Form Analysis: Albion Park May 17

RACE ONE

This qualifier is an absolute belter and has a front line packed with speed. IRON CLAD (1) could not get warm last start when finishing midfield behind OUR BENSON. A gritty effort when 3^rd to CHARGE AHEAD the start prior, he can tuck in behind the action here to land the snipers shot.

 APOLLO DREAMZ (2) was looking to make it four on the bounce last start when stepping up into Band 5 company. Holding on for the bronze behind THE JANITOR, he gets back to qualifying grade here and after a strong victory in a 75Final two back, can issue a challenge.

 ATTACHMENT (5) returns from a spell to step out in his 4YO season for the first time. Shut down following a 3YO victory from gate 7 in December, he has early speed to feature.

 IN EXCESS (8) returns from a spell following a tidy 3YO term which included victory in the Southeast Derby four runs back. With two trials, if he can find the lane with momentum, he has podium claims.

SELECTIONS: IRON CLAD (1), APOLLO DREAMZ (2), ATTACHMENT (5), IN EXCESS (8)
 SUGGESTED BET: IRON CLAD (1) to win

RACE TWO

Returning from a spell last time out, LENNY LINCOLN (4) was angled to the inside from a wide second line gate and was picking a few off late for a midfield finish. Shutdown following successive wins at the mile in February, he finds ideal conditions here.

 ZOOM PARTY (3) was heavily supported here two starts back from the second line where he was sent around them to take control but could not stave off the closing challenge of ROCKON ROCKY. Luckless last start, he can press forward to throw down a challenge.
 
 MAEBEE (5) makes his first appearance in the Sunshine State. An eight-time winner, the last of those was 10 months back, but he finds the right conditions to feature fresh.

 MACS A DUDE (1) held the pocket trail and darted through on the passing lane here two starts back and then last start worked early from the second line in holding 3^rd. The gate is a plus.

SELECTIONS: LENNY LINCOLN (4), ZOOM PARTY (3), MAEBEE (5), MACS A DUDE (1)
 SUGGESTED BET: LENNY LINCOLN (4) to win

RACE THREE

Making the most of gate 1 last time out, LOCHINVAR JAG (3) burrowed through to hold them wide and from the front was able to take them all the way before pulling clear to an 8m margin. Working hard the start prior, he can look for the poles and the opportunity to dictate.

 BACK TO BETOOTA (5) has placed in all three runs since resuming from close to 12 months off the scene. Darting through on the passing lane last start when 3m from FACT FINDER, he chased home APOLLO DREAMZ in both prior outings. From the awkward gate, he can throw it down.

 HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (4) returns for another Qld campaign, having been successful here in previous seasons. Fresh up from a break, he has been down the line in three trials but cannot be discounted.

 SWELL TIME (11) was chasing a hat-trick last start when stepping up to open mares’ company when closing strongly for the bronze behind THE VICAR OF DIBLEY. Despite the tough gate, she can chime in.

SELECTIONS: LOCHINVAR JAG (3), BACK TO BETOOTA (5), HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (4), SWELL TIME (11)
 SUGGESTED BET: LOCHINVAR JAG (3) to win

RACE FOUR

Staring down a hat-trick of victories after wins at the mile and then the 2138, WISPER A SECRET (5) can look to defy an awkward gate here. Victory will take the 5YO beyond $500k in earnings and after a proving too starchy last start when racing first over, he can complete the threePete.

 CLASSIE WASHINGTON (2) has placed in both runs back from a spell, the latest when trying to fend them off from the front, ultimately finishing the runner-up to WISPER A SECRET. Grabbing the bronze behind that same winner first up, he can be handy enough to issue a challenge.

 PINNY TIGER (3) makes his first race appearance in the Sunshine State, arriving from WA a 20-time winner. With electric speed off the arm, he can fire out and test them fresh up.

 BLACKSADANCE (4) is now an 8YO and lines up first up since the 2024 Inter Dominion Series. Opening the pipes with a nice trial hit out, he has raced the top company for several seasons.

SELECTIONS: WISPER A SECRET (5), CLASSIE WASHINGTON (2), PINNY TIGER (3), BLACKSADANCE (4)
 SUGGESTED BET: WISPER A SECRET (5) to win

RACE FIVE

A winner when powering home over the top in the stretch two starts back, MASTER CHARLES (3) went by to claim a 5m margin over this same trip. He defeated subsequent NSW Oaks winner with that win before finishing down the line behind BIRKIRKARA last time. This is within reach.

 HASTY BID (11) has been having zero luck with barriers in recent starts and faces another tough one here. Snagged back from gate 7 last start, he made good metres in the closing stages over the mile. Buried away against tempo the start prior, he can be making a challenge in this set up.

 MOOPS (10) tried to take them all the way last time at the mile and after a steady opening half, was unable to put them away, holding on for 3^rd. He can be making a closing raid.

 MONSIEUR DELACOUR (2) has been runner-up at his past two, the latest on Tuesday when the best of the chasers behind BETTERTHANAROCKET. The gate can help him chime in.

