SELECTIONS - 30 April 2007

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

Cessnock 3-2 Grondie [18]
Wodonga 1-5 African Gold [18]

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

Wodonga 4-6, 5-1

Comments: Well, we need to find $18 profit to get us back into the black at the end of the month, which won't be happening even if both selections win. Cessnock 3-2 Grondie ran well for 2nd at Taree behind the talented Sutton Friend before returning from a spell at Newcastle and running a good 3rd. You'd have to think he's a big chance and probably a fairly safe conveyance for a 1x2 bet. Wodonga 1-5 African Gold won at Seymour after a Bendigo placing before returning from a spell with two city runs in which she was quite outgraded. Plummets in class here and if $2.50 is on offer, which it should be, then I'll consider a bet.

SELECTIONS - 29 April 2007

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

Bendigo 2-3 Identify [18]
Narromine 6-3 Colly Road [13]
Northam 3-2 Artillery Prince [7]

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

Bendigo 3-2, 3-4, 3-12
Sunshine Coast 3-8

Comments: Bendigo 2-3 Identify has led them up at her last couple of runs. The query here is which horses are going to get through the ground. She's by Lion Hunter so should be a duck, which will help our chances today. In fact, if you backed every Lion Hunter to run on a heavy track since his career as a sire started then you'd be showing a profit. Narromine 6-3 Colly Road must be some sort of chance in this race but I'll want to see $5+. Northam 3-2 Artillery Prince has run 2nd four times in a row being beaten less then a length and a half collectively. He keeps dashing away in the straight and being run down so maybe the drop back in trip will help.

Blackbook: I forgot to mention when I first posted that Bendigo 6-2 Blazonry is a black booker running today. He looks to have a fair chance given his first win and, being by Spectrum, he should handle the conditions.

SELECTIONS - 28 April 2007

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

Caulfield 1-3 Love's Great [18]
Rosehill 2-5 Richazz [18]

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

Ascot 5-1
Caulfield 7-5, 8-8
Eagle Farm 1-11, 5-12
Gold Coast 1-5, 5-9, 7-7
Toowoomba 2-1

Comments: Adjournment ran an even race to finish about 6th but never looked like he was going to win. I've killed Blissa Nova and Samadji from my black book. They're both weak. Rosehill 2-5 Richazz has grown a leg since going back to the country, winning the Wellington Boot easily last time out. He handles the wet conditions very well and might be nice odds. Caulfield 1-3 Love's Great has been finishing well in her races and got home at MV two weeks ago. The step up in trip is ideal and she should get a good run from gate 4.

From the black book: Caulfield 4-6 Guild - Luke Nolen couldn't hold her slow enough last time when thrashing a Maiden field by 8L. This is a big jump in grade but she couldn't have been more impressive. Caulfield 6-9 Stanzout drops back to a more suitable distance here but hasn't drawn that well. He must have a good hope, though.

SELECTIONS - 27 April 2007

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

Grafton 9-1 Adjournment [13,14]

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

Grafton 6-2
Rockhampton 1-3, 2-5, 6-6, 8-8
Sandown 3-6

Comments: A win and two 2nds from 4 selections yesterday returning only $2.10. As predicted, Sky Marshall got back and flashed home in the last race at Bunbury to miss by a wart and ruin our day.

Grafton 9-1 Adjournment had his first run for his new stable last time and won nicely in a strong display. He might be better suited at the 1200m of today's trip though I'll be looing for e/w odds to back him. System 14 has a quite acceptable 36% strike rate but is losing 37% at the moment due to the short price of winners selected.

A couple from the black book today at Sandown. 4-1 Blissa Nova proved a bit disappointing after a terrific first start win that saw her make the black book. I'm not prepared to sack her just yet and if she repeats that run will be a big chance here. 5-7 Samadji won well first up and has been kept to 1000m again in this. He also proved a bit weak last time in and I'll be assessing today whether he gets delisted.

