SELECTIONS - 28 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Launceston 9-5 Deep Play [16]
Launceston 10-5 Favorite Story [10]
Queanbeyan 2-14 Hot Pride [10]
Werribee 5-4 Racer's Run [13]

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

Launceston 6-5

Comments: Little galloper, Back Of House, found the big weight and massive burden of System 13 but still ran a good race for 3rd at Townsville yesterday. The Darkcee then tried to overcome the same double burden at Port Macquarie and couldn't quite get home when caught in the shadows of the post to a galloper he was conceding 6kg. Four selections to finish off a bad month starting down in the Apple Isle with 9-5 Deep Play. He's run a couple of good races at Sandown recently and must be a hope though he doesn't have much of a winning strike rate. 10-5 Favorite Story. He's run three OK races since arriving in Tasmania and looks to have a fair chance. Queanbeyan 2-14 Hot Pride is in average form but it's an average Maiden field. She's by Lion Hunter so the wet track will be no advantage. Werribee 5-4 Racer's Run carries the System 13 curse but he's in really good form with four wins from his last five. The track is heavy there and he's by Racer's Edge who I don't think is a good sire of wet trackers so that is a concern.

SELECTIONS - 27 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Port Macquarie 8-1 The Darkcee [13,14]
Townsville 6-1 Back Of House [13]

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

Port Macquarie 1-10

Comments: Port Macquarie 8-1 Darkcee draws the System 13 short straw today. He's obviously been an unsound horse, as he's has five spells in that time. He won over the 900m at Newcastle last time and he's going to be up there in the firing line all the way in this so perhaps he's a chance. At Townsville, 6-1 Back Of House not only has 58.5kg after the claim, which is enough given he's only a little feller but he has to carry the System 13, as well. He's not in that well at the weights but has a lot of heart and that always counts for a lot. He's marked at $1.90 on the morning line and that's too short for me.

SELECTIONS - 26 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Warrnambool 1-3, 2-5

Comments: Our sole selection, Victory Sands, looked the winner entering the straight but could't shake them off and went down by a half head yesterday at Strathalbyn. To top things off I missed Double Show as a POOMA and it won paying $4.50. Nothing of interest today other than the couple of jumping selections. I'll have an all up, as I think they can both get home. If you can get the quaddie at Warrnambool then you're in for a good result, I suspect.

SELECTIONS - 25 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Strathalbyn 6-1 Victory Sands [13]

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

Gosford 6-7
Pinjarra 5-5, 8-6
Sunshine Coast 2-4, 2-9

(* I'll need to do an update when some data issues are fixed - UPDATED *)

Comments: Only the heavily backed Crosswise could get home for us yesterday. As I mentioned I have a big opinion of the horse and he did very well after being deep for the trip. I'll be backing him at every start until he finds his level, which I think is in Listed/G3 sprints. Today at Strathalbyn, Victory Sands carries the System 13 albatross but really does look like he's got a strong chance at around the $2.10 mark. In other races, Gosford 4-4 Marlu Gold is pretty well placed and is going to be good odds with Barlagarney in the race.

SELECTIONS - 24 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ascot 2-1 Lacida [18]
Cheltenham 2-1 Aquifier [12]
Gold Coast 2-5 Kaybee [1]
Rosehill 9-4 Crosswise [1]

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

Ascot 4-3, 8-1
Caulfield 2-2, 4-3, 6-3
Eagle 4-9
Rosehill 7-8, 8-11
Warracknabeal 4-6, 6-4, 7-3, 8-5

(* Updates at Ascot after final details are in - UPDATED with POOMA *)

Comments: What's this? Three POOMAs in a row? A System 13 gets home at more than $5? Was a nice win, too, by our selection, In The Shadows, yesterday at Kyneton. Quickly to the front, he dictated the pace, sprinted from the 400m and won clearly being eased down late. That was his first run past a mile and he might have some scope so I've put him in the black book.

