Craig Rail has your tips, strategy + Quaddie for Monday afternoon at Maryborough
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY DIXON (7) is a quality filly, which has had two wins from her past three starts and looms as a strong winning chance again. She won convincingly over Remembrance Time at Melton on July 11 and won a trial at Kilmore on Tuesday. ALDEBARAN EMJAY (6) was a runaway winner on debut then competed in the Nutrien Classic, where she finished in fourth after trailing the leader, being in a clear third but broke stride on the home turn. She hasn’t raced since May but would have benefited from two recent trial efforts and will take beating if she is somewhere near her peak. TRUE APLOMB (4) is resuming since a third at Maryborough in May but she was impressive at a Kilmore trial victory, where she settled down last and sustained a strong run from the 600m mark. She is a speedy type and is worth a ticket each way. CLOUDY CANYON (5) led out then took cover and won on debut then followed with a distant fourth behind KYVALLEY DIXON (7). He has early speed and is not without a chance.
BACK: KYVALLEY DIXON (7) – 1 unit (win)
SELECTIONS: KYVALLEY DIXON (7), ALDEBARAN EMJAY (6), TRUE APLOMB (4), CLOUDY CANYON (5)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: THE NIGHT FOX (5) is a former New Zealand pacer, which boasts sound North Island form and should run a good race on his Australian debut. He went forward at the start then was shuffled back on the markers mid-race at his latest Cambridge performance. WICKED MITZI (2) finished off well for second behind Shazza Love at Kilmore last outing. She possesses early speed and is drawn to receive every chance so she is capable of going one better. OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (3) was shuffled to three back on the markers and finished off reasonably well for fifth behind Pistol Pearce last outing. He attempted to lead throughout when second behind the smart filly Rocknroll Willow (won again since) at Stawell three starts ago. He is a good chance of working to the lead again and is worth an investment. IN AN IDEAL WORLD (8) performs best when he is able to lead so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he has the ability to figure in the finish.
SELECTIONS: THE NIGHT FOX (5), WICKED MITZI (2), OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (3), IN AN IDEAL WORLD (8)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: PURPLE MOON (2) will appreciate a big drop back in class on her latest fourth in a $50,000 event at Menangle on July 04. She was a winner at Menangle two starts ago and is drawn to go close again. ZOOLU (6) is resuming since a fifth at Bendigo in June. She competed in the New South Wales Oaks back in May and led throughout at a Maryborough victory in April so she must be respected. MISTER DEVEREAUX (8) is awkwardly drawn but is racing well enough to figure in the finish. He progressed forward from a wide draw to find the lead when he scored at Kilmore three starts ago and he was placed behind the smart trotter The Preacher at his latest performance. VAPAR JOHN (9) showed ability at his debut, where he made up late ground for third. He should have improved by the experience and is worth an investment from his trailing draw.
BACK: PURPLE MOON (2) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PURPLE MOON (2), ZOOLU (6), MISTER DEVEREAUX (8), VAPAR JOHN (9)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: DAISY STARZZZ (10) worked hard at various stages of the event and battled on fairly well for fourth at Cranbourne last week. She should be fitter after having two starts since October 2023 and looms as one of the leading chances. BETTING ATTACK (6) began quickly and attempted to lead throughout when third behind Just Like Nugget at Charlton last week. He is a good chance of finding the lead again and this race is no harder. MAHEO (4) trailed the leader and finished in third behind Wottawizard at her debut then broke stride from behind the leader and lost her chance at Charlton. She went well enough first up to suggest she should be competitive against this line up. KAIDENBOY (2) is a first starter for trainer Jason Ainsworth, which has performed fairly well at the trials with the latest being a second at Hamilton, and is not without a chance.
SELECTIONS: DAISY STARZZZ (10), BETTING ATTACK (6), MAHEO (4), KAIDENBOY (2)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: SMOKING SHANNON (1) made a big impression at her Victorian debut as she led throughout and blitzed her rivals in a mile rate of 1.55.7 at Shepparton. She is drawn to lead again and will take catching. ASMILEANDAWINX (7) is dropping back in class from her recent efforts at Metropolitan level and is capable of improving on her numerical form. Her third placed effort behind Keayang Payton in a mile rate of 1.54.1 is a good form pointer for this event. OLIVIA ROSE (5) is an interesting runner. She hasn’t started since sprinting sharply down the back straight and sustaining the run to score impressively at Terang in December. She has a tricky draw first up but is too good to dismiss. OPTIMAL (3) finished off quickly from midfield on the markers when third behind the smart pacer Secret Service Agent at Geelong and is not without a chance.