SELECTIONS - 26 April 2007

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

Bunbury 3-1 Black Douglas [13,17]
Bunbury 7-1 Sky Marshall [10]
Townsville 4-2 Final Score [10]
Wyong 6-1 Spirit Of Shinko [8, 13, 14]

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

Bunbury 5-3, 5-6
Ballarat 7-2
Townsville 3-2, 4-1, 6-6

(* Updates at Bunbury later on - updated with POOMA *)

Comments: 1/3 yesterday for the POOMAs sneaking home in the black with the win of Archie Senior at $3.20. I was quite disappointed with the run of Bon Hoffa in that race.

Bunbury 7-1 Sky Marshall resumes from a spell and looks pretty well placed here. His first up form reads 4 goes for 3 3rds, all in the city, with the miss being over 1000m at Northam. He'll get back and steam home and might be too good for them. Townsville 4-2 Final Score has run three good races since moving up from Victoria and looks a strong chance in an even field. Wyong 6-1 Spirit Of Shinko also looks well placed after the claim for Patrick Murphy. The problem is that he might be unbackably short.

The old black book was in outstanding form yesterday with three wins and a 4th from the four nominated horses. Master O'Reilly kicked things off well winning at $2.50 and then Hairy showed that she is a promising filly when winning at Randwick paying $3.20. Bimutualconsent ran 4th before Lazer Sharp showed why he is in my black book when annexing the St Leger by a space paying $10.10. I encourage people to keep their own black book and stick horses in that have obvious talent and will work through the grades.

SELECTIONS - 25 April 2007

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

Ascot 4-3 Pagan Prince [16]
Gold Coast 5-2 Lachlan Valley [10]
Moonee Valley 5-5 Archie Senior [1]

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

Bathurst 2-1, 4-6
Cheltenham 9-2
Moe 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3
Moonee Valley 8-3, 8-9
Randwick 8-5

(* Updates at Ascot later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: In Concert started an unbackably short $1.70 at Wodonga yesterday and raced very intractably to finish midfield and give Peter Robl an unwanted odds-on losing double after being unplaced on Kim Regret at $1.40 in the first race there. How Kim Regret was $1.40 has got me beat. Neroli's price at Warwick Farm blew like Roger after a 6m sprint, getting out to a healthy $2.40 after opening well into the red. Beadman rated her nicely in front and she dashed quickly in the straight to win by a space. She might go OK and I'm going to stick her into my black book.

Moonee Valley 5-5 Archie Senior has turned the corner after taking 6 runs to win his Maiden to now have 6 wins from his last 9 starts. I wouldn't have thought that he was as talented as Bon Hoffa at the mile journey but he deserves his shot at a black type race and will be nice odds. Gold Coast 5-2 Lachlan Valley is a pretty good horse with a big finish so the step up from 1000m to 1200m will be just what he needs to get home today in what looks to be a field with a bit of depth.

A few from the black book are running around today. MV 4-11 Master O'Reilly is a going pretty well in spite of being a bit costly lately. He looks pretty well placed today and I'll assess his ongoing black book status either at this run or his next. MV 6-8 Lazer Sharp was unlucky not to run a place at nice odds for us last time. He's drawn off the track today and that's going to be absolutly no help but he'll be good e/w odds and I'll follow up on him even though he's by Zariz and steps up to 2500m for the first time. Randwick 5-6 Hairy went into the black book after two wins at her home track of Scone. She then ran a good race under lights at Canterbury before rounding out her preparation with a strong win at Newcastle. She was entered for yesterday's Warwick Farm meeting but was scratched in order to run in this stronger race. She might be around $3.50 and I'll be having a crack at those odds. Randwick 6-4 Bimutualconsent went into the black book at her 2nd start when she showed electrifying acceleration to win at her home track of Wagga. She then went to Rosehill and got a bit lost before finishing her preparation with a good 2nd at Randwick. She was entered in last Saturday's metro race and at Wagga last Sunday but turns up here so obviously connections think she's ready to run a race first up.