Cheltenham 2-1 Aquifier started $1.20 in a six horse field at his only start and gave anyone who took the short price a mild scare when sneaking home by a half length. He is the only winner in the field, which is always an advantage in 2YO races, though will probaby be shorter than I'd want to back him. Gold Coast 2-5 Kaybee returned from a spell for a clear win at Ballina. That was on a slow track, which can sometimes mask performances, but he did come from the extreme outside gate and ran quick time in the conditions so maybe he's come back a much improved horse. I'd still want $5+ to back him. Rosehill 9-4 Crosswise is a really good horse and I've commented before that I think he's up to a Listed race. He's unbeaten on dry tracks, is very well weighted and just needs to get a good run in the race in order to win. I don't think there's any hope that he'll be anywhere near the $5 on the morning line and will be happy to back him above $3.

Lots of good horses running around today at Caulfield. In race 2, Seachange will probably start favourite in front of Conisten Gem but people keep under rating the up and coming Conisten Gem so if she's better than $3.50 then I'll have a go. Miss Finland looks like she just has to run her normal race to win the Armanasco. Haradasun has a bit more competition than recent runs but he'll be near his peak and looks the winner again. I'll go for Aqua Damore to knock off Marasco in the St George. Her first up run was really good. The Blue Diamond looks a lottery and I'm going for an upset with 14-Chinamora. She'll get the right run and has been getting home OK. In the Oakleigh Plate I'll go with Shadoways. There's a heap of pace and so it'll suit the swoopers. I'll be interested to see how Bon Hoffa measures up in the Carlyon Cup. He went through the grades nicely last time in. The last leg of the quaddie looks like a field job.

SELECTIONS - 23 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Kyneton 6-4 In The Shadows [13]

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

Albury 8-6
Doomben 7-8, 9-1, 9-13
Moonee Valley 4-1

(* Updates at MV after final details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: Kyneton 6-4 In The Shadows attempts to overcome the curse of System 13 in a race that looks pretty evenly graded. He's well drawn and in good recent form so must be half a chance. Given that System 13 has a terrific 3/24 record since we started this year I can't be too confident about this one. The system that picked the two in Doomen race 9 has a 20% strike rate but a strong profit due to the average winning price being around $9. These two look like they're in the race OK even if they are drawn out.

SELECTIONS - 22 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Nil

(* Updates at Albany after final details are in - UPDATED *)

Comments: 2 from 2 yesterday returning $6 so that was a nice change to the recent run we've been having. Long may it continue. Nothing much happening today though one from the black book is returning from a spell. Sale 8-5 Master O'Reilly matured into a really nice type last time in, putting together three wins in a row. I have him pencilled in as a long range Caulfield Cup type and will be interested to see how he returns today.

SELECTIONS - 21 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Geralfton 1-10 Miss Bordello [10]
Mornington 1-1 Cockpit [7,18]

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

Morphettville 1-14, 2-4

Comments: Shifting Sands was wide early and with nowhere to go so was eased out the back and given a soft run yesterday when finishing back in the field. That duck egg will extend his price for next time and if he draws a gate then can hit back. I've put him in the black book. Mornington 1-1 Cockpit ran a good race for 3rd after leading them up in a stronger event at Ballarat. The tighter Mornington circuit will help his cause though I am concerned about the fact that he's a Rory's Jester on a dead track. Hopefully there'll be an upgrade. At Geraldton 1-10 Miss Bordello has run three placings in a row at this track and in this class. This is not a strong race so she must be a half a chance.

SELECTIONS - 20 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Rockhampton 8-5 Shifting Sands [10]

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

Ascot 6-3
Benalla 5-8, 7-4, 8-5
Rockhampton 3-1

Comments: No selections yesterday and I was just thrilled to stand out the non-POOMA in the last leg of the quaddie at Swan Hill and to run 2nd when it was paying $16K. I was tied up and didn't get the chance to protect the result, which I would normally do. Rockhampton 8-5 Shifting Sands comes from a system that looks poor but it's not far below its expected strike rate so I'm sure there'll be a good priced winner come along shortly. This one looks like a $5 shot and has been in consistent form though isn't weighted that well against horses like Endorphin and Danwana. 3-1 Dust Haze up there went into my black book when winning his Maiden. He showed talent and then won again before finishing 8th and going for a spell. He might be e/w odds, which I'd suggest is a good bet. I'll go 1x2 at $4.

SELECTIONS - 19 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Swan Hill 8-4

Comments: Bangazz led them up but got tired late and missed a place in the first at Kilmore yesterday. Baughurst was then 3-4 deep for most of the trip in the Camperdown Cup, threated at the top of the straight but couldn't finish off. Gun Bird then ran a pretty poor race, I thought, when finishing 3rd. At least one of the non-POOMAs lobbed at $18 to help the day. Nothing today though I might anchor a quaddie with the non-POOMA at Swan Hill.

