Trots

Darren Clayton’s Saturday Night Albion Park Preview

Posted on | Posted by Darren Clayton

RACE 1

ROCK BOTTOM (4) has been performing well from tough gates, the latest effort when faced with gate 6 and grabbing 3rd behind the in-form Infatuation. An improved gate can be a catalyst for victory. COURAGEOUS SAINT (1) steps out in successive weeks for the first time since January, after having one month between starts for his past three. Strong to the line last week, the gate helps. JUDDY DOUGLAS (10) is at his best when rolling along out in front, a position he will not get to here, but his last start win was strong. BOMBADIER JUJON (2) must have upset the racing Gods, he can’t catch a break and has had zero luck this season.

SELECTIONS: 4-1-10-2
SUGGESTED BET: ROCK BOTTOM (4) to win

RACE 2


TURN IT UP (9) darted home off the speed last time for a smart win at the 2138m. With a front-line bursting with speed and front row seats coveted at the mile, the chance to again work home off the pace looks appealing. NORTHVIEW HUSTLER (5) put them to the word over this trip two starts back when sitting parked before pressing on to the front and laying out a 1.51.5 PB mile. DEUS EX (2) has the early hustle to lead and was only collared in the latter stages here last week by Speech is Silver. Is he up to true FFA level just yet? Perhaps not quite. SPEECH IS SILVER (8) is really furnishing into an all-round open class pacer, but comes up with the worst possible alley this week.

SELECTIONS: 9-5-2-8
SUGGESTED BET: TURN IT UP (9) to win

RACE 3


AMILLION PROMIES (9) hit the line in nice order here last week behind Juddy Douglas to finish within 3m in claiming 3rd. This looks a tricky race to map, made no easier by the 2138m that a few of these will struggle at. FALCONS (6) is given no favours here, but his close-out last start was sizzling, attacking the line with power, splitting Amillion Promises and Juddy Douglas in a sub 55 last 800m. GOOD AS IT GETS (10) has the second line to overcome but is racing in great order and aims up for a threepeat, which is achievable. MISTERY ROAD (3) has the gate to be up near the speed and replicating his win over this trip three back keeps him in calculations.

SELECTIONS: 9-6-10-3
SUGGESTED BET:

RACE 4


IT AINT THE MONEY (8) was asked to tackle all comers last week and from the gate was soon hemmed away four back on the poles. With some electric closing panels to grab 4th behind Speech Is Silver and a strong win two starts back, he looks mighty hard to stop. SMOOTH SAILOR (6) also drops back to this grade, facing the same FFA contest last week. Trying to make ground on the outside, the effort was full of merit. MOHS EM DOWN (1) comes up with the gate to suit his preferred pattern, at his best when able to roll out in front. MAJORDOIT (3) will find this a shade easier than his last outing when sitting parked outside Watts Up Sunshine.


SELECTIONS: 8-6-1-3
SUGGESTED BET: IT AINT THE MONEY (8) to win 

RACE 5


APHORISM (2) looks well placed in this grade to cash in and start his latest Northern campaign on the right note. Only 3m from Rockin Marty last time out at Wagga, he has early speed and looks the one they have to reel in. LE TISSIER (3) will appreciate the return to headquarters and the wider expanses. His efforts have still been strong at Redcliffe, including a last start 2nd. His record over the AP 2138m is a superb 5 from 6. COMMODORE JUJON (1) is never far away and after a tough trip last week was still giving on the wire, with the improved gate boosting his hopes. BITCOIN (7) held on for a strong win in the same race as Commodore Jujon after being set alight in the middle stages. The gate is the stinger.

SELECTIONS: 2-3-1-7
SUGGESTED BET: APHORISM (2) to win

RACE 6


BETTOR ROMANCE (9) only has 2 career wins to her name in 37 starts, amazingly she has placed on 21 occasions. Her efforts in recent weeks, including a last start 3rd to The Darling suggest she is on the verge of a breakthrough in this grade. NINA SIMONE (2) was an all the way Redcliffe winner three starts back and was 2nd last start in easier company. The gate gives her the chance. BLAZE COOPS (7) fired off the arm to lead last week but could not see it out after some cheap early sectionals. The gate makes it tough for her to be sharper. BETTOR MEMORIES (1) will appreciate an easy trip in behind the speed, a position where she does her best work from.
 
SELECTIONS: 9-2-7-1
SUGGESTED BET: BETTOR ROMANCE (9) to win

RACE 7


THE DARLING (1) has put together a superb record since crossing the Nullarbor, winning 5 from 8 and placing in the other 3. Owning the best stretch speed to score here last week, the gate gives her every chance to repeat. PELOSI (9) is better served when not required to work, a task she was propositioned with last start and saw her fade in the latter stages. Redemption is within reach. CAPTAINS PICK (4) is in top form, highlighted by a slick win from the front two starts back at Redcliffe and he has the gate to be prominent. BETTERTHANDIAMONDS (8) is in danger of being buried in the run here and has previously had a tendency to get fierce but has the speed if a gap opens.

SELECTIONS: 1-9-4-8
SUGGESTED BET: THE DARLING (1) to win

RACE 8

LOUIE THE PUNTER (4) is the query runner, stepping out in Qld for the first time with no public trial since his last start in Auckland in February. A three-time NZ winner, the booking of #LeaderPeter for the drive certainly piques the interest. GLENLEDI COMMANDER (1) should appreciate a return to mobile conditions, especially from this alley, following his past two through the Goldstrike Series where he faced a 20m impost in the Final. SMOOTH CASH (3) is a slippery beginner and has the gate to throw some early heat, with the chance to take a seat aiding his chances. WHICH HUNT (9) has been a model of consistency and from the gate should be thereabouts once again.
 
SELECTIONS: 4-1-3-9
SUGGESTED BET: LOUIE THE PUNTER (4) to win

RACE 9


WATTS UP MAJESTIC (9) looked like he was beating up on moderate performers last start, when in fact he defeated the states best in the Marathon. He was large in victory and back to a preferred mobile start, his opponents look tested. VAN SANK (4) is in search of a hat-trick of victories and looks best placed to deliver an upset if there were to be one. Added fitness after 8-weeks between runs will certainly help. TAM OSHANTER (1) was unstoppable prior to a spell, putting together a six-pack of victories. Errors have been costly in both runs since resuming with the gate a big help here.
JUSTABITNOISY (8) will be hemmed away and just keep taking the short-cuts home.
 
SELECTIONS: 9-4-1-8
SUGGESTED BET: Flexi trifecta 9 / 1-4-8 / 1-4-8

RACE 10

TALENT TO SPARE (8) will get to showcase what she can do off the speed here as the lone second line runner. Slick at her 4YO return last time defeating Jasper who has since franked that with a win, this race is worthy of an earlier timeslot than the get-out. KASHED UP (7) cops the outside paint first up for his 4YO term, ending his 3YO year with a G1 3rd to Bar Room Banta and then a G2 win. A pair of trials have opened the pipes in readiness. ADAM CROCKER (6) has the wide gate but looks the likely leader, a position he was grabbed from last start when 6m in arrears of Big Wheels. GOODBOY COWBOY (2) has a win in him very soon off his recent efforts, it just might not be here. Nonetheless, he attacked the line strongly here last week from gate 7.

SELECTIONS: 8-7-6-2
SUGGESTED BET: TALENT TO SPARE (8) to win




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