SELECTIONS - 24 April 2007

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

Warwick Farm 2-7 Neroli [16]
Wodonga 2-1 In Concert [15]

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

Mackay 2-1, 3-4
Warwick Farm 6-1

Comments: Our tip yesterday looked outgraded and it was either that or an inability to handle the wet tracks that saw him well beaten. Warwick Farm 2-7 Neroli stepped up in trip and won his Maiden at Canterbury over 1550m last time out. Horses stepping out of Maiden wins into these Sydney metro Class 3 races have a horrible winning record and given how short it'll be with the genius, Darren Beadman, on board I'll just sit back and watch it run. Wodonga 2-1 In Concert ran a good 2nd in a stronger race at his only start and from his good draw today looks the goods at what will be a short price.

SELECTIONS - 23 April 2007

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

Pakenham 6-5 Warrenpoint [6]

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

Taree 1-5

Comments: Pakenham 6-5 Warrenpoint was flogged last time at Sandown after a Sale Class 1 win. He looks a bit out of his grade in this but it's only a small field so must be a chance.

SELECTIONS - 22 April 2007

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

Ballarat 3-4 Schawmen [13]

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

Edenhope 1-4, 5-1
Sunshine Coast 6-11
Wagga 5-1

(* Updates at Narrogin later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: 2/3 yesterday returning $4.80 and making it three winning days in a row. Still a little way to go to get back on track, though. Our black booker, Saint Sebastion, was really unlucky to be nosed out in Brisbane after being baulked and then held up. He's a winner so we'll follow up on him. Ballarat 3-4 Schawmen won his Maiden when stepped up to 2150m last time at Terang. This is a pretty even field so unless we can get e/w odds I won't be interested and that looks unlikely given his morning line price.

One from the black book today. Ballarat 8-4 Red Cord is a talented galloper and 1400m first up might suit really well.

SELECTIONS - 21 April 2007

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

Ascot 1-3 I'm Gifted [18]
Ascot 3-1 Lacerate [14]
Newcastle 1-1 Turn And Burn [12]

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

Ascot 2-4, 5-2
Cranbourne 2-8, 5-11, 7-9
Gold Coast 4-2, 7-7
Hawkesbury 1-1, 3-4, 5-2, 7-6, 8-1, 8-3

Comments: Well, how's that? A $6.20 winner from our one selection yesterday. There's still a fair amount of damage to undo this month so let's hope today's picks are up to it. Newcastle 1-1 Turn And Burn is stepping up from 1400m to 1800m for the first time and has 59kg, which sees him give 6kg to the field. There's not much pace in the race so that will help and the rest of them are hardly world beaters. If he wins then he'll beat the furthest distance won by a Shinko King (currently 1620m) in Australia except for a couple that have won over the sticks. I'll want around $2.80 to have a go, which I don't think we'll get. Ascot 1-3 I'm Gifted drops so far in grade that she won't know herself and unless one of the first starters are any good then you'd think she'll just win. The only trick is that she doesn't have much early pace so she'll want to be on the move before the ones in front can get away. Ascot 3-1 Lacerate is a consistent horse that appears to have this field covered but he'll be served up at red odds and I won't be too interested in that.

A couple from the black book today. Eagle Farm 4-11 Saint Sebastian made it 3 from 3 with a very impressive win at Ipswich. He wasn't that well handled by Adrian Coome that day and sat 3-4 deep for the trip before proving too good. In this field he might be e/w odds and is well worth following for his next half dozen starts. Sandown 3-7 Adam's Peak sat three deep at the rear of the field, came 6 deep on the turn and rounded up an average field in a twinkling. I made a note in my black book that he'd be suited at 1600m+ which he gets today. Brian Mayfield-Smith is on fire lately and that's gotta be worth an extra couple of lengths.