SELECTIONS - 18 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Camperdown 7-6 Baughurst [13]
Kilmore 1-2 Bangazz [10]
Port Lincoln 8-6 Gun Bird [3]

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

Camperdown 8-8
Kilmore 7-10
Sunshine Coast 1-12

Comments: It would be handy if our current rotten run would ease up for a bit. The System 13 performance has become somewhat farcical with just 3 from 23 since we started this year against an expectation of 40%+. I hope that the connections of Baughurst don't know that their charge carries the curse of being selected by it. He does look a fair chance, though. Bangazz was consistent last preparation. He'll probably lead them up and the question will be whether he's fit enough to hold them out. He might be around $6 which would make him a fair e/w bet. At Port Lincoln, Gun Bird really looks the goods after her last couple of runs. She's a genuine $1.90 shot.

SELECTIONS - 17 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ararat 7-7 Adequate [16]
Cheltenham 8-8 Maldivian [13,16]
Gold Coast 1-1 Winnie's Boy [10]
Rosehill 3-1 Beauty School [18]

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

Ascot 6-5, 7-3
Eagle Farm 1-2, 2-1
Gold Coast 7-5
Moonee Valley 7-2, 7-9, 9-5
Rosehill 5-7
Toowoomba 2-1

(* updates at Ascot after details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: Really, the rides on our selections yesterday were 2/10, tops, with both hoops letting their mounts get back at vital stages. Ararat 7-7 Adequate snuck home in a Maiden two starts back and then ran an even race at Sandown in a much stronger field. This is a pretty strong race, too, so I'll want $5 to have a go. Cheltenham 8-8 Maldivian ran a really good race first up and steps up to a more suitable trip here. He does have to overcome the curse of System 13 but he's probably the best chance in a little while of doing so. Gold Coast 1-1 Winnie's Boy has run three placings in three starts in OK races but drops back to 1000m here from 1200m with only 14 days between runs, which is not something I tend to be too thrilled to see. Still, it's not a strong race and he'll be $4+ so should be thereabouts. Rosehill 3-1 Beauty School won a stronger race first up last time and the step up in trip looks suitable. She has to go the opposite way today but Hayes seems to be able to get them to do that. If she's anywhere near the $4.50 on the morning line then I reckon that's at least $1 of value.

SELECTIONS - 16 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Werribee 1-8 Rose Ceremony [18]
Werribee 3-2 Silk Wind [13, 14]

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

Werribee 5-3, 7-2

Comments: 2 from 3 yesterday for another slim profit. That's two winning days in a row, which is nothing to be sneezed at, especially given our form over the last couple of weeks. Of course, the big question on the tips of everyone's lips is whether Silk Wind can overcome the burden of Unlucky System 13 or fall victim to the current run of outs? He won pretty easily over this course last time and is in well at the weights so should go pretty close. Rose Ceremony runs around in the first race after a couple of seconds at Mornington and then Moonee Valley, which was a Listed Race though with only 5 runners. She'll sit right on the pace and depending on how good Gibralter Campion is should be there at the business end, as well.

SELECTIONS - 15 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ballarat 4-2 Danevade [1]
Pinjarra 5-11 Speedy Satina [10]
Port Macquarie 8-1 Raheeb [12]

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

Nil

Comments: One from two yesterday returning a slight profit, which doesn't really help the last few weeks' performance but we press on regardless. Ballarat 4-2 Danevade won her Maiden easily last time after some good runs in those MV night Maidens previously. That wasn't much of a field last time and this is a pretty good field for a Class 1 so I wouldn't want to go anywhere near the $2.50 being served up on the morning line. Port Macquarie 8-1 Raheeb was backed off the map into $1.30 last time when thrashing them at its first start at Wyong. He steps up to Class 2 company today, has 59kg and a wide gate but you'd think he'll win again at about $1.50. The only query I have is why Tim Martin would take the horse to Port Macquarie instead of into town for one of those weak Class 3 races they run. Pinjarra 5-11 Speedy Satina ran well first up over this course last time. That run was an improvement on anything she's done to date so if she takes another step today should be in the finish at good each way odds.