SELECTIONS: MASTER CHARLES (3), HASTY BID (11), MOOPS (10), MONSIEUR DELACOUR (2)
 SUGGESTED BET: MASTER CHARLES (3) to win

RACE SIX

Bouncing back to winning form here last week in a new career benchmark, TURN IT UP (7) returns to the standing start conditions here where his record is superb. A nine-time winner from the tapes, he only faces the 10m handicap here and can look to go back-to-back.

 ALWAYS SMOKIN (10) will make his first race appearance from this starting method as he resumes from a spell. Last seen at the end of 2024, he was collared in the closing stages by CAPTAIN SHUFFLES. If he has tape manners, he can throw down a big challenge fresh.

 MADRIGAL (2) was safely away here last week and releasing for the trail, then held on for the silver behind FREE THINKER. If she can find the poles, she has podium claims again.
 
 FREE THINKER (6) stepped well at his first race attempt from the tapes last week and from the front was able to dictate, a sub 27 close out putting it out of reach. He can feature once again.

SELECTIONS: TURN IT UP (7), ALWAYS SMOKIN (10), MADRIGAL (2), FREE THINKER (6)
SUGGESTED BET: TURN IT UP (7) to win

RACE SEVEN

An open event here with quite a few chasing a return to form. ARKIN WICKED (2) was not suited when forced to roll the sleeves and sit parked here last week when fading over the latter stages of the 2138m trip. Buried on the poles the start prior at Redcliffe, he was not far away behind CAPTAIN CHARLES here three back.

 SIR BRIGADOON (5) held the trail last start and despite being unable to reel in the leader and winner, was able to hold on for the silver. With added fitness, he strikes the right race to press forward and issue a challenge.

RESILIENT (6) was slowly away last time at Redcliffe before trying to make some metres in the latter stages. Strong to the line two starts back, he can be closing out here.
 
MIDNIGHT CALM (3) held the pocket trail last start and tried to land the closing shot when holding on for silver behind DOCTA FEELGOOD. Podium claims appeal once again.

SELECTIONS: ARKIN WICKED (2), SIR BRIGADOON (5), RESILIENT (6), MIDNIGHT CALM (3)
 SUGGESTED BET: ARKIN WICKED (2) to win

RACE EIGHT

Resuming from a spell with a Redcliffe victory four runs back, REASON TO SHINE (1) has placed in all three runs since, the latest when attacking the line strongly to get within a half-head of the winner GOLDEN FIRE. With the gate advantage, she snares all the options to capitalise.

 LUVARESCHS (2) was asked to sit parked two starts back and was game in grinding out a bronze behind SWELL TIME. Beaten by gate 6 last start when working and still not too far from the winner SAVEEON, the improved gate here can see her issue the challenge.

 LIMBO LILLY (11) eased from gate 5 before working home strongly wide off the track to take a second division qualifier two starts back. Chasing ARRIVE last start, she can be joining in.

 SIX TIMES A LADY (8) makes a trip to HQ after showing some strong form on The Triangle of late. Hitting the board at her past five in succession, including a pair of wins, the soft trip will help.

SELECTIONS: REASON TO SHINE (1), LUVARESCHS (2), LIMBO LILLY (11), SIX TIMES A LADY (8)
 SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-8-11

RACE NINE

Placed at her past two starts, ALLNIGHT DANCER (1) has been kept fresh since her last appearance when finishing just 3m from the winner after settling in the trail. That winner was THE VICAR OF DIBLEY which has since beaten the open mares. The gate can see her capitalise.

 GOLDEN FIRE (6) was six weeks between starts here last week when settling off the speed from a second line gate. Making a strong challenge wide off the track in the closing stages, she arrived for a smart win. Beaten a pimple by RISK TAKER the start prior, she can throw it down.

 BONNIES DANCE (2) angled to the poles last start and ran home over the latter stages to grab the bronze behind ELEGANT GROOVES. Settling handy, she is a podium player once again.

 PLAYA BLANCA (9) found the 1x1 trail here two starts back and had the closing speed to grab victory. Beaten by gate 7 last start, she can be looking to make a closing raid on them here.

SELECTIONS: ALLNIGHT DANCER (1), GOLDEN FIRE (6), BONNIES DANCE (2), PLAYA BLANCA (9)
 SUGGESTED BET:

RACE TEN

With all his best work done from behind the start car, LOVE GUN (1) should appreciate returning to those conditions here. Too far back last start from the 30m tape when finishing midfield, he attacked the line strongly in the Marathon three runs back. This looks well within reach.

 ZEALOUS SPUR (3) was a winner three starts back when working home in good order to defy the 20m handicap and claim a 2m margin. Runner-up in both subsequent appearances, he led them until deep stretch last start at the mobile 2138, only collared by GOLDEN SUNSET.

 VAN SANK (4) started from inside the second line last time out and was soon shuffled bac along the poles. Making some nice metres when clear, a return to the front line is a big plus here.

 SIR FAHRENHEIT (5) has started off the second line at his past two starts, the latest when unable to get warm in the closing stages. Strong to the line three back, he is a podium hope.

SELECTIONS: LOVE GUN (1), ZEALOUS SPUR (3), VAN SANK (4), SIR FAHRENHEIT (5)
 SUGGESTED BET: LOVE GUN (1) to win