SELECTIONS - 20 April 2007

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

Dubbo 5-3 Little Holly [10]

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

Dubbo 3-4
Ipswich 6-2

Comments: 2/3 yesterday returning $7 including the first $5+ winner for a month, which was a welcome result. Dubbo 3-4 Little Holly won her Maiden at Wellington before a good 2nd in Class 3 company last time. She drops back to a Class 1 today and must be a fair chance in an even race.

SELECTIONS - 19 April 2007

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

Mornington 8-6 Horseshoe Reef [13]
Townsville 4-4 Three N Sixpence [10]
Wyong 4-1 Regel Celeb [1,12,13]

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

Mornington 2-8
Naracoorte 3-7
Townsville 5-1, 6-1, 6-3
Wyong 6-6

Comments: Mornington 8-6 Horseshoe Reef won nicely at Ararat before running along in front at Sandown and running 5th behind Eight Army. This is a step up in grade from those 3YO races but we might get around $6, which would be OK value. He's up against the mighty Cyberhorse runner, Phoenix, in this race. She has run a couple of nice 3rds at her two runs from a spell and would be some chance if she can get in anywhere from the outside draw. Townsville 4-4 Three N Sixpence is in even form with 3rds at his three runs from a spell. He'll get a good run from the gate and must be some sort of chance. Wyong 4-1 Regal Celeb has a pretty good record for a race like this and should be able to handle the step up in trip. After the claims he's giving away 4.5kg to the field but he might be quite a bit above them. I'll take anything at $2.50+.

SELECTIONS - 18 April 2007

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

Doomben 5-1 Decerto [19,20]
Doomben 8-6 Success In Japan [20]
Sandown 1-2 Real Belele [18]

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

Canterbury 7-6
Sandown 3-3

Comments: We're on a run of two wins in a row! Given our latest form that's great to see. Hopefully, Sandown 1-2 can make it three. He ran a good race at MV when coming from 8th on the turn to finish 3rd behind Morgan Dollar. The big, open spaces of Sandown should suit and he'll go close in a race that looks to have a bit of pace in it. Doomben 5-1 Decerto comes off a Class 1 win into Class 4 company and has to give weight to the field, though he is only carrying 0.5kg over the limit. He'll get a soft lead from the look of things and will sprint hard from the top of the straight. He's a promising type but I won't be taking silly odds. 8-6 Success In Japan comes to the city after a good first up win at Lismore in a non-TAB event. He jumps in grade quickly, also, but looks to have a bit of scope so at the double figure odds that will probably be on offer I'll be having an e/w go.

SELECTIONS - 17 April 2007

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

Albany 6-1 Noble Steed [10]

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

Albany 6-3
Ararat 5-1, 7-6, 8-6

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

Comments: Albany 6-1 Noble Steed is in good recent form though he jumps a couple of classes on his last start win.

SELECTIONS - 16 April 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Orange 6-8

Comments: Well, at least our losing run came to an end even if it took a $1.40 shot to do it. Nothing on the go today but the non-POOMA must be a fair chance.

SELECTIONS - 15 April 2007

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

Gawler 1-6 Jaftica [7]
Geraldton 3-1 Pagan Prince [13,14]

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

Gawler 6-2, 8-2
Geraldton 4-3, 5-2
Hamilton 1-4
Tatura 2-3, 5-4, 7-5

(* updates at Geraldton later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: We're on an eight selection losing run at the moment, which isn't as bad as we've had but is quite unwelcome! Gawler 1-6 Jaftica comes off three good city runs and must be a chance today. He's drawn 11 but is a go-forward horse so will probably settle up outside the speed. The risk with him is that if you look at the runs before he went to the city then you see he was beaten at Naracoorte and Bordertown, which is not ideal.

