Form Analysis: Albion Park July 18

RACE 1 

ALL OVER IT (1) made an impressive QLD debut last time out when finding the front early before controlling things and giving a good kick to beat an impressive Fourty One Gee in second. He had previously shown plenty of promise racing in Victoria putting together a strong record of three wins from five starts prior to his last start win. He draws best in this race to drive through and lead in the early stages. He steps up in grade here taking on a stronger field but the time he was able to rate last start suggests he should be well and truly up to this. 

LUVTOBEUPTOME (8) was given a very tough run last time out when making a move wide on the track around to the breeze through the fastest part of the race which is likely to have contributed to his beaten margin of 15 metres in a race taken out by Brooklyn Dan. He should get a much more economical run this time on the back of likely leader All Over It which should give him every chance to bounce back in this race. 

MOVE IT LOU (2) has looked a very promising horse since landing in QLD earlier this year. His latest win came over the 1660 at this track when leading at this track dashing home a very slick 26.2 last quarter to beat another smart horse in Shankys Shot. He was sent out an $8 chance to win the South East Derby last time out from this same draw before zipping off the gate and landing a great spot behind eventual winner Maxo Mighty. He made a break mid race and pacing a touch awkwardly which took him out of play. If he can bring his best manners this time he can bounce back from a good draw. 

IDEAL BRONSKI (9) looks set to get a very economical on the pegs in this race just behind the speed which should be a favourable position in running. He had little luck two starts ago when checked at a crucial stage by a runner which made a break. He then ran well enough last start in the key Derby lead up race which was taken out by Brooklyn Dan. He should be running on late. 

SELECTIONS: ALL OVER IT (1), LUVTOBEUPTOME (8), MOVE IT LOU (2), IDEAL BRONSKI (9)

SUGGESTED BET: LUVTOBEUPTOME (8) each way. 

RACE 2 

ALWAYS B COOL (6) is a highly promising horse that has made a huge impression in his first 6 career starts having scored 4 wins with 2 second placings. He looked to be in an awkward position last time out when being shuffled back to the spot 3 back the pegs in the run with one of his main fancies in the lead. He worked into the clear and let down brilliantly to hit the lead and race away from them late. He draws awkwardly in this race but his brilliant high speed is likely to get him out of a lot of awkward position through his career. He should run well again and is a horse worth following. 

FATE AWAITS (3) had very little luck in The Rising Sun which was taken out by the superstar mare Captains Mistress in track record time. He was forced wide while they were running which made it tough for him in a race he was able to win in 2025. He was able to bounce back well last time out when sitting outside of Captains Mistress and battling away well for second beating quality horses including Fox Dan and Braventreacheorus. 

FINAL DEADLINE (8) looked to come out hard in an attempt to get across Captains Mistress last time out at this track in The Rising Sun. He wasn’t able to get across Captains Mistress and had to settle for a position in the running line before being shuffled back to near last in the run. He ran through the line nicely late once into the clear. He draws to get a great run in this race potentially 3 back on the pegs where he can use his brilliant high speed to run into the race late if the gaps open up at the right time. 

MAGIC MIKI (1) was able to hold the lead last time out in a strong race over the 1660 at this track. He couldn’t quite hold off a very smart horse in Always B Cool who had a good run in the race and was able to get out at the right time. He should be able to drive through and lead early before potentially sitting on his stablemate Fate Awaits. 

SELECTIONS: ALWAYS B COOL (6), FATE AWAITS (3), FINAL DEADLINE (8), MAGIC MIKI (1)

SUGGESTED BET: ALWAYS B COOL (6) to win. 

RACE 3

THE JANITOR (12) was one of the series fancies leading into the Inter Dominion and things just didn’t work out for him at all in his two rounds of heats. He was forced to race without cover outside of Leap To Fame in the first round of heats when battling away well for fourth there behind Leap To Fame and Nyack. He found a very sedately run hear last time out where he may have been better served working around to the breeze given it became a dash home which made it near impossible to make ground widest on the track. He was sectionally excellent there in defeat but just faced an insurmountable task making up enough ground to figure in the placings from where he was in the run. He draws poorly in this race but is likely to be put into it at some stage and should be very hard to beat. 

CALL TO ORDER (2) has been excellent in both rounds of heats. In the first round of heats he finished just behind four runners which were all able to make the Inter Dominion grand final in Minos, Bay Of Biscay, Cheerstolou and Max Delight. He backed that up with another good run when running into fourth behind Minos after racing off the speed. He draws ideally to get a good run close enough to the speed and if the race is run to suit he should be running into it late. 

