Trots

Darren Clayton’s Albion Park Preview

RACE 1

WATTS UP SUNSHINE (4) flew off the tapes last start and from the front was responsible for the tempo that saw Mach Shard claim a new 2647m track record. Just 11m in arrears, his efforts have been super without netting the rewards for effort. JASPER (1) was sent to tackle the APG 4YO Mare’s Final three starts back and her two runs since returning have been sectionally strong and the gate puts her firmly in calculations. ARTILLERY (7) was put into the battle from this gate last week and after a tough trip first over, was out of bullets swinging for home. It is another tough ask. THREE IN HEAVEN (8) burrowed through to hold them out last time and from the front saw it out. He will be tucked away here searching for some track.

SELECTIONS: 4-1-7-8

SUGGESTED BET: WATTS UP SUNSHINE (4) to win


RACE 2

THE HONEY QUEEN (3) steps out at The Creek for her first Qld appearance for the powerful McCarthy team. Arriving with a hat-trick of victories to her name all recorded over the Menangle mile, she has the ideal gate to secure the right position. DEUS EX (4) will have a new pilot, having been driven by Brendan Barnes in all his previous Qld appearances. Back in the pack last start in the Flashing Red, his effort two starts back when a half-head in arrears of Turn It Up was a sharp run, with a return to the mobile in his favour. CRUNCH TIME (7) must have bought his own number 7 saddlecloth with him from Sydney, copping it for the third successive start. It is a big ask from the carpark in this grade. NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (5) made a rare error form the tapes last week and then didn’t have much luck thereafter. The gate makes this tricky with speed to his inside.

SELECTIONS: 3-4-7-5

SUGGESTED BET: THE HONEY QUEEN (3) to win


RACE 3

MISTERFREEZE (8) comes up with the second line options and with a chance to follow the leader, will be in a perfect stalking position. His sectionals have been solid in standing start events and a return to the mobile looks ideal in this grade. RANGER BOMB (6) was 5m from the winner last week after he was wider on the track with Infatuation claiming the win up the passing lane. Despite the wide gate, he finds favourable conditions. FOND MEMORIES (1) was 3m from subsequent winner Captain Crusader two runs back after taking a sit. Back to the mile from the good alley gives her the chance to dictate. OUR MAJOR DAY (2) did it the tough way here last week when asked to sit first over, fighting hard to the wire and only 3m in arrears.

SELECTIONS: 8-6-1-2

SUGGESTED BET: MISTERFREEZE (8) to win


RACE 4

With six runs back this campaign, KASHED UP (2) has placed in five of them, forced to chase home behind some nice types at each outing. 3rd to Major Jellis last start in slick time from gate 7, back to this grade gives him every conceivable. THERESACHANCE (1) comes to this grade in form but will need to take another step. Winning his past two when leading throughout in each, he has the gate to be in the firing line, but is he up to seeing it out? NICKS PICK (8) keeps getting close but not close enough, having been beaten a half-neck or neck at his past four in succession. From the gate he will once again be doing his best work late. FALCONS (5) chased home behind The Raconteur last week after being buried in the run. He is going well enough but needs everything to fall in his favour.

SELECTIONS:¬ 2-1-8-5

SUGGESTED BET: KASHED UP (2) to win


RACE 5

ITS MR CLOONEY (2) drops back into veteran’s grade after contesting last week’s Flashing Red where his effort had merit with some smart individual sectionals. Midfield to the flying Manila Playboy two starts back, this looks well within reach. ROCK BOTTOM (5) looked for the shortcuts last time out in harder company than he faces here and never got a crack at them. Back to this grade looks more favourable. KEY LARGO (6) is second up here and will be tightened from his last start when asked to sit parked. He is quick off the arm but might be a run or two short. STREITKID (8) was gunned down by Will The Wizard last start after trying to take them all the way. He is better suited in front.

SELECTIONS: 2-5-6-8

SUGGESTED BET: ITS MR CLOONEY (2) to win ***BEST BET ***


RACE 6

SOHO ALMASI (1) steps out for the McCarthy stable for her first Qld appearance fresh up. Collared at Menangle in the closing strides last start, she was a slick Bendigo winner two back and lands the perfect gate. PLATINUM REVOLUTION (8) should enjoy the perfect trip in a race that looks the prefect leader- behind leader play. There will be plenty of benefit garnered from her 2nd run in six weeks here last week when closing out smartly in 27.05 up the stretch. SOMEGIRLSOMEWHERE (2) secured the perfect trip in behind the speed before finishing best to score last start and will be searching for some cover here. GIRL FROM OZ (10) will strip fitter off her last start following a let-up but cops a stinger from 10.

SELECTIONS: 1-8-2-10

SUGGESTED BET: SOHO ALMASI / PLATINUM REVOLUTION (1/8) quinella / exacta


RACE 7

SIR FAHRENHEIT (6) has placed in both runs since resuming from a spell and despite the wide gate, his efforts suggest he is ready to strike. In 16 mobile appearances on this deck, he has been top-3 in 12 of them. SOBOMBA (1) faces a rise in class but comes up with the gate to utilise his early speed. That speed was on display two starts back when firing out from the six-hole to take them all the way and he will be gripping on. GEE UP NEDDY (8) was in front soon after the start last week and taking control never looked in danger thereafter. He gets back to mobile conditions here and will be looking for track. WEE MAN TROUBLE (5) charged over the top to score last start after tracking up on the back of Sir Fahrenheit. Added fitness will aid his cause.

SELECTIONS: 6-1-8-5

SUGGESTED BET: SIR FAHRENHEIT (6) to win


RACE 8

LETS KATCHMEIFUCAN (7) has a tough gate to negotiate but there are factors in his favour. He gets back to this grade after tackling open company in recent weeks and each of his past four have been in standing starts. Back to a mobile start is a big plus. OHOKA JIMMY (1) is on the four-day back-up after slicing between runners and hitting the line hard here on Tuesday when only beaten a neck and has the gate to stalk. MAYWYNS COURAGE (8) is first up from a break but blew the cobwebs out in a recent trial when closing nicely and has the second line options. SOME EXCUSESOMEWHERE (5) led then released from this same gate at the 2138m last start. Back to the mile he will be up on the engine again.

SELECTIONS: 7-1-8-5

SUGGESTED BET: LETS KATCHMEIFUCAN (7) to win


RACE 9

SPORTY DANCER (1) scored in a mare’s qualifier here last week from gate 10, charging home over the top with a sub 27 closing 400m split. The gate provides all the options. BAKER CREEK (4) will chase a fourth successive victory, completing a threepeat here last week when charging over the top. Mapping concerns could be her downfall. PRINCESS DANICA (2) hit the line in nice order last start behind Saginaw when making some ground with the smaller field and improved gate a bonus. MISDEMEANOR (3) was only 4m from the winner last start when searching for space that didn’t present and owns enough early speed to get forward.

SELECTIONS: 1-4-2-3

SUGGESTED BET: SPORTY DANCER (1) to win

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