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Darren Clayton’s Albion Park Preview

Posted on | Posted by Darren Clayton

RACE 1

VIRGIL (1) shoots for the hat-trick after scoring two wins in five days last week. His Saturday win last week was an all the way effort where he turned over the returning hot-pot Governor Jujon. The gate gives him every chance. Camped right on his back will be his main danger MAKE MINE MEMPHIS (8) who was only beaten 1.5m behind MACH DA VINCI 2 starts back and will be ready to take the snipers shot. BLACK HAWK JOE (6) faces the tricky gate but likes to roll so can be put into the battle to make his case and NOWHERE CREEK (5) has had no luck in snaring a gate since he was a winner here 5 starts back and looms as a genuine minor player.

TIPS: 1-8-6-5

SUGGESTED BET: VIRGIL (1) to win

RACE 2

TOMMY LINCOLN (7) scored a smart win here last week where he defeated Mach Da Vinci but he draws outside that same guy this time. Entitled to be vulnerable late last week after really putting the speed on through the middle stages, he still had a kick to hold on. He can take another step. OUR UNCLE SAM (9) moves to inside the 2nd line with the early scratching but will still have options as the lone 2nd line runner. They were a bit too slippery last week and being buried in the run did not help but he looks right in this. WILL THE WIZARD (3) has been freshened since his last run back in the Carnival where he wilted behind Spirit Of St Louis but he can be thereabouts. MACH DA VINCI (6) had his chance to run down Tommy Lincoln last week but came up 3m short. Not sure where he gets in the run.

TIPS: 7-9-3-6

SUGGESTED BET: TOMMY LINCOLN (7) to win

RACE 3

OUR BONDI BEACH (1) amazingly starts from gate 1 for the 7th time in his past 9 outings. Importantly he loves to sit off the speed and strike late and this race looks to profile ideally for him to land a passing lane victory. The big threat will be SUBTLE DELIGHT (7) who drops back into Veteran’s grade nicely after tackling the FFA last week. Rattling home in that race, he looms large. VINNY CHASE (9) held on for 2nd last start behind Sam Is Perfection and should get a nice trail through early to position in the running line here. AT WEST POINT (2) will be rolling again from this gate and will have the target on his back they need to chase.

TIPS: 1-7-2-9

SUGGESTED BET: OUR BONDI BEACH (1) to win

RACE 4

KASH US BACK (8) settled rearward last start before really closing out hard in the race claimed by Tommy Lincoln. 2 starts back he was within 3m of Our Uncle Sam when working hard. This looks ideal. LOMBO HEAVEN (1) returns to Qld after a NSW sojourn that did not yield any success. The 2138 is the bug query but from the gate must be respected. WE SALUTE YOU (3) was buried away but found the space when needed to charge home for the prize last week after drawing the poles. Look for him attacking late. MISTERFREEZE (7) has no favours from the carpark but his past 2 runs have been sharp, including a win here 2 back. Place claims appeal.

TIPS: 8-1-3-7

SUGGESTED BET: KASH US BACK (8) to win

RACE 5

GOVERNOR JUJON (6) returned to the track last week for the first time this season. The run had plenty of merit when sitting parked outside stablemate Virgil and grinding out a half-neck 2nd. Back to the mile suits. DOUBLE OR NOTHING (9) is bursting to win a race – has placed his past 2 with the latest when chasing hard behind Life Lavros after being slammed with gate 7. Is the one to watch if The Gov is still vulnerable. SIMON (1) could not see it out from this gate 3 starts back and has not been suited in 2 runs since. The gate helps. KING TRITON (10) missed the board last week after having placed in 3 of his previous 4 starts. He will need a cart into the contest but is one for the multiples.

