Melton, Friday 16 August
Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: TWISTING BY (4) finished strongly from a long way back when a big third behind General Lincoln in a mile rate of 1.55.0 last outing. He is racing in great form and will take beating under conditions. EMILY VINCENT (11) worked forward to find the lead and battled on strongly for a close second behind Top Gun Ted last outing. She has been placed at her past eight attempts and is just as effective when coming from off the speed so she must be respected. PLATINUM JIVE (3) came from last when an eye-catching third last outing and is nearing a win against this class. SWEETGAMBLINGROSE (7) didn’t run a bad race despite finishing ninth when resuming as she worked very hard early so she is a possible improver.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible early leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: TWISTING BY (4), EMILY VINCENT (11), PLATINUM JIVE (3), SWEETGAMBLINGROSE (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 3,11/ 5,7
SUGGESTED BET: TWISTING BY (4) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: JUDES DUDE (2) has worked back into his peak form with a strong win in a mile of 1.57.4 at Cranbourne followed by a second behind Lavada Gold on that track. This race is no harder and he is worth thought again. AUSSIEPRIDE (1) has recently dropped down into this grade and will appreciate his best draw for some time so he is worth an investment. OUR TRUE COLOURS (4) began quickly to find the lead and held off her rivals to win in a mile rate of 1.57.0 last outing. This race is of similar standard so she is worth thought again. ANGEL OF ANGER (6) has won at her past two attempts after finding the lead and is worth thought again despite having several fast beginners drawn on her inside.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 4,6
SELECTIONS: JUDES DUDE (2), AUSSIEPRIDE (1), OUR TRUE COLOURS (4), ANGEL OF ANGER (6)
RATINGS: 2/ 1,4,6/ 3,5,9
SUGGESTED BET: JUDES DUDE (2) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: NAI HARN BAY (4) has been promising a win for some time and should be competitive again. He raced without cover, hit the front on the home turn and battled on well in the straight when second behind Archaa at Melton last outing. SNAZOLA (2) trailed the leader and finished second behind Angel of Anger at Ballarat last outing. She is drawn to obtain a similar position here so she is worth a ticket each way. LESTER (3) is a strong type, which is usually competitive against this class and should make his presence felt. BETTING ON COURAGE (6) is resuming since a second at Melton in June but he has the ability to figure in the finish if he is somewhere near his peak.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely early leader), 3,4,6
SELECTIONS: NAI HARN BAY (4), SNAZOLA (2), LESTER (3), BETTING ON COURAGE (6)
RATINS: 4/ 2,3/ 6/ 9/ 7,8
SUGGESTED BET: NAI HARN BAY (4) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: BEST DEAL (10) remains undefeated in four starts and has been very impressive. He worked to the front and completely dominated his rivals at his latest Melton victory. KOMODO (9) is shooting for a winning hat-trick and produced a very strong performance to win over the distance of 2650m after working at various stages of the event last time out. He is a classy pacer and looms as the main danger to BEST DEAL (10). HITTHEROADJACK (4) is a fast beginner and competed in a strong race won by He’s From Heaven last week so he should run a cheeky race if he is able to find the lead. STEEL RULER (8) is a speedy type and will gain an economical trip from his trailing draw so he should be working home nicely.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely leader), 1,2
SELECTIONS: BEST DEAL (10), KOMODO (9), HITTHEROADJACK (4), STEEL RULER (8)
RATINGS: 10/ 9/ 4,8/ 1,2,7
SUGGESTED BET: BEST DEAL (10) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: ZAHRA LOU (7) remains undefeated in three starts and won by a big margin after leading throughout at Launceston last outing. She appears to have a promising future and should prove hard to beat again. DANCE AFFAIR (5) took on a very strong field and worked hard in the early stages at her latest sixth. She scored in a mile of 1.56.9 at Cranbourne prior so she should go well against this line up. CARRAMAR OLAM (1) didn’t have much luck from a wide draw last time out and was able to score nicely at Ballarat on July 11. He races best over the sprint distance and is drawn to go well. SKY CITY (6) endured a tough run in fast time at his latest unplaced performance. He was a runaway winner at Kilmore prior so he is worth another chance.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible early leader), 3,4,5,6,7
