Form Analysis: Albion Park Jul 17

RACE TWO

An intriguing edition of the SE Derby with converging form lines making it tough to gauge which 3YO can really step up to the plate. BONDI LOCKDOWN (5) arrives from Victoria with a last start Bendigo victory when too strong after being forced to grind it out when parked. Runner up the start prior on May 29 at Melton, he has the class to claim a tricky race.

CAPTAIN CRUSADER (11) will be relying on some tempo in this contest and that looks set to be delivered with some of the big hitters on the front line. Easing to find running line position last week, he was strong to the line in the closing stages when just behind AMERICAN DEALER. He can be making the closing challenge.

BIG WHEELS (3) has been runner-up on 2 occasions from 3 attempts at the trip when drawing wide on each occasion. The tighter gate is a big help for this and settling close to the action can see him in the mix.

BAR ROOM BANTA (2) is the latest Victorian to arrive in town and the colt will be further tightened from his last start Bendigo 2^nd when 2^nd up from a spell. Gunned down after leading deep into the stretch, he can make a bold play here.

SELECTIONS: BONDI LOCKDOWN (5), CAPTAIN CRUSADER (11), BIG WHEELS (3) BAR ROOM BANTA (2)
SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAIN CRUSADER (11) each-way

RACE THREE

Like the Derby, this Oaks has been thrown wide open with the draw not helping those that needed that small touch of barrier assistance to press their claim. Yet to miss a place since arriving in Qld SPORTY DANCER (4) worked home smartly to grab 3^rd behind CHAMONIX last week which followed a 2^nd in the Redcliffe Oaks. From this gate she can slot in behind the action and be ready to strike.

JASPER (10) closed out strongly from a long way back here last week to grab the silver behind CHAMONIX after starting from gate 11. Forget her Redcliffe Oaks run 2 starts back when her momentum was checked behind a tiring runner, she can get the right trip to descend on them here.

TALENT TO SPARE (5) was returning from a let up here two weeks back when tackling the mile and despite a 33.1 2^nd panel could not see it out. With super speed out of the machine, she will be gripping on.

MOMENTSLIKETHESE (8) arrives for Jess Tubbs from Victoria with a last start 3^rd when eased from a wide gate in the early stages before hitting the line in nice order over the Bendigo 2150m. Running into the star filly TOUGH TILLY at her previous 3 starts, she will need a slice of luck from this alley.

SELECTIONS: SPORTY DANCER (4), JASPER (10), TALENT TO SPARE (5), MOMENTSLIKETHESE (8)
SUGGESTED BET: JASPER (10) win/place

RACE FOUR

After two rounds of heats, we are set for a titanic battle and Queensland trotting will have history rewritten if either of market leading pair are to salute. No winner of this series has ever claimed victory in both heats and then the final but PINK GALAHS (13) might just be the mare to change that. With a pair of smart victories in both her heats, the first-round win over this trip was particularly smart given an early error. Her class can get her home for the prize.

HUMBLE LADD (12) is the other out to defy the history books, after strong wins in both heat rounds. Coming into the first-round fresh off a spell, he should be screwed down even tighter now after the two rounds of this series. He can work if required as evidenced in his round 1 win and will loom large here.

NORTHERN MUSCLE (10) is another that should come into this final fitter after he too entered the series fresh from a spell. Beaten identical margins behind HUMBLE LADD and then PINK GALAHS across the two heats, his manners from the 10m can put him in a position to feature.

MAJESTIC SIMON (15) can create his own piece of history if successful by becoming the first winner of the series in successive years. With a high cruising speed when unleashed, he can make a play.

SELECTIONS: PINK GALAHS (13), HUMBLE LADD (12), NORTHERN MUSCLE (10) MAJESTIC SIMON (15)
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE FIVE

Another race that has been made exponentially tougher to dissect owing to the barrier draw with some of the more credentialled performers faring poorly. SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (5) was able to run home in some sharp splits in The Rising Sun but was ultimately too far out of the ground to eat into the deficit. Where he positions here will be key this is his chance to live up to the hype.

SEND IT (12) was sectionally huge last week in The Rising Sun after being slammed with outside the front line. His run at Menangle 2 starts back was full of merit which had followed a G1 win in the NSW Championships. He has been dealt the visitors gate once again but with a genuine tempo can make a strong closing play here.

BLACKSADANCE (2) was pressing through to try to keep the back of KRUG last week but was forced to ease before AMAZING DREAM then secured that spot. He will be out in front and if he can pinch a panel or 2 where there does not look a genuine chair sitter, he will give some cheek.

BUNDORAN (8) will need a slice of luck from this alley as he will be likely buried in the run. Not much went right for him in The Rising Sun but if gaps arrive with track to play with, he can be charging.

SELECTIONS: SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (5), SEND IT (12), BLACKSADANCE (2), BUNDORAN (8)
SUGGESTED BET: SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (5) to win

RACE SIX

Nathan Purdon struck in the First G1 of the AP portion of The Constellations, and he can look to strike again here with the flying mare SPELLBOUND (1). Sent out as the punters elect last week from gate 7 in the Fleur De Lil, the effort was big when 3^rd to FAME ASSURED after giving the winner the cart into the contest. With all the options from the ace, she can weave her magic.

AMAZING DREAM (4) was able to ease into the pocket trail last week, with that proving a winning move before she took the closing shot up the passing lane to arrive. Ironically, her biggest wins have never been against mares nor at this trip but writing her off could prove costly as she searches for successive G1 victories.

