Let's take a look at the chances of the runners in this Sunday's two big features from Stawell.

MINERS RIDGE WINES STAWELL TROTTERS CUP, 2600m

1. ALFIE ALWAYS

Sectionally, Alfie Always is the slowest horse in the race and performs best over shorter distance events. He is at least five seconds slower than The Penny Drops and One Over All at their best. However, Alfie Always does have a 40 and 50 metre advantage over these horses and will have the benefit of being on the fence in the front half of the field if he does everything right.

2. DOUBLE HELIX

Best rated horse on the front line. He sectionally prefers the longer trip, so this race will be suitable for him. He broke two starts back in the St Arnaud Cup, but if he does everything right in this race, he will be hard to catch. If saved for one run, he also has a strong last 400m.

3. GLORIOUS FINALE

Sectionally, he is the second worst rated horse in the field and also has a 10m handicap. He has had behaviour issues recently, having been galloping and over-racing. This 13-year-old gelding sectionally performs better over the shorter trip.

4. EASY PICKINGS

Comes into this race fourth-up from a spell and should be back to his best. Sectionally rates well, he prefers the longer trip and is only off a 10m handicap. This is a significant advantage over the horses with bigger marks and if he does everything right, he should be in the finish.

5. ZAREM

A horse with a great last 400m sprint who loves the longer distances races. He rates well, but the 20m handicap may make this too hard. With luck he could be in the finish.

6. MAJESTICAL BELLE

Majestical Belle is a brilliant sit-sprinter. Two starts back at Melton, her own personal last 400m was 27.89. She is a fast horse, but with the 30m handicap she may have to work too hard early to be able to utilise her strong sprint late. At her best and saved for one run, she could be dangerous.

7. THE PENNY DROPS

An experienced horse that sticks to the longer trips and country cups. He sectionally rates very well, however he can race inconsistently. He doesn’t have the quickest last 400m, so once he makes up his handicap, he will need to be put into the race at some point. If he races at his best, he is good enough to overcome the 40m handicap. However, it’s hard to know where he is at.

8. ONE OVER ALL (pictured)

Last start, he won impressively at Menangle on a 1400m track. The country feature specialist is now back down to an 813m track for the Stawell Trotters Cup. Sectionally, he is the best-rated horse in the field and consistently performs well if he does everything right. He does have a 50m handicap, but he is the best horse in the race.

SELECTIONS

ONE OVER ALL

EASY PICKINGS

DOUBLE HELIX

THE PENNY DROPS

STAWELL JOINERY STAWELL PACING CUP, 2600m

1. ROSE NOIRE

A sectionally inconsistent mare who has found the best gate in the Stawell Pacing Cup. She doesn’t have the best gate speed, so she may get buried on the fence. Ideally, she will need to be saved for one run as she does have a fast last 400m sprint.

2. DOUBLE THE HUNTER

Sectionally, the worst rated in the field who prefers the shorter distance races. His gate speed is a length faster than Rose Noire, so he may be able to cross to the fence. However, if he doesn’t find the pegs, this race will become too hard for him if he must cover extra distance.

3. WONGA LAKE

Sectionally, Wonga Lake is a few seconds better than the two horses drawn inside her. She has the best draw of the better-rated horses in this field. If she finds the front, she will be very hard to beat. However, she does not naturally have enough gate speed to get to the lead and will only find that position if the two horses inside her hand up.

4. SHADY AZZ

Shady Azz sectionally rates fair. However, he will struggle to find the fence and covering extra distance racing wide may make it too hard for him.

5. RIO ROCK

Emergency. Bad Draw. Rates only okay.

6. ULTIMATE VINNIE (pictured)

Sectionally, Ultimate Vinnie consistently rates very highly. He has the fastest gate speed on the front line, but is not a full length quicker than the horses drawn inside him. However, he might still have the respect to find the front. If he doesn’t, Vinnie is still good enough to win with luck. He has a very strong last 400m sprint.

7. ARGGGHHH

A consistent horse who loves the long trip. His sectionals recently have been excellent. He has the worst draw, but he is good enough to still figure.

8. DENNIS

Rates well. Likely to be pushed far back on the fence. Won’t need to cover extra distance racing wide and he will be flashing home late.

9. PULL THE OTHER LEG

Sectionally, he is the second-best rated horse in this race. However, last start he gave ground to finish last after leading. The start previous was a great run sectionally when beating Mighty Flying Art and Arggghhh. Patchy recent form, but he does like the long trip. If he is at his best, he can win.

10. PLATINUM STRIDE

An incredibly fast and versatile horse who loves the longer trip. He has the fastest last 400m speed in this field. Last start, his own final quarter at Bendigo was 27.96 after racing wide early and then without cover. He needs to overcome a bad draw, but he’s a great winning chance.

11. MAJOR MEISTER

Not in career-best form. Sectionally performing only okay and has a bad draw, but if he finds his best form, he will be a major contender.

SELECTIONS

ULTIMATE VINNIE

ARGGGHHH

PULL THE OTHER LEG

PLATINUM STRIDE