SELECTIONS - 31 March 2007

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

Kembla Grange 3-9 Imanoremiss [10]
Moonee Valley 3-2 Illustration [13]

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

Ascot 4-10, 7-12
Echuca 6-4
Gold Coast 8-2
Kembla 6-5, 6-8
Moonee Valley 3-1, 4-1, 8-7
Morphettville 1-3
Rosehill 4-1, 5-12

Comments: Saint Sebastian started a very short price favourite, sat three and four deep all the way, and still won by over a length. He will win good races in his career. Today we need to make about $10 profit for us to sneak back in front at the end of the month like we did at the end of January and February. Doesn't look very likely, though, given the two tips we've got. Kembla 3-9 Imanoremiss ran well behind a smart one last time and probably has the form to win this race but I'd want to see $5+ to have a bet. Moonee Valley 3-2 Illustration is an up and coming stayer that has been in good form. His main danger is onviously Maldivian so it looks like a Zabeel quinella. There's no doubt that Maldivian has form in stronger races so the 4kg difference is what will determine the outcome.

SELECTIONS - 30 March 2007

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

Ipswich 5-3 Saint Sebastian [9]

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

Cessnock 2-5
Ipswich 1-4 Chief Whip

Comments: Saint Sebastian is the POOMA today and is also one from my black book. My comment after his last run was "Killed them at the Gold Coast. Follow until 10 starts." He won under a throttlehold that day and should win again.

SELECTIONS - 29 March 2007

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

Rockhampton 2-4 Deceiving [4]
Rockhampton 4-3 Onalar [11]
Rockhampton 8-3 Craiglea Emma [3]

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

Rockhampton 2-2, 5-1, 5-2, 8-4

Comments: All the action is at the Far North Queensland track of Rockhampton today kicking off with 2-4 Deceiving. He drops back a grade after a couple of fair runs in Class 4 company but his chances will be determined by whether he can get a decent run from his unfavourable barrier draw. He'll be good e/w odds and I'll be having a go if he's around $8. 4-3 Onalar won handily in this grade last time and jumps a couple of kgs for that win. He's a consistent performer and looks a really good chance though I want to see $3.50 to have a bet. 8-3 Craiglea Emma has been a terrific mare, winning 10 of her 22 runs. I do think she's weighted right up to her best, though, so won't be falling into a short price.

SELECTIONS - 28 March 2007

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

Eagle Farm 5-6 Rainbow's View [14]
Eagle Farm 8-2 Momentously [14]

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

Sandown 1-4, 1-6, 1-9, 3-3, 7-6
Warwick Farm 5-5, 7-2

Comments: Eagle Farm 5-6 Rainbow's View heads into the city after doing all of his racing on country tracks where he's won his last three. In form apprentice Adrian Coome brings him in nicely at the weights but I don't like the look of the $3.40 on the morning line. Seems a tad short to me. 8-2 Momentously zipped home nicely at the Gold Coast first up to win over 900m. She'll settle midfield and should have a good run from gate 2 so looks a good chance.

SELECTIONS - 27 March 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Stony Creek 8-2

Comments: Stony Creek race 6 looks reasonably easy to work out from a pace point of view. Our POOMA, Sizzled, jumps to the front from gate 6 and Clouds Of Cognac sits up outside him from 7. Rubini crosses from 10 to sit behind the lead, one out, too. Sizzled has run 3 placings from 3 goes at the track, which doesn't surprise, as you'd think it would suit his front running style. The query in the race is whether he can hold on or whether a late closer like Kendalay can get him. We might get a fair price of $5+ today.

11AM Update: Sizzled was a selection until the jockey change. System 13 includes a requirement for the jockey to have ridden the horse, which Michael Guthrie hasn't. He'll probably win, of course.

SELECTIONS - 26 March 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Nil

Comments: Nothing to see here. Move along.

