Cranbourne stages an eight-race harness racing program on Sunday.
Ryan Phelan delivers his race-by-race preview, tips and quaddies.
| 2. Monsieur Flamel (2) J: Daryl Douglas 21920T: Stephen Clarke | |||
OVERVIEW: KATIE LORRAINE (9) is simply a winner, looking to stretch the unbeaten start to her career to four wins. Whilst she steps up in grade here, her most recent win when she was able to lead suggests she can run the time necessary to win at this level. Her trailing draw off what looks to be a fast front row can help her be strong late.
FEARLESS WRITER (7) drops back to a suitable ratings band here after racing so well against quality opposition at Melton. She’s a brilliant beginner, and she’ll need to be with some speed drawn inside. She performs her best races over the short trip and, whilst she’s going well, will need luck with the map. FERRIGNO (8) has been freshened up for this, and his recent trial was very good in a solid last half. He follows out a fast beginner and can be a knockout chance if things don’t work out for the top two. LAMBRO MACH (5) finds an easier ratings band, but not necessarily weaker opposition, and has a tricky map. His best form commands respect and he should be kept safe.
| 9. Katie Lorraine (2) J: Chris Alford 111T: G J Quinlan, D J Quinlan | |||
OVERVIEW: BOND GIRL (1) races in tougher grade, but she looks to get a good map here and be a serious contender on current form. She sat parked in slow time and was a winner two starts back, and not much went right last time yet she was still very strong to the line. If she can map behind the leader, she can be strong late via the sprint lane.
BONA KHAN (2) was a winner here last week when able to lead and will be looking for the same map again. His best performances have always come over the short trip when able to find the top end, so he’ll take catching. OUR TRUE COLOURS (4) is always thereabouts in this sort of grade and has enough tactical speed to map well. She can be there at the finish with the right luck and tempo. PRECIOUS BELLE (6) is racing in great heart this season; however, she is always dependent on the right tempo being a run-on type. Her win here last week was good, but it came over the longer trip.
BACK: BOND GIRL (1) – 1.5 units (win)
| 1. Bond Girl (1) J: James Herbertson 42312T: S P Barker | |||
OVERVIEW: DOT BALL (2) will start from the pole and hopefully that’s not a disadvantage for her map, as she begins only moderately and the key is whether she can land leaders back. Her runs of late have been very good, finding the line well, so if things work out for her she can be strong late.
THE REGULATOR (5) is having his fourth run for the new stable and has performed well at his past couple, winning two starts back when coming off the speed in a slow last half. He had to do too much work last time out. He’s a chance of finding the top here and will be hard to run down. POWERLINC (6) had her first run for the new stable and was travelling well to the turn before sprinting fairly to the line. The draw is a little awkward, but with natural improvement she can be in the mix. CHASING THE WIND (3) has been better at his past couple, and the draw means he should get good cover to challenge late if the tempo is right.
BACK: DOT BALL (2) – 2 units (win)
| 2. Dot Ball (1) J: Liam Older 63463T: Ross Graham | |||
OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY DIXON (4) is a 2yo filly taking on older trotters, which is not normally a recipe for confidence, but she’s shown enough ability in her three starts to be a force in this grade. She raced in the Nutrien Series at Wagga and was good in the heat, then last time sat parked and was too good for a moderate bunch of older horses there. This presents as slightly harder, but her ability to the eye commands respect.
MISTA WALKER (5) has enjoyed his best season to date, and his last couple when out of the winner’s circle have come with excuses. The map appears uncertain, but any luck from the draw will see him in the finish. AGAINST THE BRIDLE (2) will start from the pole, but I fear he gets crossed here, which could harm his winning chances. When he’s able to lead and bowl along, this field would have a challenge getting past him. KYVALLEY JENNY (3) is a quick beginner, and the draw looks favourable for her to get the right map. She’s run some decent races without seriously threatening but keep her safe with the run she should get.
| 4. Kyvalley Dixon (2) J: James Herbertson 391T: Brent Lilley | |||
OVERVIEW: HILLWINSOME (3) is in a purple patch of form at the moment, as evidenced by his win last time out at Melton where he beat a good field. The start prior the opposition was equally strong when he was unlucky not to finish a little closer. He has good early gate speed to find the top here, and his superior manners make him hard to beat.
KIMBERLYS TREE (1) will most likely have a look for the top but may take cover behind a quality opponent over the middle trip. She’s been pretty honest overall and should give some cheek. THATS MY CARDIGAN (2) has ability but can be a little unreliable. If he brings his manners he can map well and finish strongly. He was going to be in the finish last time before going off stride. KITTY CASH (7) was a winner here last week in a more suitable race where she found the line strongly in a slow last quarter.
BACK: HILLWINSOME (3) – 2 units (win)
| 3. Hillwinsome (3) J: Ewa Justice 24231T: Ken Tippet | |||
OVERVIEW: WESTERIA (5) is a 2yo filly taking on more experienced types, but her three career performances to date have been full of merit. She finished runner-up twice to a couple of handy ones when finding the line well and was unlucky at the finish last time out. Looking at her times, it’s fair to suggest she has better ability than most here, and with even luck is the testing material.
VILLAVOS (3) is a speedy beginner and looks the initial leader. She was sound against a decent field last week and was entitled to drop out prior when carrying a flat tyre. She looks an improver at this level. LOOK AT HER (1) has been sound in her three runs for the new stable. She maps to get every chance via the sprint lane with a moderate mile rate expected. GOZO SWEET (2) turned in a much better effort last time out behind a horse with ability. The time wasn’t flash, so I’m happy to see it again, but keep her safe.
BACK: WESTERIA (5) – 1.5 units (win)
| 5. Westeria (5) J: Ewa Justice 225T: John Justice | |||
OVERVIEW: CLOUDY CANYON (3) is a 2yo first starter taking on older horses here and, in a recent trial at Melton, showed promise. He was held together and slid forward to the lead and was likely going to win the trial until he went off stride close to home. The trial prior he came from last to finish over the top of them. The stable is elite with young trotters.
MI BOW (2) draws well and is never far away. She was sound again last week and has four placings from five starts at this track. She is a 27-start maiden, however. WAITING FOR ANNA (4) hasn’t been too far away and was ok last week when sitting parked. She’ll have a look at the start for the top spot. KLYMENE (5) was ok here last week from a soft draw and has minor claims again.
BACK: CLOUDY CANYON (3) – 2 units (win)
| 3. Cloudy Canyon (3) J: Tristan Larsen T: Brent Lilley | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #2 MONSIEUR FLAMEL – 1 unit (win)
R3 #1 BOND GIRL – 1.5 units (win)
R4 #2 DOT BALL – 2 units (win)
R6 #3 HILLWINSOME – 2 units (win)
R7 #5 WESTERIA – 1.5 units (win)
R8 #3 CLOUDY CANYON – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,2,4,7,10/5,7,8,9/1,2,4,6/2,5
QUADDIE
2,3,4,5/1,2,3/1,3,5/2,3,4
OVERVIEW: MONSIEUR FLAMEL (2) has delivered some rocks-or-diamonds form this campaign, but to be fair those results have often been dependent on luck with the speed map. He gets a really positive draw to aggressively look for the front, with the main resistance for top spot first-up over the middle trip and potentially looking for cover. He has a strong record at this track and distance.
INEXORABLE (7) is flying, he just isn’t having any luck with barrier draws. His runs at Warragul saw him hitting the line well despite having no luck, and prior at this track he went forward from the same draw, sat parked and ran well. He’ll need luck but must be respected. SPORTS WRACK (10) hasn’t won for over a year but finds his most suitable class for some time. He hasn’t had much luck at his past couple and, if he can get the right run into the race, can be strong late. IMA CHARMA (4) was a good winner when leading three starts back in an easier race, and his past couple in this class have been ok. He’s now been freshened up and stays under notice with Herbie on.
BACK: MONSIEUR FLAMEL (2) – 1 unit (win)