SELECTIONS - 30 November 2007

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

Wagga 1-7 Safari Princess [7]
Wagga 2-12 Retaliator [25]
Sandown 4-5 Cruyfforme [13]

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

Cairns 4-8
Sandown 7-12

Comments: Wagga 1-7 Safari Princeess must be frustrating owners, as she's been beaten less than a length at each of her last four starts. She's even money on the morning line, which is too short for me. Wagga 2-12 Retaliator ran home well from back in the field after drawing off the track last time at Albury. With the better draw here and with only the two topweights in the race looking strong chances he might be a nice e/w chance. Sandown 4-5 Cruyfforme has been in good, consistent recent form but looks really well placed and if e/w odds are available then would be a fair bet.

Black Book: Sandown 6-4 Crown Ruby is now 3/3 having disposed of a good field last time at Ballarat. She steps up to 1400m from 1100m but on her breeding should have no trouble with the trip.

SELECTIONS - 29 November 2007

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

Mackay 7-1 Cockaigne [13]
Northam 7-2 Dante's Banquet [13]

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

Mackay 6-6
Northam 4-5

(* Any updates at Northam later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Mackay 7-1 Cockaigne won nicely first up since moving north from Brisbane. He has a good 2nd up record but that has been over longer trips so I'd be a little careful taking less than $3 about him today.


Black Book: Bendigo 6-7 Truesdale settled back in the field at his first start and rounded up an average field quite easily. He then went for a spell and returned in a much stronger event at Sandown, drew 11 and was never in the hunt when getting past a few tired ones late in the race. He's by Zabeel and has obviously taken time to mature. Freedman now trains him and I reckon connections will expect a big run.

SELECTIONS - 28 November 2007

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

Bunbury 5-5 Midnight Train [13]
Devonport 2-5 Weasels Are Us [23]

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

Cheltenham 2-7, 2-8, 4-4
Werribee 2-2

(Any updates at Bunbury later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Devonport 2-5 Weasels Are Us is a bookie's dream. He's having his 14th start, is still a Maiden, has started favourite 5 times and less than 4/1 another 4 times. If he runs up to his last start then he's a chance but with a bunch of mares in the race who knows whether his mind will be on racing or something else given he's a 4YO stallion.

SELECTIONS - 27 November 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Charleville 2-2, 3-5, 4-11

Comments: Charleville is a track where form doesn't seem to stack up so I avoid betting there.

SELECTIONS - 26 November 2007

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

Townsville 6-6 Gaelic Lad [23]

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

Townsville 2-1

Comments: Nil

SELECTIONS - 25 November 2007

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

Albany 4-4 Tidal Storm [13]
Hobart 4-5 Royal Work [23]
Hobart 8-8 Lekitama [23]
Swan Hill 2-8 Central Avenue [7]
Swan Hill 7-1 Duke Street [22]
Wodonga 6-2 Demandehere [22]

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

Albany 1-5, 7-6
Clare 2-5
Wodonga 9-3

(* Any updates at Albany later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Another bunch of POOMAs today including two from the most powerful performing system (22), which has racked up 8 wins on the trot after starting with a miss.

Black Book: Wodonga 8-8 Alexander Beetle won on his ear in a small field first up. Last preparation he would lead but not settle but on the basis of his first up run he looks to have come back a more mature horse and I expect he'll win today.

SELECTIONS - 24 November 2007

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

Ascot 9-13 Kim Luck [23]
Morphettville 8-7 Would You Believe [23]
Rockhampton 1-2 Shootinthe Breeze [10,23]
Rockhampton 2-5 Our Gold Night [3,10]
Rockhampton 3-4 Chiffon And Lace [10,24]
Rockhampton 7-1 Can Go [23]
Rockhampton 9-3 Running Scared [23]

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

Ascot 1-1, 1-2, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-10, 4-11
Morphettville 4-3
Rockhampton 2-9, 6-3, 6-4
Sandown 1-1, 2-5, 3-2, 5-1, 5-10
Taree 5-2, 6-2
Terang 7-2

(* Any updates at Ascot later on *)

Comments: Lots of POOMAs today but I suspect most people's minds will be on the federal election. Given the number of multi-system selections it'll be a debacle if they all get beaten.

