Cranbourne, Saturday 28 December
Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: RUDY GEE (6) endured a torrid trip and had excuses in the Stawell Cup last outing. He scored at Ballarat prior and he will appreciate a drop back in class from his latest performance so he is worth another chance. HUGO MAGUIRE (8) was driven aggressively mid-race and put in a big performance when fourth behind Shadow Celt at Melton last outing. He is awkwardly drawn but is ready to break through for a win. MOST TRIUMPHANT (11) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off fast when a game second behind Nakula at Melton last week. He is likely to settle in the second half of the field from his awkward draw but he is worth thought again. ROCCO AMERICANO (7) is a fast beginner and has claims along with TALLULAH LEE (9), which is performing consistently.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,5,6,7
SELECTIONS: RUDY GEE (6), HUGO MAGUIRE (8), MOST TRIUMPHANT (11), ROCCO AMERICANO (7)
RATINGS: 6/ 7,8,11/ 3,5,9
SUGGESTED BET: RUDY GEE (6) each way
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: It is an open race with many winning chances. TWISTING BY (5) finished off solidly to win over RAKAJED (13) at Cranbourne last outing and finished off fast behind Remi Lou in fast time prior so he gets the nod. MARLO MAREAU (1) is racing consistently and finished in second behind ON THE HUNT (8) at Shepparton last outing. She is drawn to receive every chance so she is worth a ticket each way. RAKAJED (13) is a very strong pacer, which recorded a mile rate of 1.53.6 at Bendigo then followed with a close second after working hard in the run last week. He races best when he is close to the speed so the barrier draw is a disadvantage but he is racing too well to dismiss. Other winning chances include BEACH HOPPER (7), ON THE HUNT (8), INDIGO DANCER (10) and DIEING ART (11).
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,
SELECTIONS: TWISTING BY (5), MARLO MAREAU (1), RAKAJED (13), ON THE HUNT (8)
RATINGS: 1,5/ 13/ 8,10,11/ 7/ field
SUGGESTED BET: TWISTING BY (5) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (8) is returning from an Inter Dominion campaign in Sydney and appears to be well placed against this line up. He recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.6 when he scored at Melton in October and should prove hard to beat if he receives normal luck in running from his awkward draw. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (10) is a smart pacer, which hasn’t started since a ninth at Melton in November 2023. He hasn’t been to the trials since October but his class will take him a long way. LOUIE LOU I (4) began quickly to find the lead and scored at Melton two starts ago then produced a strong performance to finish third behind Ozzie Punta last week. He is racing in peak form and is worth consideration. INVITATION ONLY (5) is a smart type that can improve on his numerical form and LETSROCKLETSROLL (9) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,5
SELECTIONS: EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (8), CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (10), LOUIE LOU I (4), INVITATION ONLY (5)
RATINGS: 8,10/ 4/ 5,9/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: EXOTIC BUSHRANGER (8) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: SPEEDY HEALEY (3) broke stride at the 400m and finished off strongly when a game third in a heat of the Home Grown Classic then followed with an eighth in the Final. This is a massive drop back in class and he should prove hard to beat. INDI PARTY MOOD (9) was driven aggressively and battled on strongly for third at Cranbourne last outing. He is a promising maiden having been placed in five of his eight starts to date and should go well again. DOT BALL (6) sustained a strong run from the 700m when a big winner at Ballarat three starts ago. She is worth thought along with ROCKNROLL GRONK (7), which will find this race to be easier than his recent performances. BETTORSWEETVICTORY (4) is also working up to a win against this class.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible early leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: SPEEDY HEALEY (3), INDI PARTY MOOD (9), DOT BALL (6), ROCKNROLL GRONK (7)
RATINGS: 3/ 6,9/ 7/ 4/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: SPEEDY HEALEY (3) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: THINKFAST RUNFAST (5) worked forward to find the lead and proved to be too strong at Ballarat then followed with a second behind the smart pacer Metro Assassin at Horsham. He is a smart colt and should prove hard to beat again. GOODTIME CAPTAIN (3) was placed in a heat of the Home Grown Classic two starts ago then followed with a seventh in the Final. He is still learning but he has the ability to be very competitive at this level. BLAZIN HEAVEN (2) is a fast beginner and performs best when she is close to the speed. She was successful at Globe Derby last week and is drawn to be prominent throughout over the sprint distance so she is worth an investment. BURNING TICKETS (4) finished off nicely last outing and has claims along with SHOOBEES SPIRIT (6).
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 1,2,7
SELECTIONS: THINKFAST RUNFAST (5), GOODTIME CAPTAIN (3), BLAZIN HEAVEN (2), BURNING TICKETS (4)
RATINGS: 5/ 3/ 2,4/ 6/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: THINKFAST RUNFAST (5) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (7) bounced back into winning form when he led throughout to win against similar opposition last week. He is not as well drawn for this assignment but he must be considered as a winning chance again. MORE WANTED (5) missed out last week but his overall form is sound and he has the early speed to be prominent early. He led out then took cover when second behind the classy trotter Harold Smith two starts ago so he must be respected. HES A HAMMER (2) finished second behind the in-form mare Perfidious Sue at Melton two starts ago then finished off best to win last outing. He is stepping up in class but is worth thought from the perfect draw. ILLAWONG LARAJAY (8) will need some luck from the inside of the second row but she battled on well after working hard when third at Melton last week and is worth an investment. NEPHEW OF SONOKO (9) tired after leading last outing but he was very heavily supported so he is a possible improver.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible early leader), 1,3,6
SELECTIONS: HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (7), MORE WANTED (5), HES A HAMMER (2), ILLAWONG LARAJAY (8)
RATINGS: 5,7/ 2,8/ 9/ 1,3,6/ 4
SUGGESTED BET: HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (7) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: ARCEE PHOENIX (6) is returning from a Dominion campaign in New Zealand, where he finished fourth in both the Dominion and the New Zealand Free For All. He won a trial at Melton two weeks ago and strikes a suitable assignment for his Victorian return. AARDIEBYTHEHILL (1) is a very smart former New Zealand trotter, which joins trainer John Justice. He was competing against the best horses in New Zealand with his latest unplaced effort being in the Dominion and he will be fitter after his trial second behind ARCEE PHOENIX (6) at Melton so he must be rated highly. ALDEBARAN ZEUS (5) is returning from a Inter Dominion campaign in Sydney, where he finished sixth in the Final. He is a very fast trotter and should make his presence felt. AROHA KOE (4) will strip fitter after his first up fourth at Melton and is a minor place chance.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 1,6
SELECTIONS: ARCEE PHOENIX (6), AARDIEBYTHEHILL (1), ALDEBARAN ZEUS (5), AROHA KOE (4)
RATINGS: 6/ 1,5/ 4/ 3/ 2,7
SUGGESTED BET: ARCEE PHOENIX (6) to win
