Leap To Fame’s “swagger carries an air of invincibility” that looks set to drive to Grand Circuit win on Saturday night and cap a stellar Queensland Constellations Carnival.
Grant Dixon’s star is the on top selection in the Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship, one of four Saturday night Albion Park Group 1s along with the Derby, Oaks and Trotters Cup.
The Vics are tipped to take at least one of those crowns, with Emma Stewart’s brilliant The Lost Storm having the “class” to “capitalise” in the $150,000 feature.
Here is Queensland form guru Darren Clayton’s tips for Saturday night at Albion Park.
GOOD FORM: GET ALL THE TIPS FOR VICTORIA’S RACING
RACE ONE: GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND BAND 4 – BAND 2 PACE
With this race the quasi–Blacks A Fake consolation, the strength of that field sees some smart performers doing battle here. PETES SAID SO (6) rattled home from the rear when runner-up to SWAYZEE in the Mr Feelgood two back and last start was sound wider on the track in a race where all the power was on the poles. A solid tempo can see him descend.
MANILA PLAYBOY (2) is the emergency for the big one and if not required will line up here from the best alley he has seen in some time. Wide off the track last week as the winner TIMS A TROOPER darted along the passing lane, he was a smart 3rd to SWAYZEE two runs back. Finding clear air is key.
MAJESTIC CRUISER (10) has ticked over 12 months since his last victory, that win coming when securing the Blacks A Fake last year. Chasing for 3rd to TAIPO last start, the long trip is a big bonus.
LOYALIST (3) was safely away from the tapes in the Redcliffe Cup before releasing for the trail and then had the closing speed to strike. Fading last week when produced, the improved gate is a big plus.
SELECTIONS: PETES SAID SO (6), MANILA PLAYBOY (2), MAJESTIC CRUISER (10), LOYALIST (3)
SUGGESTED BET: PETES SAID SO (6) to win
RACE TWO: HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY EWEY (NZ) MARES OPEN PACE
It was always going to be a huge ask in tackling the Golden Girl first up from a break, yet SOHO HISTORIA (7) was gallant in just missing the money. Off an electrifying sub 26 opening panel, it was a mare’s class record tempo she set in front when just wilting late. Fitter from that, she looks too slick.
MANHATTAN (10) was in the pocket trail here last week in the Golden Girl and took her shot up the passing lane when the run presented. Finishing a half-head from the winner, she has placed in all three Qld runs and despite the gate can be issuing the challenge again here.
DELIGHTFUL ANGEL (8) snagged back from gate 6 here last week to find the poles before making her run wide out. Attacking the line to grab 3rd behind AMORE VITA, she can charge once breaking free.
SCARLET BABE (6) sat in the trail last start but was no match as TAIPO put on a power running clinic from the front. Retreating off the arm in recent runs, it would be no surprise to see the fuse lit here.
SELECTIONS: SOHO HISTORIA (7), MANHATTAN (10), DELIGHTFUL ANGEL (8), SCARLET BABE (6)
SUGGESTED BET: SOHO HISTORIA (7) to win
RACE THREE: 2023 MAER GROUP 4YO CHAMPIONSHIP
Heading into the Rising Sun last time out, CANTFINDABETTORMAN (1) was the first to get rolling on the three-wide train, ending up in the 1×1 trail for the last lap. He could not go with them over the closing stages but will appreciate this from the gate where all the options are his to cash in on.
MY ULTMATE RONNIE (3) worked his way to the front in the Rising Sun before letting LEAP TO FAME go at the 1000. Chasing gamely in holding on for the bronze, his first run back from a spell at Menangle two runs back was a 3rd to SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS. He can fire off the arm to throw it down.
TIMS A TROOPER (10) found the poles last week and with a sizzling tempo in front was able to take his shot, darting up the passing lane to grab victory. He only needs a slice of luck to be right in this.
COBBER (8) tackled the Rising Sun last time out where he settled rearward from the second line. Catching the eye in a nice close out behind LEAP TO FAME, the pegs will suit for this trip.
