Trots

Darren Clayton’s Albion Park Preview

RACE 1

ROCK FISHERMAN (3) was dead game last week after circling the field early and was only a head away from victory as Scarlet Babe arrived. The gate gives him every chance to dictate. WAHS FIRE BUG (9) comes out of that same race where she held on for 3rd when under 3m from the winner. Yet to miss a placing at her past 9, that doesn’t look set to change here. MAJOR FERNCO (4) did it the tough way with a parked-out victory 2 starts back and chased the flying Deus Ex last time. FLO RYDA (8) faces a rise in class to what he has been meeting but loves a cosy trip which he will secure here.

SELECTIONS: 3-9-4-8

SUGGESTED BET: ROCK FISHERMAN (3) to win


RACE 2

BETTOR VISION (4) was trying to make late ground last start when just 3m away. Too strong the previous start when drawn wide, there should be a genuine tempo to aid his cause. UNDER WORKED (6) somehow was beaten here 2 starts back when looking to make it 4 successive wins, with just a nose margin the difference. Striking trouble last week, it will be no surprise to see him atone. THE SHADY ONE (1) has not been too far away in this grade since resuming from a spell and lands the ideal alley. SAM IS PERFECTION (10) was caught in traffic 2 starts back and last time gate 7 was his undoing. Trailing into the battle will be a plus.

SELECTIONS: 4-6-1-10

SUGGESTED BET: BETTOR VISION (4) to win


RACE 3

KEY LARGO (1) is a gate speed horse that will be ideally suited from the inside alley. Just collared in the closing strides last start by Franco Hampton, the pressure looks minimal. THE DEMOCRAT (8) was 3rd when 7m in arrears of Key Largo 2 starts back and his last start can have the pen put through it. From the gate he will get the last shot. SLICK BLASTER (9) bumped into the speed machine Deus Ex when aiming up for a hat-trick of wins 2 starts back. The pegs look a good place to play this. DOUBLE OR NOTHING (10) shook off the non-winner’s tag here last week after umpteen chances to land the cash came up short.  Winning confidence might be his friend.

SELECTIONS:
1-8-9-10

SUGGESTED BET: Flexi trifecta 1 / 8-9-10


RACE 4

TURN IT UP (1) has won his past two, leading throughout on both occasions. With the ace gate he should take control and should prove too slippery with a victory enhancing his claim to the title of Queensland’s number 1 ranked FFA pacer. BLACKSADANCE (8) will be in stalking mode as he gets the perfect trip on the back of Turn It Up. His run was super last week charging home late when resuming from a freshen and only beaten an eyelash. COLT THRITY ONE (2) has been freshened and from this gate might just be asked to do the heavy lifting. Can he regale past glories? NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (3) has been attacking the line smartly in recent outings with slick closing panels and will be settled closer to the action here.

SELECTIONS:  1-8-2-3  

SUGGESTED BET: TURN IT UP (1) to win and 1/8 quinella and exacta


RACE 5

TOMMY LINCOLN (8) should enjoy the drop in grade here after tackling the FFA ranks in recent outings. 5m from Speech Is Silver last week and game when working outside Turn It Up the start prior, he should gain the ideal trip here. MACH DA VINCI (7) is another on the class drop back from FFA company but lands the tough gate and comes into this fresh- 6 weeks since his last outing.
LOMBO HEAVEN (1)
set the speed last start before being grabbed close to the line. He has the gate for #LeaderPeter to do his thing. KASH US BACK (4) was only 2m away last week which followed a pair of luckless efforts. Where he maps from this alley is concerning.

SELECTIONS:
8-7-1-4

SUGGESTED BET: TOMMY LINCOLN (8) to win


RACE 6

YOUNG CONQUEROR (3) should find this easier than what he has met his past 4 starts where he has still managed a pair of wins, a 2nd to Major Fernco and just a head from victory last time. The gate is also in his favour. DESPONDENT (1) has been racing super since resuming from a spell and although winless is knocking on the door. 4m from Double Or Nothing last start, gate 1 is a plus. BALDUCCI (4) was not aided from inside the 2nd line last start and will be suited if limiting the workload. ANOTHER STATEMENT (7) has probably been clashing with stronger rivals than this line-up which included Kiwis Are Flying last start. The gate is the query.
 
SELECTIONS:
3-1-4-7

SUGGESTED BET: YOUNG CONQUEROR (3) to win


RACE 7

GLENEAGLE WARRIOR (6) was taking inside runs when runner-up last start to Double Or Nothing which followed a pair of tidy efforts after his win 4 starts back. An early scratching to the inside and the small field all help. THE IDEAL DANCER (8) held on for 3rd last start, albeit 16m from the winner Its Mr Clooney. With early options as the lone runner out the back, questions are starting to build about his winless record on this track. OUR BALOU (3) was sound in his return from a spell last time when chasing behind Captain Nemo and the 2138m trip suits. MY ULTIMATE BONDI (1) was hitting dead-ends last start from back in the pack and will need to bring his starting manners.

SELECTIONS:
6-8-3-1

SUGGESTED BET: GLENEAGLE WARRIOR (6) to win


RACE 8

VOUCHERS (3) was trying to pick up some late metreage here last week when finishing 3rd to Delightful Reason. That followed form against all comers and back to mares’ grade again from the improved gate looks ideal. OUR ANTONIO ROSE (9) was first up in Queensland last week and well-supported in the market but could not get it done. This is basically the same field, and she again has the second line to overcome. JEWEL OF PEAK (4) was looking to take them all the way last start and was game in holding on for 2nd to Delightful Reason. The lead may not be there this time. MOLLIESMARYELLE (1) was buried last week but should be able to settle closer this time from the inside alley.

SELECTIONS: 3-9-4-1

SUGGESTED BET: VOUCHERS (3) to win


RACE 9

SCARLET BABE (7) had trialled in nice order for a first up assault here last week when landing this same gate. Powering home in the closing stages for a stylish victory, the smaller field helps. VIRGIL (6) was a beaten favourite last start as Kanena Provlima landed the win. Despite the small field, where he maps is the concern. DREAM TO SHARE (5) was a nice 2nd last start after doing it the tough way facing the breeze after successive wins in the claiming ranks. CLASSIE AMERICAN (3) could not see it out when leading last start as Captain Nemo arrived and may need to work in the run.
 
SELECTIONS:
7-6-5-3

SUGGESTED BET: SCARLET BABE (7) to win


RACE 10

GEE UP NEDDY (7) may be approaching 12 months without a win, yet his form in recent starts suggests that may be about to change. Just a neck from Northern Muscle at his last appearance, his manners and small field are a big plus. ONE NIGHT OUT (1) will appreciate the front tape and head-start he should gain on his rivals. Better suited here on the big deck after a midweek tilt at Redcliffe, winless at 13 furlongs is a big query. KINGDOM COME (5) claimed the cash here 3 starts back when contesting an easier event from a 20m impost. The smaller field aids his swooping pattern. JUSTABITNOISY (6) is another that has been winless for some time but has been good in recent weeks including when just 3m from the winner last start.

SELECTIONS: 7-1-5-6

SUGGESTED BET: GEE UP NEDDY (7) to win


About Darren Clayton

Darren provides Racing Queensland with his expert form analysis, tips and speedmaps for all TAB races in Queensland. Darren is a highly respected form analyst which complements his passion for the harness racing industry which he has been involved in for over 30 years.