Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 12

RACE TWO

THE FORTUNATE SON (3) loves to put the power on in front and looks to have come up with the perfect conditions here. The inside 2^nd line did not suit last start and the start prior he was trying to keep them chasing when rolling up the track to give L L COOL J the saloon passage. He can press forward to take control.

PACIFIC DRUMS (10) has claimed the bronze at his past 2 in succession, the latest when sent forward to the breeze from gate 9. In for the fight over the mile, it was a tidy effort when 5m in arrears of the winner SMOKEY QUARTZ. Retreating from gate 7 prior to charging home the start prior, he can look to make a closing challenge.

MADAMOISELLE JUJON (2) has been super consistent this campaign with a top-3 in 15 of her 18 outings. Snagged back last start, she was charging home to grab 3^rd to OUR UNCLE JIM. Moving into gate 1 if the emergency misses out, she looks to get every chance.

HAVING THE FAITH (6) is bursting to claim one of these qualifiers when some luck falls his way but it looks to have deserted him again here. Strong to the line after settling at the rear last start from gate 7 in the JC McMullen, it followed a smart 3^rd in the Members Cup. He can feature again here.

SELECTIONS: THE FORTUNATE SON (3), PACIFIC DRUMS (10), MADAMOISELLE JUJON (2), HAVING THE FAITH (6)
SUGGESTED BET: THE FORTUNATE SON (3) to win

RACE THREE

This race is a quasi-Blacks A Fake consolation and to be run over the mile, it shapes as a cracking contest. KINGOFTHESTARS (5) was big in defeat here 2 starts back at the 2138m when repelled for the 1^st lap before finally wrestling away the lead but the damage was done. Atoning when taking control early last week, he was never in danger. It is a tricky race, but he can pinch it.

NURBURGRING (3) has a 1.50.7 mile to his credit here at The Creek when trailing the leader and if he can get anywhere near that time here, can throw down a strong challenge. Far from disgraced when stepping up to the big boys in the Be Good Johnny and Qld Cup at his past 2 starts, he will be close to the speed in making his case for victory.

NO WIN NO FEED (10) shoots for the hat-trick after claiming the 4YO mares Breeders Crown at Melton followed by the Forever Gold here last week. The 2^nd line has made it a tougher assignment but with the right trip, her class cannot be dismissed.
 
ESCALERA (4) went around in the 4YO Championship last start after arriving from NSW. Looming up strongly in the stretch, he looked likely to arrive only for BALRAJ to find a way to claw his way back to get the nod. He does possess early speed and will be in the thick of it here.

SELECTIONS: KINGOFTHESTARS (5), NURBURGRING (3), NO WIN NO FEED (10), ESCALERA (4)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FOUR

ARNOLD (4) will be like the prodigal so returning if he can capture this after a chequered career that has seen him change barns as the key to unlocking his ability has been sought. Craig Cross appears to have jimmied his lock and will present him with a perfect 3 from 3 record since taking over his training. Scoring a strong win over the Menangle mile last start, he can serve it up for the quartet.

MAJESTIC SIMON (11) possesses brilliant speed when allowed to stride free and owns one of the strongest closing 800m splits of a square gaiter here at The Creek. Finding the front in the DJA Final last start after 300m from the 10m tape, he was too smart in front. The gate does not help, but with the strong tempo, he will be throwing it down in the closing stages.
 
MONARO MIA (2) showed the benefit off returning to mobile conditions last start after faltering both heat rounds of the DJA. Powering home wide off the track from gate 7, she cruised by to claim a big 20m victory and can be in the mix from this alley.

GREG THE GREAT (7) holds the track record at this trip and with the power off the front, that record could be in danger. Warming up for this with a mid-week win when finishing best to claim a 10m victory, the gate has been a killer.

SELECTIONS: ARNOLD (4), MAJESTIC SIMON (11), MONARO MIA (2), GREG THE GREAT (7)
SUGGESTED BET: MAJESTIC SIMON (11)

RACE FIVE

BOMB SUIT (2) started in red figures last week when stepping out in Qld for the 1^st time over the 2138m trip. After a steady opening half, he dialled it up through a 27.5 third panel but could not maintain the rage, holding on for the bronze. Back to the mile looks ideal and he looks the one.

