Albion Park, Tuesday 10 February
Form Analysis by Darren Clayton
RACE ONE
With the Turpin stable having a strong hold of this race with five acceptors, punters can take a strong lead that Pete McMullen will drive IMA BOOTY SHAKER (4). First up for the stable last week, she was snagged to the rear before hitting the line in smart fashion to grab the bronze behind HAVETIMETODREAM. This race will be a strong form reference moving forward.
MISS BLUETRUMP (1) has returned from a spell in good order, hitting the board in all five appearances. Runner-up here last week behind ALWAYSBJOY, she was left exposed for a period before receiving cover, she was best of the chasers in the stretch. The gate advantage helps.
JAMES ALFRED (8) will be first up since August where he was runner-up at his final two outings as a 2YO. 5m from FIRE AND PASSION in the Triad Final, he was then a beaten fav behind SITTING ON EIGHT before the shutdown. With second line options, he can feature.
UCANCALLME AL (5) will be further tightened following his latest offering when second up from a spell. Showing the early hustle to find the front, he held on for the bronze behind HAVTIMETODREAM and can press forward to feature.
SELECTIONS: IMA BOOTY SHAKER (4), MISS BLUETRUMP (1), JAMES ALFRED (8), UCANCALLME AL (5)
SUGGESTED BET: IMA BOOTY SHAKER (4) to win
RACE TWO
With four of his six wins from the mobile, GRACIAS (5) can build off the confidence of his effort here last week when trotting cleanly throughout. Making good ground in the closing stages to grab the silver, he had faced a 50m handicap in that assignment. In this line up, he just needs to trot.
SON OF A SUN (7) was runner-up from a wide gate at this same trip from behind the start car five runs back and working wide off the track was under 2m from the winner. Unplaced in all four since, each of those has been at the stand start. On the short back up from the McNeil Final on Saturday, he can challenge.
INSTANT DELIGHT (11) will strip fitter following her last start when faced with a 30m tape and making her first appearance following a break. Mobile conditions will be in her favour in this.
FLASH KYVALLEY (10) has done his best work from behind the mobile and should appreciate those conditions here. Behind tiring runners and only finding space when it was all over last week, he can join in here.
SELECTIONS: GRACIAS (5), SON OF A SUN (7), INSTANT DELIGHT (11), FLASH KYVALLEY (10)
SUGGESTED BET: GRACIAS (5) to win
RACE THREE
In a standing start race where there are just three horses that each have a solitary win under this format, the start will be crucial. GEM PUNTER PETE (2) stepped cleanly at his first attempt from the tapes last time out and was able to dictate from the front. Scoring a subsequent victory from the mobile in a 75Consolation last time, he can look to make full use of the front advantage.
AMAMI (5) is racing in super form and has hit the board in all three attempts from behind the tapes. Doing the heavy lifting here last week, he was game in the stretch when under 2m from the winner SEND IT. Making good metres the start prior when midfield, he can throw down the challenge here.
ATTACHMENT (6) is one of three in this field making their standing start debut and comes into this fresh up from a spell. Only 6m from ROYAL CRUISER in the Stockade at Menangle two starts back, he was shut down after a strong win at 2138 on this deck and cannot be ignored.
DASHING (7) is first up in Qld for the new stable and will also make a maiden race appearance from behind the tapes. Runner-up to NYACK last start at Wagga, if he handles the start, he can feature.
SELECTIONS: GEM PUNTER PETE (2), AMAMI (5), ATTACHMENT (6), DASHING (7)
SUGGESTED BET: GEM PUNTER PETE (2) to win
RACE FOUR
Pressing to the front over the mile last time out, SOHO CASABLANCA (3) was unable to fend them off when holding on for silver, 4m astern of the winner PLATINUM JEWEL. That mare has subsequently secured a Saturday night success. From the gate, he finds conditions to dictate.