SELECTIONS: CANTFINDABETTORMAN (1), MY ULTMATE RONNIE (3), TIMS A TROOPER (10), COBBER (8)
SUGGESTED BET: CANTFINDABETTORMAN (1) to win
RACE FOUR: 2023 SULKY.APP QUEENSLAND DERBY CONSOLATION
In what shapes as a tricky Derby Consolation made no easier by the fact the entire field faces the trip for the first time, NEPTUNE (2) has the gate to capitalise. Collared in the last strides by DOUGS PLATTER three back, he dominated in front at the mile at his next appearance. Midfield last start, he looks to get his chance here.
SPIRIT OF ARION (3) faded after being exposed in the early stages in the South East Derby, ultimately trailing the field home. Bouncing back with a win at the mile in smart time here on Tuesday, he has the gate to be handy to the action and limiting the burn can issue a challenge.
ALWAYS SMOKIN (11) is afforded no favours from the outside second line, but with wins at his past two starts, with the right trip he looms large. Charging home over 2200 to score last start, he is right in this.
MYDADSAID (6) was a smart winner at the mile last start when sent forward from gate 6 and able to see it out. His effort three back in the Redcliffe Derby Consolation had merit and he can chime in.
SELECTIONS: NEPTUNE (2), SPIRIT OF ARION (3), ALWAYS SMOKIN (11), MYDADSAID (6)
SUGGESTED BET: NEPTUNE (2) to win
RACE FIVE: 2023 PRYDE’S EASIFEED QUEENSLAND TROTTERS CUP
Settled back in the pack over the mobile mile here last week, ADELLE (12) was last of the main pack at the 400 and looking for a cart into it. Spotting the leader too big a margin, she knuckled down to grab the bronze, with her own last 800 in 55.68. At the middle trip, she gets her chance.
DOFF YOUR CAP (10) is the newcomer into this race following last week’s sprint and despite a second line gate, he brings the right form to be a player. Beaten a lip last start over the 2300 at Menangle, he closed smartly over the mile two back when second up from a spell. He can issue a challenge.
CALL ME TROUBLE (13) looked likely to be a big player in the DJA Final but was a race day scratching. A big winner off the 20m in a heat of that series, with the right trail, he can be right in this.
SUGARINSPICE (6) fired off the arm here last week at the mile and from the front was rated perfectly to claim a 3m margin. With a super record on this deck and from behind the start car, she will give this a shake.
SELECTIONS: ADELLE (12), DOFF YOUR CAP (10), CALL ME TROUBLE (13), SUGARINSPICE (6)
SUGGESTED BET: ADELLE (12) to win
RACE SIX: 2023 QUEENSLAND DERBY
Resuming for his 3YO term in super order, THE LOST STORM (6) can look to make it 3 from 3 this campaign following on from his effortless victory here last week. Allowed to stroll to the front through a steady opening 800, he dialled it up late before blasting home in 25.9. Unknown at 13 furlongs as the majority in this field are, his class can see him capitalise.
AARDIES FLASH (9) is the only runner to have stepped out beyond 2600 previously, when unplaced in the Great Northern Derby in NZ. Needing the gap that did not arrive in time last week over the mile in the JC McMullen, he closed hard behind ON DEADLINE two back. He will be chiming in late.
ON DEADLINE (5) made it four on end when using every inch of the stretch to claim the South East Derby last time out. Fitter from that where he was fresh up, he faces an awkward gate but can feature.
SURE THING CAPTAIN (13) cops another stinker after landing gate 5 and then gate 6 in the main Derby lead ins. 4th in both of those, with any luck last start, he is much closer to the winner than the 4m margin. A solid tempo will help.
SELECTIONS: THE LOST STORM (6), AARDIES FLASH (9), ON DEADLINE (5), SURE THING CAPTAIN (13)
RACE SEVEN: 2023 QUEENSLAND OAKS
The wider gate makes it a big ask for the top filly JEWEL MELODY (6) but she is all class and displayed that with her South East Oaks victory. Huge in defeat when runner-up in the Redcliffe Oaks after a tough trip in smart time, she can force the issue and extend her super record here at The Creek.
SKY BLU (2) has not had much go her way of late. Beaten by gate 7 in the South East Oaks, she produced the fastest last 800 out of the race, while two back she was snookered before hitting the line smartly behind THE BEAUDEN BLUES after it was all over. The right trip can see her give cheek.
