Ryan Phelan has your tips and Quaddie for Sunday afternoon harness from Shepparton.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: ISTANBUL (9) is having his first start for the new stable and has trialed quite well into this. In that hit-out he scored up and trotted well, and the opposition has produced an easy winner at this track last week. If those manners are on display, he’s the one to beat.
SAMBEZIA (1) has a strong SP profile but is his own worst enemy, breaking in the majority of his four runs this preparation, resulting in him being stood down to trial. His manners were good in winning that trial so if he brings that attitude, he can atone. DALAHASTEN (6) has been racing in stronger company in NSW, where he was placed in the heat of a Listed series. Albeit from a soft draw, he needs to be kept safe for the new stable. RHAPSODY REIGN (7) was beaten a distance on debut, but in fairness she never really got clear to the top of the straight. Her trial form was sound prior to that.
BACK: ISTANBUL (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ISTANBUL (9), SAMBEZIA (1), DALAHASTEN (6), RHAPSODY REIGN (7)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: SHINELIKETHESUN (3) has been promising to win another race since resuming, but in those six starts she’s either missed the start or settled too far back and been forced to do too much work to catch them late. This is a decent lineup, but she’s worth sticking with.
BANOS (5) was a good winner on debut, then broke under pressure last start when striking a much harder lineup than he faces here. He may be able to map well from this draw. AETOS DYNAMIS (10) just keeps running into some handy types, but his runs have been good closing off well, although he may have to give them a start again. FARSTAR (11) finally broke through here last week after threatening to win for a while. If he can keep that momentum, he’s in the mix.
SELECTIONS: SHINELIKETHESUN (3), BANOS (5), AETOS DYNAMIS (10), FARSTAR (11)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: Was strongly with IMON (6) on his Australian debut, and there’s no reason to drop off despite him starting a short-priced favourite. He had to come from back and the last half was solid to reel them in. With added fitness and potentially a more favourable map he can atone.
CAMERINA (10) has been most consistent without winning this preparation, but most of those runs have come when she’s raced handy to the speed. This draw is a little tougher to navigate. SOHO AMARYLIS (7) showed plenty of fight having her first run for the new stable, sitting parked at Mildura and sticking on well. The draw hurts but a repeat of last time keeps her in with a chance. WHERE IT BEGAN (3) was sound on resuming and with another favourable map and added fitness can improve.
BACK: IMON (6) – 2.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: IMON (6), CAMERINA (10), SOHO AMARYLIS (7), WHERE IT BEGAN (3)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: ROYLANCE (6) joins a stable striking at 40% for the season, so on that score alone creates a lot of interest here. He drops in grade and does possess good gate speed. He’s new to the Shepparton track, but there’s significant upside if he gets the map favours.
KRAKEY (8) put in one of his best runs for a while last week when racing tough. He gets a softer run here and if the breaks come, he can flash late. NIVEKALON EAGLE (9) is first up off a fair trial into this. He’s a winner at this track and his best form will see him in the mix. OLLY ODD POTTS (13) has just about everything against her here, but the fact she is going for three in a row must be respected.
BACK: ROYLANCE (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ROYLANCE (6), KRAKEY (8), NIVEKALON EAGLE (9), OLLY ODD POTTS (13)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: Very strong race for this grade! SOHO PLAYGIRL (2) can improve sharply back to this track and trip and has been racing against some smart types lately, hence the numerical form. She’s a different horse when she can find the top, which seems likely from this draw.
MIKIS PLEASURE (3) is a very interesting runner here, being first up in 18 months, and the form prior to that break was quite good. She stepped out for a trial at Leeton and won by a space. Any betting moves need to be closely watched. CELESTIAL ZODIAC (8) has a tricky draw to overcome but has been racing very well in tougher company at Melton. If the breaks come, he will be in the finish. HITCH TO HIS STAR (11) has a horror draw to overcome over the short trip, but he’s shown class in his limited career. He’s a chance in a race that doesn’t end there.
SELECTIONS: SOHO PLAYGIRL (2), MIKIS PLEASURE (3), CELESTIAL ZODIAC (8), HITCH TO HIS STAR (11)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: LEONARD (3) has been good in three runs back from a break, all from tricky draws. He now gets a draw to show his gate speed and potentially find the top. Last prep he led in a decent race at this track, narrowly beaten in fast time, so he ticks a few boxes in an open race.
BET SHEZA LADY (4) is resuming here off two trials, although she was nominated and scratched prior to this. The stable is going very well this season, and she maps well here. TOORAM DANNY (11) creates interest here first up from a 15-month break. He was good on debut winning and has had a quiet trial into this. Monitor betting. METRO MEMORY (2) was a tip last time; he did look plain to the eye, but was off the track in a sprint home, so he can bounce back.
SELECTIONS: LEONARD (3), BET SHEZA LADY (4), TOORAM DANNY (11), METRO MEMORY (2)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: ALL OVER IT (10) won like a good horse on debut, starting off the backrow, looping the field and putting a space on the opposition, confirming it on the clock. He does face a slightly stronger lineup, but if he backs that up, he’s the one to beat.
NOMORELYING (8) has a tricky draw to overcome, but he’s been racing well from similar draws. He’ll be relying on a good tempo, but if the breaks come, he can be strong late. OUTBACK QUEENIE (2) is a fast beginner and can find the top here. She’s been in good form and even though this is harder, she deserves respect. HELLOVATIME (12) has been flying for the new stable, getting a deserved win last time out in a more suitable lineup than he faces here.
BACK: ALL OVER IT (10) – 3.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ALL OVER IT (10), NOMORELYING (8), OUTBACK QUEENIE (2), HELLOVATIME (12)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: THE VILLAIN (7) has been very good in three runs for the new stable, and although this presents a different challenge his form is hard to go past. The draw will likely see him map negatively, but if there’s an even tempo, which there appears to be, he can be strong late.
ROAM (3) has been good for the new stable, delivering consistent performances her past three runs. She’ll float across here and if she gets a reasonable map will be hard to beat. SPIRIT OF SAHARA (1) has fared well with the barrier draw, and his performance two back would be good enough to win this. He can be a little hard to trust, but his best is good enough. CATIES SON (6) can show speed, but it’s uncertain where he may end up. His form has been good this time in though.
SELECTIONS: THE VILLAIN (7), ROAM (3), SPIRIT OF SAHARA (1), CATIES SON (6)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #9 ISTANBUL – 2 units (win)
R3 #6 IMON – 2.5 units (win)
R4 #6 ROYLANCE – 2 units (win)
R7 #10 ALL OVER IT – 3.5 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,6,9/3,5,8,10,11/6,7,9/6,8,9,13
QUADDIE
1,2,3,4,8,11/2,3,4,5,10,11/10/1,2,3,6,7
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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