Tonight we have 5 heats of the Group 1 Winter Cup at Albion Park. Even with only the 5 heats, it will showcase some of the best runners in the country.
HEAT 1: What a cracking race to start the heats off with! It looks to be a match race between the QLD superstar FAST TIMES (3) and the 2 x Group 1 winner STRIKER LIGHT (8).
Fast Times was super impressive last start at Ipswich and if he can repeat that performance he will be very difficult to hold out. But I believe the class and the box draw will give STRIKER LIGHT the advantage to jump straight to the front and be to good.
WIN BET – STRIKER LIGHT
HEAT 2: Another great heat here but again with only 7 starters not much value to be found. Star chaser WORM BURNER (6) returns from injury here and it’s his first look at the track, therefore, I’m selecting BUBBLE GUPPY from box 8. This chaser can win from any box but he will need to get the start right to cross them, but if he does he will run the hands off the clock. Currently sitting around $3.5 I think he is worth taking on the favourite.
WIN BET – BUBBLE GUPPY
HEAT 3: ANDO’S MAC or EXTREME MAGIC!? I’ve been changing my mind of these two since the fields were realised. ANDO’S MAC (4) had a post to post trial at the track on Sunday and went super.
EXTREME MAGIC (6) has only had the one start where he finished down the track but his trials have been incredible. If the Thompson kennel didn’t think he was right to go they wouldn’t of sent him up for this.
I’m going to stay out of betting in this race. I may play a trifecta with the 4,6,8 boxed. If EXTREME MAGIC gets out to $3 then he is worth having a bet on.
NO BET
HEAT 4: Group 1 Sapphire Crown winner MAJA MAHI MAHI (7) for trainer Ashlee Terry of Cranbourne looks very hard to beat especially after a flying box to box trial at the track on Sunday night. My only concern with this girl is that the dog in box 8 TOOKA TURN does turn, he turns hard left at box rise. If Maja can ping the lids I think she will be off and gone before Tooka Turn can have a chance to crash hard left.
JACKSON BENZ (4) would be one of the quickest dogs going around, his 2nd splits are incredible but sometimes his box manners can let him down.
NANGAR ROCK (2) trialled sensationally post to post on Sunday night and the inside draw is a huge advantage and he is worth an each way bet around $4 and $2 a place (only 2 place dividends)
EACH WAY BET – NANGAR ROCK
BOXED TRIFECTA – 2,4,7
HEAT 5: Huge scratching in this race with Lucky Chap who had drawn the pole and would of been super hard to beat (I backed him 6 weeks ago at $51 to win this event, he was into $5… OUCH!)
It’s a wide open race now with plenty of early pace and strong form at the track.
I believe COSMIC BONUS (8) will run straight down the outside and run some time on the lure. Super effort last week and will go one better tonight. Currently around the $3 mark looks a nice bet.
Main concern will be the champ OUTSIDE PASS. She has not raced since April and can sometimes miss the kick, hence the reason I am playing against her tonight. If she makes it through to the final she will be much better for the run.
WIN BET – COSMIC BONUS
ALL IN BETS:
EXTREME MAGIC $12
NANGAR ROCK $21
JACKSON BENZ $34
Good luck and happy punting!