NO DRAMAS (8) has had plenty of them in her three Qld appearances, never spotting open air when needed in each outing. The map has her buried again here, but if she can just get an uninterrupted passage, she is a podium hope.
TIN TIN JO (9) eased across to find running line cover last time out and when produced, closed out in nice style to grab the silver behind JEWEL MELODY. With eh right trail through early, she can feature.
SELECTIONS: JEWEL MELODY (6), SKY BLU (2), NO DRAMAS (8), TIN TIN JO (9)
SUGGESTED BET: JEWEL MELODY (6) to win
RACE EIGHT: 2023 THE BLACKS A FAKE QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIP
The Patrons Purse saw LEAP TO FAME (9) do something that seemed impossible on the tight Redcliffe circuit. In the Rising Sun, the ease with how he pulled clear of his rivals under a gorilla-like grip saw his doubters sit up. The Sunshine Sprint where he had the most to lose, saw him gain everything with a closing sprint demonstrating he is versatile and has all round game. His swagger carries an air of invincibility.
SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (10) was following LEAP TO FAME over the closing stages here last week and was able to hold on for the silver, finishing 3m astern of the winner. Bringing successive Menangle victories North on his form card, he will be looking for a similar cart into the contest to issue some form of challenge.
HOT AND TREACHEROUS (1) is at serious risk of being snookered three poles here but that might not be all doom and gloom. His run was super from gate 7 here last week when 3rd after slicing between runners down the back stretch. A gritty half-neck 3rd two runs back, he just needs a gap and momentum.
MACH DAN (11) lost all his momentum here last week behind a tiring runner which ended his winning chances. Second up in the Sunshine Sprint, the temptation might be there to get forward in the early stages to stake a claim.
SELECTIONS: LEAP TO FAME (9), SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (1), HOT AND TREACHEROUS (1), MACH DAN (11)
SUGGESTED BET: LEAP TO FAME (9) to win
RACE NINE: 2023 BETAVET QUEENSLAND OAKS CONSOLATION
With the hopes she might have measured up to be an Oaks filly this season, BRONSKI DELIGHT (3) has been a rung below the better ones. On the back up from Tuesday where she made late metres along the passing lane for the silver, she secures an improved gate and can take her shot.
REMY BROWN (1) comes up trumps with the marble and has good arm hustle which gives her the early advantage and available options. 7m from them last start at Menangle when chasing a hat-trick of victories, she was too slippery two back at Newcastle. From the gate she will throw it down.
SHEZ THE REASON (5) eased from this same gate last week in a strong 3YO contest and tried hard making a three-wide run as THE LOST STORM blitzed them up the stretch. Back to her own sex can see her feature.
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN (9) gives away experience to her rivals, but she looks to have a future after two smart performances. Winning on debut from the front, she was a gritty 2nd after sitting parked last time.
SELECTIONS: BRONSKI DELIGHT (3), REMY BROWN (1), SHEZ THE REASON (5), SWEET GEORGIA BROWN (9)
SUGGESTED BET: BRONSKI DELIGHT (3) to win
RACE TEN: 2023 BREAKFAST CREEK HOTEL QUEENSLAND TROTTERS DERBY
Never bothered in the early stages from gate 1 here last week, ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (5) walked them through the opening 1300 metres of the race and was never extended in the closing stages in claiming a 9m margin. She can force the issue in the early stages and should be too classy.
RAZZLEME DAZZLEME (1) is the query here taking his first look from the mobile under race conditions with only one previous trial. A steady beginner from the tapes, when he starts rolling, he has good change up speed. If he can settle close enough, he can look to mount a challenge.
IM A GYPSY QUEEN (6) settled at the rear as the field found position in single file last week before making her move when following up in the 1×1 trail. A similar set up looks likely here.
EN MASSE (3) three back as they found position in the Oaks and was able to grab the silver. With a similar trip, she can chase another podium finish.
SELECTIONS: ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (5), RAZZLEME DAZZLEME (1), IM A GYPSY QUEEN (6), EN MASSE (3)