OUR DICKIE BART (8) was beaten by gate 7 last start when tackling a qualifier where XPRESS PARTY proved too strong. Buried away the start prior as FACT FINDER arrived, the form out of that race has held up with three other subsequent winners. With second line options, he can challenge.
HELL OF A HAND (4) eased from a wide gate here last week and made the most of the tempo to descend on them and post a 9m margin. Positioning cheaply will be the key here.
CAPTAIN NEMO (1) has been runner-up at his past two, the latest when sent to the post as fav. Working home wide off the track, he should appreciate a fence trip from this gate to chime in.
SELECTIONS: SOHO CASABLANCA (3), OUR DICKIE BART (8), HELL OF A HAND (4), CAPTAIN NEMO (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO CASABLANCA (3) to win
RACE FIVE
Hitting some good areas in recent outings, LITTLELIONELJAMES (9) looks to have found similar conditions to those he faced last week when arriving in the closing stages. Settling in the running line, he was saved for one shot and swept to victory. A similar tempo at the same trip against similar opposition, points to a rinse and repeat.
ROYAL PRINCESS (2) has hit the board at her past five in succession in this same grade, including a last start victory when finishing best at the middle trip with 6m to spare over her rivals. Only a half-neck away two starts back, she can position close enough to challenge.
BRACKEN WARRIOR (5) made a mid-race move to race outside the leader for the last 1000 here last week. Looming in the stretch, he hit the front, only to be gunned down in the last strides by LITTLELIONELJAMES. He has claims.
SPORTS BOUNTY (3) was asked to roll the sleeves and do it the tough way last start and despite the run, was game in defeat when holding on for the silver. He can be thereabouts again here.
SELECTIONS: LITTLELIONELJAMES (9), ROYAL PRINCESS (2), BRACKEN WARRIOR (5), SPORTS BOUNTY (3)
SUGGESTED BET: LITTLELIONELJAMES (9) to win
RACE SIX
Drawn no closer than gate 5 since October 2024, VODKA EN ICE (1) can look to make the most of the unexpected windfall that the inside alley presents here. Trying to make ground from the rear after starting from the second line last start at Redcliffe when 3rd, he has all the options.
THE REAL ROCKETMAN (3) showed early speed last time out at Marburg to dart across, take control and then fend off the challengers with 6m to spare. Gunned down when leading up here two starts back, he can look to bring the small oval form to the big deck and issue a challenge.
DOOO DONT THINK (8) eased from gate 6 last time out before trying to make ground over the closing stages when 6m astern of ROYAL PRINCESS. He will be probing for openings here.
MAN OF ACTION (7) was a winner here three starts back when working forward from gate5, taking control and taking a 5m margin. Wide off the track from gate 12 last time, the gate hurts.
SELECTIONS: VODKA EN ICE (1), THE REAL ROCKETMAN (3), DOOO DONT THINK (8), MAN OF ACTION (7)
SUGGESTED BET: VODKA EN ICE (1) to win
RACE SEVEN
Runner-up in three successive appearances, those efforts saw IMANI (10) sent to the post in red figures last start. Leading up at 2138, she faded out to finish at the tail of the field. A gritty effort two back when just a neck from HOLD ONTO YA BLING, a return to the mile can see her defy the gate to capitalise.
JUSTROLLINGAROUND (1) was beaten by an awkward gate last time out when just behind the money as LITTLELIONELJAMES arrived. Showing early hustle to find the poles before releasing two starts back and running out of space, she has the options from the ace to challenge.
TEACHERS PET (2) was chasing a hat-trick of victories last start when finishing at the rear as DEE TERROR arrived. Dictating over 2138 the start prior, she is a podium player off this gate.
CANDYKANE (3) broke her AP duck here two starts back when refusing to give in and arriving in the closing strides to score from a second line gate. She can get handy to feature here.
SELECTIONS: IMANI (10), JUSTROLLINGAROUND (1), TEACHERS PET (2), CANDYKANE (3)
SUGGESTED BET: IMANI (10) to win