Black Book: Morphettville 7-12 Grand Duels is a lightly raced and talented sprinter that was a tad unlucky first up when a half length 4th. Is unbeaten 2nd up and will appreciate some pace in the race. Ascot 7-9 Our Katarina might be a little outgraded here but Willie Pike has taken the ride so she'll get every chance and will be nice odds. Ascot 7-11 Second Omen finished with a great burst first up and the step up in trip will obviously suit. She also looks a bit out of her depth and has drawn wide but is showing promise. Ascot 8-8 El Presidente looks a real up and comer and if he's successful in this - which I think he will be - then I expect we'll see him over in the east next year. Ascot 9-8 Chachi showed more strength last campaign than at his first preparation. Has drawn off the track but might have enough early pace to get a position and be a chance.

SELECTIONS - 23 November 2007

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

Kilmore 4-6 Thidwick [25]
Naracoorte 1-8 Lady Avacan [7]

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

Grafton 4-1
Moonee Valley 1-3
Mt Isa 3-4, 5-1, 7-2

Comments: 2/4 yesterday returning $11+ for the POOMAs so that was welcome. Our black booker, Gavrilo, overcame difficult conditions to win his 2nd start. I think he'll go on to win black type races so we'll definitely keep following him. A few POOMAs today and, like yesterday, they all look to be competitive.

SELECTIONS - 22 November 2007

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

Bunbury 4-10 Feint [7]
Bunbury 6-4 Regal Minx [13]
Port Lincoln 6-3 Dead Serious [23]
Port Lincoln 7-3 Koolkanna Road [13]

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

Bunbury 7-2, 8-3
Cranbourne 6-11, 8-8
Port Lincoln 6-9

(* Any updates at Bunbury later on *)

Comments: No time to comment on the POOMAs but they all look to have a fair chance.

Black Book: Canberra 7-4 Gavrilio made an auspicious debut at this track a couple of weeks back when flogging a Maiden field. He reminded me of my old bloke, Into The Night, and I expect him to develop into a top level performer. It's worth remembering that at his 2nd start Into The Night went to Goulburn and was beaten as a 4/6 favourite so I wouldn't be taking a silly price today.

SELECTIONS - 21 November 2007

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

Cheltenham 1-2 Double Dealing [7]

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

Ascot 3-1
Ballarat 6-9, 9-6
Cheltenham 4-1, 6-7, 6-8

Comments: Cheltenham 1-2 Double Dealing is not a horse that you can get excited about given his record but if he puts it all together then there's no doubt he's a strong chance.

Black Book: Ballarat 5-10 Crown Ruby killed them at her first start and then went to the lead last time at Donald, being a bit green in the straight but still winning easily. Looks a real up and comer. Suspects has been off the scene for over a year so he's obviously had some problem. If he's right then he could actually win the race, as his form around Stavka and Yappa is excellent. Stavka only just beat him first up last preparation and I think Stavka would beat Crown Ruby at this stage of her career. Looks a strong quinella hope, anyway.

SELECTIONS - 20 November 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-POOMAs, as well

Comments: For the second day in a row - nothing to see here.

SELECTIONS - 19 November 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Mackay 5-6

Comments: Nothing to see here. Move along.

SELECTIONS - 18 November 2007

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

Ararat 8-5 Bolle [13]
Bunbury 1-2 Cielo De Fuego [6,7]
Bunbury 9-4 Rocky Range [23]
Yarra Glen 1-8 Shesha [25]

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

Ararat 6-9, 9-12
Bunbury 5-4, 7-6
Launceston 7-9
Strathalbyn 5-2
Yarra Glen 6-3, 7-3

Comments: Ararat 8-5 Bolle has a good record at this trip and is pretty well in at the weights. The form of the field come from all over the place, which makes it a bit hard to line up but if e/w odds are available then he looks a safe bet. Bunbury 1-2 Cielo De Fuego probably only need to repeat his last run to win this. He's a 5YO so must have had early problems and $3 seems about the right price. Bunbury 9-4 Rocky Range is 3/3 at Bunbury and takes on our black booker. This is a good field and if e/w odds are available then he's a bet to nothing. Yarra Glen 1-8 Shesha has obviously had problems but must have shown something to start 5/4 fav two starts back at Sale. Was only 8/1 first up when 4th to Grassfire, which started favourite in a Class 1 event yesterday and went like a three-legged crab, but if she's physically OK then I expect her to run a top race.