SELECTIONS - 25 March 2007

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

Sunshine Coast 5-5 Observe [13]

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

Warracknabeal 5-3, 7-5
Yarra Valley 1-7, 2-12

Comments: Only 1/6 yesterday and the nomal couple of 2nds. The winner, Rockem at Townsville, appears to be an extremely smart horse. His jockey sat him near the lead and let him cruise to the line to win by about 3/4 length. It looked to me like they were foxing on him a bit so they can get a price when they take the horse to town. Sunshine Coast 5-5 Observe flogged a small field at his first start and resumed from a spell with an even run when 5th. 2YOs have a good record when contesting open age races but he looks particularly poorly weighted here.

On a sad note, Damian McDonald was killed in the appalling Burnley Tunnel crash on Friday morning. As State Manager, I hired Damian last year into the role he was in at the time of his death. He really was a good fella with a terrific sense of humour, work ethic and willingness to help anyone who needed it. At only 34, he had a young family and lots of friends and our thoughts go out to them at this awful time.

SELECTIONS - 24 March 2007

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

Ascot 1-7 Tikit Time [18]
Ascot 5-7 Charlie Beau [19]
Cheltenham 5-3 Youth's Edge [13]
Newcastle 2-1 The Spit [13]
Rosehill 4-6 Solo Flyer [18]
Toowoomba 2-3 Rockem [8,12]

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

Ascot 5-4, 8-2
Caulfield 3-2
Gold Coast 8-3

(* Updates at Ascot after final details are through - updated with POOMA*)

Comments: Eyelashes lobbed yesterday at Rocky paying $1.70 as our sole selection. She was thrown into the race at the weights and the fact she only got home by a half length leads me to think she's not that strong so I'll be happy if she doesn't get picked again.

Ascot 5-7 Charlie Beau ran a really good race for 2nd as favourite in the big race at Bunbury last time out and it took a very good horse to beat him. He seems well placed here but will need to find a position from out wide in a race where there are two obvious dangers in Go The Surt and Blessed Sue. Cheltenham 5-3 Youth's Edge looks chucked in here after his good runs in black type company at his last three outings. Expect him to start in the red. Newcastle 2-1 The Spit is a talented galloper that should have more wins to his name but he's been running around in the city for most of his career. I can't work out these ratings based races but I presume he's a chance even with the 59kg. He and Picture Show look the obvious quinella. Rosehill 4-6 Solo Flyer has been right on the heels of the placegetters in stronger races at his last couple and will be nice e/w odds. The form out of the Blue Diamond seems to be holding up so the top two look the dangers. Toowoomba 2-3 Rockem comes out of two POOMA systems and four other systems, which is a rarity. He won his Maiden nicely last time as an odds on favourite. I don't back Maiden winners in Class 1 races unless I can get a decent price, which I don't think he'll be so it might be a no bet race for me.

SELECTIONS - 23 March 2007

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

Rockhampton 4-5 Eyelashes [2,11]

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

Rockhampton 2-2

Comments: Our sole selection got home yesterday at $3.30. I don't want to put the mocker on it but the much maligned System 13 is actually ahead for this month. I'll make a brave statement and say that it will finish ahead come the end of the year. Rockhampton 4-5 Eyelashes looks a special today but has a habit of getting beaten at very short prices including the two times she's been odds on so I won't be taking a short price today. A couple from the black book, too. Rockhampton 6-3 Shifting Sands got home hard to win well two starts back before drawing wide, not being able to get a position and ridden quietly to finish well back. He's had a freshen up but I'm not too sure the 1000m won't be too short. Sale 8-6 Magonius won his first state nicely and ran well last time. Freedman has scratched the stablemate so I'm guessing he thinks he can win the race with this one.

SELECTIONS - 22 March 2007

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

Seymour 7-2 Not A Copy [13]

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

Nil

Comments: 2 from 6 yesterday. Identify ran on OK race for 3rd at Sandown and then Shasti stepped out as a short priced favourite at Ascot, had a perfect run and got nabbed on the line confirming my point that you never want to take a short price on a horse going from age restricted into open age races even if it looks like a drop in class. Adriatic Ocean then put in a really tough performance to lead all of the way at Kembla Grange, which was handy, as he'd been picked by three different systems. Tiger Is Ready then ran an even race in the 4th there but wasn't up to winning, finishing midfield, which I think confirms her win last time was a bit of a fluke. Orme then won handily at Strathalbyn; he's up to a city staying race for sure so follow him. Smart Maxie tried valiantly under his 59kg but couldn't give away 6kg to the field and ran a stout 3rd. System 13 hit 2/3 yesterday, which was nice. It's performing miles below expectation so far this year and I reckon it'll strike back and get to the front.

