Shepparton Tuesday 15 July

OVERVIEW: HIGH FLUX (4) is working back to his best form and appears to be a good value bet to commence the program. He finished off quickly for an eye-catching fourth two starts ago then raced out three horses wide for over a lap when a brave third behind Torque Power at Echuca last week. SOHO PLAYGIRL (1) is a bold front running mare that performs best over the sprint distance so she has the conditions to suit her here. She commenced from the second line and endured a wide trip so she ran a brave race for fourth last week. SPORTS NARRATOR (8) produced his best effort for some time when third behind Okanui Beach at Shepparton last outing. He is drawn behind the likely leader SOHO PLAYGIRL (1) so he is worth a ticket each way. It is unlikely ALIZA HILL (5) will be able to gain her favourite role as being the pacemaker but her chances will be greatly enhanced if she can head off SOHO PLAYGIRL (1) at the start. KING SAINT (2) and ANIMADO (3) are both racing well enough to figure in the finish.

SELECTIONS: HIGH FLUX (4), SOHO PLAYGIRL (1), SPORTS NARRATOR (8), ALIZA HILL (5)

SUGGESTED BET: HIGH FLUX (4) each way

OVERVIEW: DELIGHTFUL MIKI (1) put in a very eye-catching performance for third at her debut. She settled in a rearward position, stormed up behind the leaders in the home straight and ran into a dead end at a vital stage. She is much better drawn for this assignment and appears to have a promising future. YESNOLETSGO (5) finished second in the same race at Kilmore and was also hitting the line strongly. That was his best effort in three starts to date and a repeat performance will see him go close to winning. ISLAND YANKEE (7) is a nicely bred first starter being related to six winners including Islandspecialmajor (1.49.2, $533,722). He has had a win and a narrow second at the trials over the past two weeks and he possesses early speed so he must be respected. BETATHANABOUGHTONE (3) is resuming since a second at Cobram in November but has claims along with KRAKEY (8), which has the perfect trailing draw behind DELIGHTFUL MIKI (1).

SELECTIONS: DELIGHTFUL MIKI (1), YESNOLETSGO (5), ISLAND YANKEE (7), BETATHANABOUGHTONE (3)

SUGGESTED BET: DELIGHTFUL MIKI (1) to win

OVERVIEW: VOLDAGHA (9) performed well below expectations ($1-22 fav) at his first run since being unplaced in the Super Series Final in September but he was very good at the trials prior and he is a smart horse when he is able to put it altogether so he is worth another chance. HURRICANE KATIE (12) is resuming since May and hasn’t been able to fill a place in eight starts to date but she produced a big finish when she impressively won a Bendigo trial last week so an improved showing is expected. SEBASTIANS WAITING (8) is awkwardly drawn but he did very well when he chased hard and finished second at Group 2 level at Menangle last week. He will take holding out if he gains the right luck in running. WAIKARE ADRIENNA (2) and AMARTEY (7) are both racing well enough to figure in the finish.

SELECTIONS: VOLDAGHA (9), HURRICANE KATIE (12), SEBASTIANS WAITING (8), WAIKARE ADRIENNA (2)

SUGGESTED BET: VOLDAGHA (9) to win

OVERVIEW: USYK (8) performed below his best form when resuming since an eighth in the Bathurst Gold Crown Final but he will be fitter for the run and he showed a lot of potential in the early stages of the juvenile season. He recorded a mile rate of 1.57.0 when he won on debut back in February and is worth following. INDI PARTY MOOD (13) endured a tough run early, gained a trail mid-race and was held up for a run at a vital stage when an unlucky fourth behind Torque Power at Bendigo. He finished off best to win in fast time prior and is capable of overcoming the poor draw. TIVOLI (12) is a smart filly when racing at her best form and was placed in the Homegrown Classic last season. She wasn’t quite at her best form in three starts during her last preparation but she is too good to dismiss. SO JOE RAN (1) is a first starter for trainer Dallas McIntyre, which came from last at his latest trial fourth. He won two trials prior and is perfectly drawn so he rates as a value hope.

SELECTIONS: USYK (8), INDI PARTY MOOD (13), TIVOLI (12), SO JOE RAN (1)

SUGGESTED BET: USYK (8) each way

OVERVIEW: ALFIE ALWAYS (9) is a swift beginner from the standing start and was able to work forward and find the front running role from a similar handicap when he won at Charlton last week. He has won seven races from behind the tapes and looms as one of the leading chances again. MANDA KYVALLEY (8) was a runaway winner at Melton three starts ago then followed with a third at Cranbourne, where she endured a tough run and battled on well. She made an error last time out and is worth another chance under these conditions. KYVALLEY MISTY (7) stepped away briskly from the standing start and led throughout to easily win a trial at Bendigo last week. She has made errors from the mobile start at both of her runs since resuming so she might be better suited under these conditions. STARLIGHT RED (6) is another quick beginner and has been racing in peak form so she is not without a chance.

SELECTIONS: ALFIE ALWAYS (9), MANDA KYVALLEY (8), KYVALLEY MISTY (7), STARLIGHT RED (6)

SUGGESTED BET: ALFIE ALWAYS (9) each way

OVERVIEW: COBALT BLUES (8) is awkwardly drawn but ran his best race for a long time when he raced without cover and battled on strongly for second at Echuca last outing. This is a race of similar standard and he is capable of going one better. FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (9) was a winner under similar conditions at Kilmore three starts ago and he defeated Sea Hawke, which has won twice since, so he must be respected. NOBLE JULIA (7) attempted to lead throughout and tired late when tenth at Bendigo last week. She missed out narrowly from behind the leader at Bendigo prior and she does seem to perform best when she has cover so she is worth another chance. TREACHEROUSTIMES (5) was a winner at Bendigo in June and is worth thought against this line up. BERYLS BOOTS (6) and OLLY ODD POTTS (10) are both worth thought in multiple combinations.

SELECTIONS: COBALT BLUES (8), FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (9), NOBLE JULIA (7), TREACHEROUSTIMES (5)

SUGGESTED BET: COBALT BLUES (8) each way

OVERVIEW: BYRNESIDE BOOM (7) is much better than his form reads and should be competitive against this line up. He was headed off at the start after commencing from the pole position and had no luck whatsoever when tenth at Bendigo last week. DIRECT COMMAND (5) was held up for a run behind the tiring leader and worked through along the sprint lane when fifth (7m) at Charlton last week. He battled on strongly for second at Shepparton prior and he should give another bold showing here. MADAM REACTOR (3) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and is not without a chance. She led out then took cover when fifth behind Shades of Miki at Bendigo last outing and will be looking to adopt a similar tactic here. MYNAMEISRUBY (1) pushed through from the second line and raced without cover for the majority of the journey when a creditable sixth (6m) last week. She is drawn to suit her racing pattern and is not without a chance.

SELECTIONS: BYRNESIDE BOOM (7), DIRECT COMMAND (5), MADAM RACTOR (3), MYNAMEISRUBY (1)

SUGGESTED BET: BYRNESIDE BOOM (7) to win