Black Book: Ararat 5-4 He's Fierce was unlucky first up and if he gets a fair run then will go close, as he has talent. Ararat 6-2 Secret Flyer made it two in a row since a spell with a solid win here last time. The step up in trip is OK though he meets the runner up in that race on quite poor terms. Bunbury 9-6 Mighty Ronnie is not a bad horse and might go OK first up but will be better suited when the trips get longer.

SELECTIONS - 17 November 2007

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

Gundagai 4-8 Ease Louise [16]
Townsville 7-1 Waltz To Glory [13]

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

Ascot 4-4, 5-1, 7-2
Cheltenham 5-2, 7-3
Mornington 8-10
Sandown 1-5, 5-1, 7-2, 8-7, 9-9, 9-11, 9-15
Townsville 4-5, 5-5
Wyong 5-2, 10-4

(* Any update at Ascot later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Gundagai 4-8 Ease Louise has run a couple of OK races since a spell and should be a chance in this but I wouldn't be taking less than $4, which might not be available. Townsville 7-1 Waltz To Glory is pretty well placed in this race and I'll be standing him out in the quaddie.

Black Book: Ascot 8-2 El Presidente has been terrific for us and even though he'll be a short price today it looks like he'll rack up another win. Ascot 9-10 Westerly Breeze is on her last chance. She was held up last time and never got a chance so if she gets an even run and can't get home then we'll give her the flick. Gundagai 1-4 Waterfront Lass jumps up sharply in trip but there's not a lot of pace in the race and I expect her to get home. Sandown 7-12 Greatwall Of China couldn't sprint home hard enough to get into the placings after being held up for a short while at $20+ last time when 4th. He's drawn off the track and will need to go back but I think he has talent and will be a good e/w chance at odds in this. Sandown 9-9 Guild did the right thing at around $6 in the greys' race at Flemington when winning clearly. Will race up on the pace, which might be an advantage today, I suspect, with El Pauji and that looks a nice quinella. Wyong 9-5 Runaway Frisco ran poorly first up but that track was rain affected and she's no good on that surface. The 1200m will suit much better than the first up 1000m and she might be a chance at e/w odds.

SELECTIONS - 16 November 2007

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

Rockhampton 2-2 Danzamonkey [15]
Rockhampton 4-3 Chiffon And Grace [23]
Rockhampton 5-3 Shootinthe Breeze [23]

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

Gundagai 1-11
Moonee Valley 2-2, 2-4, 8-1, 8-5
Moe 1-7, 1-8, 3-7, 8-1
Rockhampton 2-7, 3-6, 6-8

Comments: Rockhampton 2-2 Danzamonkey is a pretty good sprinter around these parts. Just missed in a strong race over 1300m last time and the month off will sharpen him up for today's 1000m assignment. Rockhampton 4-3 Chiffon And Grace steps from a Maiden win into a Class 1 event here. That was slightly stronger than a normal Maiden field so she might stack up in this. Rockhampton 5-3 Shootinthe Breeze ran well last time but has drawn awkwardly so I'd be happy with $6+ but otherwise I'll watch him.

SELECTIONS - 15 November 2007

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

Ballina 4-3 King Of Spain [23]
Werribee 6-2 He Ain't Fuji [13]

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

Ballina 4-4, 5-8, 8-1, 10-11
Werribee 5-8

(* Any updates at Northam later on *)

Comments: Ballina 4-3 King Of Spain is 3/6 first up, 3/4 at Ballina and is in a race to suit so I expect him to go close in this. Werribee 6-2 He Ain't Fuji was in consistent form since a spell before being beaten a long way in fast time last time out behind the talented Moreton Bay. He seems a pretty reliable type and will give us a good sight.

SELECTIONS - 14 November 2007

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

Port Macquarie 8-2 Centre Fire [23]

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

Geraldton 2-2, 4-10
Port Macquarie 5-5

Comments: Port Macquarie 8-2 Centre Fire is an old marvel that is always competitive in these Open country sprints. He's not as effective on the wet tracks so I'll just watch him go around and cheer him.