Seymour 7-2 Not A Copy is in good recent form and should be a fair chance today. He does have to step up to 1412m for the first time but he's by the Japanese stallion, Genuine, so that should be OK.

A few from the black book are also having a run. Albury 5-1 In The Shadows won a couple nicely before finding the step up to 2040m a bit beyond him, which is no surprise given he's by sprinting sire Toy Pindarri. Back to a mile should see him in with a chance here. Gosford 7-2 Runaway Frisco began quickly in her Maiden win at Wyong last time from her 13 of 13 draw, sat outside the leader at a breakneck speed, fought off the other horse and held them out in a tough effort. She's drawn wide again and has 60kg and might be a chance but who can tell in these ratings based races. Seymour 8-1 Lazer Sharp has only won one race but he's actually a talented horse and the step up to a mile is suitable. The Weetwood is always a great race and I reckon that one I've followed at his last couple of runs, 7-18 Slim Pickings, must have a chance. I put him in the black book after his 2nd three starts back and then picked up nicely when he won both of his subsequent starts at double figure tote odds. He's drawn wide but gets back anyway so that won't hurt his chance and finishes quickly so the hectic pace of this race will play into his racing style. He'll be double figure odds again so I'll be backing each way.

SELECTIONS - 21 March 2007

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

Ascot 1-11 Shashti [7]
Kembla Grange 3-3 Adriatic Ocean [6,12,13]
Kembla Grange 4-1 Tiger Is Ready [18]
Kembla Grange 5-1 Smart Maxie [13]
Sandown 2-8 Identify [18]
Strathalbyn 5-6 Orme [13]

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

Kembla Grange 7-1

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

Comments: And there you go, another Maiden winner gets thrashed in a Class 1 event with Real Swell's defeat at Ipswich yesterday. He was heavily backed, too, which I reckon proves that people really don't look down at their fingers and remember why there are burn marks. We then had two selections at Narrogin. Kick Back Mac certainly kicked back for most of the race, putting in an average run to finish well back. Trisar then jumped slowly, worked really hard to lead from out wide and somehow ran them off their feet to win at $5.40 giving us a welcome profit for the day. The horse was 1/23 before yesterday with the win being in a Mt Newman Maiden in August 2005 that only had one other runner.

A heap of POOMAs today. Ascot 1-11 Shasti has been running OK in 3YO company at Ascot. When horses step into 3YO+ company it's always tougher so I don't like taking short odds when they do. I'd rate her a $3.20 chance. If Kembla Grange 3-3 Adriatic Ocean doesn't win then it'll hurt the old stats, as he's been picked by three systems. As I commented above, I don't like Maiden winners in Class 1 races and he goes from a Maiden to a Class 2. He's promising so must be a chance. 4-1 Tiger Is Ready got home well to win in midweek company at Randwick last time though she was 20/1 so not even the stable expected it. If she's good e/w odds then I might have a go otherwise I'll just spectate. 5-1 Smart Maxie is giving away 6kg to the field. Ashkabar is the obvious leader so he'll be able to position in 3rd or 4th spot. He's a better horse than these but 59kg is a fair whack of weight, especially as he has to add the 5kg burden of System 13. Sandown 2-8 Identify will need to be $6+ for me to get interested. She's been consistent in weaker company and will run OK but there look to be some well bred first starters in this. Strathalbyn 5-6 Orme might be a fair bet if you can get e/w odds, as the step up in trip looks ideal.

