OnSong wrote:After the disaster that was Clare, I've picked myself of the canvas and had another crack. Good luck all.
Gawler
R1) 1100m Maiden - Looks like a number of these will be vying for the early lead.
1) Chucky - Will probably get back in the run but needed the extra 100m last start in town. Look for it swooping late. WINS @ $2.80
6) Sir Johnson - Has the barrier to get the run of the race, impressive trial v Yucatan coming into this. 4th
9) Now And Forever - Good trial when everything went its way. Respect.
7) Surreal Image - Honest so far but not convinced it will hold the others out first up. 2nd
Roughies: 5) Oliver's Tale is worth an each way ticket after sticking on 3 wide to win in a recent trial, clocking a solid time. 10) Pam's Journey - Should be on the pace and I respect its efforts so far. 3rd
R2) 1700m BM60 - Agonising a bit here as some quality horses have been putting in average efforts of late.
2) Autmed - Finished a long way off the winner in third but came from a mile back. Should settle midfield and be flying late. 3rd @ $1.90
4) Set To Cruise - Beat Oh So Fair and Chapal two starts back, Chapal ($4.80) contesting a BM78 at Sundown today. WINS @ $2.30
1) Good Idea - With a few mixing form, he was good enough without being great to think he'll be in the finish.
5) Unscopeable - Disgusting at Clare last start but that track was unkind to a lot of favourites on the day. Forgiving. 2nd @ $1.70
Roughies: 7) Hidatsa has Kah back on board, winning over this trip last time she was on. Sweet Kaiser will carry the least weight and easily held out highly fancied Unscopeable at Clare last start.
R3) 2100m BM60 - Small field but some value in the field by the looks
4) Hurricanes - Finished all over them late at Clare, extra distance suits.
3) Bon Elise - Expensive to follow and with more weight, not sold on the short price. 2nd
5) Anyportinastorm - One of my favourite horses but all its wins have been first or second up. 4th
6) Claiborne King - Like Jeffy Maund back on board and think it's a pretty honest battler. WINS @ $15.20
R4) 1200m Maiden - Large field with a number of first starters
14) Miss Julienne - Finnegan came from last to grab a 3.3L fifth over 1100m last start, she knows this horse can close.
6) Smoke - Unsighted first starter from Balfour stable. Barrier 1, will be watching it keenly. 2nd @ $4.10
7) Knavesmire - Market has it favourite and I'm not sold on it but have to respect there's money for it. 3rd
13) Panzer Princess - Will be looking for the lead from a wide barrier but not sure it has the trip here. WINS @ $7.60
Roughie: 10) Zapico - Held on well in a trial from wide barrier, closed ok, think it's got some ability and has a good draw to threaten here.
R5) 1200m C2 Handicap - Once again, will be hoping for runners to make late ground.
9) Zagato Star - Thought it was super impressive winning over 1100m after being the widest into the straight. Lau's 3kg claim comes into play. 4th
4) Handsome Return - Import from New Zealand new to Clarken stable. Kah gets the ride, market has warmed to him. Best may be over further? WINS @ $2.30
1) Tambang Besi - Fancied her before being scratched at the barriers at Strath. Weight a query.
3) Biancaptain - I'm not sold on this runner after it belted everything on debut and faltered second start. Back in class though.
Roughies: 5) Trooper's Ploy has some claims about it with decent form in the NT. 8 ) Free Hand - Broke its maiden here last start over the trip. Respect that form. 2nd @ $2.70
R6) 1100m BM60 - Some value to be had here with Oriental Gift $8. It was hideous in a lower class on Sunday.
7) Galcrum - Hard to ignore what it did here last time first up in a BM56, coming from last to score.
2) Grumpy Guru - Should be another closing late although seems to prefer longer distance. 3rd @ $6.40
5) Party Set - Will be out to lead and doesn't mind a battle in the straight.
12) Artistic Escape - Needs the breaks but very good placing between No Joy and Fulton Street, the latter winning comfortably at Murray Bridge on Sunday.
Roughie: 11) Shark Mirage - Love it for its consistency, gets a good barrier here and some weight relief. 2nd @ $8.10 6) Anamnesis - One of my main hopes at Clare last start. Forgiving the run, has been battling in better company of late WINS @ $5.30
R7) 1500m BM64
6) Polar Vortex - Toeroek rode brilliantly to slot in and almost win last start from a wide gate, thinking he can repeat the dosage. 3rd @ $1.60
2) Redeem Bounty - Good win last start but wide barrier draw makes it hard to see it in front at the line. 4th
13) Scouts Honour - Good track might be the query but an eye-catching second in a previous maiden puts it in the market.
10) Tarantino - Quality runner but beaten by Polar Vortex last start and would need to improve to challenge. 2nd @ $2
Roughie: 11) Sylvan Crest - I picked it as a rough hope at Strath where it lobbed second at $21 behind Regal Eagle and On Appro, Sneaky chance here
Better day with some handy place divs although only one on top selection winning.
As stated, I went in hoping for a day where back markers could make ground but it was apparent from about R2 that it wasn't going to be the case, which was pretty frustrating as I had a number of them selected to win. Most annoying was probably R7, brilliant ride on Polar Vortex but the inside running was too good, making ground was nearly impossible.
Seeking advice from anyone else who has a genuine crack and form study etc, what resources do you use?
I watch race replays via Racing.com and also use Racenet's speed maps, my numbers are in good areas but not good enough and it's doing my head in.
Is it experience? Practice? Luck? Really looking forward to studying up as we're back at Balaklava next week, long straight and the track is playing fair again.