Form Analysis: Albion Park Dec 18

RACE TWO

Since winning in a mid-week version of this grade 5 starts back, HANDSOME HERO (9) has gone on to place at his next 4 starts in succession. Angled away from the inside in the early stages last start from gate 8, he was strong to the line for the silver behind FRANCO HAMPTON. Trailing through, he may have found the conditions.

HARPS (6) continued to press forward until finding the front here last week over the middle distance, but the petrol was used well before it was needed as he faded to finish midfield. Sharp in front over the mile the start prior, the gate stings but he can look to throw down the challenge.

FRANCO HAMPTON (7) had placed in successive runs from the 2^nd line when 3m and then 5m from the winner on each occasion. Finishing over the top of them last start at 2138m, he can swoop again.

OUR MAJOR DAY (3) had an early shot for the front here last week but was repelled and then doing some early work before cover arrived, could not go on with it. Settling handy can see him feature.

SELECTIONS: HANDSOME HERO (9), HARPS (6), FRANCO HAMPTON (7), OUR MAJOR DAY (3)
SUGGESTED BET: HANDSOME HERO (9) to win

RACE THREE

At his best when rolling in front, EL AGUILA (2) looks to have again snared the ideal conditions to replicate his effort last week. Finding the front, he kept them chasing from gate 3, claiming an effortless 2m margin. A career PB in front 4 starts back, this looks right in the wheelhouse.

WE SALUTE YOU (1) lands the pole for the third successive start, his latest outing here on Tuesday when grabbing the silver over 2138m behind OUR BALOU. Chasing when 7m from KEAYANG MARVEN the start prior, he will be stalking the speed ready to make a closing play.

SAUCY DREAMS (8) resumes from a spell after her last start when trying to work into the contest wide off the track. Blowing out the cobwebs with a slick trial, she will be searching for open space.

COMMODORE JUJON (9) has been in super form without landing a winning blow in recent outings, finishing runner-up in 3 of his past 5 and never further than 2m from the winner. Either fence or running line can see him feature.

SELECTIONS: EL AGUILA (2), WE SALUTE YOU (1), SAUCY DREAMS (8), COMMODORE JUJON (9)
SUGGESTED BET: Exotics 1-2-8-9

RACE FOUR

Taking full advantage of a field adversely affected by scratching’s 2 starts back, FIRST STRING (5) was sent straight to the front and once in control was never in danger when claiming a 3m win and hardly breaking a sweat. Grinding it out when parked last start and beaten a pimple, this looks his chance to break into band company.

BEAST MODE (1) is effective when saved for a passing lane play and comes up with the gate to suit the pattern. Eased from gate 5 last start, he was strong to the line behind AMERICAN FLYER and securing the trail without any work here can look to challenge.

OBI ONE (4) tackles his first qualifier since arriving in Qld with his recent performances against some handy performers. Beaten by gate 5 last start, he had placed his previous 5 in succession and is in the mix here.

PHILANDERING CHEF (2) was sent straight to the front last start and once in control kept them rolling to claim a career PB with 3m to spare over his rivals. Finding the front, he will be gripping on.

SELECTIONS: FIRST STRING (5), BEAST MODE (1), OBI ONE (4), PHILANDERING CHEF (2)
SUGGESTED BET: FIRST STRING (5) to win

RACE FIVE

This shapes as a super edition of the Members Cup with the barrier draw throwing it wide open. Despite landing the extreme gate, KENSINGTON BILL (13) has been sectionally super in recent outings. Forced to change direction halfway up the stretch when the door closed last start, he was still just 5m from EL AGUILA. With the right trip, he can arrive over the top of them.

THREE IN HEAVEN (4) is a handy 3YO that steps out in Qld for the first time for Charlie Cini and arrives a six-time winner. Luckless last start in an NSW Breeders event at Newcastle, it followed an all the way win at the same track. With speed of the arm, he can fire the early bullets.

CAPTAINS PICK (2) will start from the ace if the emergency is not required as he goes in search of a hat-trick of wins. Taking them all the way at his past 2 outings over this trip, he comes up with the options to feature.

CHAMONIX (7) started from this same gate last start in a strong 3YO contest claimed by MANILA PLAYBOY. Snagged back to the rear, his individual splits were enormous, running sub 54 and sub-27. He is stung again by the alley but cannot be forgotten.

SELECTIONS: KENSINGTON BILL (13), THREE IN HEAVEN (4), CAPTAINS PICK (2), CHAMONIX (7)
SUGGESTED BET: KENSINGTON BILL (13) each-way

RACE SIX

It was a dominant win in front here last week in an easier grade for GOVERNOR JUJON (6) and he will need to step up against the big boys. But his win was full of class, carving it out in front and then repelling SCARLET BABE who had the cold sit. The run equalled the 2138m 4YO class record held by COLT THIRTY ONE, indicating he is back at his best. This can be his graduation to the FFA ranks.

SPEECH IS SILVER (3) looked to have every chance to run down the leader over the mile 2 starts back but a sub 27 panel in front was always going to make it near impossible to nail the leader and winner NORTHVIEW HUSTLER. Finding space to charge home for the win last week, he steps out over the longer trip for the first time but can be close enough to put the wind in the spinnaker and sail home.

