Shepparton, Saturday 11 January
Form Analysis by Craig Rail
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: ROARFORROSCOE (9) is a smart pacer, which will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and should go well. He parked on the outside of the leader when a brave second behind We Bettor Believe It in a slick mile rate of 1.55.0 at Geelong three starts ago. LETSROCKLETSROLL (10) has been able to work back into his peak form and will take holding out in the run to the finish. He made up a lot of ground over the concluding stages when an eye-catching second behind Operative Line at Melton last outing. HARRYHOO (4) is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and ran a better race second up when fifth in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.2 at Bendigo last outing. MONGIANA (2) is racing better than his form reads and rates as a value hope.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible leader), 3,5,7
SELECTIONS: ROARFORROSCOE (9), LETSROCKLETSROLL (10), HARRYHOO (4), MONGIANA (2)
RATINGS: 9,10/ 4/ 2/ 6,7
SUGGESTED BET: ROARFORROSCOE (9) to win
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: TECHYS WATCHING (2) has been below his best form in two starts since resuming from a spell but he hasn’t been beaten by far and he is drawn to find the lead so he is capable of bouncing back into the winning list. REPELLING (1) has had no luck whatsoever at his past two attempts and he is much better drawn for this assignment so he is a possible improver. He is likely to end up trailing the leader here and he did well after enduring a wide trip when fourth at Bendigo last outing. OZZIE PUNTA (10) attempted to lead throughout against the open class when sixth behind Tango Tara last week. This race is more suitable and his form prior was sound so he is worth another chance. MIGHTY FLYING ART (11) has been racing in outstanding form in New South Wales with four recent victories. He attempted to lead throughout when fourth in the Leeton Cup last outing and he looms as one of the leading chances against this line up.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,4
SELECTIONS: TECHYS WATCHING (2), REPELLING (1), OZZIE PUNTA (10), MIGHTY FLYING ART (11)
RATINGS: 2/ 1,10/ 11/ 7/ 3,9/ 4,6
SUGGESTED BET: REPELLING (1) each way
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: RUDY GEE (5) began quickly to find the lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo when he scored impressively at Melton last outing. He is building up a strong record and should be prominent throughout. SCARED STIFF (7) has been racing in fine form in New South Wales and finished solidly for a game third in the Leeton Cup. The barrier draw is a big disadvantage but he warrants respect. WATTLEBANK ARNIE (10) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and possesses a powerful finishing burst so he must be considered amongst the leading chances. ROCCO AMERICANO (4) possesses early speed and has claims along with ON THE HUNT (6).
EARLY SPEED: 4 (likely early leader), 1,3,5,6
SELECTIONS: RUDY GEE (5), SCARED STIFF (7), WATTLEBANK ARNIE (10), ROCCO AMERICANO (4)
RATINGS: 5/ 7,10/ 4/ 6/ 2
SUGGESTED BET: RUDY GEE (5) to win
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (3) was resuming since November 2022 when third behind Aliza Hill at Shepparton then won at his next two attempts. He has improved with every start this preparation and recorded a slick mile rate of 1.55.2 last outing so he must be considered as a winning chance again. SHONNY LOU (5) is a former New Zealand pacer, which has joined trainer Julie Douglas. He won at Cambridge in October and strikes a suitable assignment first up so he is not without a chance. ELATED (6) began quickly to find the lead, broke stride at the 1100m and ended up being four back on the markers when an unlucky third at Wagga last week. He is racing well and should go close if he delivers a fool proof display. ANAKIN (7) is a fast beginner and produced a brave performance when a close second behind Cheerstolou at Bendigo last week. He is racing in peak form and should make his presence felt.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (possible leader), 1,3,7
SELECTIONS: SKYFALL BENCHMARK (3), SHONNY LOU (5), ELATED (6), ANAKIN (7)
RATINGS: 3/ 5,6/ 7/ 4,8
SUGGESTED BET: Boxed Trifecta 3,5,6,7 (Cost $24)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: TACT MCLEOD (3) pushed forward to find the lead, kicked clear approaching the home turn and peaked late when beaten on the line in the Bendigo Cup. He should strip fitter from that run and is perfectly drawn so he should give another bold showing. MIKI PINS (11) is facing his toughest test but he has been in outstanding form in New South Wales having won at his past four attempts including a victory in a mile of 1.49.7. He is a versatile pacer and cannot be underestimated. KANENA PROVLIMA (2) is a fast beginner and is drawn to receive every chance. SERG BLANCO (10) ran a huge race when fourth in the Bendigo Cup after he worked hard early then was shuffled back in the field mid-race before finishing off strongly. He hasn’t won for some time but he is a value hope if he can repeat his latest performance. CANTFINDABETTORMAN (13) was returning from an Inter Dominion campaign when he worked hard and peaked late in the Bendigo Cup. He should be sharper from that performance and is worth another chance. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (4) is resuming and hasn’t been to the trials but he has the ability to be competitive if he is somewhere near his peak form.
EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 2,4
SELECTIONS: TACT MCLEOD (3), MIKI PINS (11), KANENA PROVLIMA (2), SERG BLANCO (10)
RATINGS: 3/ 11/ 2,10/ 4,13/ field
SUGGESTED BET: TACT MCLEOD (3) to win
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: KINGS GUARD (5) continues to impress in winning through the grades and should prove hard to beat again. He overcame a tough run to win the Cobram Cup on Monday and this race is of similar standard. RAPID RETURN (6) is a fast mare and looms as the logical danger. She finished second in the Delvin Dancer Classic then followed with a third behind the top mares Aldebaran Vera and She’s Ruby Roo in an open class event at Melton. This appears to be a suitable assignment and she should be very competitive. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4) broke stride coming up to the home turn and finished well late for fifth at Cranbourne then motored to the line when an eye-catching third at Bendigo. She will go well if she delivers a fool proof display. HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX (8) and BERRIESANDCHERRIES (9) are both racing well enough to figure in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 1 (possible early leader), 2,4
SELECTIONS: KINGS GUARD (5), RAPID RETURN (6), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (4), BERRIESANDCHERRIES (9)
RATINGS: 5,6/ 4/ 8,9/ 3/ 1
SUGGESTED BET: KINGS GUARD (5) each way
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: FAIRPLAY (2) is a talented colt, which won at his first two attempts prior to enduring a tough run and finishing unplaced in the Breeders Crown Final. He finished second in the Youthful Stakes behind Hesitate last outing and is a good chance of leading throughout under these conditions. SOHO THE REAL DEAL (1) finished unplaced in the Super Series Final at his latest attempt in September. He hasn’t been to the trials but he is a smart pacer and is drawn to receive every chance so he must be considered as a winning chance. RONNIE THE HAMMER (3) led out then took cover when second in the Homegrown Classic last outing. He is building up a handy record and has the speed to figure in the finish. BUSINESS IN HEAVEN (7) is a smart New South Wales trained pacer, which recorded fast time in winning the Breeders Plate at his latest attempt. He was placed in the Western Region Final prior and should be competitive again despite the wide draw.
EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 1,3
SELECTIONS: FAIRPLAY (2), SOHO THE REAL DEAL (1), RONNIE THE HAMMER (3), BUSINESS IN HEAVEN (7)
RATINGS: 2/ 1,3/ 7/ 5/ 4,6
SUGGESTED BET: FAIRPLAY (2) to win
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: IKIGAI (5) is resuming since winning the Gold Bracelet at Maryborough in October. She won a trial in handy time at Shepparton last week and looms as one of the leading chances. IM BOBBY (6) returned to his peak form with a victory at Bendigo last week, where he led throughout. He gets into this race with a concession claim and he will take catching if he is able to find the lead again. THUNDA STRUCK (7) has been placed at his past five starts and should go well again. He endured a wide trip and battled on okay for third behind IM BOBBY (6) last week. BLUE COMAN (9) will appreciate a drop back in class from racing in the Country Cups and he had excuses last time after galloping away. He boxed on gamely for third in the Echuca Cup prior so he is capable of figuring in the finish.
EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 3,5,7
SELECTIONS: IKIGAI (5), IM BOBBY (6), THUNDA STRUCK (7), BLUE COMAN (9)
RATINGS: 5/ 6,7/ 9/ 1,3
SUGGESTED BET: IKIGAI (5) each way
