SELECTIONS - 19 April 2005

Rockhampton 2-2 Jonoble has the imposing record of 1 win and 6 placings from 20 starts. However she's first up here after running those races in NSW and southern QLD. First up last time in she was 5th at Hawkesbury over 1400m. The previous preparation she won first up at Hawkesbury over 1200m. She has placings in Class 2, 3 & 5 company and has placed at Canterbury. Has drawn ideally and I reckon the long run in (400m for the 1200m circuit) will suit this one at good odds.

Rockhampton 3-6 Orrong has run consistently since moving from Victoria last December. Last time out he drew the visitor's draw at Mackay in a slightly tougher race and ran very well for 3rd. Previously he won comfortably at Townsville. Is placed very well in this race where there are no stars running.

Rockhampton 7-3 Mighty Stronghold has drawn less than ideally but races off the pace anyway. Went to town last time for a stronger race than this and finished down the track. Drops back to this more suitable grade in which he's always competitive. There'll be a fair amount of pressure in this race, as quite a few go forward, which will give our bloke the chance to pick them up in the last furlong.

Rockhampton 8-3 Go Jack is the selection in a race where, on face value, the topweight, General Arthur, looks the obvious pick, as he's run more placings (8) in his 15 starts than the rest of the field put together (6) from their 45 collective starts. However, General Arthur simply doesn't find the line strongly and is stepping up from 1000m to 1300m here. He's also trained by C. Jackson who has trained 2 winners this season at the mighty strike rate of 4.7%. Taking 6/4 under those circumstances seems a sure way to the poor house. Go Jack is coming off a last start 3rd at Caloundra over 1400m and he'll certainly find the conditions of this race more to his liking. It's also worth noting that as 2YOs Go Jack and General Arthur met twice with Go Jack beating the other one home both times.

Sale 7-4 Silver Birch would absolutely thrash these on his best form. The question is whether he's back to his best after some problems over the last 6-9 months. His first up run was a bottler behind Dealer's Edge who ran 4th the other day in the Tatura Cup. From the inside draw Brad Rawiller will have him where he wants him in the run and he'll be in the finish.

Sale 9-9 Hoolipop is by hopeless wet track sire, General Nediym (in the Marauding/Rory's Jester league in that regard), whose 3 non-metro, dry track runs have yielded a win, a 2nd and a 3rd. She's been a bit out of her grade in town and the wet tracks have hampered her chances otherwise. Last time out she went back to the tail of the field from her outside gate 12, worked past a few to 4th last, was hampered when making her run, had to switch course in the straight, which cost her momentum and just failed to catch a POOMA selection in the smart Helium by a head. That was her first run for over a month so she should be cherry ripe now. She's drawn ideally and I expect her to be right there at the business end. (* NOTE - the track at Sale is currently rated as dead but there is a fair chance of an upgrade. However, if there is no upgrade then this one is NOT a selection *)

Scone 4-13 La Peru comes into this weak affair off a good trial win at Scone recently. Wouldn't need to be much good to beat most of these and she has the in form Dale Spriggs to overcome her wide draw. I'll nominate the main danger as Meena from the Paul Perry stable. Obviously, Baradine Jack has good form but he has a bit of weight to contend with, which I reckon will find him out.

Scone 6-2 Wool Spinner looks a leading chance here for up and coming trainer and former jockey, Jason Deamer. He's run two close up efforts in slightly stronger company than this. Has a good alley and the leading jockey on board to thrash him to the line.

Scone 8-4 Piper Jo will be right at her peak for this after her last start narrow defeat by Northfield Drive. Gets in better at the weights and has drawn barrier 1. She won in town last time in (mares' company @ 50/1) and her trainer, Luke Griffith, is on a roll recently.