CAPTAIN RAVISHING (8) has been a real eye catcher in both rounds of heats hitting the line nicely on both occasions. He secured a good run last time out but was shuffled back at a crucial stage before getting out and flashing into fifth late running past the likely favourite in this race THE JANITOR. He appears to draw favourably in this race to do no work and if the runs come at the right time he should be able to use his eye speed to get into the race late. 

SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) has seemingly been a touch below his brilliant best in the two rounds of heats. He was able to find the front in the first round of heats when run down by War Dan Buddy and Fighter Command. He appears to be a strong chance of working to the lead in this race and he is usually a very hard horse to run down when able to find the front in races. 

SELECTIONS: THE JANITOR (12), CALL TO ORDER (2), CAPTAIN RAVISHING (8), SPEAK THE TRUTH (6)

SUGGESTED BET: THE JANITOR (12) to win. 

RACE 4 

SPARKLING SEA (9) was sensational winning her latest start by 25.7 metres beating a quality field of horses and rating a brilliant 1.52 mile rate. That win came off the back of a below par effort for her when beaten 13.2 metres by Ripples after being forced to make a wide run into the race a long way out. She draws the back row this time but with a repeat of her latest huge win she is going to be incredibly hard to beat again.

ARK SEA (6) worked to the lead last time out and was able to score a comfortable enough win there at Wagga. She ran well in the NSW Oaks finishing fifth there after sitting 1 out 1 back. She draws wide in this race but appears to draw to advantage over a number of her main rivals and may be able to work forward and find a prominent position in the run. She can look to add to an already very impressive record. 

RIPPLES (10) put in a disappointing run two starts ago at Redcliffe when finishing a well beaten eighth behind Seaside Boulevard when seemingly not handling the track there. She bounced back strongly last time out when working to the lead at Albion Park before controlling things in front proving too good for ALWAYSBJOY (12) who was excellent in second and STRIPES (11) who was very good as well in third. 

BETTOR BEACH (13) has shown she has brilliant high speed when driven with a sit in her races. She secured a good run two starts ago and sprinted up very smartly to score a massive win at Melton running home 26.7. She was very disappointing last time out after starting a short priced favourite but did contact her own sulky and sustained a flat tyre which could explain the disappointing run to some extent. If she can bounce back to her best she becomes a genuine chance despite the tough draw. 

SELECTIONS: SPARKLING SEA (9), ARK SEA (6), RIPPLES (10), BETTOR BEACH (13)

SUGGESTED BET: SPARKLING SEA (9) to win. 

RACE 5

HOLLYWOOD STRIP (5) was a brilliant third last time out in The Rising Sun. He got shuffled back early and began to over race through the middle stages of the race before working to the position outside the leader and battled on incredibly well in a race which the winner Captains Mistress smashed the track record which was previously held by champion Leap To Fame. He has only been defeat twice so far in his fifteen start career and has already amassed $386,000 in prize money. He draws favourably on the front row in this race and should be able to work forward and find a prominent position in the run. If he’s able to find the lead it’s hard to see how they beat him. 

BROOKLYN DAN (1) was able to work to the lead last time out in the Derby Qualifier. He was taken on through various stages of the race and was entitled to be getting a touch tired late but just kept kicking and rated a very fast time of 1.52 out in front. He ran a good third to likely race favourite Hollywood Strip in his start prior at Wagga after racing off the speed. He draws best in this race and should have the gate speed to lead early before having options from there. 

REWATCH (8) caught the eye last time out when securing a good run on the pegs before getting out and flashing into second late behind BROOKLYN DAN (1). He was checked in his start prior at this track behind Maxo Mighty at a crucial stage of the race when Move It Lou made a break. He should get a perfect run again on the pegs having done no early work and he should be running into it well again late. 

MAXO MIGHTY (9) made a break two starts ago when starting on the back row taking no part in the race as a result. He was then able to bounce back taking out the South East Derby when leading all the way over the 2138 at this track. He has options in this race off the back row and should secure the right type of run in this race. 

SELECTIONS: HOLLYWOOD STRIP (5), BROOKLYN DAN (1), REWATCH (8), MAXO MIGHTY (9)

SUGGESTED BET: BROOKLYN DAN (1) to place. 