TIPS: 6-9-1-10

SUGGESTED BET: DOUBLE OR NOTHING (9) to place

RACE 6

THE IDEAL DANCER (8) is yet to land a win in Qld after 4 attempts, but this race looks to profile ideally for him to open the account. Only beaten 1m behind Virgil last week, he will be ready to strike in what looks the best trifecta race of the night. ROCKNROLL DUDE (1) was an all the way winner at Redcliffe 3 starts back and followed that with a 4m margin behind Mister Diamond in this grade. The gate gives him every chance. GOOD AS IT GETS (5) was 1m in arrears of the flying Yep Got Chooks 2 runs back and was 3rd in a smart effort last start. BEAST MODE (3) joins the leading stable of Grant Dixon and arrives with a smart record from the Mat Rue barn out of Bathurst and must be considered in this line-up

TIPS: 8-1-5-3

SUGGESTED BET: Flexi Trifecta 1-3-5-8

RACE 7

CAPTAIN CRUSADER (1) was runner-up to American Dealer in the Qld Derby 2 runs back and then brutalised the older horses in a qualifying win last start. This is a strong 3YO race for this time of year, but he looks a standout. KASHED UP (8) was completely luckless in the Qld Derby which followed a super effort in the Rising Sun. Not seen since the Derby, he had a gentle pipe-opener at the trials on Tuesday to prepare. UNCLE SHANK (6) has plenty of question marks next to his name over the 2138m of this contest, but his mile wins have been super. If he can settle off a genuine tempo, he might just bob up. OUR ACTION MAN (2) is the second-stringer of Rickie Alchin’s pair but brings solid form that includes 4 wins in his past 7 starts.

TIPS: 1-8-6-2

SUGGESTED BET: CAPTAIN CRUSADER (1) to win

RACE 8

METAKI MAJIC (2) is another newcomer to the Dixon stable that can capitalise from the good alley. Beaten by the flying Majorca last start when trying to lead all the way over the middle trip, a return to the mile will suit this regally bred mare. HOT N GOLD (4) has been kept fresh since her last appearance where a tiring leader cut off her momentum. If she can bring the form fresh that saw her defeat Our Action Man 2 starts back, she will loom large in this. QUICK STEP (9) at her past 2 has been a little below what she delivered in producing a threepeat of victories prior. Look for a sharper effort here. FEELS LIKA WINNER (7) has been runner-up at her past 2 in this grade but from outside the front will need to rise to make a winning challenge, yet place claims still appeal.

TIPS: 2-4-9-7

SUGGESTED BET: METAKI MAJIC (2) to win

RACE 9

SIR FAHRENHEIT (10) had to do some work in the early stages when left exposed before the cover arrived last week. Making a nice closing impression, he importantly moves 10m closer this week which looks the winning tonic. ALADDIN SANE (5) stepped cleanly and from the front took them all the way last week. He only had one opponent off the front with him last week, but this time is 1 of 7 off the front tape which is a concern. DOUG (7) is his own worst enemy and last week bad Doug came to the track and his chances expired within 50m of the start. If good Doug comes to play, he can win. GODOFTHUNDER (8) was 12m from the winner Aladdin Sane here last week in grabbing 3rd. That was his first run back from a let-up and he should be tightened from that effort.

TIPS: 10-5-7-8

SUGGESTED BET: SIR FAHRENHEIT (10) to win

RACE 10

TOTAL DIVA (1) was forced to sit parked last week, and the toil was too much as she faded behind the leader and winner A Rainbow Delight. With good early hustle she can fight them off. WAHS FIRE BUG (2) was only beaten a head here last week after initially retreating from gate 6 before attacking the line with power over the closing stages. She can dart in behind here. OAXACAN DREAM (6) tackled the boys last start and was only 4m from Misterfreeze when making some nice metres over the closing stages. Back to her own sex helps. SPORT MENTAL (5) faces a tough ask from this gate, but the smaller field helps offset one of the negatives against her in this.

TIPS: 1-2-6-5

SUGGESTED BET: TOTAL DIVA / WAHS FIRE BUG (1 / 2) quinella / boxed exacta

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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.




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