The Queensland Constellations may be done for another year, but there’s still plenty to like at Albion Park on Saturday night as Oli Cownie breaks down the nine-race card and highlights the key runners.
SMARTER THAN YOU (1) should have the gate speed to drive through and lead this race in the early stages. His latest win came at Redcliffe when showing the speed to lead before holding off Two Ticks late rating good time. He has since had much less luck but has run well both times at this track. He looks hard to beat.
ALWAYS BE CHAPS (6) put in another great run last time out when running on strongly only to be nabbed by Jungle Dragon who had the perfect run into the race on his back. He was a very good third his start prior when sustaining a long run into it out wide on the track finishing just behind Luvareschs and OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (9).
OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (9) handed up the lead to Luvareschs three starts ago and couldn’t reel in that horse late when finishing second. He has since raced with less luck getting back and running on fairly late. He has options from the good draw and should run well.
ROCKSNGEMS (8) has been racing in very good form and was able to score a good win sitting without cover three starts ago at this track over the 1660. He was able to run well again last start when finishing fifth behind Jungle Dragon. He should get the right type of run.
SELECTIONS: SMARTER THAN YOU (1), ALWAYS BE CHAPS (6), OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (9), ROCKSNGEMS (8)
SUGGESTED BET: SMARTER THAN YOU (1) to win.
| 1. Smarter Than You (1) J: Brendan Barnes 52154T: Darren Weeks | |||
| Last start 4th (Fr6) over 2138m at this track, beaten 8 m by Jungle Dragon (2:32.60) in 4yo+ on July 16 at $34. Before that, was driven from back in the field when 5th (Fr6) over 1660m after being wide early at this track beaten 11 m by Hesitate (1:56.30) in 4yo+ on June 27 at $41. Should get every chance from the inside draw. | |||
BETTERTHANFEDERER (11) trialled well finishing fourth in a recent trial behind Regazzo Di Tilly which was able to take out the Flashing Red during the carnival. He lands in the stable of Tom Callaghan who has had plenty of success this season with his runners striking at an incredible 32.1% with 4 wins each from Sally Bigtime and Sir Richard Lee.
DUAL CAM (8) should get the perfect run through behind MY ULTIMATE COSSIE (1) in the early stages of the race. He got the perfect run behind Shes In Line at Marburg three starts ago and was able to sprint best to score there. He was good running second at Redcliffe two starts ago after sitting close to a strong tempo when nabbed by Bettors Moon in the concluding stages.
MY ULTIMATE COSSIE (1) should have the speed to drive through and lead in the early stages of this race. He was able to lead recently over the 1660 and took them all the way there. This looks a touch more difficult but he does draw well and should be in the finish again.
DRAGON (6) was shuffled a long way back last time out before hitting the line nicely late once clear. He draws wide this time and may need a few things to go his way in the run but does look fairly well placed in this company.
SELECTIONS: BETTERTHANFEDERER (11), DUAL CAM (8), MY ULTIMATE COSSIE (1), DRAGON (6)
SUGGESTED BET: DUAL CAM (8) each way.
| 8. Dual Cam (1) J: Pete McMullen 56128T: Matthew Clayton | |||
| Won three starts back at Marburg over 1850m on July 6. Last time out 8th (Fr5) over 2138m at this track beaten 24 m by Kick The Switch (2:32.80) on July 16 at $10. Solid hope. | |||
MIKI B (5) sat without cover two starts ago when just coming up short behind Tralee Snickas. He didn’t have the best of luck last time out when being inconvenienced by a horse that was tiring on the peg line when running into ninth. He draws awkwardly but should be hard to beat
GREASED LIGHTNIN (1) ran well three starts ago finishing third in the Redcliffe Cup Consolation behind Ten Da Touch. He has been well beaten his last two outings when zipping across to the pegs before tiring out of it late finishing ninth behind Cool And Classy and tenth behind Final Deadline. He finds an easier race this time and has the speed to lead before having options.
STARZZZ DESTINY (8) led two starts ago set a strong tempo and was just run down in the concluding stages by Hell Of A Hand. He then was forced to sit without cover when applying strong pressure and fading out of it late into ninth. He should get a good run through in this race and should get every chance.
BLACKJACK CRIPPA (9) has won his latest two starts at Redcliffe which is a track he simply loves to race at. He steps back to Albion Park here and will be looking to carry his good Redcliffe form into this race. He should get a soft run off the speed and should be running on late.
SELECTIONS: MIKI B (5), GREASED LIGHTNIN (1), STARZZZ DESTINY (8), BLACKJACK CRIPPA (9)
SUGGESTED BET: STARZZZ DESTINY (8) each way.
| 8. Starzzz Destiny (1) J: Shane Graham 33229T: Shawn Grimsey | |||
| Last start 9th (Fr6) over 1660m after showing early speed and racing wide at this track beaten 19 m by Race For Riches (1:55.40) in 3yo+ on July 14 at $5.50. Before that, a solid effort when 2nd (Fr3) over 2138m after showing early pace at this track beaten 3 m by Hell Of A Hand (2:31.90) in 3yo+ on July 7 at $4. Draws for a trail and could bounce back. | |||
HEZA PUNK ROCKER (6) has been brilliant since joining the stable of Jason Grimson and looks likely to continue his winning ways in this race. He led two starts ago and rated a brilliant 53.2 last half at the end of a 1.52 mile rate for the 2138. A similar type of effort would simply see him too good for this field.
HES NO ROMEO (2) has struck a real patch of form since landing in QLD. He raced 3 back on the pegs last time out and was able to run on strongly to pick up Mossdale Terry for second there. He may be able to get across to the pegs first time before taking a sit on the favourite.
CONGO LINE (1) sat fourth on the fence last time out and was able to run fourth there in a race taken out by Heza Punk Rocker. He should settle closer this time on the pegs and is a horse that seems to love to follow strong speeds.
JUNGLE DRAGON (3) sat outside the leader and was able to prove a strong winner there beating Dougs Flame. He has gate speed but does draw outside of HES NO ROMEO (2) which may not be keen to be shuffled back early. He looks to have good place claims.
SELECTIONS: HEZA PUNK ROCKER (6), HES NO ROMEO (2), CONGO LINE (1), JUNGLE DRAGON (3)
SUGGESTED BET: HES NO ROMEO (2) to place.
| 2. Hes No Romeo Nz (2) J: Tom Callaghan 14122T: Julie Douglas | |||
| Two back was beaten by 6 m finishing second behind Heza Punk Rocker at this track over 2138m on July 10 at $3.50. Then a handy effort when beaten by 7 m finishing second behind Heza Punk Rocker at this track over 2138m on July 16 at $7.50. Draws for another good showing. | |||
BUBBY TO BASE (3) has good gate speed and may be able to work across to the lead in the early stages of this race. She got back in the run last time out and was hitting the line strongly late behind Dreamalittledream. If she can find the front she is likely to be very hard to run down.
QUEEN LILIBET (5) was able to find the front two starts ago and took them all the way there. She then secured a good run close to the speed last time out and was running on late into third behind Dreamalittledream. If she can settle close with cover she should run well again.
DOLLY ROCKET (9) scored a good win three starts ago when running over the top late to beat Alta Sensation. She has since raced with a bet less luck but has run well both times. She draws well in this race to do no work early and should be running on late.
INTERPRETATION (7) drew poorly last time out and was shuffled back in a race the winner ran home a quick last half in Fifty Three Stars. She draws poorly again in this race and will likely need a few things to go her way in the run.
SELECTIONS: BUBBY TO BASE (3), QUEEN LILIBET (5), DOLLY ROCKET (9), INTERPRETATION (7)
SUGGESTED BET: BUBBY TO BASE (3) to win.
| 3. Bubby To Base (3) J: Matt Elkins 56172T: Matt Elkins | |||
| Two back was well beaten into seventh after being driven well back, behind Seaside Glory at this track over 1660m in a 4yo+ on July 10 at $12. Then a handy effort when beaten by 3 m finishing second behind Dreamalittledream at this track over 1660m in a 4yo+ on July 16 at $4.33. A good draw could see her tough to stop. | |||
BELLA DANZA (5) had a very tough run last start in the Golden Girl when working off the pegs before making a very wide run into it and just fading out of it late. She looks better suited drawn the front row in this field and can look to launch forward and take up the lead. She was brilliantly driven two starts away to work off the inside and take up the lead before holding off Eye Keep Smiling late who was able to take out the Golden Girl.
GOLDEN FIRE (1) showed brilliant gate speed to fly across early before letting Lux Aeterna retake the lead before then handing over to Eye Keep Smiling in the Golden Girl. She was able to hold them off late there and finish third in a race that was run to suit the horses on the peg line. She should get a similar run and should run well again.
TYTATE (6) was too bad to be true last start when leading and giving ground quickly before straightening for home finishing a clear last. It was noted in the stewards report she may be driven with a sit going forward which could allow her to run a much better race this time.
LUVARESCHS (2) secured a good run last time out behind TOUGH SHAZ (8) and was able to run her down late in the concluding stages. She has been in excellent form and draws to get a run close to the speed in this race. She should run well again.
SELECTIONS: BELLA DANZA (5), GOLDEN FIRE (1), TYTATE (6), LUVARESCHS (2)
SUGGESTED BET: BELLA DANZA (5) to win.
| 5. Bella Danza (5) J: Jason Grimson 68110T: Alex Ashwood | |||
| Gave plenty of ground last start when well beaten into tenth behind Eye Keep Smiling at this track over 1660m in a G1 M on July 18 at $10. Raced better the start before that where she won by 1.2 m (Sr1) at this track (1:54.80) beating Eye Keep Smiling in LR M on July 11 at $18. Beat top mare Eye Keep Smiling for a Listed win two back so can bounce back. | |||
FRENCH FRIES (4) has been racing well without a lot of luck in recent outings. He sat without cover in The Rising Sun Consolation and did well to not be beaten too far when finishing eighth. He then took on the 4YO Championship which was taken out by Final Deadline and he was hitting the line well late. He is a quality horse and should run well despite the slightly awkward draw.
CHEER LEADER (3) comes into this race first up from a spell having trialled sharply behind Regazzo Di Tilly. She has good gate speed and should be able to get down to the pegs early before having options from there.
MIRACLE MOOSE (1) drew poorly last time out and was running on late in a race taken out by Jungle Dragon. He draws well in this race and should be able to settle close enough to the speed. He can be running on late again.
MOSSDALE TERRY (7) draws poorly in this race outside the front row and seems to be best when driven quietly early. He was able to tuck in behind Heza Punk Rocker last time out and was fighting out second with Hes No Romeo who has been in excellent form.
SELECTIONS: FRENCH FRIES (4), CHEER LEADER (3), MIRACLE MOOSE (1), MOSSDALE TERRY (7)
SUGGESTED BET: FRENCH FRIES (4) to win.
| 4. French Fries (4) J: Trent Dawson 19588T: Trent Dawson | |||
| Recent efforts haven’t been up to his best. Last start 8th (Sr5) over 2138m at this track beaten 16 m by Final Deadline (2:29.10) in 4yo G3 on July 18 at $151. The start before 8th (Fr4) over 2138m after racing wide at this track beaten 11 m by Ruby Rules (2:29.60) on July 2 at $23. Much better placed and can return to the winners’ list. | |||
THE LADY DIOR (1) was able to score a good win three starts ago when leading all the way rating good time at this track. She has a good draw and plenty of gate speed to make the most of it. She is likely to have her biggest danger on her back in the run which could make things tricky.
DREAMALITTLEDREAM (8) looked unlucky two starts ago when only seeing clear running very late when flashing and not having enough time to pick up Seaside Glory. She then worked to the front last time out and proved too good. She should get a great run in behind them and should be dangerous late.
LILSTREPO (2) has absolutely no luck last time out when challenging for the lead before attempting to repel a challenge for the position outside the leader. She was well beaten there but was entitled to tire late. She should get a good run from a good draw and can bounce back.
OUT OF EDEN (3) raced on the fence last time out and was working through the line stylishly late into third in a race taken out by Ohoka Dream. She draws close enough and should get a good run off the speed again in this race.
SELECTIONS: THE LADY DIOR (1), DREAMALITTLEDREAM (8), LILSTREPO (2), OUT OF EDEN (3)
SUGGESTED BET: THE LADY DIOR (1) to win.
| 1. The Lady Dior (1) J: Brendan Barnes 39147T: Gemma Hewitt | |||
| Last start 7th (Sr2) over 1660m at this track, beaten 10 m by Bubby To Base (1:55.60) on July 2 at $7.50. Before that, was well back in the run when 4th (Fr6) over 1660m at this track beaten 30 m by Tilly Dunnage (1:54.10) in 4yo+ M on June 25 at $61. Should get every chance from the inside draw. | |||
SEASIDE GLORY (7) worked to the lead last time out when showing good gate speed early to beat Dreamalittledream who has since won. She may have the speed to work across to the lead and if she was able to do that she would likely be very hard to run down.
SWEET AGENDA (4) showed her customary brilliant gate speed to zip straight across early before taking a sit on Reds Ablaze and was able to come off her back late to sprint past and score. She should be able to zip across to the pegs again in this race and will be running on late with a similar effort to last start.
LULLABY (3) was able to work to the lead four starts ago and took them all the way beating Scruffy. She had less luck last time out when shuffled back before making a wide run into the race when finishing tenth. She should be close enough from a good draw.
MAHINDI (1) has been completely flying in recent outings seemingly going career best. Two starts ago she burned hard to lead before running along and was just beaten late by Race For Riches who has the perfect run on her back. She doesn’t have brilliant gate speed but will be attempting to hold her spot early.
SELECTIONS: SEASIDE GLORY (7), SWEET AGENDA (4), LULLABY (3), MAHINDI (1)
SUGGESTED BET: SWEET AGENDA (4) to win.
| 4. Sweet Agenda (4) J: Layne Dwyer 28351T: Donny Smith | |||
| Last start won by 1.75 m when quickly away, (Fr3) at this track (1:56.10) beating Reds Ablaze in on July 10 at $5. Could go back to back. | |||