SELECTIONS - 13 November 2007

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

Seymour 1-1 Captanadi [7,8]

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

Mt Isa 3-2, 6-5

Comments: Seymour 1-1 Captanadi really should have won a race by now having racked up three 2nds in a row since returning from a spell. Was just beaten in a strong Class 1 race last time and unless one of the first starters is really good then we'll be getting the chocolates today. Our POOMA yesterday, Alexander Beetle, really flogged them yesterday so I've put him in the black book, as he seems to be able to settle better than last time in.

SELECTIONS - 12 November 2007

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

Casterton 2-2 Alexander Beetle [2,11,13]

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

Nil

Comments: Casterton 2-2 Alexander Beetle is a half brother to the former Canberra flyer, Tehuacan. Like that horse, this one has early speed and is best suited over 1000m. I expect him to flog along in front and win.

SELECTIONS - 11 November 2007

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

Mt Barker 1-5 Blazing Icon [5]

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

Cranbourne 8-5, 8-7
Penola 5-4

(* Any updates at Mt Barker later on *)

Comments: Gee, it was something of a massacre yesterday with results everywhere being at the top end of the scale. Quaddies paid $1.1M (Flemington), $64K, $39K, $17K, $7K and $3K. Due to a complete fluke I mistakenly had #9 in the last leg of the Adelaide quaddie and picked it up for a half unit.

Black Book: Donald 4-4 Crown Ruby joined in at the 300m at Donald, sprinted for 50m to put a space on them, and then was allowed to cruise to the line under her own steam in one of the most impressive debuts for a little while. She was backed into odds on favourite that day and she'll start around $1.50 today in this Class 1 event. Connections were happy to have her in a Class 2 race at the abandoned meeting the other day so they've obviously got a good opinion of her.

SELECTIONS - 10 November 2007

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

Ascot 2-8 Pillow Time [26]
Ascot 6-4 Blue Hoops [26]
Morphettville 1-1 Periduki [23]
Morphettville 4-4 Ciro Prince [10]
Townsville 2-4 Tricky [10]
Townsville 4-3 Tennessee Rainbow [10]
Townsville 5-1 Contested Bid [23]
Townsville 7-5 Gunners Barracks [21,23]

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

Ascot 4-2
Flemington 3-7
Geelong 8-9
Morphettville 2-3, 2-5, 3-5
Townsville 4-1, 4-9, 5-4

(* Updates at Ascot later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Too many POOMAs to comment on individually.

Black Book: Ascot 3-6 Our Katarina drops back to 1000m after a short break. She gets back and steams home so I'm not too sure she's suited today. Ascot 9-4 Westerly Breeze wasn't beaten far when 9th of 16 in Listed company last time out. Has drawn perfectly and has W Pike on board so I expect her to win today. Flemington 4-10 Greatwall Of China is going to be double figure odds and I reckon he will run a terrific race for us today with the toppie, El Mandon, to start an obvious favourite after his good run last time. Morphettville 1-1 Periduki was disappointing first up but I reckon he needed the run and will improve sharply here to win. I'm assuming that he's overcome his niggling foot injury.

Flemington Selections: 1=4-7-12-5 2=10-1-9-16 3=1-7-5-9 4=10-1-8-2 5=4-3-2-5 6=10-2-11-5 7=2-7-3-8 8=13-6-5-3 9=6-5-1-4

SELECTIONS - 9 November 2007

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

Queanbeyan 4-2 Gold Moss [10]
Queanbeyan 7-2 Horsley Park [10]
Stony Creek 3-6 Viognir [22]

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

Charleville 2-3, 4-5
Queanbeyan 4-2, 5-7, 6-7
Stony Creek 6-4, 7-7

Comments: Queanbeyan 4-2 Gold Moss won in this grade last time and rises 3kg here. Has a good record here and should go close. Queanbeyan 7-2 Horsley Park won first up and has drawn better tan his good run last time out. Might be at nice e/w odds and worth a bet. Stony Creek 3-6 Viognier is pretty well placed on his recent form to run a big race here at OK odds. Of course, System 22 is due to have a loss at some point given it's currently 7 from 8 with those 7 coming in a row.