SELECTIONS - 20 March 2007

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

Ipswich 3-4 Real Swell [10,13]
Narrogin 4-2 Kick Back Mac [17]
Narrogin 7-5 Trisar [17]

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

Randwick 4-3
Warrnambool 1-1

(* Updates at Narrogin when final details are in - UPDATED with POOMAs *)

Comments: Ipswich 3-4 Real Swell won his Maiden last time and steps up in grade and up in weight. Maiden winners in Class 1 company are the worst betting propositions possible and taking anything less than $4 is going to be serious unders for this horse.

SELECTIONS - 19 March 2007

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

Mildura 7-2 Phantom Flight [14]

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

Nil

Comments: One from five yesterday and a couple of close seconds. POOMAs are behind for the win this month but ahead for the place, which shows we've been going close but not getting the chocolates. There's not a lot of pace in the race so today's selection might be able to dictate things to suit, sprint hard and win. That's the theory, anyway.

SELECTIONS - 18 March 2007

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

Ballina 6-1 Smiling Gino [18]
Devonport 1-3 Oqyana [1]
Kalgoorlie 2-8 Landspeed Cruiser [1]
Kalgoorlie 4-5 Under Attack [17]
Orange 3-2 Green Fellas [13]

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

Benalla 5-4, 6-5
Cranbourne 6-10
Devonport 4-1
Kalgoorlie 4-5
Orange 2-1, 6-1
Sunshine Coast 5-6, 6-2

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

Comments: A win and three seconds from four picks yesterday, which just adds to some recent frustration.

SELECTIONS - 17 March 2007

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

Ascot 1-1 Our Katarina [9]
Ascot 3-2 Moisture [18]
Cheltenham 5-3 Terravue [13]
Rosehill 6-3 Zizou [18]

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

Ascot 6-3
Cheltenham 3-6
Colac 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3
Gold Coast 2-5
Lismore 1-1
Sandown 7-6
Toowoomba 2-2

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

Comments: King Cash got home narrowly yesterday at a short $1.90. He's one of those horses that has talent and will always start in well in the market but you can't make money out of in the long term.

SELECTIONS - 16 March 2007

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

Mackay 2-2 King Cash [6]

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

Moonee Valley 5-2
Muswellbrook 7-2
Nowra 5-1

Comments: A 2nd and a 4th yesterday. I can feel the pressure building for another $10+ winner!

SELECTIONS - 15 March 2007

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

Bunbury 1-3 Right I Am [7]
Townsville 6-1 Overseas [3]

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

Hawkesbury 4-2, 5-2

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

Comments: Stuff a duck. Three narrow 2nds and a 3rd from four selections yesterday. That's the sort of thing that drives you nuts.

SELECTIONS - 14 March 2007

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

Ballarat 2-5 Supriym Story [18]
Geraldton 1-1 Artillery Prince [10]
Geraldton 3-2 Billyaintsilly [17]
Geraldton 5-3 Metal Power [17]

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

Ballarat 1-1, 1-2, 1-5
Geraldton 3-2
Gold Coast 7-10
Newcastle 7-3

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

Comments: The Darkcee made it 0/2 as a POOMA yesterday. He was strongly supported into a price well short of what he should have been. Outpaced early, he really didn't put himself into contention at any stage. He's obviously had problems and I'll be happy if he's never picked again. Miss Andretti's little brother, Charlie Beau, had a good run, got into the race at exactly the right time but couldn't hold out Royal Lott, who's a Listed race winner and a classy type in his own right.

SELECTIONS - 13 March 2007

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

Bunbury 8-12 Charlie Beau [13]
Port Macquarie 6-3 The Darkcee [10]

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

Bunbury 5-3
Terang 5-2

Comments: The Darkcee was a beaten POOMA at his last start when he hiked along outside the leader, kicked away and couldn't quite carry the System 13 burden to victory. He goes up a grade today but gets some weight relief so he should go pretty close. Over in WA a pretty good horse looks a fair chance of carrying the System 13 curse to victory in the form of 8-12 Charlie Beau. He's been in terrific form, lumping big weights to easy victories and steps up to Listed company today. This is a pretty good field but he should be right in the finish. A couple of blackbookers clash today in Bunbury race 5. 1-El Presidente has really looked the goods when winning his last three and he is one to follow for at least his next six starts. 3-Zoom Star was beaten by El Presidente last time and that should be the case here today, as well, but he does have a big finish and can figure if they flog along early.

