SELECTIONS - 17 April 2005

Gawler 1-5 Tica led them up in town last time after doing the same at Murray Bridge. This is a pretty weak affair and should go close.

Gawler 2-9 Crown La Cristi gets the chance to break her duck here. Gawler is a track where you don't want to draw wide, which she has, but she normally begins like a dog shot in the bum and will go to the front today. At her previous runs she's led them up at the bigger tracks of Murray Bridge, Strathalbyn and Balaklava, and she'll appreciate the tight nature of the Gawler track with its short straight.

Gawler 4-8 Perchance To Dream looks like another short priced selection at this track. She thrashed a Maiden field here two starts back before starting 7/4 favourite at Gawler in much stronger Class 6 company and running 7th beaten less than 2L. Should roll to the front and give them something to chase.

Hamilton 1-2 Alexander's Magic is a good hurdler who has been in good form this time in. Threat is clearly Volksmabeel (they should run 1-2) with Non Negotiable for the trifecta.

Hamilton 2-1 Owzat ran midfield in the Magic Millions last time after a close 2nd at Caulfield behind Testifiable who came out and ran 3rd at Eagle Farm yesterday. Unless he's lost a leg he looks over the line here.

Hobart 8-1 Full Stop is a talented type that looks very well placed here for a first up win. Danger looks to be Full Velocity.

Kalgoorlie 4-4 Metal Power returns to the scene of his only victory, which was in this class but over 1400m last prepartion. Didn't feature first up at Belmont in much harder grade but was beaten less than 5L. Needs to get a good run from his gate but should be in the finish.

Kalgoorlie 6-10 La Escondida meets her last start conquerers, Twin City Girl and Power Patrol, 4.5kg and 3.5kg better at the weights for her 0.8L defeat over 1200m at this track. Has drawn well and is 2 from 2 over the 1300m here.

Mudgee 4-5 Carry The Dance won in Class 1 company first up at Wellington and then jumped to Class 4 company at Bathurst where he finished midfield but not beaten too far. Drops back to Class 2 today, has won here and should get a nice run from his good draw.

Mudgee 5-4 Courtianglen ran will at Dubbo last time in harder company after a let up. Has Greg Ryan on board who's had 10 rides for 3 wins and 4 placings so he knows the horse pretty well. The step up to 1200m looks just the ticket. Dangerous Illusion looks the danger - or am I seeing things? Heh.

Mudgee 8-1 Troy Dan is an old marvel with his 21 wins from 124 starts. Jokey Paul Abra lost 3 points off his license when tearing up the track record at Moree last time out by 7L. Will go straight to the front and set a strong pace. Will need to be 3L in front at the 200m but proably will be even under the weight.

Sunshine Coast 4-8 Teco is by noted wet track sire, Clang, and has good form for this race. Has drawn off the track, which is not a disadvantage at this big track as a rule of thumb, but it might be an advantage today. McMahon's claim gets him in 1.5kg below the limit and he'll be in this for a long way.

Sunshine Coast 7-14 Summer Clang has form that reads 0985950 so that looks terrific. However, as his name suggests, he's by the aforementioned Clang whose progeny are so adept in the wet. His form pattern this time in is very similar to his last preparation when he came off 8 length defeats to run 2nd and then win on wet tracks. He's had his last three runs in Class 4 company, has led them up on each occasion and drops to a Class 3 race today, as well as back in trip from a mile to 1400m. I reckon he'll give them something to chase at good odds.

Tatura 2-8 Icon Appeal has quite a bit of talent and only needs to bring it with him today to take this race out. Has drawn the inside and has Blake Shinn to steer.

Tatura 6-2 Steelworker gets his chance to break through here. Two starts back he was beaten as a long odds on favourite at MV but 1) should never have been so short and 2) got dragged back when the leader gave up. Last start he sat deep all the way and kept finding the line behind Perlin (who came out yesterday and franked the form) when 5th beaten 1.7L. The step up in trip should really suit.

Tatura 7-3 Mighty Mirage might be a good price today with Scopari sure to be a strong favourite. First up led them up before finishing 2nd at Stony Creek behind Rubiton Raider. He then drew off the track in a strong Showcase Class 2 event at Mornington, was involved in a speed battle with Sizzled, got to the front and held on very well for 4th. Last time out at Sandown he was slightly slowly away, drove through to lead, was collared 300m out but kept finding the line when 3rd Class 6 company. The keys today are that he has drawn ideally, has a nice weight and his racing style will see him probably a couple of lengths in front into the short 220m Tatura straight.