Form Analysis: Albion Park April 21

RACE ONE

Just a small field of five 2YO’s to do battle in this maiden. There will likely be good improvement from HUNT FOR GLORY (2) which chased home for the bronze behind SOUL HUNTER on debut and with the chance to utilise the gate advantage over his rivals, can capitalise second up.

 GO MINNIE (3) is a Capt Midnight filly on debut for Gemma Hewitt that has done everything asked of her in her preparatory trials. Out of the handy mare Rockonbye which has produced three winners from three foals to the track, she can challenge at her first outing.

 HARPER DELIGHT (5) held on for the silver on debut when chasing home SOUL HUNTER from the trail in a slick closing panel. The wide gate dents her chances second up.

JOVIAL JIM (4) is another that will likely improve following a debut 2nd at Redcliffe.

SELECTIONS: HUNT FOR GLORY (2), GO MINNIE (3), HARPER DELIGHT (5)
SUGGESTED BET: 

RACE TWO

In super form since returning to Qld, NELLIE JOY (1) has won four of her past five starts, with wins from both the tapes and behind the start car. Producing a strong closing half from the front last time at Redcliffe, she has the manners and versatility to chalk up another win here.

 DARCYS FIREBALL (6) started from inside the second line last start at mobile conditions and with the perfect trail held on for the silver. A gritty 3^rd the start prior when asked to park, he has chased home NELLIE JOY in both of those and might just be doing that again here.

 IVANKA (2) made the most of gate 1 to lead and dictate from the mobile last start and hold on for a narrow victory. With just three career wins, she gives away experience but can feature.

 VALLEY STAR (7) will appreciate a return to the tapes after a wide gate around Redcliffe last start in his first outing for the new stable. A Menangle winner two starts back, he is in the mix.

SELECTIONS: NELLIE JOY (1), DARCYS FIREBALL (6), IVANKA (2), VALLEY STAR (7)
 SUGGESTED BET: NELLIE JOY (1) to win

RACE THREE

Yet to miss the money in seven attempts on this deck, TYSON (3) has landed a pair of victories. One of those was from the tapes at the 2138 and the other on Saturday night when overcoming the outside second line with a powerful finish. A safe start can see him chase another W on the short back up.

 STRIKEM (4) was runner-up behind ARRIVE last time out in a qualifier after pressing to the front and leading deep into the stretch, only to be collared near the wire. With the right manners from the tapes, he can get forward to throw down the challenge.

 SEND IT (8) loves these conditions and should appreciate a return to them following his past three when taking on FFA company. A winner four starts back at this same format, he is in the mix.

 GEM PUNTER PETE (2) chased smartly for the silver behind COOL AND CLASSY last week at Redcliffe in a track record mark for the winner. Hitting the board in all five stand start attempts, he can maintain that stat.

SELECTIONS: TYSON (3), STRIKEM (4), SEND IT (8), GEM PUNTER PETE (2)
 SUGGESTED BET: 

RACE FOUR

Off the back of an impressive first start in Qld, MOVE IT LOU (8) shipped south for a crack at the NSW Derby. His only outing on this deck returned a head 2^nd behind FIRE AND PASSION before missing the Derby Final after a 5^th in the heats. With second line options, he can flex fresh.

 SITTING ON EIGHT (7) has been given a freshen since a last start 3^rd when setting the tempo from gate 6. Starting in red figures in that contest, he faded late as STRIPES proved too slick. Runner-up the start prior behind BARSBY, he needs to overcome the wide gate to challenge.

 IAM HUGO (6) will take good benefit from his first up appearance when grabbing the silver behind RUBY RHAYNE BOW, chasing home smartly in good splits. The gate stings.

 LOUMINATE (4) has placed in both runs since returning for her 3YO term. Locked away after copping a check and grabbing 3^rd behind CALL IT BLING, she is a podium player here.
 
 SELECTIONS: MOVE IT LOU (8), SITTING ON EIGHT (7), IAM HUGO (6), LOUMINATE (4)
 SUGGESTED BET: MOVE IT LOU (8) to win

RACE FIVE

Faced with a 50m handicap last start at Redcliffe, INTSTANT DELIGHT (6) was starting to get into the contest when an error ended her day. A beaten fav at her previous two outings, she finds the right conditions to end the win drought.

 SOUTHERN DIAMOND (10) was a winner at these same conditions two starts back when finding the 1x1 trail from gate 4 and finishing best to take a 2m margin. Working early before finding cover last start at Redcliffe, a return to the bid deck is in his favour here.

 NORTHERN HEIGHTS (11) had four starts following The Great Square false start fiasco and never regathered composure. Resuming from a spell, this is within reach at his best, but they will not want him getting revved early in the campaign. 

