SELECTIONS - 8 December 2006

POOMA selections:

Moonee Valley 2-1 Ebor
Moonee Valley 5-7 Pietro Vannucci
Mudgee 1-6 Kirei
Mudgee 4-2 Boomerang
Rockhampton 2-1 King Hunter
Rockhampton 6-1 Danzamonkey

Non-POOMA selections (and ruffies in red below):

Darwin 1-1, 2-1
Mudgee 8-2
Rockhampton 3-7, 4-6

(* Updates after Moonee Valley scratchings etc before race 1 there *)

Today: I like betting up in Far North Queensland, as the form lines are always pretty solid. Rockhampton 2-1 King Hunter looks like he'll notch up another win but I'll want $1.80 to have a go, as Town Player is no slouch as shown by his 10 wins from 20 starts at the track. Amazingly, he's only won once from 32 goes at other tracks. 6-1 Danzamonkey is bursting to win a race and even though he's drawn a tad deep here he'll press forward to race outside the leader and will get his chance. I've been to Mudgee, which is way to buggery from everywhere, and it's a nice little town that does a nice fortified red wine. 1-6 Kirei was narrowly beaten at Parkes as 13/8 favourite and wouldn't have to improve much to win today. 4-2 Boomerang is very well placed and if we can get somewhere around $2.80 then that will be good value. The Moonee Valley night meeting throws up 2-1 Ebor. Like most of the 'Rogerson' trained horses he found the front early, was taken on all of the way at a fair clip, kicked away in the straight and just held on to win. Given that MV has been playing to front runners over recent weeks he should get a perfect run on the pace and be too strong. In that race Shifty Lad also races forward and from the inside gate should be a place chance. 5-7 Pietro Vannucci is in good form and has been unlucky at his last couple of runs. Allenby's Mate looks the clear leader after his last start all the way win here a couple of weeks ago and Pietro Vannucci should get a good run in the race from his ideal draw. It's an even field, though, so I'll try and get e/w odds about this one.

Yesterday: Pedas Sakali is still looking for a run over at Pinjarra. He went up the straight behind a wall of horses and crossed the line with a lot still to offer. Triple Down at Canterbury ran OK for 2nd and fought back after the winner put a bit of a gap on him. Otherwise there wasn't much to report.