THE STUNNING NUN (8) has been in devastating form in recent weeks, her only defeat in the past 6 starts coming at the hooves of SPELLBOUND. Bouncing back from that defeat with a front running win over the Menangle mile last start, she will be searching for the gaps to take her shot.

BETTOR ENFORCE (9) did not go around in the Fleur De Lil last week and has not really been at the top of her game after 3 runs back this campaign. With the right trip, this her chance to get back into the groove.

SELECTIONS: SPELLBOUND (1), AMAZING DREAM (4), THE STUNNING NUN (8), BETTOR ENFORCE (9)
SUGGESTED BET: SPELLBOUND (1) to win

 

RACE SEVEN

What a cracking edition of the Sunshine Sprint where the draw really sets it up for a cracking contest. Firmly entrenched on the throne as this country’s leading horse at present KING OF SWING (11) will need to display something new, as it will be just the 2^nd time, he has faced a second line draw since being trained by the Cross/McCarthy barn. He will be working, but the crown is safe.

TURN IT UP (7) has blistering speed when set alight and over the mile in this field, he needs to be at the pointy end to be in contention. Releasing to KING OF SWING after leading with a leg in the air from this same gate 2 starts back, he fought off the challengers to hold on for the silver. He will be fighting hard here.

COLT THIRTY ONE (10) was asked to grind it out in the breeze last week over the 2138m of the Mr Feelgood and while he did not threaten KING OF SWING, he fought off all other challengers. From the gate he can get the right trail through and will be thereabouts.

COPY THAT (5) tried to get around them from outside the 2^nd line in The Rising Sun and loomed up ominously in the stretch, only for AMAZING DREAM to arrive via the passing lane. Charging home to claim the Wondais Mate 2 runs back, he is firmly in the mix.

SELECTIONS: KING OF SWING (11), TURN IT UP (7), COLT THIRTY ONE (10), COPY THAT (5)
SUGGESTED BET: KING OF SWING (11) to win

 

RACE EIGHT

A recipient of some tough draws in recent outings including gate 13 here last week, ROCK FISHERMAN (2) should relish the improved alley for this assignment. Spinning for luck but with no bites behind CHAMONIX last week, he charged home from the rear 2 starts back but just failed to reel them in when 3^rd to ILIKEMEBETTOR. This looks his chance for a winning catch.

SPORTY AZZ (5) arrives as a travelling companion for the visiting Aaron Dunn team and can look to earn some holiday pay in this. A Mildura winner off the 2^nd line 2 starts back when working home wide off the track, he was beaten by an inside 2^nd line gate last time. Limiting the early burn will be key.

OHOKA CHOPPER (6) had an early look from gate 4 last time out over the 2138m and with no lead was able to slide in for the trail and was then too slippery up the passing lane. 2 from 3 here at The Creek, he is right in the mix.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING (10) was having his first start in over six weeks here on Tuesday at what was also his first run for the Turpin barn. Only 1.5m away, he may have been closer with better luck and can be chiming in here.

SELECTIONS: ROCK FISHERMAN (2), SPORTY AZZ (5), OHOKA CHOPPER (6), DOUBLE OR NOTHING (10)
SUGGESTED BET: ROCK FISHERMAN (2) to win

RACE NINE

Despite facing the wide gates because of his own starting manners, RANGER BOMB (7) has loomed up at his past 2 starts but been able to land the winning blow. Charging home last week to get within a neck of the winner, he was grinding it out the start prior when beaten the same margin. Out to the 2138m for the first time this campaign, he can arrive.

THE CROUPIER (3) goes in search of a third successive victory following a chasing win and an all the way success last start over this trip. Holding them out to score an effortless win last time, he has the gate to be close to the action and with the right run-in transit can deliver a winning hand.

ROCKNROLL CLASSIC (1) likes to roll in front and comes up with the gate to suit his pattern here. Scoring a comfortable mid-week victory over this trip 3 runs back he followed it with a win at the mile. The gate gives him a big hope.

MAKE MINE HEAVEN (5) tackled a mare’s event last start from gate 7 and was forced to retreat early. Attacking the line with gusto when 1.5m away, securing position cheaply will be key here.

SELECTIONS: RANGER BOMB (7), THE CROUPIER (3), ROCKNROLL CLASSIC (1), MAKE MINE HEAVEN (5)
SUGGESTED BET: RANGER BOMB (7) to win
 

RACE TEN

CAT KING COLE (1) has been the dominant filly this season to date and will return from a let-up as she builds to next week’s Triad Final. Dominant at her past 4 starts that have included an APG Series win and the Breeders Classic, both in emphatic fashion, she has had 2 trials to prepare and from the gate has the options to capitalise.

DANGERZONE (7) is another that has been given a light season to date and although he has been given a few trials to keep up to the mark, he should tighten from his 3^rd to TEDDY DISCO here last week. That was his 1^st defeat when he was trying to wind up in the closing stages. The gate stings but he can challenge.

FUTURE ASSURED (4) might just have the most improvement to display of the local 2YOs and shoots for the hat-trick after a pair of impressive wins at his past 2. He put them away impressively last start in claiming a 21m victory and has the speed to feature.

MY ULTIMATE BAXTER (5) was gifted the lead here last week when he came calling from gate 7 and from the front, he dialled it up but could not hold on. Fitter for the run after being first up in 9 weeks, he is in the mix.

SELECTIONS: CAT KING COLE (1), DANGERZONE (7), FUTURE ASSURED (4), MY ULTIMATE BAXTER (5)
SUGGESTED BET: CAT KING COLE (1), to win