SELECTIONS - 12 March 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Canterbury 3-4, 7-10
Moonee Valley 5-1
Pakenham 8-8

Comments: A miss and a scratching yesterday. Looks like a good day to give it a miss. One of my black bookers runs around at MV today. 8-5 In The Shadows is a Toy Pindarri gelding that seems to defy his breeding a bit and be able to stay. After winning over the mile trip at Albury he stepped up to 1887m at Kyneton, quickly led, settled very well and was never in doubt, being eased down over the final bit in an impressive performance. There doesn't seem to be a lot of speed in the race so he looks the likely leader and might be a good chance at nice each way odds.

SELECTIONS - 11 March 2007

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

Hobart 8-4 Charlemore [1]
Mt Barker 3-1 Truck Talk [17]

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

Armidale 2-9, 3-2
Echuca 8-10
Mt Barker 2-3
Stony Creek 1-3, 6-1

(* Updates at Mt Barker when final details are in - UPDATED + POOMA *)

Comments: 2 from 3 yesterday returning a slim $3.30. The combined selections achieved 9/19 returning $36 so that was good if you followed them.

SELECTIONS - 10 March 2007

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

Ascot 1-1 Secret Vault [18]
Morphettville 4-2 Lord Of The Dance [13,14]
Randwick 4-2 Murtajill [18]

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

Caulfield 2-4, 3-1, 4-4, 5-10, 6-2, 8-3, 8-7, 8-11
Edenhope 3-3, 7-4
Morphettville 1-2, 1-3, 1-6, 1-8, 3-1

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

Comments: Is it just me or did anyone else think that Drake sat on yeterday's selection at Ipswich, Icedane, like a stale bottle of piss? The horse was deep all of the way but hard riding from the top of the straight would have got it home, surely? It's a great day's racing at Caulfield with their hosting of the meeting transferred from Flemington. Why they would put the rail out 7m is beyond me, as that should turn things into a benefit for front runners. Morphettville 4-2 Lord Of The Dance carries the System 13 handicap today. We've had a reprieve for a few days from this system in which time we've shown a profit. Lord Of The Dance has been winning easily and this doesn't look much harder. Anything above $2 will be a good get. Randwick 4-2 Murtajill started favourite and was unlucky last time when slowly away. He and the topweight look the only chances in the race.

SELECTIONS - 9 March 2007

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

Ipswich 5-2 Icedane [10]

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

Echuca 5-1
Ipswich 3-2

Comments: 1/3 yesterday for a useful $7.60 return when Carry On Doctor won the Magic Millions 2YO Trophy at Rocky and we went within a wart of adding to it when La Peru got nabbed in the last hop at Port Lincoln. Ipswich 5-2 Icedane ran OK first up for second. This is not a strong field so she'd have to be a chance.

SELECTIONS - 8 March 2007

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

Port Lincoln 8-5 La Peru [10]
Rockhampton 6-1 Bonza Crop [4,15]
Rockhampton 6-3 Carry On Doctor [15]

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

Gosford 6-1
Rockhampton 4-2

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

Comments: 2/3 yesterday returning $4.20 with the only one getting beaten being from my favourite system. He didn't have much luck, though. An unusual occurence today with a system having two picks in the same race. From memory, the last time that happened they finished 2nd and nowhere. Rockhampton 6-1 Bonza Crop won well first up last time in before running OK in a Listed race at Eagle Farm. He looks the testing material. 6-3 Carry On Doctor ran in a couple of Open 2YO races before having a break and winning at the Sunshine Coast in good style. You'd have to think that the topweight is the testing material. Port Lincoln 8-5 La Peru took a long time to break her duck but had been in good form at this track since moving from NSW. She gets in very well at the weights and from gate 3 should be right in the finish.

