SELECTIONS - 30 August 2008

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

Belmont 1-1 Elliotto [18]
Belmont 5-1 Basto Man [18]
Doomben 4-10 Sneaky Squirrel [10]
Rosehill 1-2 Ten Of Hearts [18]

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

Belmont 3-1
Cheltenham 2-1
Kembla Grange 1-7
Rosehill 6-4

(* Any updates at Belmont later on *)

Comments: Belmont 1-1 Elliotto brought up his hat trick with an easy win over this course and distance in this class two weeks ago. Drops in weight after the claim (though stays the same over the limit) and it's hard to see him not being in the finish again. Belmont 5-1 Basto Man hadn't won for two years before winning nicely first up. Like Elliotto he stays in the same grade and at the same trip but rises 2kg in weight, which should all add up to his having an excellent chance. Doomben 4-10 Sneaky Squirrel started favourite in an R0 race at his first run in a month over the 1010m trip at this track last week and didn't have a lot of luck when a 4.1L 9th. Had previously run 2nd over this course and at nice odds should run a race for us. Rosehill 1-2 Ten Of Hearts was rewarded for his career consistency with his 5th win from 24 starts over the 1100m trip at this track at his last run. He really loves this track with his last 9 runs here reading 234212221. 1200m might be as far as he wants it but at the 100m mark he's going to be in there fighting.

Black Book: Caulfield 7-8 Moreton Bay put up an outstanding performance to just miss winning first up at Flemington 3 weeks ago. His 2nd up form is not that good but he hasn't stepped up to this trip before when doing it so perhaps Rod Douglas has worked him out. Has drawn poorly but will get back anyway and if he's the Caulfield Cup chance that I think he is then we'll see another big run today. Doomben 6-10 Slim Pickings is not a noted first up performer and has not won at a distance below 1300m. If there's a heap of speed on then he can run into a place late at nice e/w odds. Rosehill 4-4 Neroli is going to go very close to winning this race and looks the best bet of the day. She thumped home late first up and the step up in trip is ideal.