Form Analysis: Albion Park February 21

RACE ONE

With two wins in his past five starts, COOL NIGHT (2) ships in for NSW trainer Claytin Harmey for his first look at the track. Arriving with a last start Newcastle win where he took them all the way in a new career PB 1.52.4 mile, he has the gate to chase the front and from there it looks Leader Peter areas for night 2 of the Ultimate Driver Premiership.

 APPLIED (1) joins the in-form Donny Smith yard. Snagged back from gate 5 last time out at Newcastle, it was always a task with a 54.4 closing half set from the front making it hard for the chasing pack. A tough effort three back at Menangle from a wide gate, he can throw it down.

 DEEBO (9) has been kept fresh since the last start 2^nd in the Golden Guitar Final where he went within a head of victory. A dictating heat winner, he will have early options here.

 FIRE RAISER (8) returns to start his 4YO term following a 3^rd placing in the Triad Consolation behind BASILISK BOB at his last run of 2025. With a pair of trials to prepare, a soft fence trip helps first up.

SELECTIONS: COOL NIGHT (2), APPLIED (1), DEEBO (9), FIRE RAISER (8)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-8-9

RACE TWO

Never far from the action and with versatility to call on, TIMS A TROOPER (6) was strong to the line last start when 2m from SPEAK THE TRUTH. Sitting parked the start prior in a 51.1 mile and 5m astern of the winner IM THE FALCON, this is a race well within reach.

 ALBY TWO CHAINS (1) scored a huge win last time from the standing start when faced with a 20m impost. Moving around to sit parked, the effort was full of starch, grinding out a narrow margin in a new track record for the 2138 trip. With early hustle and options thereafter, he can throw it down.

 JIMARTEE (8) set the tempo last start but faded in the closing stages to finish at the rear, albeit only 6m from the winner. With a soft trip, he will be searching for a way clear.

 IM THE FALCON (10) returned to winning form last start when sent to the post deep into the red. Securing 1x1 cover after being exposed early, he finished over the top to take the W. The gate makes the repeat a tough ask.
 
 SELECTIONS: TIMS A TROOPER (6), ALBY TWO CHAINS (1), JIMARTEE (8), IM THE FALCON (10)
 SUGGESTED BET: TIMS A TROOPER (6) to win

RACE THREE

Taking benefit from his first run since returning from a spell, ATTACHMENT (10) will be better suited here with a return to mobile conditions. Despite finishing a long way from the leader after an early error, the sectional performance was solid and with the right tempo, he can take this.

 DASHING (2) is on the back-up from Tuesday where he scored his first AP victory. At just his second start for the new barn, he was able to overcome the 20m handicap to finish best and take victory by a neck. With good speed off the arm, he can find the poles to throw it down.

 CONGO LINE (1) loves a soft trip behind the action to be saved for one shot and lands the gate for that pattern here. Descending on them to score two starts back, he was under 4m from DISTRICT ATTORNEY last start and will be stalking the speed here.

 CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (8) should secure the right trip without spending too many tickets through the middle stages. Luckless last start from a similar map to what he receives here, he will be probing the gaps.

SELECTIONS: ATTACHMENT (10), DASHING (2), CONGO LINE (1), CHECKNOUTTHETALENT (8)
 SUGGESTED BET: ATTACHMENT (10) to win

RACE FOUR

The first horse selected at Wednesday’s driver draft FRENCH FRIES (5) will take added benefit from his last start when second up from a spell. Sent around them from the second line to sit parked before pulling cleat in posting a 13m margin, the first up 3^rd behind FINAL DEADLINE was a smart effort. He can get forward to flex.

 XPRESS PARTY (2) was a winner at the mile two starts back when forced to sit parked and grinding out a tough win with 3m to spare, Beaten by gate 7 when retreating last week and then never a factor, he can get forward here to issue the challenge.

 EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER (3) resumes from a successful trip to Tamworth where he secured the G3 Golden Guitar Final. Overcoming a wide second line gate on the tight circuit, he can settle close to the action here to feature.

 RESILIENT (4) somehow won from an impossible position here three starts back when exploding in the last 100m to score. Placed in both subsequent attempts, he can chime in.

SELECTIONS: FRENCH FRIES (5), XPRESS PARTY (2), EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER (3), RESILIENT (4)
 SUGGESTED BET: FRENCH FRIES (5) to win

RACE FIVE

Another of the Harmey team to ship in for the weekend, HUXTON (3) tried to take them all the way last week at Menangle when collared on the line by LENNETH. Punching out a big mile three starts back at Newcastle, the middle trip may ask some questions, but he looks progressive enough to have the right answers.

 PATH TO GREATNESS (9) makes a return to begin his 4YO term after the 3YO season was shutdown following a midfield finish in the G1 NSW Challenge Final behind DOUBLE LOU. With two trials in readiness for the return, he has the class and despite the tricky gate looms large.

 STRIKEM (4) resumed with a 3m 2^nd at Redcliffe after being stung by the outside gate. Fading second up when starting in red figures, he has been back to the trials that produced a tidy effort and he is in the mix.

 COUNTY COURT JUDGE (1) rises in grade from recent assignments but will appreciate the vastly improved gate. A winner from gate 6 three starts back, gate 7 stung last start.

SELECTIONS: HUXTON (3), PATH TO GREATNESS (9), STRIKEM (4), COUNTY COURT JUDGE (1)
 SUGGESTED BET: HUXTON (3) to win

RACE SIX

A wide gate might not be enough to stop HOT ROD HARRY (6) who has not had much in his favour from the past two starts. Buried and striking trouble last start behind FINAL DEADLINE, the start prior was behind FERNCO NEL which had followed a win at this trip. This is within reach.