TURN IT UP (2) opted to look for an all the way win last week in the Lord Mayors Cup but could not repel them in the stretch, holding on for the bronze. Placed his past 3 starts, he is in the mix again.

JERADAS DELIGHT (10) has faced the longer trip just once, when striking trouble earlier this year in the Blacks A Fake. Zipping home in slick time last week, if it sets up for the swoopers, she is not out of it.

SELECTIONS: GOVERNOR JUJON (6), SPEECH IS SILVER (3), TURN IT UP (2), JERADAS DELIGHT (10)
SUGGESTED BET: GOVERNOR JUJON (6) to win

 

RACE SEVEN

After a string of wide and second line barriers, landing a tight alley should really play into the court of ITALIAN LAD (1). Pressing forward from the five-hole last week over the mile, he sat parked and grafted out a 2^nd placing, repelling any chasers as IT AINT THE MONEY went all the way. Close up in both starts prior, he gets every opportunity.

EXPLICIT CASTLE (8) was hemmed away at Redcliffe 2 starts back and was making a closing raid to grab the bronze behind the in-form HARPS. From inside the 2^nd line last start over the mile, he was shuffled 3 back but owned the best late speed to arrive and with a similar trip can challenge here.

BOMBADIER JUJON (3) eased from gate 6 last start in the same contest as ITALIAN LAD and from deep in the pack could not eat into the margin. Luckless the start prior, he has podium claims.

THE ROCKNROLL KING (4) started from gate 10 here last week and working home wide off the track had the closing power to arrive for a last stride victory. Settling handy can see him in the mix.

SELECTIONS: ITALIAN LAD (1), EXPLICIT CASTLE (8), BOMBADIER JUJON (3), THE ROCKNROLL KING (4)
SUGGESTED BET: ITALIAN LAD / EXPLICIT CASTLE (1/8) quinella/exacta


 

RACE EIGHT

With early speed to call on and a good record in front, SHADOW MINISTER (1) should be able to take full advantage of landing the ace here. Finding the 1x1 trail from gate 4 last start, he was within 5m of THE ROCKNROLL KING which followed an easy all the way victory. He looks the one to gun down.

NO DOUBT (8) was buried in the run here 3 starts back and looking in a desperate position had the power to pounce on them up the passing lane for a 2m victory. Only 7m from the winner despite starting from gate 7 last start, he can be stalking the speed ready to take the snipers shot.

BETTATHANIDEAL (5) found the 1x1 trail last start over the Redcliffe sprint trip when trying to chime in behind JUST JOSHIN. Beaten by gate 6 the start prior, he can sneak onto the podium.
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RECIPE FOR DREAMING (3) is never too far from the action and backs up from a mid-week 2^nd placing after securing the trip behind the speed. Settling handy can see him in the mix once more.

SELECTIONS: SHADOW MINISTER (1), NO DOUBT (8), BETTATHANIDEAL (5), RECIPE FOR DREAMING (3)
SUGGESTED BET: SHADOW MINISTER (1) to win


 

RACE NINE

Two weeks in a row it has been Good DOUG (6) grace the track resulting in a strong 2^nd to SIR FAHRENHEIT and then last week with a dominant victory where he put them to the sword in claiming a powerful 22m victory. He gets in well at the 10m handicap and might just be able to put his troubles on the shelf.
 
SIR FAHRENHEIT (9) has been in superb form and will need to take it to another level here to overcome the 40m impost he faces. Completing a hat-trick of wins last start in a gritty effort over the mobile 2138m trip, it followed and easy win over this trip from 30m the start prior. He will throw it down hard.

CLAUDYS PRINCE (7) loomed into the race strongly last week only to break gait at a crucial point to see his chances evaporate. Resetting to hold on for the silver, if he can trot throughout, the podium beckons.

KINGDOM COME (5) showed how effective he is off the speed last start when launching the last raid to arrive after starting from 30m. This is a tougher battle, but with the soft trip, he will be heating up in the stretch.

RACE TEN

Stepping out in Qld for the first-time last start after joining the Ricky Thurlow stable SPIRITED BELLE (6) pounced on the lead from gate 4 and was never in danger thereafter. After a steady opening half, the heat was really dialled up over the closing stages as she ripped home in a sub 27 closing panel. She looks too slick.

FLIGHT CREW (7) was sent forward from this same gate last week to sit parked and despite the tough trip was still giving on the wire, only collared late by the swooping WHICH HUNT. A tough winner the start prior, she can get forward again to issue the challenge.

JEWEL OF PEAK (8) set the speed last week from gate 1 when battling in the stretch to hold on for the bronze. Chasing behind MAJORCA the start prior, she will be probing for openings here.

BRILLIANT ART (4) has been sectionally strong despite receiving no reward for her efforts at her past 2 starts, the latest where she owned the fastest individual last 800 and 400m splits yet was at the rear behind MAJORCA. A similar run can return a podium in this.

SELECTIONS: SPIRITED BELLE (6), FLIGHT CREW (7), JEWEL OF PEAK (8), BRILLIANT ART (4)
SUGGESTED BET: SPIRITED BELLE (6) to win