SELECTIONS - 14 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ascot 2-2 Girl In A Storm [14]
Sandown 2-3 Mata Mia [14]

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

Sandown 3-2

(* Updates at Ascot after final details there - UPDATED *)

Comments: You know, the current run of System 13 is quite appalling. Since we began 2007 it has decided to go on a run of 3/21 (14% s/r) against a live s/r of 40% and expectation of 43% so you'd have to think that we must be in for a recovery at some point. It's Valentine's Day today so I suggest that you go and spend your money on flowers for the missus rather than having a punt (and that includes you, Rog).

SELECTIONS - 13 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Stony Creek 7-4 Cordane [13]

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

Stony Creek 1-2, 4-1

Comments: Unlucky System 13 presents with another selection today and this one actually looks half a chance. Stony Creek 7-4 Cordane is an in form 5YO up against 6YO mares and older geldings. The only problem is that he'll go around at about even money, which is probably about the right price actually.

SELECTIONS - 12 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Donald 6-2, 8-2

Comments: Our sole selection, Rolling Rich, ran an even race for about 5th yesterday at Wyong. He hasn't been able to run a place at the provincial tracks and is better off back in the country. The two non-POOMAs at Donald might be OK odds and be a chance but the track is slow and that's never a good betting surface.

SELECTIONS - 11 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Wyong 6-2 Rolling Rich [9]

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

Nil

(* updates at Albany after details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: What an absolutely, completely, unarguably, totally shite horse our POOMA yesterday, Bingham, is. If he ever wins one then it'll be at somewhere like Louth or Esperance and even then it'll be in a two runner race where the other one is a three-legged, alcoholic camel with only one good lung and motor neurone disease. And even then he'll only win by a nose after the camel misses the start by ten and runs wide on the corner. It was good to see the good horses win. Haradasun, Gold Edition and El Segundo all did the job nicely through Marasco was unlucky after being deep all the way. They'll run one-two in the Australian Cup, I reckon.

At Wyong today, 6-2 Rolling Rich steps up from a Coffs Harbour Class 2 into a provincial Class 3. He hasn't run a place away from the country tracks and meets this field on poor weight terms so I'd want double each way odds to have a bet.

SELECTIONS - 10 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Bendigo 2-2 Bingham [7]

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

Caulfield 7-3, 7-6
Newcastle 5-6
Toowoomba 2-2

Comments: Our sole selection, Borsha's Warrior, really caned them at Eagle Farm yesterday paying $3 and ending our 12 race run of outs. This is a serious racehorse, I think, and it would not surprise me at all to see him competing at the top level in Brisbane come next Spring. The non-POOMA, Dans Dor, also won in a canter after looking in trouble 300m out when held up for a run. He's worth following, too.

Bingham runs around as the POOMA today at Bendigo. He's having his 12th start and is still trying to break his duck but his recent form in the city class has been good enough to get him home in this unless there's a smoky in the field.

There are quite a few runners from my black book running today, as well. Ascot 2-2 Zoom Star flew home from last at Bunbury last run and the step up in trip will suit. Ascot 5-2 Westerly Breeze is a filly on the up. I commented before her last start win that she's in the mould of those mares in WA like Belle Bizarre that win 7 or 8 of their first 10 starts. She'll be odds on and be too good again. Doomben 5-5 Slim Pickings settled at the back of the field last time in a slowly run race and rocketed home for 2nd. He's had a bit of a break and should be good e/w odds. Randwick 8-6 Sniper's Bullet is really in the deep end today but he's been really impressive and might be up to it. Toowoomba 1-5 Mini Maizing won at the non-TAB track of Warwick at his first start and then went into the black book after a really comfortable win at this track last time.

The good horses are at Caulfield and it will be great to see Haradasun run around again. It would be a surprise if he was beaten but I guess that anything's possible after England beat Australia yesterday and Musket went down as a long odds on shot at Canterbury (I backed against it, actually, as I wasn't impressed with the field it beat at its only start). It wouldn't shock me if Hayes' 'other' runner, Schianto, ran OK in race 5. It didn't get much of a crack at them at her only start. The CF Orr has assembled a terrific field, the best for years, and I think that Miss Finland will go close. There's a complete lack of pace in the race, which means they'll all be going hard 600m out trying to catch the front runners. That type of race always gives a roughie a chance to do something a bit different and give the rest a scare. In the last I'll be looking to back Coalesce e/w. This is the weakest race he's been in for a while though it's always a bit problematic backing Sydney horses having their first run at Caulfield.

