Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for today at Maryborough.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: KIMCHI (3) is a consistent performer who rarely turns in a poor run. He should be able to find a position in the front half of the field and is the type of horse who can make his own luck if required. ROSBERG (8) is the only horse on the back row, so driver Leilani Justice has options, they’re following out the high gate-speed performer SALSBOY (1). Both have been racing well and should map strongly. TOPHUT JOHNY (6) has been strong at his past three starts, winning two and finishing third in the other. He looks the standout runner on current form, though the barrier may prove a little awkward.
SELECTIONS: KIMCHI (3), ROSBERG (8), SALSBOY (1), TOPHUT JOHNY (6)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: POPPY POPSTAR (6) had to do it tough in the breeze last start and was only beaten late on the line. She can make her own luck and looks well placed here. CHAMPAGNES (8) is a talented trotter but can be unreliable with her manners. If she trots throughout, she can be a big threat, though she does come with some risk. MANDA KYVALLEY (7) will likely need to be driven for luck, but on her day she is a smart trotter with good sectional times. If she is not too far back and receives the right run, she can make a strong late impact. AZALEA MAE (3) can sometimes produce a strong performance. Her own times have been sound and she shapes as a place chance from the draw.
BACK: POPPY POPSTAR (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: POPPY POPSTAR (6), CHAMPAGNES (8), MANDA KYVALLEY (7), AZALEA MAE (3)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: HEZA GUN (7) and RUBYS DREAM (8) are two high-quality performers prepared by Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar. Both are progressive types who should continue to improve through their grades. HEZA GUN (7) was competing against the top horses in his age group and in FFA grade last year and can make his own luck even from the 20-metre handicap. RUBYS DREAM (8) has won six of her 13 starts and has shown exciting potential. Closely related to champion mare Keayang Zahara, she is one to follow going forward. SEBASTIANS WAITING (3) has been in career-best form this preparation but got it wrong last start. A big horse who prefers space, he will appreciate clear running if he can work forward from the tapes, though this is his first start under stand-start conditions. JACK SPRAT (4), despite not having standout numerical form, owns the best sectional times in the field. If he can take advantage of the head start from the stand over the stronger runners behind him, he shapes as a solid place chance.
BACK: HEZA GUN (7) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: HEZA GUN (7), RUBYS DREAM (8), SEBASTIANS WAITING (3), JACK SPRAT (4)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY JUDGE (2) makes his debut after a solid trial in December, finishing second in very wet conditions at Melton. He’s well bred by Tactical Landing out of Kyvalley Kyrie and is prepared by leading trotting trainer Chris Svanosio. He looks a promising type and shouldn’t remain a maiden for long. SUFFARELL HILL (8) has had just the one start, finishing third at Cranbourne after missing the start by a big margin before making strong ground late to be beaten less than a metre. While the time was slow, the effort suggested she has plenty of ability. MI BOW (4) has been consistent without breaking through, often running into one or two better. Her sectional times compare well with this field and she’s capable of being right in the finish. ALDEBARAN DENBAY (7) doesn’t jump off the page on recent numerical form, but his recent sectionals are the best exposed in the race. With the right run, he can make his presence felt.
BACK: KYVALLEY JUDGE (2) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KYVALLEY JUDGE (2), SUFFARELL HILL (8), MI BOW (4), ALDEBARAN DENBAY (7)
Race 5
OVERVIEW: REIGN EM IN (3) now clearly stands out on recent sectional times and also brings the best gate speed on the front line. He should be able to map to a handy position and give a strong account of himself. IMAGINATION ORO (2) is a proven swooper and will be a late threat if she can settle close enough in the run. MICHEN ROY (5) was excellent last start when scoring after doing it tough. At his best he is a strong horse capable of making his own luck, though his inconsistency remains the query. DIVINE TILLY (1) is a progressive mare with a great turn of foot. Barrier one suits her here.
BACK: REIGN EM IN (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: REIGN EM IN (3), IMAGINATION ORO (2), MICHEN ROY (5), DIVINE TILLY (1)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (6) has clearly appreciated the change in scenery and has been racing well since joining the Mick Carbone stable three starts ago. She also appears to perform strongly with James Herbertson in the cart, who takes the drive again here. Her win two starts ago was outstanding, scoring by 23 metres, and she comes into this full of confidence. SHEZABLUECHIP (2) could be a threat late if saved for one run from her favourable draw. She’s had to do it tough in recent outings but her form is better than it reads. BOND GIRL (4) is another mare to benefit from a recent stable change and is racing well. OUTA THE BLUE (5) was going well at the end of her last campaign but resumes here and may improve with the run.