SELECTIONS - 8 November 2007

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

Albury 3-1 Key To Success [23]
Albury 5-7 Helideck [23]
Ascot 2-5 It's My Turn [19]
Ascot 7-1 No White Flag [26]
Pakenham 3-2 Character [16]
Pakenham 4-2 Flaming Gonzales [25]
Rockhampton 3-5 Absent Annie [10]

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

Ascot 1-5
Flemington 5-11, 5-12
Pakenham 5-6
Port Lincoln 1-4
Rockhampton 8-11

(* Updates at Ascot later on *)

Comments: A bunch of selections today. Key To Success and Flaming Gonzales look the best of them. I think that Zarita and Riva San will repeat their last run quinella performance.


Black Book: Flemington 2-5 Sunburnt Land is getting better with racing and I have him nominated as a Cups contender for 2008. This is a good field and if he can get home then my assessment may be correct. Flemington 5-11 Guild won for us first up and was then a bit outgraded last time. These races for greys tend to be won by OK horses and she's probably in that category. Flemington 8-2 Lucky Secret returns from a bleeding attack suffered back in July. He's been terrific and it's hard to see him getting beaten even though there are a couple of smart sprinters in this field. I assume he'll handle his first assignment up the straight and drawing wide will help.

SELECTIONS - 7 November 2007

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

York 7-1 Dante's Fury [13]

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

Kyneton 6-7
Murray Bridge 1-5, 7-3
York 5-2, 7-4

Comments: How the heck could Efficient win the Melbourne Cup? It cost me the quaddie, as my 2nd selection won each of the last three legs.

SELECTIONS - 6 November 2007

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

Ascot 2-5 Midnight Train [26]
Cairns 6-5 Gunners Barracks [23]
Canberra 4-1 Buka Matai [10]

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

Ascot 5-8
Canberra 5-6
Echuca 1-2, 4-2, 4-6, 8-1
Flemington 1-1, 3-11, 8-13
Morphettville 3-7, 4-1
Taree 5-4, 6-2, 7-12, 8-1, 8-2

(* Early post for early start. Any updates later on *)

Comments: No comments today on the POOMAs other than let's hope they do better than Derby Day!

Black Book: Echuca 8-1 He's Fierce is a talented horse who should win if he's come back anywhere near right. Flemington 7-11 Master O'Reilly has been in the BB for a year and this will be his last run as a BBer, as I'll take him out after this run on the basis that he's going to be really heavily penalised for his good form this spring next time around. He's been great for us. Flemington 8-13 Moreton Bay steps up a million grades into Listed company here after his RB68 demolition job at Geelong last time out. He ran over a second faster than another BBer and highly talented horse, Sunburnt Land, on the same day so the step up in trip has really suited. If those on the pace are getting home then I'll be having something e/w for sure. Flemington 10-8 Scenic Silver got the chocolates for us first up when he managed to carry a lot of my money and still score. He had scope for improvement that day and I expect him to run well. Morphettville 7-7 Grand Duels has won 2/4 for us and he's well placed to make it 3/5 today. Probably didn't handle the heavy and/or the MV track last time so we'll forgive the run.

Melbourne Cup Selections

Ahhh, Melbourne Cup day. A good day for the wine industry. A bad day for chickens. Hopefully, I can do better this year than most other years on this day, which have tended to be disasters.

This year's field has been weakened by the EI outbreak, which means two things. 1-Master O'Reilly's chances are improved and 2-if the overseas runners are any good then they might be a chance.

Melbourne Cup analysis:

I'm assuming that the track will be no worse than dead. If it is then you're on your own, though I still expect Master O'Reilly to win.

The tips in order are: 11-Master O'Reilly; 23-Princess Coup; 2-Blue Monday; 9-Zipping; 12-Purple Moon.

Horses ruled out:

The SAAB Quality form is awful so I'm ruling out the runners from that race: 17-Sculptor; 21-The Fuzz; 10-Black Tom. The MV Cup form is also very average and I'm not giving them any chance so out go: 13-Lazer Sharp; 16-Sarrera; 18-Dolphin Joe. Horses horribly out of form that look to have no upside are also ruled out: 1-Tawqeet; 5-Railings; 6-Efficient; 7-Maybe Better. Horses that I don't think will stay the trip: 19-Duoro Valley. So that takes care of half the field.

Best roughie:

3-Bluetigeroo

The other imports:

8-Tungsten Strike and 24-Mahler will take up the running and go at a fair clip, I expect. That will break the horses running in the first half of the field and set it up for the midfield runners to get clear and run home to win. If Mahler is as good as Dominic Beirne seems to think then he could get to the front at the top of the straight and be tough to run down. His overseas runs showed a horse that went strongly to the line.