I'll be keeping an eye on a couple that are in my black book at Ballarat. 7-9 Magonius was backed as if unbeatable first up and duly won before disappointing last time when a drifting favourite. 8-2 Lazer Sharp showed good form last time in and defied his breeding by performing better once he stepped up in trip. He's first up at 1500m today and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him run a race at good odds.

SELECTIONS - 7 March 2007

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

Devonport 1-1 Arapeho [12,14]
Sandown 3-4 Sanjuan [19]
Sandown 5-2 Anna Joy [8,12]

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

Doomben 3-5, 6-5
Sandown 1-2
Warwick Farm 5-11

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

Comments: Our selection yesterday, High Priority, ran like a different horse from his Sydney form so you'd have to think he's had something go wrong. A couple of selections today at Sandown. The first of them comes from my all time favourite system that went live on 23/6/04. It only had 9 selections in 2006 for winners at $18.70, $5.10, $4.60, $4.20 and $3.70 which followed on from 2005 in which it hit 15/29 for nearly 100% profit so 3-4 Sanjuan has a big reputation to carry with it. He started $1.50 when surprisingly beaten in his Maiden before putting things right at $1.30 last time out when leading all the way at Mornington. He did it on his ear that day though it's worth noting that Domzero won in faster time at the same meeting so I wouldn't be taking less than about $2.80. 5-2 Anna Joy flogged a weak field at her first start before getting home well from 2nd last on the corner at Sandown last time. She wobbled around the corner that day so it was a good effort to finish 2nd. She jumps 2.5kg but looks promising. Devonport 1-1 Arapeho started odds on and won his Maiden nicely when first up last time. She jumps 4kg but for 2YOs over the short course tractibility tends to be a more important factor than weight so she should go close.

SELECTIONS - 6 March 2007

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

Townsville 3-2 High Priority [4,15]

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

Nil

Comments: Our pick at the Sapphire Coast, Gelderbelle, was a bit unlucky yesterday, as he copped a little prat at the 400m that ended up as probably being the difference between winning and losing as a $9 shot.

Well, I don't know if today's POOMA has had a throat operation or anything that would prevent it from running to its old form but if he's OK then he should canter home. He's won in Class 6 company in Sydney Saturday class so you think he should have a Class 3 field covered. He also represents the first pick for the year for System 4 so good luck to it.

SELECTIONS - 5 March 2007

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

Sapphire Coast 2-6 Gelderbelle [10]

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

Ararat 6-3

Comments: Seven selections yesterday for just one win returning $3.30. Things got off to a poor start when crappy Choisir filly missed the start, sat three deep at the back, lost ground around the corner and showed nothing up the straight. Commisioner Mac then ran a terrific race with the weight and from the wide gate at Albury when finishing 2nd. Proud Hunter carried the POOMA hopes in the first leg of the Sunshine Coast quaddie, led on his ear but could only finish 3rd. It then took Tikit Time to lob narrowly at Pinjarra to open our account for the day. Twelve Oaks then finished off with 3rd spot in what I thought was a disappointing effort.

At the Sapphire Coast 2-6 Gelderbelle has been in OK form for a race like this, if you can work out how to pick winners in these bastard ratings based races, that is.

SELECTIONS - 4 March 2007

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

Albury 4-1 Commisoner Mac [13]
Balaklava 2-12 Sister Akhapacs [7]
Balaklava 7-1 Twelve Oaks [13]
Pakenham 1-4 Oh Dear [18]
Pinjarra 2-12 Tikit Time [18]
Sunshine Coast 5-3 Proud Hunter [13,14]
Wyong 2-4 Nevaseenbrighta [6,12]

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

Alice Springs 4-6
Hobart 1-10
Sunshine Coast 7-5
Terang 4-8

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

Comments: Gawd. Four selections for four placings yesterday and we're yet to open our account for the month. A heap of selections today should see that change though whether we make a profit or not is the question, as we're probably going to need three of them to win.