MAJOR FERNCO (8) has tackled the 2138m at his past 2 starts, the latest when doing some early work prior to receiving cover. Unable to go with them when down the line behind GOVERNOR JUJON, it followed a smart effort in the Members Cup. Coiled in the trail, the return to the sprint trip is a big plus.

MACH LE MORE (9) angled to the pegs from gate 3 when tackling the 4YO Championship last start and was sound when mid-field behind BALRAJ. With the option from the start dependent on where the front line speed comes from, he can be landing in the placings.

COLBY (6) was luckless last week when buried in between runners and needing space that did not arrive until the winner had all the momentum. Attacking the line when the space did arrive, it followed a tough trip in the Members Cup. He can chime in again.

SELECTIONS: BOMB SUIT (2), MAJOR FERNCO (8), MACH LE MORE (9), COLBY (6)
SUGGESTED BET: MACH LE MORE (9) to place

RACE SIX

FRANCO HAMPTON (3) rolled forward in the middle stages after watching the brutal sub 26 opening panel unfold in front of him. Summing up the situation perfectly, he then eased past the leader to claim a 3m victory. Fitter for the run after that was his 1^st outing since returning from a spell, he looks to have the edge.

PARAVANI (8) will be requiring a good rub of the green from this alley, but if able to find some space at some stage, he can be charging home in the stretch. Doing it out in front in his heat, he held on to a 5m margin. The start prior he had no luck at all when locked away and he can be charging home.

B MAC C (5) eased from gate 7 to settle near the rear before making a strong move in the closing stages to grab the silver behind PARAVANI. Not much was in his favour the start prior in the Members Cup and from this gate he can feature.

ALWAYS A SECRET (7) was after a hat-trick of wins when tackling his heat where he kept them wide as they scorched the opening panel in 25.7. The lead proved far too expensive, but he still was able to hold on for the silver behind FRANCO HAMPTON. The gate stings but he is right in the fight.

SELECTIONS: FRANCO HAMPTON (3), PARAVANI (8), B MAC C (5), ALWAYS A SECRET (7)
SUGGESTED BET: FRANCO HAMPTON (3) to win

RACE SEVEN

PELOSI (2) faces a big task as she looks to end her season with one more victory. Her best runs have appeared to be when she is chasing and that was again to the fore last week when she was too strong in the closing stages after finishing hard wide off the track. The early tactics from this alley will be all-important, but she can beat the boys.

GOVERNOR JUJON (9) loves the AP 2138m with 5 wins in as many attempts at the middle-distance and all 5 have been in feature races. Last week he rallied strongly when staring down the possibility of defeat to score in the fashion that only the best can. With his versatility a great asset from the tough gate, he can follow through at the start and will be hard to stop.

RANGER BOMB (7) was massive in defeat last week when making an early error that looked to have his chances in confetti. Somehow he was able to catch the field and then had the audacity to be 5m from The Gov. He faces the ODM embargo but can feature again.

BLACKSADANCE (8) looks to have had two serious chances in the past 2 weeks, but on each occasion, GOVERNOR JUJON has had his measure. From a tricky gate, we should get to see him chasing here and he can rattle into the minors.

SELECTIONS: PELOSI (2), GOVERNOR JUJON (9), RANGER BOMB (7), BLACKSADANCE (8)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 2-7-8-9

RACE EIGHT

Since relocating from the West, KING OF SWING (5) has virtually been unstoppable in his 12 starts for the Craig Cross barn. Runner-up in 3 and winning the other 9, he has a Miracle Mile and a Hunter Cup win next to his name. Last start he blazed his last 800m in 53.5 from the front at the end of 2300m and with the big win from the barrier draw, he looks in a different league.

COLT THIRTY ONE (10) is the defending champion after winning this race when held in the Winter of 2019. He has been in super form of late with a gritty win from the breeze when putting TURN IT UP away in the Be Good Johnny. He could not repeat it last start in the Qld Cup and the big danger here is the tempo to give him a chance to finish over the top.

