Melton, Tuesday 31 December
Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (4) will be at his peak form after having two starts since a long spell. He accelerated nicely to win second up and looms as a strong winning chance again. OUR BELLA LUCIA (1) has been down on form recently but she will appreciate a significant drop back in class for this assignment and is drawn to be prominent throughout so she must be included amongst the leading chances. SOHO MARGARITA (8) is resuming since a close second behind Foresight at Bendigo on October 09. She was competing in strong Super Series events at the end of her last preparation and should be competitive under these conditions. WINGATE GUY (9) didn’t’ have much luck last outing and finished off solidly to win at Kilmore prior so he must be considered.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,7
SELECTIONS: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (4), OUR BELLA LUCIA (1), SOHO MARGARITA (8), WINGATE GUY (9)
RATINGS: 4/ 1,8/ 9/ 2,3,7,10
SUGGESTED BET: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (4) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: THE IRON DUKE (8) has a tough draw to overcome but he ran a big race when third behind Nakula last outing, where he pushed forward from a wide draw to race without cover in a slick mile rate of 1.54.8. He only started his career this season so he has done a very good job to win his way to this level and he should to perform strongly again. RUDY GEE (4) is backing up quickly from his effort at Cranbourne on Sunday but he was a winner under similar conditions on November 21 and he endured a torrid trip as favourite in the Stawell Cup so he must be included amongst the leading chances. ROCCO AMERICANO (5) is also backing up quickly from Cranbourne and he has been performing nicely at a strong level so he must be considered as a winning chance. PLAINS IN HEAVEN (7) and DRESSED IN GOLD (9) both won under similar conditions last outing and have claims along with LEAVEMEOUT (2).
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,3,4,5,7
SELECTIONS: THE IRON DUKE (8), RUDY GEE (4), ROCCO AMERICANO (5), PLAINS IN HEAVEN (7)
RATINGS: 4,8/ 5/ 7,9/ 2/ 1,3
SUGGESTED BET: THE IRON DUKE (8) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: CORAVALLY STAR (9) was resuming since January when he endured a tough run and dropped out at Melton two weeks ago. He should be fitter from that run and this is a significant drop back in class so he is worth another chance. HES CHARLIES ANGEL (7) attempted to lead throughout when second behind the smart filly Sweetnikkilou last outing. He is not as well drawn for this assignment but he should be competitive against this line up. ANGUS INDIANA (6) is a fast beginner and is likely to be prominent throughout. He has been down on form recently but a second behind the open class pacer Tango Tara on November 20 is a good form pointer for this event. HUGO ROCKS (4) and CLASSIC ANGELINA (5) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,6,7
SELECTIONS: CORAVALLY STAR (9), HES CHARLIES ANGEL (7), ANGUS INDIANA (6), CLASSIC ANGELINA (5)
RATINGS: 9/ 7/ 5,6/ 8/ 3/ 2/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: CORAVALLY STAR (9) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: MAJOR BERT (1) will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment and he ran a good race for sixth two starts back as he broke stride early and made up plenty of ground. He possesses early speed and in-form reinsman James Herbertson takes the drive so he is likely to be strongly fancied. AISHABEACH (9) was resuming since July 2022 when he had no clear run and was unlucky behind Ruby Wingate then his hindlegs were hitting the sulky so he had little luck at his next attempt. He has ability when at his peak form so he is worth another chance. JACKSBOY (7) was performing nicely at the trials prior to winning first up at Ballarat. He faces a negative swing in the barrier draw but he must be respected. INTERPRETATION (2) was placed after trailing the leader at Shepparton last week and is a minor place chance again from her good draw.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,3
SELECTIONS: MAJOR BERT (1), AISHABEACH (9), JACKSBOY (7), INTERPRETATION (2)
RATINGS: 1/ 7,9/ 2/ 4,6/ 5/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: MAJOR BERT (1) to win
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN BROOKE (7) began well and ended up behind the leader when second behind the top mare She’s Ruby Roo at Melton last outing. She is racing in peak form and this is a drop back in class so she must be considered as a winning chance. ALDEBARAN DEMI (6) finished fast when third behind Thunda Struck then did well after working hard for third behind Tictok. She is working up to a win against this class. KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY (9) has been freshened since an eighth at Melton in November. She is a speedy mare and she recorded a mile rate of 1.58.3 at Geelong two starts ago so she warrants respect. MAJESTIC MONARCH (2) won at his first two starts back from a break and followed with a third at Shepparton. He is nicely drawn and should be competitive again. ROMANTIC NINA (1) and OUR MARVELLA (8) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.
EARLY SPEED: 7 (possible leader), 2,4
SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN BROOKE (7), ALDEBARAN DEMI (6), KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY (9), MAJESTIC MONARCH (2)
RATINGS: 6,7/ 9/ 1,2,8
SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN BROOKE (7) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: HES GONESKI (2) was resuming since March when he ran a game second (nose) behind Mikis Joe at Charlton. He should strip fitter from that run and is a good chance of going one better. LORINO (3) settled midfield and finished fourth behind Midnight Music at Maryborough last outing. She is racing consistently against the Maiden class and is worth a ticket each way. MISTER EVOLUTION (7) began quickly to lead and was run down over the latter stages when third at Maryborough last outing. He did run a game race for third at his debut when he was coming from off the speed so he is not without a chance. OBSYDIAN (5) worked home nicely for fourth at Maryborough last week and he was placed behind the handy 2yo pacer Speedy Healey three starts ago so he cannot be left out of calculations.
EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: HES GONESKI (2), LORINO (3), MISTER EVOLUTION (7), OBSYDIAN (5)
RATINGS: 2/ 3,7/ 5/ 4/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: HES GONESKI (2) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: SPIRITED LASS (5) is a fast beginner and attempted to lead throughout when a narrow second behind Scar at Cranbourne last outing. She led throughout to win at Cranbourne three starts ago and should take catching from her good draw. WALLIS (1) has been placed in six of his past eight starts and ran a game race for second at Melton on Friday. He is likely to be headed off at the start and is a Maiden taking on proven winners but he is nearing a victory. MAGIC LAW (3) is a fast beginner and performs best when she is able to trail the leader. She did well when placed after racing without cover two starts ago so she is worth a ticket each way. ALFIE ALWAYS (7), MELBREH (9) and MAJESTIC GA GA (10) are all worth thought in an open betting event.
EARLY SPEED: 5 (likely leader), 1,7
SELECTIONS: SPIRITED LASS (5), WALLIS (1), MAGIC LAW (3), MAJESTIC GA GA (10)
RATINGS: 5/ 1,3/ 10/ 7,9/ FIELD
SUGGESTED BET: SPIRITED LASS (5) each way
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: MARKLEIGH CAZ (9) is a handy sit sprinter as evidenced by her big victory at Charlton last outing. She has done very well throughout her career having won twenty races and she will take holding out in the run to the finish. ICANMOTOR (8) is racing well and should receive an economical run from his trailing draw. He picked up ground from a rearward position at his latest fourth and should be finishing off well again. AMERICAN ALLI (1) has been down on form recently but he gets his chance to improve from the pole position. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (6) and MONSIEUR FLAMEL (7) are both fast beginners and are racing competitively against this class so they are worth thought. JAY BEE (10) hasn’t had much luck at her past few outings and is capable of showing up without surprising.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 6,7
SELECTIONS: MARKLEIGH CAZ (9), ICANMOTOR (8), AMERICAN ALLI (1), FOREGONE CONCLUSION (6)
RATINGS: 9/ 8/ 1,6,7/ 10
SUGGESTED BET: MARKLEIGH CAZ (9) each way