SELECTIONS - 14 April 2007

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

Randwick 7-6 Blutigeroo [14]

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

Ascot 1-1, 5-1
Cheltenham 2-1
Doomben 3-2, 7-6
Randwick 4-2, 8-4
Yarra Glen 6-1, 7-1, 7-2, 7-6, 8-3, 8-6, 8-9, 9-2, 9-3

Comments: You know you're going well when you can't even get a $1.30 shot home! I'm not too sure that Blue Finch is much of a horse on that performance yesterday at Cranbourne. Our non-POOMA, Adam's Peak, won the 2nd race there paying $1.80 NSW & VIC but $2.75 was available with fixed odds bookies (after opening at $1.90) so that was a huge over. The system that picked it will probably end up replacing one of the non-performers at our midyear review of systems.

Randwick 7-6 Blutigeroo only has to stay two miles to win the Sydney Cup, surely? From the way he got home in The BMW you'd think he'd have no problem though Encounter is not a noted sire of stayers with only two of his progeny winning at 2200m+. Last year's winner, County Tyrone, ran to the line well in that race and he looks primed for another big run at two miles. Prince Dande Lion is a dour stayer with a placing in the Duke Of Norfolk Stks at his only try at the trip and he must be a chance for multiples.

A few from the consistenty successful black book to watch today. Ascot 4-7 Jestatune won her first three easily before being poorly handled by Paul Harvey last time out. Willie Pike returns and he should be able to get her home. Moonee Valley 6-5 Lazer Sharp has only won 2/12 but he's run another 7 placings and hasn't had much luck in a few of those runs. He walloped Blue Finch last time and we got nice odds of $5+. As mentioned above, Blue Finch didn't frank the form by being beaten as a $1.30 shot yesterday but I reckon we'll get good e/w odds today, have a good run just behind the speed and be getting home hard in a pretty even race. Toowoomba race 5 sees the clash of two black bookers: 5-Mini Maizing and 7-Rockem. Mini Maizing has a lot of speed and will set this race up for Rockem, which will be able to sit in the first half dozen and power to the line. He was entered for Doomben today but scratched to run at his home track of Toowoomba. Kevin Kemp says that Rockem could be the best horse he's ever trained and if you saw his win last time then you might agree. Yoshida let him stride along just behind the speed and only got into him in the last 100m to win by a length under a throttle hold. He is a beautiful mover and I'll be backing him. The presence of Answer Me in the race should mean we get somewhere around $3.50, which is acceptable for me.

SELECTIONS - 13 April 2007

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

Cranbourne 1-3 Blue Finch [12]

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

Cranbourne 2-4

Comments: Gee, we've copped a good, solid arse-kicking so far this month with only 5/20 winning and only 8/20 returning a place dividend. Cranbourne 1-3 Blue Finch started odds on last time and was beaten by a pretty good horse in Lazer Sharp. She's back in trip and up in grade but looks the goods.

SELECTIONS - 12 April 2007

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

Gosford 3-2 Dontcomonday [10]
Kalgoorlie 4-2 Viva La Covert [17]
Rockhampton 4-3 Love God [3]

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

Ballarat 5-6
Rockhampton 3-6, 4-4, 5-1, 5-2, 6-1, 7-3, 7-7, 8-3, 8-5

(* updates at Kalgoorlie after final details are in - updated with POOMA *)

Comments: Gosford 3-2 Dontcomonday seems to have speed but without a change of gear that's allowed him to win his Maiden yet. He must be a chance and, with Waterhouse and Martin first starters in the race, might get out to near $4, which would be good value. On the other hand, Rockhampton 4-3 Love God will be anything other than good value. He's won his last four in Class 2, Class 4, Class 4 and Class 6 company but the thing that concerns me is that at his last three wins Our Moe Man has finished second so it's hard to line up the strength of the form for an Open race such as today. Odds on, look on applies with this guy.

