Mildura Friday 1 August

OVERVIEW: BETTERZIPPIT (8) is resuming since a victory at Globe Derby in a mile rate of 1.55.7 back in May. He recorded a sizzling last half of 55.9 seconds to win a trial at Gawler recently so a bold showing is expected first up. PAS GUARANTEE (7) dropped back to last from a wide draw and finished off well for third behind Letsrockletsroll at Kilmore last outing. He is awkwardly drawn but he appears to be well placed against this field so he should prove hard to beat. MY ULTIMATE LEVI (4) pushed forward to race without cover and proved too strong for KEAYANG MOROCCAN (2) at Mildura last outing. This race is of similar quality and he must be respected. KEAYANG MOROCCAN (2) and RIO ROCK (6) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

SELECTIONS: BETTERZIPPIT (8), PAS GUARANTEE (7), MY ULTIMATE LEVI (4), KEAYANG MOROCCAN (2)

SUGGESTED BET: BETTERZIPPIT (8) to win

OVERVIEW: PUNTO CALIENTE (9) finished off boldly to defeat Cruz With Rome at Mildura two starts ago then followed with a close up fifth. He is dropping back in class from a strong heat and final series so he should prove hard to beat again. PLAYNICE (1) can be risky at the start but he will take beating if he gets away safely. He recorded a slick mile rate of 1.55.2 when he scored at Melton in April and this race is easier than his recent performances. WHITE STAR VILLAGE (3) finished off well from midfield when runner up at Globe Derby then followed with a close up fourth on that track. He is the winner of fourteen races at Mildura and should be competitive again. ROBERT CROCKA (4) is a brilliant beginner and is likely to lead out then take cover so he is worth thought in multiple combinations.

SELECTIONS: PUNTO CALIENTE (9), PLAYNICE (1), WHITE STAR VILLAGE (3), ROBERT CROCKA (4)

SUGGESTED BET: PUNTO CALIENTE (9) to win

OVERVIEW: THE IRISHMAN (1) led throughout to win easily at Globe Derby on Monday. He is perfectly drawn for his Mildura debut and will prove hard to beat again. SPRING DELIGHT (8) led throughout to win by a large margin at Mildura two starts ago then followed with a strong third behind Cruz With Rome. He is racing in good form and this race is no harder so he must be respected. SNEAKY PHILTRA (5) endured a tough run and went down narrowly at Mildura two starts ago then followed with a sixth behind Cruz With Rome. She is a versatile mare and is worth an investment. ORAMA (6), GRENADE (7) and GLITZY ALL OVER (9) are all racing well enough to feature prominently.

SELECTIONS: THE IRISHMAN (1), SPRING DELIGHT (8), SNEAKY PHILTRA (5), GRENADE (7)

SUGGESTED BET: THE IRISHMAN (1) to win

OVERVIEW: MIDNIGHT PIRATE (8) progressed forward from the outside of the front line when he worked to the lead and was able to win comfortably over WATCHTHECLOCK (4). He has won five races at Mildura and he is very versatile so he must be given a winning chance again. FLAME BLASTER (3) was shuffled back on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line and he only gained a clear passage over the latter stages when a fast finishing third last outing. He possesses a powerful finishing burst and is worth a ticket each way. LORD VERDE (1) began quickly to find the lead and was run down in the final stride when second behind Glitzy All Over last outing. He is drawn to lead again over the sprint distance and he should take catching. WATCHTHECLOCK (4) and the former Queensland pacer UNCUT GEM (9) are both worth thought in an open race.  

SELECTIONS: MIDNIGHT PIRATE (8), FLAME BLASTER (3), LORD VERDE (1), WATCHTHECLOCK (4)

SUGGESTED BET: MIDNIGHT PIRATE (8) to win

OVERVIEW: ADIEU MIKENNIS (9) has had two wins and a third from three Mildura attempts and should be very competitive again. He finished quickly from last when third behind Orama at his latest appearance. HESASTAR (7) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and endured a tough when second behind Red Hot Miki three starts ago. He is awkwardly drawn but is worth an investment. TEXAN BRANACH (8) makes his debut for trainer Alex Ashwood and was a comfortable winner at Wagga two starts ago. He finished fifth behind a smart one in Jilliby Illusion at Shepparton last outing and he is likely to find this assignment to be more suitable. STARVIN MARVIN (2), OUR MASTER PLAY (4) and FLYIN TOMMY (6) are all racing well enough to figure in the finish.