ONE CHANGE (1) was a gallant 3^rd last week in the Qld Cup when pressing forward from gate 5 before taking the 1x1 trail as COLT THIRTY ONE rolled to the breeze. Only 2m from the winner CRUZ, it followed a passing lane 2^nd over the mile 2 starts back. He will need to hustle early to protect the poles, but if he can be behind KING OF SWING, he looks a good place prospect along the lane.

BALRAJ (9) tackled the 2138m trip last week in the 4YO Championship and was gone at the home turn after a tough run. Somehow, he clawed his way off the canvas and with a late rally was able to grab victory as defeat beckoned. He has a win over KING OF SWING at 2300m when sitting on his back, while he will not have that trip, Jimmy Rattray coming for the drive has piqued an interest.

Of some of the other runners, THE BLACK PRINCE (2) will relish finally landing a barrier after a string of wide gates at Menangle and possessing early speed. TURN IT UP (7) will strip fitter after possibly being underdone at the sprint a fortnight ago, NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (6) enjoys the trip and has been finishing his races strongly and CLINTAL DO (8) will get the cosy trip for a knock-out place hope.

SELECTIONS: KING OF SWING (5), COLT THIRTY ONE (10), ONE CHANGE (1), BALRAJ (9)
SUGGESTED BET:
 

RACE NINE

The scratching of  L L COOL J opens this race up somewhat and the lead is likely to be keenly sought. Leaning to CHEVRONS REWARD (12) who has faced tough alleys since arriving in Qld and comes up with another stiff gate. Closing strongly last start to get within 4m of the winner NO WIN NO FEED, it followed a smart win when charging home in the Queen of the Creek. Look for her swooping.

SPARKLING CULLECT (6) is in nice touch of late without landing victory, having placed at his past 4 in succession. Only 2m from COLT THIRTY ONE 2 starts back when firing the early bullets prior to releasing the speed and then using the passing lane. Strong in the closing stages in a race where LILAC FLASH busted the race open, he can look for a strong showing despite the gate.

COMMODORE JUJON (4) landed gate 6 last start over the mile when retreating in the early stages and from back in the pack was always then facing a task. Hitting the line strongly the start prior when 4m from MYMATEPOG, he can settle close enough to feature in this.

CARDLESFROMHEAVEN (8) was locked away against the poles here 2 starts back when making a closing play to grab the silver behind MYMATEPOG. With a cosy trip he can be ready to strike.
 

SELECTIONS: CHEVRONS REWARD (12), SPARKLING CULLECT (6), CARDLESFROMHEAVEN (8), COMMODORE JUJON (4)
SUGGESTED BET: CHEVRONS REWARD (12) to win

RACE TEN

MANILA PLAYBOY (4) finally lands the front line and while he will not have the speed to get across, he should find a good position off the speed with no 2^nd line runners. Last week he was charging home in the closing stages to run some sizzling closing splits behind BIG WHEELS and 1^st up he did plenty of work. He can knock them off.

BIG WHEELS (3) was 1^st up off some smart trials when landing a wide gate and forced to sit outside his stablemate DANCE IN THE SUN. Unable to go with them in a 27.2 closer, he had the barrier draw advantage 2^nd up and made the most of it in leading throughout. He could have to work again but he will be in for the fight.
 
DANCE IN THE SUN (2) has taken each step put in front of her and 2 starts back used her race fitness over her rivals to dictate in front and keep them chasing. Not suited when forced to retreat from a wide gate last week, she will be a different conveyance on the speed.

JASPER (1) was working home wide off the track when grabbing the silver behind DANCE IN THE SUN when resuming 2 starts back. Forced to hang tough in the breeze last start, she could not maintain it. The inside gate suits and keeping the powder dry early can take a closing shot.

SELECTIONS: MANILA PLAYBOY (4), BIG WHEELS (3), DANCE IN THE SUN (2), JASPER (1)
SUGGESTED BET: MANILA PLAYBOY (4) to win