Huge night of racing tonight with all eyes firmly focused on Albion Park where four heats of the Group 1 Gold Bullion, over 520 metres, will be run. In a major surprise last week, Crazy Cool won the Golden Ticket final earning herself a direct path into the final of the Gold Bullion next week. The heats tonight do look quite even and selecting the winners will not be an easy task. Three heats of the Gold Cup for the stayers will also be run and again the races appear quite open.
Down south in Hobart, the final of the Maiden Thousand is their main event on what appears to be a strong ten event program, whilst the final of the Derby at Warrnambool has drawn together an outstanding field of young male sprinters. The three finals conducted at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, the Futurity, Derby and Paws of Thunder, really ignited the public’s interest in the sport again after enduring many months of Covid restrictions across the country. We can see this momentum continuing, beginning with Albion Park over the end to weeks, and then the focus will move to Victoria where the Australian Cup Carnival will be held later in February. Let us attempt to select a few winners for the punters tonight.
Warrnambool Race 8 No 2 Shima Jake $4.80 at PlayUp – A real up and coming talent who put in a monster run last week after missing the start from box 4 and then meeting interference at the first bend before streaming home for a close up second in fast time. Left alone he is capable of breaking the 25 second barrier and that puts him in with a huge chance in this event. Selections: 2-8-3-5.
Albion Park Race 2 No 1 Sunset Bourbski $2.00 at PlayUp – Victorian visitor who was good here last week when a close up 4th to Big Boy Bruce over this journey after looking very new to the track. She is sure to have gained significant benefit from that run last week and we believe she can make the necessary improvement to be right in this race from this inside draw. Selections: 1-6-2-8.
Albion Park Race 4 No 6 Sir Truculent $5.50 at PlayUp – South Australian super star stayer who is now in the kennel of master trainer Tony Brett for this series. His run this week was far better than it appears on paper. He began well and took up a forward position before finding interference during the run before tiring in the latter stages. Historically he has performed much better after a look at a track, so natural improvement is expected. He is a class animal at his best and he appears to be excellent value tonight. Selections: 6-3-1-4.
Dapto Race 4 No 1 Nicmac Prince $2.35 at PlayUp – No better drawn dog in the country than this fellow tonight. He is simply crazy for the rails and has been knocking himself, and most of the field, about in recent weeks in his efforts to get across to that rail. Tonight he is there, and on the lure he can run reasonable time. We think he is our best of the night and a banker for multi players. Selections: 1-8-7-2.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 8 Jax Bale $2.00 at PlayUp – Has a very fast personal best at this track and distance. Appeared to have every chance last week when a close second to Providence Bale in fast time. But he couldn’t get to a clear lead down the back straight which we think he can do in this field. The draw does suit and field is not as strong as he has been racing against over recent months. Selections: 8-1-3-4.