BACK: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (6), SHEZABLUECHIP (2), BOND GIRL (4), OUTA THE BLUE (5)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: WALLIS (3) looks to have found a new level of confidence this preparation. His run on Shepparton Cup night was solid when finishing fourth, and he backed that up with a comfortable win at Kilmore on Thursday. From this barrier he can position well again and is capable of going on with it. NOBLE COUNT (5) fired up last start after unsuccessfully attempting to hold the front, racing keenly and likely costing himself a closer finish. His two runs prior were strong and if he can settle better here, he’s capable of flashing home late. EL BRAVO (10) is a lightly raced trotter with clear ability. He resumes here and has a good fresh record, but will need to overcome a tricky draw and trot throughout. CHARLIES TACTICS (7) is an ultra-consistent trotter who has yet to miss a place in six career starts. He may need to make his own luck, but he has the ability to be right in the finish again.
SELECTIONS: WALLIS (3), NOBLE COUNT (5), EL BRAVO (10), CHARLIES TACTICS (7)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: MACHO MAORI (8) has the best sectional times in this field, although his numerical form doesn’t look great. He follows out a good gate speed runner but will need some luck. CHARLIE WALKER (2) maps well here and if he can take advantage of a forward position without having to do too much work, he will be a threat late. WHATS THE TEA (6) is a very experienced trotter and brings up his ninth win with James Herbertson taking the reins. He races well for Herbie and always tries his best. He’s a genuine little horse who can’t be left out in a race like this. NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (5) will need luck, but if he can find a handy position, he won’t be far away in the finish.
SELECTIONS: MACHO MAORI (8), CHARLIE WALKER (2), WHATS THE TEA (6), NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (5)
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: FREMARKS PEGGY (1) looks to be running near her career best in her last two starts. She races well for James Herbertson, who takes the drive here again. She doesn’t have great gate speed and will need luck, but if she can find clear running she will perform strongly. COUNTESS CHIRON (5) and BLACK AND GOLD (7) are smart mares who in their past have once competed against much tougher opposition. They bring solid recent sectional times into this race. COUNTESS CHIRON (5) may be able to map forward with her gate speed, while BLACK AND GOLD (7) will need luck but was a good winner last start. THE CHOOK (6) looked to be travelling well last start when finishing fourth and if saved for one run, he’s a strong swooper.
SELECTIONS: FREMARKS PEGGY (1), COUNTESS CHIRON (5), BLACK AND GOLD (7), THE CHOOK (6)
Race 10:
OVERVIEW: KORENGAL VALLEY (4) resumes here after a long spell. Ross Graham always has his horses well prepared and this gelding has had four recent trials leading into this. He showed consistency and ability across six career starts early last year and has likely improved with time. He should only get better off this run but does look well placed. JACQUELYN JOY (3) flashed home into second at Melton two starts back, then finished fourth last start chasing smart runners Believeitor Not and Le Gaston. She’s racing better than her form suggests. NORMANS GIRL (6), trained by Andy Gath, has been close to breaking through with her maiden win on multiple occasions. She’s rarely far away and needs to be considered again despite the tricky barrier. SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (9) was eye-catching in a Maryborough trial in January where he looked green but showed clear ability winning. He then debuted recently and had no luck, but still showed signs he’s learning quickly. He has the ability to be a winning chance here.
SELECTIONS: KORENGAL VALLEY (4), JACQUELYN JOY (3), NORMANS GIRL (6), SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (9)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R2 #6 POPPY POPSTAR – 2 units (win)
R3 #7 HEZA GUN – 2 units (win)
R4 #2 KYVALLEY JUDGE (2) – 2 units (win)
R5 #3 REIGN EM IN (3) – 2 units (win)
R6 #6 IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (6) – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,4,3,5,6,8/6,7,8/3,4,7,8/2,4,8
QUADDIE
1,2,3,5/2,4,6/3,5,7,10/2,5,6,8