RACE 6 

EYE KEEP SMILING (7) trialled up well prior to resuming winning a trial in good time at this track and distance. She was then forced to sit outside of Bella Danza last time out and just couldn’t quite reel her in when racing first up from a spell. She was a very impressive winner of this race last year when sitting without cover beating Tay Tay and STENO (5). She is likely to have derived benefit from her trial and first up outing and should be able to find a prominent position from the front row draw. She looks hard to beat. 

LUX AETERNA (1) had no luck last time out when running up in behind them into fifth having started on the back row. She took on this race last year and was unlucky to be held up at a crucial stage before running on into fourth behind EYE KEEP SMILING (7). She raced without luck two starts ago in a race taken out by Bella Danza where she was forced to cover plenty of ground. She has gate speed and can drive through and lead before having options from there. 

STENO (5) scored a super impressive win two starts ago when running on powerfully from back in the field to rate a 1.49.4 mile rate. She worked forward last start and was well beaten late but just may not have been ideally suited doing early work in the run at this stage of her career. She should be driven quietly early and if the race is run to suit she should be running on strongly again. 

COOL AND CLASSY (8) has had a terrific campaign having smashed the track record at Redcliffe rating a very quick mile rate of 1.51.8 for the 1780. She backed that up with another impressive win taking out The Queensland Sun beating Always B Cool and stablemate Ruby Rules. She looks likely to get a favourable run through early on the back of Lux Aeterna and if the gaps appear at the right time she should be running on late. 

SELECTIONS: EYE KEEP SMILING (7), LUX AETERNA (1), STENO (5), COOL AND CLASSY (8)

SUGGESTED BET: LUX AETERNA (1) each way. 

RACE 7

GUS (2) was the raging hot series favourite leading into the second round of heats before being comprehensively beaten by ARCEE PHEONIX (11) who led and was able to run home slick sectionals. He faded late into fourth GUS (2) after making the first move wider on the track. He may have been a touch flat after a good first round heat win over IM BOBBY (1) where he dashed around mid race to lead running a very solid final 1200 for the trotters. He draws ideally in this race given he isn’t a noted gate speed horse. He should settle close and his best would see him very hard to beat in this race. 

ARCEE PHEONIX (11) has showed in recent outings his is seemingly working back to the form which saw him take out the 2025 Inter Dominion Final. He ran well in the first round of heats when sitting without cover battling away strongly to finish third behind ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) and GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (3). He backed up that good placing with a great win after showing gate speed he found the front and was able to take them all the way beating his stablemate GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (3). The draw appears to make things tough for him on paper but he is seemingly well suited by the step up in trip and could be the beneficiary of a strong early tempo. 

ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) dead-heated with GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (3) in the first round of heats after controlling things in the run before making it a dash to the line late. She drew poorly last time out and couldn’t get into the race in her second round heat which was taken out by ARCEE PHEONIX (11). She has brilliant gate speed and draws the front row which should allow her to utilise that gate speed to find a prominent position in the race. 

LOVEMETO (8) made a break in the first round of heats when galloping on the home turn in a race taken out by GUS (2) which left him in a tough position trying to qualify for the final. He bounced back well a week later in the second round of heats when finding the front before scoring an easy win leading all the way to beat MUFASA METRO (5). He appeared to run through the line strongly late and is likely to be another horse benefited by the step up in trip. 

SELECTIONS: GUS (2), ARCEE PHEONIX (11), ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6), LOVEMETO (8) 

SUGGESTED BET: ARCEE PHEONIX (11) each way. 

RACE 8

CAPTAINS MISTRESS (6) will be looking to emulate the feats of her champion stablemate Swayzee in looking to beat champion pacer LEAP TO FAME. She scored a dominant Chariots Of Fire win before making her first attempt at taking on Grand Circuit company in the Miracle Mile when running a very unlucky fifth. She put the harness racing world on notice in The Rising Sun when flying off the gate to lead easily before carving out a track record time for the 2138 of 1.50.3 for the mile rate which is truly incredible time, earning her place in the Inter Dominion Final. She then took on the 4YO Championship last Saturday and was again able to show very good gate speed finding the front and winning easily over 2025 Rising Sun winner Fate Awaits. She has terrific gate speed she should find herself on the front end pretty quickly and will take serious catching. 