SELECTIONS: ADIEU MIKENNIS (9), HESASTAR (7), TEXAN BRANACH (8), STARVIN MARVIN (2)

SUGGESTED BET: ADIEU MIKENNIS (9) to win

OVERVIEW: OHSO KINKY (9) is resuming since a tenth at Mildura in May. He led throughout to win at Globe Derby two starts ago and he was a runaway trial winner at Gawler recently so a bold showing is expected first up. BETTER BLUE BOYS (8) battled on well for third at Charlton two starts ago then followed with an eighth at Bendigo. He will find this race to be a little easier and he should finish off strongly from his trailing draw. NANNA HELEN (3) is resuming since March but she performed well at a recent Mildura trial effort when second behind Kialla Kid so she must be respected. NOOSA BOY (2), THE AFRICAN QUEEN (4) and CAULONIA BELLA (5) are all worth thought in another open betting event.

SELECTIONS: OHSO KINKY (9), BETTER BLUE BOYS (8), NANNA HELEN (3), CAULONIA BELLA (5)

SUGGESTED BET: OHSO KINKY (9) each way

OVERVIEW: PRIORITISE (4) finished fifth in the Mildura Cup earlier in the season so he appears to be well placed against this line up. He was held up badly for a run and appeared to be unlucky when resuming so he is worth another chance. TOUGH AINT ENOUGH (6) was resuming since April when he did a big job to dead-heat for first with Le Spartacus on July 18. He should be even better for the outing and is one of the leading chances. CAULONIA TERROR (5) settled midfield and finished off fairly well for second behind Le Spartacus at Mildura. He is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward and is racing in fine form so he must be considered. RED HOT MIKI (8) is rising in class and he drops back to the second line but he is racing too well to dismiss. He has been able to lead throughout at his past two comfortable victories.

SELECTIONS: PRIORITISE (4), TOUGH AINT ENOUGH (6), CAULONIA TERROR (5), RED HOT MIKI (8)

SUGGESTED BET: PRIORITISE (4) to win

OVERVIEW: LOVE TO DEAL (1) settled midfield on the markers, moved to the outside on the home turn and finished off well for a distant second at Globe Derby last outing. She is much better drawn for this assignment and her last win was at Mildura back in April so she must be considered from the pole position. NIGHT SAFARI (7) was very heavily supported and attempted to lead throughout when third behind Dark Sands at Mildura last outing. He has the perfect trailing draw behind LOVE TO DEAL (1) so he is worth thought again. KEAYANG CRIPPA (10) circled around the field to race without cover when third behind Cheers Poverty at Mildura last outing. He has been placed in three of his past five starts against similar grade and should run his usual honest race. BELLA ABBY (5) endured a tough run when fifth behind Daylight at Mildura last outing. She was runner up three times in succession back in April/May and she is capable of running into a place again.

SELECTIONS: LOVE TO DEAL (1), NIGHT SAFARI (7), KEAYANAG CRIPPA (10), BELLA ABBY (5)

SUGGESTED BET: LOVE TO DEAL (1) to win

OVERVIEW: LOCHINVAR MAGIC (3) is a handy South Australian pacer, which hasn’t raced since March but finished second behind Betterzippit in fast time at a recent Gawler trial effort. He was a winner at Gawler two starts ago and he possesses early speed so he warrants consideration. ANGELS WATCHING (1) is shooting for a hat trick and is a good chance of completing the task. She raced without cover throughout when a big winner two starts ago and claimed victory in the last stride over Arocknroll Jet last outing.  CRUZ WITH ROME (6) has had three wins out of his past four starts and sprinted quickly to win comfortably last outing. This race is a little harder but he is versatile and is capable of taking the next step forward. APOLOGY ACCEPTED (4) produced a strong finish when an eye-catching second behind CRUZ WITH ROME (6) last outing. He has been placed in eight of his past eleven starts and should be finding the line strongly again.

SELECTIONS: LOCHINVAR MAGIC (3), ANGELS WATCHING (1), CRUZ WITH ROME (6), APOLOGY ACCEPTED (4)

SUGGESTED BET: LOCHINVAR MAGIC (3) each way

OVERVIEW: JILLIBY MOON (3) began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was gunned down late when second behind Normy at Melton last outing. She strikes a suitable assignment now and is capable of going one better. POTTSY THE GURU (8) continues to improve with the benefit of racing and is getting close to his maiden success. He attempted to make a long run when fourth in a slick final half of 57.2 seconds behind My Ultimate Jimmy last outing. STAY ALPHA (11) has been placed in three of his past four starts and attempted to lead throughout when fifth in a stronger race at Bendigo last outing. He has a tough draw to overcome but he is worth thought again. YOU ARE MY SOUL (1) gained a nice trail and battled on fairly well for third behind Noworriesmozz last outing. She is a place chance again from the pole position.

SELECTIONS: JILLIBY MOON (3), POTTSY THE GURU (8), STAY ALPHA (11), YOU ARE MY SOUL (1)

SUGGESTED BET: JILLIBY MOON (3) to win