The Albion Park harness preview for Friday 25 September covers a strong seven-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 nine races.
MYTHICAL DRAGON (4) dominated in a recent trial, running out a big winner over lesser opposition. He does have good gate speed and may be looking to hold the early advantage in this race over Skip To Me Lou, who looks the biggest danger.
SKIP TO ME LOU (5) trialled up extremely well for a one-win horse when finishing third behind FFA pacer Captain Shuffles, who is set to line up a clear second favourite this Saturday behind the champion Leap To Fame. The draw looks awkward but he can’t be ruled out on his recent trial.
ATULA (3) appeared to have good gate speed in her trial prior to debuting when beating Ultimate Ark. She was well beaten on debut in the state but did take on a strong race taken out by Barracuda.
OH HERESHE COMES (1) should have the speed to drive through and settle in a prominent position in the early stages. She got back and couldn’t get into the race last time out, which was taken out by King Bling over the 2138 at this track.
SELECTIONS: MYTHICAL DRAGON (4), SKIP TO ME LOU (5), ATULA (3), OH HERESHE COMES (1)
SUGGESTED BET: MYTHICAL DRAGON (4) to win.
| 4. Mythical Dragon (4) J: Adam Sanderson 4133x T: Shannon Price | |||
| Resuming after nine months off the scene. Finished off last preparation when beaten by 3.5 m finishing third after showing early speed, behind Havtimetodream at this track over 1660m in a 2yo on December 27 at $4.20. Bold showing expected. | |||
BUSTER DAN (5) secured a good run close to the speed last time out and was running on nicely late into second behind Dingane. He should settle close again in the run and can be hard to hold out late in this race.
CROOKWELL EYES (6) has made a break in his latest two outings but does usually step well from the stand and should make light work of his 20m handicap. If he can settle close enough it looks a suitable race for him to bounce back in.
BLACK VIPER (8) should get a good run off the speed in this race. He was an impressive winner in this race three starts ago when running right over the top to score well.
ITS ALL RIGHT NOW (3) secured a good run just behind the speed three starts ago and was running on into second behind key rival BLACK VIPER (8). With a safe beginning she looks suited in this race starting off 10m.
SELECTIONS: BUSTER DAN (5), CROOKWELL EYES (6), BLACK VIPER (8), ITS ALL RIGHT NOW (3)
SUGGESTED BET: BUSTER DAN (5) to win.
| 5. Buster Dan (1) J: Angus Garrard 91332 T: Tim Gillespie | |||
| Two back was well beaten into third behind Laydownluna at this track over 2138m in a 3yo+ on September 11 at $5.50. Then a handy effort when beaten by 3.5 m finishing second behind Dingane at this track over 2138m in a 3yo+ on September 18 at $11. Rates highly on his success four starts back. | |||
HARRY KANE (2) secured a good run on the pegs last time out when returning from a spell and was running on well late once clear to get into third. He draws more favourably this time in a slightly weaker race and should be hard to hold out late.
BETTOR CHEER (6) bounced back to nearer his better form last time out when running on well into fifth behind BetterthanFederer in a stronger race. He may need some luck in running from his wide draw and can be hard to beat in this race.
JAY TEE TYRON (4) got back in the run last time out in a race taken out by Its Back Page News and was making up some ground late. He might be shuffled back again in this race and can be running on late.
SMIRKS LIKA BOSS (1) set a very slow tempo over the 2138 at this track and was able to hold them off late. He may be better suited back in trip and did put in a good run last time out.
SELECTIONS: HARRY KANE (2), BETTOR CHEER (6), JAY TEE TYRON (4), SMIRKS LIKA BOSS (1)
SUGGESTED BET: HARRY KANE (2) to win.
| 2. Harry Kane Nz (2) J: Nathan Rothwell 766×3 T: N T Rothwell | |||
| Having his second run back from a spell. Good run when 3rd (Sr1) over 2040m at Redcliffe, at the bell was 3rd-15.83 beaten 16 m by Its Back Page News (2:33.30) in 3yo+ on September 17 at $7. Winning prospects. | |||
RACANA (2) should have the speed to drive through and lead in this race and was a good winner, rating fast time three starts ago at this track and trip. She ran well again last start when getting into seventh behind Fire Raiser, beaten just 5.4m.
MISTER SEASIDE (8) draws to have options in this race, being the only horse drawn on the back row. He secured a good run off the speed last time out and was running on well late into third behind the smart Captain Jazz.
OPALLANE (3) secured a good run off the speed last time out and ran on well into third behind Sheer Vitality. He draws reasonably in this race and should settle close enough to play a part in the finish.
MY ULTIMATE MARIO (1) secured a good run on the pegs last time out behind Francs For Coming and was able to battle away well there for second. He should secure a similar run in this race and should be thereabouts in the placings.