MINOS (3) looked a smart young horse and started favourite in the QLD derby at this track and trip when finishing third behind Major Hot and Bay Of Biscay who he lines up against again in this race. He was very good in the first round of heats when dashing around them mid race to take up the lead before running along and just being nabbed late by Bay Of Biscay who was able to secure the perfect run on his back. He then went even better in the second round of heats when 3 wide for a large portion of the race before working to the breeze and just continuing to kick when horses that had much cosier runs challenged in the concluding stages. He has excellent gate speed and should be able to find the front before handing over to his stablemate Captains Mistress which should see him get every chance from there. 

LEAP TO FAME (11) is the greatest pacer of all time and will be looking to add another Inter Dominion to his trophy cabinet on his home track. Almost every time he has been questioned or challenged he has risen to the task and built on his greatness. He has drawn poorly in this race with his biggest rivals Minos and Captains Mistress both drawing favourably on the front row. He looks likely to be left doing plenty of work to get around to the breeze mid race which looks a huge ask but you can never write off a champion and he has shown time and time again he does things simply no other horse could do. 

WAR DAN BUDDY (1) has been building nicely through this series and should be ready to run a good race in the final from the ideal draw. He loomed into it out wide on the track in the first round of heats before being run down by Fighter Command who tracked him into the race there. He then had to work through plenty of traffic last time out in the second round of heats when running fourth to Dangerous. He should settle close enough on the pegs and can look to run into the money late in what will no doubt be a truly run race. 

SELECTIONS: CAPTAINS MISTRESS (6), MINOS (3), LEAP TO FAME (11), WAR DAN BUDDY (1)

SUGGESTED BET: MINOS (3) to win. 

RACE 9

I AM HELLBOUND (3) was an impressive winner three starts ago over the 2138 at this track working mid race to lead before dashing home a quick 27.5 last quarter to beat Superior Stride. He backed that up with a great run in The Great Square battling away strongly for fourth after sitting without cover in the run. He raced without luck last time out in a race taken out by Jilliby Dreamlover. He draws the best of the main chances in this race and may be able to work to the lead early. He should be hard to beat. 

CRACKERJACK (10) impressed in The Great Square after drawing poorly outside the back row at this track he ran on strongly into third late behind Jilliby Dreamlover. He then found the front last time out and was just run down by Jilliby Dreamlover on her way to the Inter Dominion Final. He draws poorly on the back row but showed two starts ago he has good speed and should be running on well late. 

IKIGAI (13) very much seems to be a work in progress at this stage but has had a very good campaign and has stepped up in grade very quickly. She made a break in the first round of heats and did well to recover and run home some slick sectionals there. She had a tough run outside the leader last time out and battled on well for sixth. She may not be ideally suited by the step up to 2680 at this stage of her career but looks a knockout chance if she does everything right this time. 

LONDON TO A BRICK (5) was seemingly below his best in the first round of heats when getting back in the run and finishing just fairly late into sixth. He then needed valuable points in the second round of heats and made a break taking no part there. He has the ability to figure at his best but needs to bring better manners. 

SELECTIONS: I AM HELLBOUND (3), CRACKERJACK (10), IKIGAI (13), LONDON TO A BRICK (5)

SUGGESTED BET: I AM HELLBOUND (3) to win. 

RACE 10

BEACHBABE CROCKER (5) drew poorly two starts ago at this track and was running on strongly late behind Ripples when finishing ninth. She then had a tough run last time out at this track behind dominant winner Sparling Sea. She draws a touch awkwardly but does have good gate speed and may be able to work to the lead which would see her very hard to run down. 

SWFT CODE (2) secured a soft run on the pegs two starts ago and was battling on well enough late to finish sixth behind Ripples at this track and trip. She then had a very tough run outside dominant winner Sparkling Sea before finishing a distant last. She should be able to find the pegs before having options from there. 

CO CAPTAIN (9) got a good run off the speed last time out and was making up some late ground off the track in a race dominated by the leader All Over It. He should find this a lot easier and from a good draw he should settle closer. He would appreciate a genuine early tempo and should be running into it late. 

FOURTY ONE GEE (10) was a real eye catcher last time out when running on strongly behind All Over It at this track and trip into second. He draws poorly in this race but was shuffled a long way back last time out and was still able to run into the finish late. This race looks easier than his latest outing. 

SELECTIONS: BEACHBABE CROCKER (5), SWFT CODE (2), CO CAPTAIN (9), FOURTY ONE GEE (10)

SUGGESTED BET: BEACHBABE CROCKER (5) to win.