SELECTIONS - 9 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Eagle Farm 7-4 Borsha's Warrior [20]

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

Eagle Farm 8-3

Comments: So odds on favourite, Mercantile, flops out of the gate, is scrubbed along all the way through the race, runs up to them on the corner and runs out of puff late to finish 3rd to its stablemate? I have always had suspicions about Corey Brown, which I won't air here, obviously, but if he could go back to Sydney then that would be good. The day then turned into an absolute blowout with not one of the five picks managing to get the prize, which puts POOMAs into the red for the year on the back of an 12 pick losing streak. Can Borsha's Warrior break the drought at Eagle Farm or will he rack up our 13th straight loss? He's not a bad horse though he steps up in grade again in a field that is a reasonably strong Class 2.

SELECTIONS - 8 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Geraldton 6-10 Avantiste [10]
Mornington 1-6 Mercantile [7]
Mornington 6-3 Tall Trees [13]
Mornington 7-1 Boy Wonder [13]
Rockhampton 7-6 Maryvalleyrattler [1]

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

Geraldton 5-3

Comments: Unlucky System 13 took care of the first of our POOMAs and race favourite, Major Yeats, yesterday at Ipswich when he went 300m, buckjumped, the jockey lost his irons and he finished tailed off. Punters then didn't understand the extreme danger they were in when Extreme Danger, which was well backed, tried to overcome the curse of System 13 but faded late for 4th. Today we have another couple of selections that are attempting to reverse the rot.

Mornington 1-6 Mercantile looks the winner after his couple of good runs from a spell though he'll be as short as Roger's temper. He's by a sire that I've got my eye on, Diatribe, which has been producing some really nice types and might even get a really good one. This horse is well named being out of the mare Capitalism. 6-3 Tall Trees only wins one race a year and given that he won two starts back we might be on too late. Still, it's not much of a field though if Professional Lady is anywhere near right then you'd think she'd win by from here to over the road. 7-1 Boy Wonder has been in good recent form and looks a fair chance in his race. Rockhampton 7-6 Maryvalleyrattler is trying to win her 4th race from 8 starts. All three previous wins have been at her home track of Bundaberg though she's run a couple of OK races at Rocky. I don't know the apprentice jockey, S.Holcombe, but he's 2/2 on the horse so far. In the first of those wins he claimed 4kg so he's only been riding this season. Rockhampton is not a track for inexperienced jockeys, as patience is the order of the day. I'd prefer to see a dry track, also, as the Manshood breed really don't go well in the wet. I'll want better than $6 to have a go. Geraldton 6-10 Avantiste rounds out the selections today and must be a chance in an open race. She beat home half of today's rivals last time, though that was in a bunched finish, which is never a good guide. I'll be looking for double figure odds.

SELECTIONS - 7 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ipswich 7-1 Major Yeats [10,13]
Ipswich 8-1 Extreme Danger [13]

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

Bunbury 4-4, 6-7
Randwick 7-2
Strathalbyn 1-3

(* updates at Bunbury after final details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: Our (non) favourite System 13 (currently only 3/16) has a couple of selections today at Ipswich. 7-1 Major Yeats started favourite in an 800m race last time, was slowly away and never in the race when 10th. His normal racing style is to race up front or right on the pace so he'll probably be right in the thick of things at the 200m. The question is whether he can find the line strongly under 58kg. 8-1 Extreme Danger is another that races right up at the sharp end of the field and has a good record at Ipswich, winning twice and with three placings from five starts. He's drawn well and, like Major Yeats, will be right there 200m out. He also has to carry 58kg so I'd want about $5.

SELECTIONS - 6 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

...and no non-POOMA selections either

Comments: Our sole selection, Tuscan Prince, was beaten a nose yesterday at Ararat. Taree and Ballarat today and nothing worth backing.