 FREDIDRIVSAMERCURY (9) is just a 3YO that gives away plenty of experience to his rivals. Resuming last start to kick off his season, there was a bit to like in how he hit the line for 3^rd and he can run on again.

SELECTIONS: INTSTANT DELIGHT (6), SOUTHERN DIAMOND (10), NORTHERN HEIGHTS (11), FREDIDRIVSAMERCURY (9)
 SUGGESTED BET: INTSTANT DELIGHT (6) to win

RACE SIX

After four runs for 2026 that had produced three minors, BARSBY (5) was much sharper last start with a dominant win highlighted by a sub 54 closing half. Working early and then pressing to the front to take control, it followed a gritty effort when parked. He can force the issue in a race that has several quality types engaged.

FITZROY (6) eased to find position from a wide gate last start and chased home for the bronze behind the smart ALWAYSBJOY. Dictating from the front the start prior to take a 3m margin, the wide gate makes it a tough ask, but he has the class to throw down a challenge.
 
NITRATOR (8) showed early hustle before taking cover last start and missing the money as ALWYASBJOY proved too slick. Runner-up to that same winner the start prior when second up, he has second line options.

SHANKYS SHOT (7) is afforded no favours from the outside gate first up in Qld for the new stable. Arriving from NZ a two-time winner, his local trial suggests he will be a competitive force in anything he contests.

SELECTIONS: BARSBY (5), FITZROY (6), NITRATOR (8), SHANKYS SHOT (7)
SUGGESTED BET: BARSBY (5) to win

 RACE SEVEN

Off the back of an impressive trial performance, KYLOAN QUEEN (8) was able to score a dominant win first up for the new stable. Sent forward from outside the front line to claim a PB win, she will need a rub of the green at some stage from this gate, but looks up to the task.

MERGE RIGHT (1) will look to bring the form from Marburg and Redcliffe to the big deck and secures the gate to do so. Scoring a strong win from the front at Redcliffe over the 2040 last start, she held on for the bronze in the Marburg Goldstrike the start prior. The gate is a boost.

HOT ROD HARRY (4) backs up from Friday where he started from inside the second line in a stronger line up than he faces here. Just missing the minor money, he can force the issue here.

EAGLESPRIDE (9) will take good benefit from the first up run when chasing home to finish midfield behind THE RASCAL. Following through to secure position, he has podium claims.

SELECTIONS: KYLOAN QUEEN (8), MERGE RIGHT (1), HOT ROD HARRY (4), EAGLESPRIDE (9)
 SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-4-8-9

RACE EIGHT

Sent to the post as fav last start at Redcliffe, COPPERFIELD (8) was forced to sit parked and after the tough trip in strong time, faded over the latter stages. With the chance to secure the right trip in behind the speed, he finds the right race to end a winning drought that is approaching two years.

CAPTAIN NEMO (9) has placed in three of his past four starts, the latest when chasing home from the second line at Redcliffe. Better suited here on the big deck, he can follow through in the early stages and against this opposition can throw down the challenge.

JEFFCOATE (1) has hit the board at his past six in succession but does face stronger competition here. Grabbed late when runner-up to RATATATTAT last start at Redcliffe, he has the gate to feature.

BETTOR CHEER (7) has the tough draw on the short back up from Saturday night when tackling a qualifier. This is an easier assignment and with the right tempo can make a closing play.

SELECTIONS: COPPERFIELD (8), CAPTAIN NEMO (9), JEFFCOATE (1), BETTOR CHEER (7)
 SUGGESTED BET: 

RACE NINE

A tough race to close the card made no easier by the 2138 trip that just two of the engaged runners have won over on a solitary occasion each. BLUE BLOODZ (3) is one of those and will be third up from a break here which should see him strip fitter. The small field should also be in his favour and with the right position, might just be the one.

PLAYFUL MISS (1) eased from a wide gate last start and was unable to get warm in the closing stages as MISTER DELWIN saw them off from the front. Runner-up the start prior at the mile when setting the tempo, she secures the options to challenge.

ASCOT SHOWTIME (2) has placed in three of her past four starts, the latest at Redcliffe when looking to work home wide on the track from a second line gate. With early options, she is a podium hope.

WESTERN ACTION (4) is winless in 15 attempts at the trip but is the only runner in the field boasting winning form in their past five starts. That was off a soft trip at the mile two runs back and he is a podium chance here.

SELECTIONS: BLUE BLOODZ (3), PLAYFUL MISS (1), ASCOT SHOWTIME (2), WESTERN ACTION (4)
 SUGGESTED BET: BLUE BLOODZ (3) to win