speed can see him gripping on.

SIR JULIAN (7) has no favours from the wide gate, but if the tempo is hot, he will be able to swoop in the closing stages. Never far from the action, he was charging home last start to grab 3^rd and has claims.

SELECTIONS: SWEET AS (8), OUTLAW FELLA (6), COURAGEOUS LEO (1), SIR JULIAN (7)
SUGGESTED BET: SWEET AS (8) to win

RACE SEVEN

RUNFORTHROSES (3) will appreciate the return to this class of opponent after tackling the BIL DIXON last start where her run was sound behind VIRGIL. The start prior she was sent forward and once taking control over the mile, was too sharp in setting a new PB. This looks within reach.

IFOUNDTHEBEACH (1) found the 1x1 trail from gate 6 last start over the mile and with the good run was able to find clear air and pack too many punches to hold on to win by a neck. Fading the start prior when forced to work in the run, he will have the options here with the distance the key query.

COBBLER LANE (2) returns from a break after a solid campaign when last in work. A tough 3^rd when working in the run 2 starts back in a qualifier, with no trial he will take great benefit from the run.

GODDESS JUJON (4) started from gate 11 last time out over this trip and was charging home in the stretch to get within a head of the winner. From the improved gate she shapes as a major player.
 

SELECTIONS: RUNFORTHROSES (3), IFOUNDTHEBEACH (1), COBBLER LANE (2), GODDESS JUJON (4)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE EIGHT

BETTERTHANSPRAYING (3) returns from a spell following a two-start prep back in September when 1^st arriving in Aus. Her 1^st up run saw her get within a head of victory when nabbed on the line and 2^nd up in a Gold Pot Final set a slick tempo. With a sharp trial to open the pipes, she can return in style.

IFYOUBELIEVE (1) is racing in good touch with a win and placings in 9 of his 12 outings this season. Claiming the bronze at his past 2 in succession, he was strong last start over the 2138m when fighting hard in front. With the peg-line benefits he can be right in the fight once again.

STREET APPEAL (10) makes his Aus debut for the astute Donny Smith barn and arrives with one placing in 7 attempts. Without a local trial to prepare, take on trust and respect his chances.

WHITEHAVEN LASS (5) was locked away on the poles last start from inside the 2^nd line and was probing for gaps that arrived after the race was gone. The return to the front line is in her favour.

SELECTIONS: BETTERTHANSPRAYING (3), IFYOUBELIEVE (1), STREET APPEAL (10), WHITEHAVEN LASS (5)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTERTHANSPRAYING (3) to win

RACE NINE

MONTANA LAD (6) settled a long way back in the pack last start over this trip from gate 10. Sent forward at the 800m he was wide and working and packed too many guns in scoring a smart win with some strong closing panels. Back to the front line and with added experience he can repeat.

SIR SEMPER FIDELIS (11) has no favours from the 2^nd line but he has found some form and with even luck in transit can be throwing down a challenge. He made some errors in the run last start but his run 2 starts back was solid when getting within a neck of the prize. Look for him charging.

WHATA REACTOR (1) can be forgiven for her last outing when making an error with her last 3 starts from the same gate when beaten by JAMIES BAD BOY on each occasion. The improved gate is a plus.

NIKALONG HENRY (3) held the pocket trail from inside the 2^nd line last start and was best of the chasers behind the in-form JAMIES BAD BOY. Another with his past 3 off the 2^nd line, he can podium.

SELECTIONS: MONTANA LAD (6), SIR SEMPER FIDELIS (11), WHATA REACTOR (1), NIKALONG HENRY (3)
SUGGESTED BET: MONTANA LAD (6) to win