Albury 4-1 Commisioner Mac goes well fresh though has to overcome a wide draw at a track where drawing wide over the 1000m will usually kill your chances. Balaklava 2-12 Sister Akhapacs drops a fair bit in grade today, should be able to sit right behind the pace and be in the finish. The topweight beat her home last time at Cheltenham but there was a strong speed that day and she wilted late after drawing off the track and being wide. 7-1 Twelve Oaks carries the System 13 burden but really looks the goods after his very good run behind Lot One, which won again yesterday at Morphettville. Pakenham 1-4 Oh Dear has been a bit dear for punters by getting rolled at both her starts to date for Lee Freedman. She might start really short again today so will be a no bet, as I won't take anything less than $2.50. Sunshine Coast 5-3 Proud Hunter also cops the System 13 handicap and doesn't impress me as the type of horse that can string a couple of wins together. Hopefully I'll be wrong. He's always a chance, though, so at least we'll get a run for our money. Wyong 2-4 Neveaseenbrighta is in consistent form and ran well enough in this class to be a chance in today's race in which he drops 1kg.

SELECTIONS - 3 March 2007

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

Ascot 1-6 City Of Soul [18]
Caulfield 5-1 Shrewd Rhythm [18]
Mildura 6-1 Spanish Moon [1]
Warwick Farm 3-2 Master Magic [12]

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

Caulfield 6-1, 6-7
Morphettville 2-6

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

Comments: Yesterday's selection ran OK for 2nd, all things considered. I don't think it's much of a horse, though, and will be happy for it to never be a POOMA again. Mildura 6-1 Spanish Moon returned from a spell and ran his best ever race when winning one of those crappy Restricted races at Swan Hill. He jumps 3.5kg to 58kg in a field where most of them look to be a chance. I won't be going anywhere near the $2.50 on the morning line. Warwick Farm 3-2 Master Magic has been in really consistent form, winning 2 and placing 5 times from his 7 starts. He comes out of 3YO races into a 3YO+ race here today but looks to have everything in his favour. At Caulfield doesn't 5-1 Shrewd Rhythm just win after his 3rd in the Blue Diamond? El Segundo looks to have a mortgage on the Futurity with Seachange for 2nd. The Victoria Gold Cup looks a bit of a lottery so I'll stick with the consistent Belmonte. If Let Go Thommo is ever going to open his account in Victoria then the JRA Stks looks the perfect race to do it in. A few go well fresh but he's got form in much better races than the others.

SELECTIONS - 2 March 2007

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

Canterbury 4-2 Turfiste [14]

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

Canterbury 3-3
Kyneton 5-4, 6-7, 8-4
Sandown 5-5

Comments: Our two selections yesterday were in the hunt at the 300m but curled up like Roger after a day on the turps shortly afterwards. I suspect that today's tip might be in the same category. Canterbury 4-2 Turfiste steps up from a provincial 1400m Maiden win to a midweek 1900m R0 race and goes up in weight to 58kg. If he can get home then it will be a very impressive training effort by Gai Waterhouse. There's one running around at Sandown that I liked the look of when it when its only start. 5-10 Truesdale sat out the back in an admittedly poor field that crawled along for most of the race but then unleashed a terrific burst to score with a leg in the air. This is a pretty strong race, which I'm sure the form will be worth following in the next few starts.

SELECTIONS - 1 March 2007

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

Mt Barker 5-3 Dark Thor [17]
Rockhampton 6-2 Tenzero [3]

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

Mornington 5-10

(* Updates at Mt Barker after final details - UPDATED with POOMA *)

Comments: Given the month we'd been having who would have thought we'd end with 2/4 returning $19.60 and putting us back in front for the year? Hot Pride hit the jackpot at Queanbeyan returning $16.20, which was the level of dividend I'd been expecting, actually, as we'd gone close but not lobbed a good priced one through the month. Making it an even more remarkable day was Racer's Run managing to overcome the System 13 burden paying $3.40. Rockhampton 6-2 Tenzero is in good form but isn't that well weighted today against the topweight, which was unlucky last time. Also up there we see a horse I like in 7-1 Dust Haze. He has a big finish and the step to 1200m will really suit.