SELECTIONS: SMOKING SHANNON (1), ASMILEANDAWINX (7), OLIVIA ROSE (5), OPTIMAL (3)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY MISTY (11) is resuming since a disappointing last of nine at Bendigo in June. She was placed behind Mista Walker from the standing start at Cranbourne on May 24 and she finished second at a recent Kilmore trial performance so she is worth thought against this line up. SUZYS DREAM (7) was heavily supported ($1-45 fav) and faded after racing without cover at Kilmore last outing. She is dropping back into a suitable class and gets her chance to improve on her numerical form. BETSY ANNE (8) will appreciate a drop back in class from her past three attempts and she was runner up behind the in-form trotter Champagnes on July 23 so she is worth an investment. CHARLIE WALKER (10) is resuming since a third at Ballarat in May. He is usually competitive against this class and will go close if he is somewhere near his peak.
SELECTIONS: KYVALLEY MISTY (11), SUZYS DREAM (7), BETSY ANNE (8), CHARLIE WALKER (10)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: THE FIERY SUNSET (2) hasn’t had a great deal of luck at her past few outings and performs best when she is close to the pace so she gets her chance to improve from the good draw. She defeated Pique and Silent Reverie (won since) at a Geelong victory on July 03. MAJOR MAX (10) was having his first run in a month when he was able to run home best and defeat Love Who (won since) at Kilmore. His manners frequently let him down but he is a strong chance if he delivers another fool proof display. NIGHT SKY (3) has performed below her best form in two starts back from a break but she has been competitive against stronger grade previously and she should be getting fitter. WHATSTHEGOSS (9) was in a striking position but broke stride at the 300m when unplaced at Maryborough last outing. He is racing better than his form reads and is worth thought. LOUIEVILLE LASS (4) and BROOKLYNGOTCOURAGE (6) are both capable of showing up without surprising. If the emergency MASSIF CENTRAL (5) gains a start, he should be in front for a long way.
SELECTIONS: THE FIERY SUNSET (2), MAJOR MAX (10), NIGHT SKY (3), WHATSTHEGOSS (9)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: MUSKEE (11) is new to the standing start but he will take beating if he begins safely. He finished fast to score at Melton two starts ago then followed with a third behind the very smart trotter Alrighty. ANTONOV (6) boasts very consistent form from behind the tapes and is versatile. He made a mid-race move and parked without cover when a game second behind John’s Boy last outing. JUST AS I AM (8) lacks standing start experience but has been racing against strong opposition and should be competitive if he can trot away in the desired manner. JACK SPRAT (9) is a strong type and worked forward to find the lead when he scored at Melton two starts ago. He will be suited if there is a genuine tempo throughout. WATCH AND ACT (1) and MAESTRO (10) are both standing start specialists and cannot be left out of calculations.
BACK: MUSKEE (11) – 1.5 units (each way)
SELECTIONS: MUSKEE (11), ANTONOV (6), JUST AS I AM (8), JACK SPRAT (9)
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: DONA AMALIA (10) struck trouble and lost his chance when seventh at Kilmore last outing. He finished off strongly when a game second behind Jilliby Topgun prior so he appears to be hard to beat against this line up. POPPY POPSTAR (9) tired after racing without cover at Kilmore last outing but she was a big winner at Maryborough when working hard in the run prior and she has won five races under similar conditions this season. RASTAMON (4) is a fast beginner and will take catching if he is able to find the lead. He attempted to lead early, ended up being behind the leader from the 1300m and finished in fourth at Ballarat last week. VAN DOREN (2) is trotting consistently and is drawn to gain a trail just off the speed. He is worth thought along with MORNING DOVE (5), QUEEN TRUSCOTT (7) and BLACK AND GOLD (11).
BACK: DONA AMALIA (10) – 1.5 units (each way)
SELECTIONS: DONA AMALIA (10), POPPY POPSTAR (9), RASTAMON (4), VAN DOREN (2)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 1 No.7 Kyvalley Dixon – 1 unit (win)
Race 3 No.2 Purple Moon – 3 units (win)
Race 8 No.11 Muskee – 1.5 units (each way)
Race 9 No.10 Dona Amalia – 1.5 units (each way)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $45, gives 25%)
2,4,5,6,7/ 2,3,5/ 2,6,8/ 2,4,6,10
QUADDIE (Cost $42, gives 25%)
1/ 7,8,10,11/ 2,3,4,6,9,10,11/ 1,6,8,9,10,11
The odds quoted on the fields page are a GoodForm generated price estimate based on a range of key form factors and are not necessarily the odds that may be offered by a licensed bookmaker.
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
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