SELECTIONS - 11 April 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Randwick 3-3

Comments: Not much action today, which is unusual for a Wednesday. The non-POOMA comes from a system with a 38% long term strike rate though it's been running below that for the last few months. At Sandown we have a black booker running in the form of 3-4 Cognac Bay. He started racing as a 5YO and has shown terrific ability in his 5 runs, sweeping home from back in the field and racking up 4 wins on the trot before shooting too high at Group 2 level behind Apache Cat last time. If he's at his best then he'll be winning again.

SELECTIONS - 10 April 2007

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

Townsville 1-1 High Mountain [3,5]
Townsville 3-6 Strikemeroan [10]

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

Townsville 3-1, 6-1

Comments: All the action is up in far north Queensland today starting with 1-1 High Mountain, which is System 5's first pick for the year. He narrowly beat Sir Coniston home last time and they all step up to a staying trip for the first time. It'll either be 1-2-4 or 2-1-4 you'd think. 3-6 Strikemeroan looks really badly placed so if I can get $10+ in the 6 horse field then I might have a go otherwise I'll let it run against me.

SELECTIONS - 9 April 2007

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

Caulfield 7-6 Cholula [14]

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

Benalla 6-2, 7-5
Eagle Farm 8-10
Oakbank 5-8, 8-6
Randwick 8-6

(* Updates at Ascot later on *)

Comments: 3/3 yesterday returning a whopping $5. At least they all won easily though only Avoid Heathrow was worth backing.

The black book has been performing pretty well so far this year and there are a few runners to watch today. Caulfield 6-10 Stanzout steps up in grade again and will go pretty close. At his only start at 1400m he was nabbed on the line by Bon Hoffa. If that horse was in this race then he'd start near favourite. Eagle Farm 4-3 Slim Pickings went into the black book four runs ago and we picked him up at good double figure odds twice since. He was a bit outclassed in the Weetwood and from his wide gate was never in the race being given an easy time in the straight by Mandy Radecker. He'll be charging late in this. Randwick 2-3 Master O'Reilly has been costly latey but if he's ever going to win a race then this will be it.

SELECTIONS - 8 April 2007

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

Mornington 7-2 Hezabruiser [12]
Nowra 4-1 Avoid Heathrow [14]
Penola 1-7 Autumn Jeuney [7,12]

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

Albany 5-5
Mornington 7-2
Nowra 1-2, 3-3, 3-8, 5-1, 5-10
Stawell 7-5, 8-6
Sunshine Coast 7-3

(* Any updates at Albany after final details are in *)

Comments: Mornington 7-2 Hezabruiser has won his two starts very nicely and only steps up one grade again today. I think that he might be unbackably short so it will be a case of looking at his performance to work out where he fits into the grand scheme of things and what sort of race he is up to in the city. Nowra 4-1 Avoid Heathrow went through a lean period before winning at Queanbeyan last time out. It would be a bit of a surprise if she was beaten in this race and if even money is on offer then I might get tempted. Penola 1-7 Autumn Jeuney steps up to 1700m from a 1310m Cheltenham 2nd when she ran home from midfield. She's by Jeune so the trip doesn't look a problem and this field looks particularly poor. That said, I wouldn't want to be taking less than $1.80.

SELECTIONS - 7 April 2007

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

Caulfield 1-8 Gladwell [18]
Gold Coast 7-1 Kaindara Gold [1]

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

Ascot 5-4
Kyneton 7-5
Newcastle 7-3
Oakbank 3-2, 4-1, 4-2, 4-5, 4-7, 7-4, 7-8

Comments: MV 1-8 Gladwell was slowly away but rounded them up well at Sandown last time. This is a harder field so she can't afford to give away a start today. Gold Coast 7-1 Kaindara Gold led them up last time and won easily. Rises 1kg in the same grade so she'd have to be a big chance again.

