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.