SELECTIONS: ZAHRA LOU (7), DANCE AFFAIR (5), CARRAMAR OLAM (1), SKY CITY (6)
RATINGS: 7/ 5/ 1,6/ 3
SUGGESTED BET: ZAHRA LOU (7) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: STORMS COLLIDE (7) is resuming since a second behind the star juvenile The Highlight Reel in the Nutrien Final in April. He has created a big impression at his three starts to date and is clearly the horse to beat. THE LAST TRIP (5) progressed forward to find the lead and held off his rivals to win at his debut. He should have benefited from the experience and is one of the leading chances again. SEATHESTARS (3) produced a big finish when a close second behind Tupelo at Bendigo last outing. He is nicely bred and has shown plenty of promise at his two starts to date so he is worth following. STORMY WOODS (6) finished fourth in the Shakamaker Classic in March and fifth in the Sapling Stakes in May so he cannot be underestimated.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 5,7
SELECTIONS: STORMS COLLIDE (7), THE LAST TRIP (5), SEATHESTARS (3), STORMY WOODS (6)
RATINGS: 7/ 3,5/ 6/ 2,8
SUGGESTED BET: STORMS COLLIDE (7) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: DRAW A DREAM (5) is resuming since being unplaced in the Breeders Crown in November but has been placed in two recent trial performances and will take beating at her peak form. She won brilliantly at her first six attempts prior to her latest unplaced run at Group 1 level. ELUSIVE (7) is a speedy mare that is looking to complete a hat trick. She finished strongly to win in a mile rate of 1.54.5 at her latest attempt so she must be respected. MONA MIA (8) will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment and is capable of improving on her numerical form. The stable mates SPIRIT OF PEARL (3) and LOTTIE MOON (4) are both capable of showing up without surprising.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 2,3,7
SELECTIONS: DRAW A DREAM (5), ELUSIVE (7), MONA MIA (8), LOTTIE MOON (4)
RATINGS: 5/ 7/ 3,4,8/ 6/ 2/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: DRAW A DREAM (5) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: ALL THAT REMAINS (7) ran a terrific race for second in the Maryborough Oaks after she worked hard to lead and went down narrowly behind Violet Stanford. She has had three wins and two seconds from six starts for the season so she should prove hard to beat again. MAGIC LAW (1) is a brilliant beginner and usually likes to lead out then take cover so she is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. She was placed in the Maryborough Oaks two starts ago so she cannot be left out of calculations. REMUS PHOENIX (6) competed against much stronger opposition when unplaced as favourite at Melton last outing. His form prior was very strong so he is worth another chance. ROCKY VALLEY (4) and FREIGHT SHAKER (5) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely early leader), 4,7
SELECTIONS: ALL THAT REMAINS (7), MAGIC LAW (1), REMUS PHOENIX (6), ROCKY VALLEY (4)
RATINGS: 7/ 1,6/ 4/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: ALL THAT REMAINS (7) to win
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: SAM NIEN (4) is a first starter for trainer John Justice, which finished swiftly to win a trial over SEBASTIANS WAITING (5) at Melton two weeks ago. He is nicely bred and appears to have a promising future. SEBASTIANS WAITING (5) finished third behind the star New South Wales trained trotter Rainbow Jester in the Nutrien Final in April. He possesses early speed and is capable of showing up. CARLAS PIXIE (6) has ability but has broken stride at her past two attempts. She won effortlessly at her Australian debut so she cannot be left out of calculations. ROCKINWITHSTYLE (3) has shown ability at the trials and is a half brother to the top filly Rockinwithattitude so he must be kept safe.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (possible leader), 3,4,6
SELECTIONS: SAM NIEN (4), SEBASTIANS WAITING (5), CARLAS PIXIE (6), ROCKINWITHSTYLE (3)
RATINGS: 4,5/ 6/ 3/ 1/ 2,7
SUGGESTED BET: SAM NIEN (4) each way