SELECTIONS - 5 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ararat 1-1 Tuscan Prince [1]

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

Ararat 8-1

Comments: None from 3 yesterday. Kimbo got us off to an appalling start at Kyneton when finishing last of the six runners after sitting outside the leader at a slow tempo. He dropped the bit before the corner and got squeezed out though he didn't lose any ground up the straight from that point on, which was a bit of a strange run. Hendrik ran an OK race but couldn't hold out the winner at Sale and then Rough Sea ran about 5th at Port Lincoln. She looked a bit out-graded and that's how it turned out. Our non-POOMA lobbed at $14 ($20 SuperTAB) and I stood it out in the Sale quaddie, which paid shocking unders at $2,800 against the all up at over $5K. At Ararat today, 1-1 Tuscan Prince, ran a couple of seconds before really getting his act together to annexe a Warracknabeal Maiden by over 4L, coming from well back on the corner after being slowly away. There's only one other winner in the field, Portrait Lass, and she looks the danger.

SELECTIONS - 4 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Kyneton 1-1 Kimbo [13]
Port Lincoln 6-9 Rough Sea [10]
Sale 2-1 Hendrik [13,14]

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

Sale 6-6

(* Updates at Pinjarra after final details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: 3 from 4 yesterday returning a skinny $5.10. Sleek Chassis kicked things off in comfortable fashion by doing a lot wrong, sitting deep and winning well at an unbackable $1.30 though better was available on the other totes. Mighty Mak then gave those who took the $1.50 a bit of a fright when he missed the start and worked through on the inside to lead before kicking away and hanging on narrowly. We had another narrow winner when Timeless Spirit lobbed in the last hop at $2.30. Why is it that the $15 ones tend to lose in the last hop? Ruby's Party was never in the race at Toowoomba and its last start win might have been a bit of a fluke. Port Lincoln 6-9 Rough Sea seems to be racing out of its grade but must have some talent given the longest price she's started is 13/4 in seven starts. Sale 2-1 Hendrik has finally delivered on the promise he showed early in his career. He won well last time and showed a lot of toughness but I don't think he's better than about a $2.30 chance even though it isn't much of a field. Kyneton 1-1 Kimbo had a soft run last time and found the line well to get home narrowly at Geelong over 1750m. The step up to 2000m should be OK and the claim will help. There doesn't look to be any pace in this race so it'll be a bit of a sprint home, I expect, which tends to make these type of staying races a bit of a lottery. $3.50 will be worth a bet.

SELECTIONS - 3 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Ascot 1-1 Mighty Mak [18]
Moonee Valley 1-3 Sleek Chassis [18,12]
Rosehill 9-4 Timeless Spirit [1]
Toowoomba 5-3 Ruby's Party [10]

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

Doomben 3-1
Moonee Valley 2-1, 4-14
Rosehill 9-5

(* Updates at Ascot after final details are through - UPDATED *)

SELECTIONS - 2 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Werribee 1-1, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3

Comments: 1 from 2 yesterday returning $3.80. We had to wait until late in the day for our first runner but it was worth it when Law School ran out a comfortable winner at Tamworth though the $3.80 on NSW TAB was quite a bit shorter than the $5.10 available on VIC TAB. Closet Rocker then ran a patchy race for 3rd at Canterbury. She was off the bit well before the corner, made some ground in the straight, hit a flat spot and then seemed to pick up again to easily fill a place. It appears to me that she doesn't know what it's all about yet.

SELECTIONS - 1 February 2007

POOMA selections (Location Race#-TAB# Horse [system/s])

Canterbury 1-3 Closet Rocker [18]
Tamworth 7-3 Law School [11]

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

Mt Barker 5-4, 7-12

(* Updates for Mt Barker after final details are through - UPDATED *)

Comments: Only 1 from 4 yesterday returning $2.20 to end the month. Danzibaa was the first POOMA to go and he had a good run in the one-one before not really showing much dash up the straight to be well beaten. He was $6.50 on the tote but better than $9 was available on course. Picture Show then ran a narrow 3rd at Eagle Farm before Nomads followed up in the next race with a pretty weak effort. That left it to The Kid at Pinjarra to try and salvage something for the day and he did the job in nice style though was a bit short at $2.20. At Tamworth today, 7-3 Law School got home narrowly here last time and must have a chance again today in a pretty even field. System 11 is yet to open its account this year and is having its 5th selection today. Its long term strike rate is greater than 50% so I expect this system to hit back soon, as well. At Canterbury, 1-3 Closet Rocker drops in grade to a Maiden here and unless one of the first starters is smart then you'd think she'd go close to leading all the way.