The others:

Horses like 22-Eskimo Queen, 14-On A Jeune, 15-Scenic Shot will probably finish midfield.

SELECTIONS - 5 November 2007

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

There are no POOMA selections today

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

Hamilton 5-2, 7-6

Comments: Nothing to see here. Come back tomorrow for Melbourne Cup day selections.

SELECTIONS - 4 November 2007

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

Albany 3-3 Tokyo Joe [10]

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

Albany 1-1, 5-1

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

Comments: A massive blow out yesterday with the only bright point being the ongoing winning form of black booker El Presidente. Albany 3-3 Tokyo Joe won easily against a few of these last time and he looks likely to win again.

SELECTIONS - 3 November 2007

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

Ascot 5-4 Abrolhos Pearl [26]
Flemington 6-6 Duoro Valley [27]
Gosford 6-6 Hellbound Lujain [16]
Rockhampton 1-3 Running Scared [2,3,11]
Rockhampton 3-13 Renaissant [10,23]

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

Ascot 8-3
Flemington 1-3, 8-11, 10-5
Gosford 1-8
Morphettville 2-1, 2-6
Mt Isa 2-5, 3-6, 4-4, 6-1
Rockhampton 6-9
Traralgon 8-5

(* Eary post due to early start - updates when further details come in - UPDATED *)

Comments: Flemington 6-6 Duoro Valley isn't known as a WFA horse but gets his chance to win a really good race after his top effort last time in the Caulfield Cup. In that race he had a nice run, accelerated quickly but got windburn from his Melbourne Cup bound stablemate. His previous is plenty good enough for this and he's obviously in good nick so, given he'll be double figure odds, looks a nice bet. Gosford 6-6 Hellbound Lujain is a good horse though he can be hard to catch. He'll race near the pace and should be in the finish. Rockhampton 1-3 Running Scared has run well behind the great FNQ mare, Regal Megan, at his two runs from a spell. The step up to 1200m should suit and he must be a strong chance. Rockhampton 3-13 Renaissant didn't really have a chance from her wide gate last time. She's not drawn to advantage again and I would want good e/w odds to have a go.

Black Book: Ascot 1-4 Elliotto led and slaughtered them at his only start. This is not a hard race and I expect him to win again. Ascot 6-8 El Presidente has won 3/4 for us and should have won the other. Very impressive last time and he deserves his chance in Group company. The $2.80 looks a tad short to me, though. Ascot 8-7 Westerly Breeze was a bit one paced last time but was only beaten 1.9L when finishing 9th. If she doesn't perform today then she'll be out of the BB. Flemington 9-3 Stanzout won the Gilgai two starts back and performs well at this distance. He meets Shadoways again and is worse at the weights though now he's had a run up the straight he might improve. Gosford 7-4 Runaway Frisco did the job for us first up last time in at $10+ on the TAB. She's drawn OK and will need speed on but we'll get $6+, which is fine by me.

SELECTIONS - 2 November 2007

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

Ararat 1-3 He's Here [25]

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

Mt Gambier 3-2
Ararat 8-3
Moonee Valley 3-7, 4-1, 5-10

(* Any updates for the MV night meeting later on - UPDATED *)

Comments: Ararat 1-3 He's Here started favourite at his first start at Wangaratta and ran an OK 4th. He's from the powerful Peter Moody stable and this doesn't look like a hard race so you'd expect him to just about get home. Caveat emptor - I have no idea how the Noverre breed handle the wet.

Black Book: I think that Ararat 8-5 Secret Flyer might be a pretty handy horse. If so then I expect him to just about get home in this.

SELECTIONS - 1 November 2007

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

Bunbury 1-10 Surkiss [25]
Seymour 1-8 Marjorie [25]

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

Nil

Comments: Good work by me yesterday to say that there were only two winning chances in the Werribee Cup, both at $10-$12, and they ran 1st and 3rd. Bunbury 1-10 Surkiss would just win if it put its best foot forward today. Unfortunately, the bloke can't train and the jockey can't ride so it'll have to be good to get home. Seymour 1-8 Marjorie has been finishing on well in her races and drops 47 grades for this assignment. It looks a two horse race between her and Nitrogen.