Melton, Friday 10 January
Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: TINSEL TIARA (3) was performing extremely well at the trials prior to finishing third at her Victorian debut, where she attempted to lead throughout. She is better than her first up run suggests and should take catching under these conditions. OUR TRUE COLOURS (11) is poorly drawn but she deserves to break through for a win after being runner up in three of her past four starts. She led out then took cover when a close up second behind Our Kinky Boots last week. CALYPSO MISTRESS (8) may be shuffled back on the markers from the inside of the second line but she has been racing against tougher opposition and should be finishing off nicely. LAVADA GOLD (5) is a speedy type and should be reaching his peak form after several runs back from a spell. He strikes a suitable assignment now and is worth a ticket each way.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: TINSEL TIARA (3), OUR TRUE COLOURS (11), CALYPSO MISTRESS (8), LAVADA GOLD (5)
RATINGS: 3/ 8,11/ 5/ 6,7,10
SUGGESTED BET: TINSEL TIARA (3) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: MONTANA PRIDE (4) finished second behind the smart pacer Metro Assassin at Terang last outing. He has had a win and three seconds at his past four attempts and should prove hard to beat again. LENARD ESS (1) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern. He finished swiftly when third behind the smart pacer Thinkfast Runfast at Cranbourne two starts ago. HIGHLANDHARTBREAKA (8) is lightly raced and is still learning but he is showing promise and must be considered as a winning chance. IMAGINATION ORO (7) disappointed when resuming but she won three races in succession at the end of her last campaign and is worth thought along with WOODLEA DIEGO (11).
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,6,7
SELECTIONS: MONTANA PRIDE (4), LENARD ESS (1), HIGHLANDBREAKA (8), IMAGINATION ORO (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 1,8/ 7/ 11/ 3,6
SUGGESTED BET: MONTANA PRIDE (4) to win
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: KOTA BHARU (11) was performing very well at the trials prior to a debut second, where he caused a false start and led on the second attempt before being run down over the final stages. He has ability and should be competitive against this line up. BLITZER I HOPE (7) worked home nicely from the second half of the field when second at Terang last week. She is widely drawn but should be finishing off strongly again. COLUMBIAS GONAZLES (5) has been placed at his past three starts and is ready to break through for a win. He was left stranded without cover and battled on well for third behind The Night Queen at Terang last outing. ZINGARA LASS (1) held the lead from the pole position and battled on okay for third at Maryborough last outing. She is perfectly drawn again so she is worth thought.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 5
SELECTIONS: KOTA BHARU (11), BLITZER I HOPE (7), COLUMBIAS GONZALES (5), ZINGARA LASS (1)
RATINGS: 11/ 5,7/ 1/ 8
SUGGESTED BET: KOTA BHARU (11) each way
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: BOUTIKA (8) has the perfect trailing draw behind the likely leader CHRISTMAS BABE (1) and should prove hard to beat. Her recent form has been below her best but she recently recorded five wins in succession and she will take beating if she delivers a peak performance. TUNBRIDGE (5) should be ready to strike peak form after having two starts back from a break and he endured a wide trip when fourth at Melton last outing so he is worth an investment. CHRISTMAS BABE (1) attempted to lead throughout when a close second behind Claudys Hero in a quick mile rate of 1.57.7 at Melton last week. She is drawn to lead again and should run her usual honest race. MY HIGH PEAK (4) is also a fast beginner and battled on well for second behind Blackrange Glory last week. He is usually competitive against this class and is worth an investment.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 3,4
SELECTIONS: BOUTIKA (8), CHRISTMAS BABE (1), TUNBRIDGE (5), MY HIGH PEAK (4)
RATINGS: 1,8/ 5/ 4/ 7
SUGGESTED BET: BOUTIKA (8) each way
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: SHOTINTHEDARK (1) trailed the leader Capitalism and just failed to gun that pacer down when a close second at Melton last outing. He won from behind the leader at Bendigo three starts ago and is drawn to gain a similar trip so he should prove hard to beat again. GALAXY LASS (5) has been freshened since finishing seventh in the Breeders Crown Final in November. She is a fast beginner and will appreciate a big drop back in class so she looms as a big winning hope. WRITTENINTHESKY (7) had no luck whatsoever from a similar wide draw when unplaced last outing. Her form prior was sound and she is worth thought in multiple combinations. PLATINUM JIVE (8) has the perfect trailing draw behind SHOTINTHEDARK (1) and is worth a place ticket.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 5,6
SELECTIONS: SHOTINTHEDARK (1), GALAXY LASS (5), WRITTENINTHESKY (7), PLATINUM JIVE (8)
RATINGS: 1,5/ 7/ 8/ 6
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta 1,5/ 1,5/ 7,8 (Cost $4)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: HES OLLY (1) is a fast beginner and will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment so he should take catching over the sprint distance. He endured a tough run from a wide draw and battled on well in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.2 last outing. CITY ROCKSTAR (2) is likely to angle in behind the leader with no horse commencing from the second line and she was runner up behind the in-form pacer Thinkfast Runfast from the same position at Melton last week so she must be respected. REMI LOU (7) is racing in peak form and finished off in slick final sectionals to win at Kilmore last outing. She is poorly drawn but is very strong and looms as one of the leading chances again. POPCORNFRIDAY (4) and RISE ABOVE ALL (6) are both racing well enough to warrant consideration.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 2,7
SELECTIONS: HES OLLY (1), CITY ROCKSTAR (2), REMI LOU (7), POPCORNFRIDAY (4)
RATINGS: 1/ 2,7/ 4/ 6/ 3/ 5
SUGGESTED BET: HES OLLY (1) to win
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: CLAUDY AN GUS (4) led throughout in two Melton victories and he gets into this race nicely with a concession claim so he must be considered as a winning chance again. MOJITO MADNESS (6) broke stride at the start and lost his chance when sixth at Melton last outing. He is a speedy trotter and was a big winner at Ballarat on December 05 so he must be respected. ROYAL CHARLOTTE (3) led throughout to score at Shepparton two starts ago then endured a tough run when fourth at Melton last outing. She is a fast beginner and should be competitive again from her good draw. TIMMY TURTLE (5) has gait issues but he has the ability to show up and ARGYLE ROCKS (7) was runner up in the Gunbower Cup two starts ago so he cannot be left out of calculations.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 4,6
SELECTIONS: CLAUDY AN GUS (4), MOJITO MADNESS (6), ROYAL CHARLOTTE (3), ARGYLE ROCKS (7)
RATINGS: 4/ 6/ 3,7/ 5/ 1,2
SUGGESTED BET: MOJITO MADNESS (6) each way