A few from the black book today: Caulfield 1-9 Little Arrow was scratched from MV on Thursday night in favour of this race. If you saw his win at Sale then you'd have to give him a big chance. I'll be taking multiples with Gladwell. 2-9 Grand Duels steps up in grade quite a bit but was really impressive last time when settling out the back and rounding them up quickly. I'm not especially keen to back him in this unless he's silly odds but will watch how he goes. 5-7 Magonius had the blinkers on last time, pulled his arse out all of the race, kicked away on the corner and just held on. Back to winkers today and he should be a good chance. Randwick 7-7 Fiumicino was impressive in two wins before a good 3rd behind the pie eater last time. By Zabeel, the step up in trip will be no problem.

SELECTIONS - 5 April 2007

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

Mackay 3-1 Mr Cristi [10]

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

Bunbury 5-4
Mackay 1-2, 4-1, 5-1, 6-6, 7-1, 7-2, 8-1

Comments: Mackay 3-1 Mr Cristi is a horse with 5 wins in a Class 3 race due to his winning a couple of Class B races. He has a big weight to contend with and is yet to run a place from 5 goes on rain affected tracks so I won't be backing him unless he gets out to silly odds.

Some black bookers are running today. Wyong 6-7 Runaway Frisco ran a terrific race to win her Maiden from gate 13 of 13 two starts back before also drawing wide and being in contention until the last furlong under 60.5kg last time. She's drawn wide again but plummets in weight and will be a chance at good e/w odds. Moonee Valley 4-5 Samadji actually went into the black book for negative reasons - not showing much heart in his last few runs - but he did kill them first up last time in and he's drawn well with no weight today over the suitably short trip.

SELECTIONS - 4 April 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Cranbourne 6-3

Comments: Nothing much worth backing, as far as I can see.

SELECTIONS - 3 April 2007

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

Gosford 5-1 Looking For Lang [12,13]
Gosford 7-5 Linear [7]
Gosford 9-8 Now Now [18]
Townsville 2-5 Three 'n' Sixpence [10]
Townsville 3-4 Rapt In Silver [2]

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

Gosford 1-4
Terang 2-7, 9-1
Townsville 1-3, 4-2, 5-2, 5-3

Comments: Gosford 5-1 Looking For Lang was backed from 2/1 into 9/10 before caning a Maiden field at his first start over 900m at Newcastle. It's hard to judge the quality of that performance but he ran an OK time so he must be a big chance to make it two from two. Gosford 7-5 Linear has run well enough in better races to be a strong chance here though if she's below about $3.20 then that's too short for me. Gosford 9-8 Now Now ran a couple of good races from wide gates in stronger city company before a good 2nd last time, again from a wide gate, when backed 7/1 into 4/1. She must be a top chance depending upon how good Gai Waterhouse's first starter, Perfectly Poised, is. Townsville 2-5 Three 'n' Sixpence has run a couple of OK 3rds in his two runs in the area since moving from northern NSW. He has a senior jockey on board today and that might be enough to get him home. Townsville 3-4 Rapt In Silver is in a pretty open race but must be a chance after his first up 4th. The weight drop will help him and he might be the best of the POOMAs.

SELECTIONS - 2 April 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Ararat 8-1, 9-2

Comments: Looks like a good day to give it a miss.

SELECTIONS - 1 April 2007

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

Geraldton 4-3 Sam's Choice [10]
Launceston 5-3 Viscount Cameron [7]
Sale 8-2 Good Swing [13]

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

Sale 3-5

Comments: Neither of our two selections yesterday could get home meaning that we finished the month with a loss, leaving us 7.3 units behind for the year. Given the performance of a couple of systems that's not too bad and I'm hoping that Systems 13 and 14 can lift soon. I'll be doing a mid-year review of the systems in use so we're stuck with them until then.

Geraldton 4-3 Sam's Choice drops significantly in grade here and looks reasonably well placed on his recent form. It's an even field so I wouldn't want to take much less than $4. Launceston 5-3 Viscount Cameron has two wins and a second from his last three goes at this trip. I don't think he's that well weighted but he might be too good for this field.

(* Late POOMA added at 1PM *)