SELECTIONS - 16 April 2005

Ballarat 4-13 Hveger, Elvstroem's full sister, is out of one of my favourite mares, Circles Of Gold - I got the trifecta in the 1996 Caulfield Cup when that mare ran 2nd to Arctic Scent with Iron Horse 3rd, which paid $28,000. Hveger is perennially running on, which sucks people in to back her next time. Ran 2nd behind Mango Dacquiri at Caulfield last time in but remains a maiden. This is not as strong as the races she's been in and the step up to 1600m will suit. Abitakash, which cost us last time, was actually badly affected by the gale force headwind that day when 2nd to The Bavarian. Hveger will be giving him a start and they'll fight the race out.

Belmont Park 5-2 Great Nation has won 4 of 5 and he is very well in here. Went to the front and gave nothing else a chance when winning last time by 4L. Should lead again and be hard to run down. O'flirty and Champagne Blonde have excellent records and are threats.

Cheltenham 3-1 Crevette got home nicely at her first run after a let up to win the Pat Glennon Stks last time over 1100m. Steps up to 1350m here and looks set to be in the finish. Danger may well be her stablemate, Coogee Beach.

Cheltenham 4-2 Grace And Power is going to be good odds in this race because both Squillani and Sassbee will be supported. I expect the latter to start favourite. I read this race as being a bit of a speed battle early, which will give Grace And Power the chance to slot in behind the pace from his outside draw. Squillani will settle at the rear and run home but is not suited at this trip in spite of his terrific first up record. Sassbee is untapped but I also think he'll find this a tad short though the early pace will help him, as he rockets home. Grace And Power will have the best run and get to the front not far from the line to win.

Cheltenham 6-7 Moet Magic ran a terrific race for new trainer Tony McEvoy, who's been having a good trot lately, when first up in a harder race than this. Has strong form in 3YO Group races in Western Australia. Looks a very strong chance.

Eagle Farm 1-11 Mahiman won for us at the Gold Coast last week and remains in our black book. He's really a stayer on the up so we'll follow him until he finds his level. Ignore the fact he's 0 from 2 at the track, as one run was at his first start over 1300m and the other was two starts back when he'd had a freshen up, raced fiercely and weakened. Will be good odds here and should give us a good sight.

Eagle Farm 2-2 Green Lagonda has conditions to suit for his return to racing. He's drawn 1, has Stathe Katsidis on board and won a trial by a lazy 8L at the Gold Coast the other day. I expect him to sit behind the pace and be right in the finish. Dangers look like Upilio and Virage De Fortune, who has drawn the car park.

Eagle Farm 7-6 Tornado Alley has drawn wide but he has a heap of early speed and he'll work to the front anyway. Jumps in grade but drops in weight and is an in form horse on the up. Western Brace will run his usual honest race, as will Picablu.

Flemington 8-6 Bojack is a horse I really don't rate that highly but if he's ever going to win a race then this would have to be it. Has drawn the rail, handles the wet, gains the services of the in form Greg Childs and comes out of a Group 3 race in which he was beaten less than 3L. Danger looks like Perlin, who has obviously had problems, but was terrific in his first up win.

Gold Coast 2-5 Ain'tnothin'better has been running on strongly and meets a pretty poor lot here. Should beat home Dare And Honour and Cromla.

Gold Coast 8-4 This Too Shallpass is in what looks to be a tough race but is actually a very smart sprinter. Started odds on when a comfortable winner at Toowoomba last time and was a 7/4 chance when a beaten favourite at Eagle Farm two starts back in a much harder race. Should be able to camp just off the pace and be right in the finish.

Newcastle 4-9 Top Of The Top is unlucky to not have won one of his two runs. Gets the chance to put things right in this race, which is not as strong as the last two he's been in.

Newcastle 5-3 Shovonne is one of the deadly Gai/Robyn combination who has put in two good performances at her only two runs. Has drawn very well here, will be right at peak fitness and I expect Robyn Freeman to take her to the lead and be hard to catch.

Newcastle 7-4 Nothin' But A Dane was a bit outclassed in the city last time. Two starts back he was narrowly beaten at this track when first up. Should be ready to fire at his third start from a spell.

Newcastle 8-4 Win For Us rises 1.5kg for winning in the same class at this distance last start. She's not a bad 900m horse and is consistent at this track. From the inside barrier is going to give us a run for our money.

Rosehill 1-2 Bahia was extremely impressive when winning her first start at Canterbury under lights last time and looks good to make it 2 from 2 here. Danger is clearly Kincharm who ran 2nd at his first run behind Bradbury's Luck before running 3rd behind Pasiketera in the Widden Stks. I expect them to run the quinella.

Rosehill 6-2 Havana Wind has been run down twice by Jeremiad at his last two runs and will appreciate the absence of that horse today. Would be a surprise to see this one beaten. Quinella horse might be the in form mare, Winkurra, who was entered for yesterday's Albury Cup but decided to run here. She gets home hard and has a nice weight.