SELECTIONS: RACANA (2), MISTER SEASIDE (8), OPALLANE (3), MY ULTIMATE MARIO (1)
SUGGESTED BET: RACANA (2) to win.
| 2. Racana Nz (2) J: Jack Chapple 13147 T: John Stariha | |||
| Last start 7th (Sr3) over 1660m at this track was 7th-19.62 at the bell, beaten 5.5 m by Fire Raiser (1:55.10) in 4yo+ on September 19 at $51. Before that, 4th (Fr2) over 1660m at this track was 4th-8.93 at the bell, beaten 2.75 m by Seaside Glory (1:57.10) in 4yo+ on September 12 at $12. Rates highly. Drawn favourably and is worth another chance. | |||
ALTA SENSATION (2) has good gate speed and may be able to work to the lead in the early stages of this race. He has been in excellent form, scoring a good win last time out and rating fast time at Redcliffe when leading all the way.
DUAL CAM (1) draws well in this race and should settle close in the run. He handed over the lead last time out before running home reasonably late into fifth behind Loch Lamond. He should get every chance.
PUMPKIN PAT (8) should get a good run through in this race and should get a very economical run on the pegs. She was able to bounce back nicely, doing some early work and scoring a dominant win at Redcliffe. She can be dangerous late.
CHARGE AHEAD (4) appears to drop in grade a touch off some of his recent outings. He likely wasn’t suited when getting back last time out and making a wide run into it late behind Our Rocky when finishing ninth.
SELECTIONS: ALTA SENSATION (2), DUAL CAM (1), PUMPKIN PAT (8), CHARGE AHEAD (4)
SUGGESTED BET: ALTA SENSATION (2) to win.
| 2. Alta Sensation Nz (2) J: Tom Callaghan 93121 T: Ian Gurney | |||
| Racing consistently. Last start won by 4.5 m after showing early speed, (Fr1) at Redcliffe (2:06.90) beating Dolly Rocket in 3yo+ on August 21 at $2.90. Going well and is expected to measure up again. | |||
ROSIE POLLEN (6) was able to zip across last time out and was forced to do some work there before being run down by Sports Bounty, who obtained the leaders back trail. She should be able to get forward again in this race and if she found the lead she would likely take plenty of running down.
THE REAL ROCKETMAN (3) has early speed and should settle close enough in the run in this race. He didn’t race with a lot of luck last time out at this track when getting back on the pegs and running on late into fourth.
SKYLAR BREE (2) was forced to do some work last time out when battling on well for third behind Party Changer. If she could work onto the pegs early she would likely have good place claims in a race of this nature.
MAYWYNS KAREN (8) draws behind a horse without a lot of gate speed, which looks a touch awkward. She was able to find the pegs recently at this track over the 2138 and just came up short behind stablemate Smirks Lika Boss.
SELECTIONS: ROSIE POLLEN (6), THE REAL ROCKETMAN (3), SKYLAR BREE (2), MAYWYNS KAREN (8)
SUGGESTED BET: ROSIE POLLEN (6) to win.
| 6. Rosie Pollen (6) J: Layne Dwyer 03222 T: Joedy Whitaker | |||
| Solid run when beaten 2.5 m finishing second after showing early speed, behind Mighty Ideal at this track over 1660m in a 3yo+ on September 11 at $2. Then a handy effort when beaten by 9 m finishing second after a quick start, behind Sports Bounty at this track over 1660m in a 3yo+ on September 18 at $4.80. Sure to be thereabouts again. | |||
IDEAL PURSUIT (1) led last time out at this track and trip and was run down late by KING BLING (10) and All Eyes On Bling. She did set a genuine enough tempo in that race and if she is able to control things out in front she should be hard to run down in this field.
OUR ULTIMATE MILLY (8) should get a good run through in this race behind the likely leader. She secured a good run recently at Redcliffe when finishing second to Sheer Vitality.
ROLL TO THE TOP (2) is having her first start at Albion Park in this race, having had 10 starts so far in QLD, all at Redcliffe. She was good three starts ago, running on strongly behind My Ultimate Victor.
KING BLING (10) was an impressive winner recently at this track and trip, running over the top to score. He is likely to get back in the run again in this race and should be finishing it off well late.
SELECTIONS: IDEAL PURSUIT (1), OUR ULTIMATE MILLY (8), ROLL TO THE TOP (2), KING BLING (10)
SUGGESTED BET: ROLL TO THE TOP (2) to win.
| 2. Roll To The Top (2) J: Alanah Richardson 39206 T: Gemma Hewitt | |||
| Recent efforts haven’t been up to her best. Last start was well back in the run when 6th (Fr3) over 2040m after showing early speed at Redcliffe was 6th-16.31 at the bell, beaten 18 m by Moonshine Milly (2:30.10) in 3yo+ on September 16 at $4.60. The start before was well back in the run when 10th (Fr6) over 2040m after being wide early at Redcliffe beaten 25 m by Charlie Chuckles (2:31.00) in 3yo+ on September 9 at $5. Expecting a better run this time. | |||