 CHEZZ DALE (10) has hit the board at his past six successive runs, the past two since returning from a spell. Strong to the line in the closing stages when 3m astern of the winner ROCK SUPREME when resuming, he held on to score from the front-end last start. Despite the gate, he can challenge.

 KASH TIN (1) should be close enough to the action from this gate to chase a podium finish. 7m from CHEZZ DALE last start, the 2^nd three starts back was solid and he is right in the fight.

 SMOKESCREEN (9) was a Penrith winner two starts back when settling in the trail from gate 1 and then finding space to take a narrow margin. With the right trail, he can feature here.

SELECTIONS: HOT ROD HARRY (6), CHEZZ DALE (10), KASH TIN (1), SMOKESCREEN (9)
 SUGGESTED BET: HOT ROD HARRY (6) to win

RACE SEVEN

A tricky mare’s contest to dissect where early tactics could be all the difference. MAJORITA JUJON (4) does not have a great deal of early speed and has also been faced with some tough gates in recent starts. Strong to the line last time behind DAISY DIANA to grab the bronze, she might just be able to pinch this.

 LULLABY (8) will have the benefit of moving to the inside second line gate with the early scratching. Strong to the line last start at Menangle for silver when starting at huge odds, a soft trip behind a good beginner can see her issue the challenge.

 OUT OF EDEN (6) retreated from this same gate last start and did not warm up as OHANA DANCER saw them off from the front. Runner-up three starts back when beaten a half-head, she can chime in here.

 TOUGH SHAZ (7) is a newcomer to the Turpin stable and caught the eye in a recent trial when 3^rd behind the smart 3YO FIRE AND PASSION. Never asked for much in that hit out, the gate makes it a tough ask.

SELECTIONS: MAJORITA JUJON (4), LULLABY (8), OUT OF EDEN (6), TOUGH SHAZ (7)
 SUGGESTED BET: MAJORITA JUJON (4) to win

RACE EIGHT

First up for the new stable last time out, BELLISSIMO ACQUISTO (10) was making good metres in the closing stages to be 4m astern of the winner CHEZZ DALE. Relying on some tempo from a tricky draw, the right set up should present and he secures the chance to stake claim for victory.

 CAPTAINS PICK (3) has worked his way into some good form with wins in two if his past three starts. Working out of the pocket to arrive in the closing strides last start, the start prior he was beaten by gate 7. A winner in the 2025 UDC, he can position handy to throw down a challenge.

 CREDULOUS (9) was chasing a hat-trick of wins when finishing 8m from RESILIEN here three starts back after being shuffled out to the rear. Tackling tougher mare’s events at her past two, with the right early trail, she can be thereabouts.

 MACH ASSASSIN (2) has some early speed which should allow him to settle near the action. Down the line last start in a much tougher contest, he is a podium player against this line up.

SELECTIONS: BELLISSIMO ACQUISTO (10), CAPTAINS PICK (3), CREDULOUS (9), MACH ASSASSIN (2)
 SUGGESTED BET: BELLISSIMO ACQUISTO (10) to win

RACE NINE

Coming into this event race hardened can be the difference for POST PAINTER (10) to add another win to the tally. Eased from gate 7 at the 2138 last start, she was sent forward at the 1200, took control and then fended off the challengers to score. With versatility and the ability to work when needed, she can capitalise.

 TREMENDOUS SENSATION (7) resumed from a let up with a 3m 2^nd behind IMA QUEEN BEE after taking an early shot from gate 4 that saw her squeeze into the trail. Putting together an impressive record at the backend of 2025, the gate makes it a tough ask after just one run in 11 weeks.

 ZAHRA LOU (5) has switched barns since her last start victory when claiming a mare’s qualifier with a career PB. Runner-up to COASTAL BABE the start prior, she has sharpened with a pair of trials and can get forward to feature.

 AURORA JOY (8) loves a soft trip behind the action and from this gate should secure that. Under 4m from the winner REELY NAUTI last start, she will be probing for the openings to chime in.

SELECTIONS: POST PAINTER (10), TREMENDOUS SENSATION (7), ZAHRA LOU (5), AURORA JOY (8)
 SUGGESTED BET: POST PAINTER (10) to win

RACE TEN

First up for the new stable, MAJOR CRUNCH (1) comes up with the good gate fresh up from a spell. Last seen in early December when retreating from a wide gate and against tempo behind the talented CAPTAIN PERFECT. The middle trip, first-up with no trial, does ask some questions.

 KING HIT (2) gives away plenty of experience to his rivals here, making his first appearance since crossing the Tasman. 2^nd on debut, he was a winner in the deep South of NZ second up and has prepped with a Maitland trial. The gate helps the cause.

 ROCK HAMMER (7) returned from a solid Tamworth campaign with a gritty win at Redcliffe. Forget his past two runs where nothing went to plan and he copped the ODM embargo. Allowed to roll, he can feature.

 COTCHINELLIE (4) is first up in Qld since joining the Narissa Elkins barn and arrives an eight-time winner. Chasing a hat-trick when down the line behind MIKI B two starts back, he is right in this.
 
 SELECTIONS: MAJOR CRUNCH (1), KING HIT (2), ROCK HAMMER (7), COTCHINELLIE (4)
 SUGGESTED BET: