The Albion Park harness preview for Saturday 29 August covers a strong 10-race card at The Creek, with Oli Cownie assessing the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the meeting.
Oli has worked through the form to identify the runners capable of making an impact, with early speed, barrier draws and race position likely to play an important role across the program. His race-by-race analysis includes selections and suggested bets for all 10 races.
FLYING COLOURS (2) led four starts ago at this track and rated fast time there when running third behind horses which had favourable runs on the pegs behind him. He may be able to work to the lead again in this race and with a similar effort he is likely to be very hard to run down.
VINCHESKA (7) was forced to do plenty of work outside the leader last time out and battled away well for third behind Alta Sensation in fast time at Redcliffe. With a more economical run this time she should run well.
FIFTY THREE STARS (3) was crossed early last time out at this track before securing a good run behind the leader and was able to sprint best to score in fast time. He should settle close to the speed again in this race and can run well again.
HOT ROD HARRY (1) has been a long way off his best recently, including last start when finishing ninth, beaten 17 metres, in a race which was seemingly run to suit. He is much better than he’s been showing and an ideal draw in this race could see him bounce back into some form.
SELECTIONS: FLYING COLOURS (2), VINCHESKA (7), FIFTY THREE STARS (3), HOT ROD HARRY (1)
SUGGESTED BET: FLYING COLOURS (2) to win.
| 2. Flying Colours Nz (2) J: Brendan Barnes 43356T: Gemma Hewitt | |||
| Recent form below what he is capable of. Last start 6th (Sr3) over 2138m at this track, beaten 9 m by Gem Punter Pete (2:34.40) in 4yo+ on August 20 at $6.50. The run previous 5th (Sr1) over 1660m at this track, beaten 11 m by Spirit Of Anarchy (1:56.90) in 4yo+ on August 15 at $19. | |||
RAKASANDY (8) looks likely to get a great run through in this race behind the potential leader, ALWAYS DANCING (1). He led and handed up last time out and was able to work through up the inside to score, holding out Air Express who has since won. He should be suited by the soft trailing draw and can be running on strongly late.
ALWAYS DANCING (1) draws best in this race and should be able to work through and lead in the early stages. He got back in the run at this track four starts ago and was able to run over the top to score, beating Always Be Chaps.
BIRKIKARA (2) draws well in this race and should secure a good run close to the speed. He was well beaten last time out in a race taken out by Fernco Nel at this track after being shuffled back early.
DARIN (3) was able to secure the perfect leaders back behind French Fries who has since won and was able to run by him late. He draws a touch awkwardly and may need to do work early to find a position.
SELECTIONS: RAKASANDY (8), ALWAYS DANCING (1), BIRKIKARA (2), DARIN (3)
SUGGESTED BET: RAKASANDY (8) to win.
| 8. Rakasandy Nz (1) J: Pete McMullen 07511T: Chantal Turpin | |||
| Four-year-old gelding is racing in fine form. Won his last two outings at this track both over 2138m. Last start won by a head after showing early speed, (Fr5) at this track (2:30.90) beating Air Express in 4yo+ on August 8 at $2.60. | |||
BETTERTHANFEDERER (2) has good gate speed and may be able to work to the lead in the early stages of this race. He secured a good run off the speed last time out and was able to power over the top late in a race which was run to suit.
DOUGS FLAME (8) draws awkwardly inside the back row in this race and will need luck at the right time to get into the clear. She looked sharp last time out when not suited by a slow tempo but was still able to run over the top and score there.
HES SWEET (1) impressed two starts ago when securing a good run behind the speed and using the sprint lane to score, rating fast time at Redcliffe. He appears likely to secure a similar type of run in this race from the ideal draw and should be running on late.
QUEEN LILIBET (9) could be suited in this race off the speed in a race which could generate good early tempo. She secured a good run off the speed last time out and was running on strongly late into third behind Dougs Flame.
SELECTIONS: BETTERTHANFEDERER (2), DOUGS FLAME (8), HES SWEET (1), QUEEN LILIBET (9)
SUGGESTED BET: BETTERTHANFEDERER (2) to win.
| 2. Betterthanfederer (2) J: Tom Callaghan 69×11T: T M Callaghan | |||
| Nine-year-old gelding is racing in fine form. Won his last two outings at this track. Last start won by 1.3 m (Sr2) at this track (1:57.20) beating Scruffy in 3yo+ on August 11 at $7. | |||
ALWAYS BE CHAPS (1) draws ideally in this race and looks the leader in the early stages. He was terrific last start at this track when sitting without cover and battling away for a close-up third behind Braventreacherous. He looks hard to beat in this race.
SPIRIT OF ANARCHY (8) has been very good since landing in the stable of Matt Elkins. He should get a good run through behind his stablemate and appears likely to get every chance in this race.
TARGARYEN (9) should get a good run on the pegs in this race, three back on the pegs. He put in a nice effort last time out when running on strongly into second behind Smarter Than You, who has been in good recent form.
MIKI B (2) seemingly wasn’t suited last time out when leading and fading into fourth over the 1660. He should secure a good run close to the speed from a good draw and can look to bounce back in this race.
SELECTIONS: ALWAYS BE CHAPS (1), SPIRIT OF ANARCHY (8), TARGARYEN (9), MIKI B (2)
SUGGESTED BET: TARGARYEN (9) to place.
| 9. Targaryen Nz (2) J: Layne Dwyer 37462T: Jack Butler | |||
| Mixing form recently. Last start was was driven from back in the field when 2nd (Fr5) over 1660m at this track beaten 2 m by Smarter Than You (1:58.40) in 4yo+ on August 20 at $34. Before that beaten 6 metres, sixth at this track over 2138m 4yo+ on August 15. | |||
MISTER MANAGER (2) was impressive three starts ago at this track when sitting without cover and not being beaten far into second behind Race For Riches. He had less luck last time out when badly held up at a crucial stage before getting into third late behind Gem Punter Pete and Dragon.
IMPERIAL NIGHT (6) secured a good run last time out from a wide draw and was running on strongly late into second behind Spirit Of Anarchy, who has been excellent since landing in QLD. He may be shuffled back in this race from a wide draw and should be running on late again.
STARZZZ DESTINY (7) showed gate speed and was able to duck in behind Amami last time out at this track before running second. He faces a wide draw this time but finds a suitable type of race.
GETAGRIP (4) has good gate speed and should find a prominent position in this race from a reasonable draw. He wasn’t beaten far last time out in seventh behind French Fries over the 2138 at this track.
SELECTIONS: MISTER MANAGER (2), IMPERIAL NIGHT (6), STARZZZ DESTINY (7), GETAGRIP (4)
SUGGESTED BET: MISTER MANAGER (2) to win.
| 2. Mister Manager (2) J: Alanah Richardson 55273T: Steve Borg | |||
| Two back was well beaten into seventh behind Spirit Of Anarchy at this track over 1660m in a 4yo+ on August 15 at $21. Then a handy effort when beaten by 5.5 m finishing third behind Gem Punter Pete at this track over 2138m in a 4yo+ on August 20 at $13. | |||
ATTACHMENT (4) secured a good run in a small field last time out and was able to flash home, running slick sectionals late to pick up the leader CHEERSTOLOU (6). He has excellent early speed and may be able to find his way to the front in the early stages of this race. He is a horse capable of running good time over the mile.
CHEERSTOLOU (6) was seemingly a touch below his best last time out when leading and being run down late by one of his key rivals in this race, ATTACHMENT (4). He draws outside a number of his key rivals in this race and may be left to do the work at some stage.
TIMS A TROOPER (5) returns in this race for his first run since being well beaten in the recent Inter Dominion Final when having very little luck there. He is a horse usually best suited when sat up and saved for one run, which could see him suited in the small field.
CATSEYE BEACH (2) has good early speed and may look for the top in the early stages before having options from there. He finished third last start behind Heza Punk Rocker and Fernco Nel.
SELECTIONS: ATTACHMENT (4), CHEERSTOLOU (6), TIMS A TROOPER (5), CATSEYE BEACH (2)
SUGGESTED BET: ATTACHMENT (4) to win.
| 4. Attachment (4) J: Pete McMullen 76301T: Chantal Turpin | |||
| Last start won by a nose (Fr3) at this track (1:55.40) beating Cheerstolou in 4yo+ on August 15 at $2.80. | |||
HES ALL TORQUE (1) has good early speed and can lead before having options from there. He was badly held up by a tiring horse last time out when running on nicely once clear into sixth. He should be hard to beat from an ideal draw in this race.
NEXT TO ME (8) was forced to race without cover two starts ago when running fourth behind Mullum Doc in a similar type of race. He appears likely to get an ideal run through early in this race behind a gate speed horse and should get every chance from there.
DUAL CAM (2) has good early speed and may be able to work to the lead in the early stages of this race. He secured a good run two starts ago behind the leader at Redcliffe and the winner just had momentum down the outside to score in Foxfire Easton. If he can lead he would likely be hard to beat.
MULLUM DOC (3) didn’t have much luck last time out when shuffled back on the pegs before being held up for clear running at a crucial stage when running fifth. He draws well on the front row in this race and should settle close enough.
SELECTIONS: HES ALL TORQUE (1), NEXT TO ME (8), DUAL CAM (2), MULLUM DOC (3)
SUGGESTED BET: HES ALL TORQUE (1) to win.
| 1. Hes All Torque (1) J: Angus Garrard 02836T: Lachie Hart | |||
| Last start 6th (Sr1) over 1660m at this track beaten 7 m by Dougs Flame (1:57.00) in 3yo+ on August 20 at $10. At the start before solid effort when 3rd (Sr1) over 1660m at this track beaten 2.75 m by Fifty Three Stars (1:55.90) in 4yo+ on August 15 at $9. | |||
RACANA (2) has very good gate speed and may be able to work to the lead in the early stages of this race. She is the lowest-rated horse in the field but has been excellent in recent outings and was a dominant winner last time out at this track.
TREACHEROUS BELLE (3) was shuffled back a long way last time out and was running on strongly late into third behind Heza Maywyn. She draws well in this race and may settle a touch closer, which should see her run well again.
DOLLY ROCKET (11) got back in the run last time out and was running on strongly into second in a race the winner, Alta Sensation, rated fast time out in front. She is likely to get back in this race from a wide draw and can be running on late again.
LITTLE HOOFANANNY (1) should have the speed to drive through and hold a prominent position early in this race. She was a winner three starts ago after getting back in the run and finishing over the top late.
SELECTIONS: RACANA (2), TREACHEROUS BELLE (3), DOLLY ROCKET (11), LITTLE HOOFANANNY (1)
SUGGESTED BET: RACANA (2) to win.
| 2. Racana Nz (2) J: Pete McMullen 64321T: John Stariha | |||
| In good form recently. Last start won by 2.75 m as favourite (Sr2) at this track (1:59.50) beating Burns Bay in 3yo+ on August 20 at $1.60. | |||
SALLY BIGTIME (4) worked very hard early last time out to eventually find the lead. She set a strong tempo there and wasn’t beaten far by Fernco Nel in fast time when running third. She is likely to be suited stepping back to the 1660 and looks the leader in the race.
TREMENDOUS SENSATION (5) showed very good gate speed to work across to the lead last time out before handing over to SALLY BIGTIME (4). She put in an excellent run there, running into second behind smart horse Fernco Nel. She steps back to race the mares and could be suited by the small field.
TYTATE (3) may be able to cross early before taking a sit on SALLY BIGTIME (4). She has been much better in recent outings when driven with cover and should run a good race again from a good draw in the small field.
GOLDEN FIRE (6) has been brilliant recently, completing a hat-trick of wins last time out when securing the ideal leaders back run and sprinting best to score. She draws widest again but finds a race where there is seemingly an abundance of gate speed drawn to her inside.
SELECTIONS: SALLY BIGTIME (4), TREMENDOUS SENSATION (5), TYTATE (3), GOLDEN FIRE (6)
SUGGESTED BET: SALLY BIGTIME (4) to win.
| 4. Sally Bigtime (4) J: Tom Callaghan 12743T: T M Callaghan | |||
| Two back was well beaten into fourth behind Eye Keep Smiling at this track over 1660m in a G1 M on July 18 at $34. Then a handy effort when beaten by 3.5 m finishing third behind Fernco Nel at this track over 2138m in a 4yo+ on August 20 at $2.70. | |||
FIRE AND PASSION (1) was forced to race without cover last time out in a race taken out by PURE GRUNT (3) where they rated a fast time of 1.52 for the 2138. He has had a change of fortunes as far as barrier draws and draws to lead this time, which should give him every chance to bounce back.
PURE GRUNT (3) was a brilliant winner of the QBRED Triad Final when being taken on in the run out in front before holding them all off late to beat JAMES ALFRED (6). He has brilliant gate speed but may not quite be able to cross. He should be close enough in the small field.
RUGGARDS GEE TEE (2) has been excellent throughout his stint in QLD. He burned to lead last time out and was able to hold off DEGARMEA TEALE (5) late. He looks likely to get the perfect run behind the leader and should be running on late.
JAMES ALFRED (6) was able to secure the perfect run last time out behind PURE GRUNT (3) and just couldn’t quite get over the top of that runner late. He may be shuffled back early in this race and can be running on late if the race is run to suit.
SELECTIONS: FIRE AND PASSION (1), PURE GRUNT (3), RUGGARDS GEE TEE (2), JAMES ALFRED (6)
SUGGESTED BET: FIRE AND PASSION (1) to win.
| 1. Fire And Passion (1) J: Jack Chapple 22617T: Grant Dixon | |||
| Last start was well beaten into seventh behind Pure Grunt at this track over 2138m in a 3yo G1 on August 22 at $1.50. Performed better the start before where he won by 10 m as favourite after showing early speed, (Fr2) at this track (2:32.70) beating Kiki Meister in 3yo on August 14 at $1.04. | |||