Friday Night Lights - Brittany's Form Guide

By Brittany Graham

As we tick within six weeks of Cup Week, all the heavy hitters are out in force, and every Friday Night Lights is a vitally important one.

Tonight's edition features 10 ultra strong races from Addington where the age group pacers are on display, whereas Alexandra Park proves a strong springboard for the Northern brigade looking to book trips South.

Addington

Race 7 (8.12pm) $30,000 Dunstan Sires Stakes 2YO Fillies Series Heat 3

Where do you look when it comes to this exciting group of juvenile fillies? The Hayden and Amanda Cullen stable have won the first battle of this contest drawing one and two respectively, looking a logical leader behind leader set up.

For that reason, I'm The Boss is the horse to beat off her short but impressive career so far. She won her last start by a slender margin, albeit in a very quick last quarter and appears to get the run of the race here. 

Wat Fun is in nearly an identical scenario, winning fresh up by a head after leading up here a fortnight ago against many of her rivals. She is a big green filly who gives the impression that she would rally under pressure, and with her quick gate speed she looks like the lamplighter.

It’s hard to split the Bronson Munro trio but maybe Validation has the best potential map situation and has experience on her side. She wasn’t produced off a helmet in her recent trial and was a feature race winner in her first racing preparation.

When it comes to other inclusions into your first four calculations, the options are endless. 

Suva Baby was sectionally outstanding fresh up but has an awkward draw and Jorja was sensational in her lone race day outing when second in the Helen Pope. That was behind Nella Keenan who was given a good push by Steven Reid on The Box Seat Tuesday and even Ashes Of Midnight could get the run of the race and is more than capable from an improved barrier draw.

SELECTIONS – 1, 2, 4 and 13
SUGGESTED PLAY – Quinella 1 and 2

Race 8 (8.38pm) – Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Heat 4 (2YO C&G)

While the crop of two-year-old boys may not be quite as open, it is just as high quality and there will be some wonderful clashes over the next six weeks.

Tour Party was clearly the early season standout and despite a defeat coming fresh up this campaign, he bounced back with an emphatic Oamaru victory three weeks ago. Now third up, and with his early speed, he is clearly the horse to beat. 

Chiggsy is yet to miss a fight and could have quite easily been a two-time Group 1 winner by now. He was very good fresh from a poor draw, and was then defeated as a short priced favourite by his stablemate and excitement machine Faith Not Fear. 

It wasn’t a complete surprise the way the race played out, but I would have liked him to finish a little closer.

If playing exotics, I think Patriot is the sleeper of this crop and will love when the pressure is turned up, whereas Coal Fire ran some phenomenal splits when a closing second in his latest run at Alexandra Park.

SELECTIONS – 4,3,6 and 10
SUGGESTED PLAY – First Four – 4 to win, 3 to run second and 5, 6, 9 and 10 for third and fourth. 

Race 9 9.03pm – Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Heat 6

With the two favourites drawing eight and nine respectively here, much is going to come down to who lands in front of the other I believe.

Both fillies were excellent in their first up assignments although it’s a case of proven against up and comer.

Cherish Me went from having her first workout in March, to winning four from six in her first campaign. 

On the flip side, Cath has been there and done that as a Group 1 winner already when taking home the Northern Oaks in May.

There have been gear changes made on both as well, the blinds going back on Cath while Cherish Me goes from fixed deafeners last week to removable this.

If it comes down to who settles where, I have an ever so slight leaning to Cath having superior gate speed, however that is only the start of this intriguing race, not the all-important finish.

Now if those two fillies go to war, there is a line up of quality just behind them ready to bounce headed by last week’s sensational first up placegetter Lizzie Borden and the ever consistent Indulge Me. 

Then there is the improving speedster Song Of Seas who comes off the unruly for the first time in a while, and last year's champion two-year-old filly All Of Me amongst others.

SELECTIONS – 9,8,3 and 10
SUGGESTED PLAY – Lizzie Borden each way

Alexandra Park

Race 6 7.53pm – Yabby Dam Farms City Of Sails Trot

With several Renwick Farm Dominion Trot nominations amongst this group of nine open square-gaiters, this should be a very competitive 2700m standing start contest.

Higher Power was exceptional in a very similar line up here a fortnight ago, stepping off the 10m mark which he has again, to lead and win emphatically. He is yet to win over further than 2200m however was runner up in last year’s Northern Trotting Derby.

The winner of that feature was his stablemate Meant To Be and albeit only fifth in his first up performance, he ran the best sectionals of the race including a 56.2second last half wide and off the track.

The extra distance is in his favour, and he is seemingly beginning to get the hang of the standing start caper.

Hillbilly Blues is the big query runner, as the National Trot winner made a mistake fresh up but had previously trialed well. Tony Herlihy reunites with him, and he also moves up 10m off last start. 

His stablemate Belle Neige was excellent in her most recent effort and is one to watch late if she settles close enough.

SELECTIONS – 5,9,8 and 4
SUGGESTED PLAY – Higher Power to win (Box Seat Boost price under Futures tab)

Race 7 8.24pm – Matamata Veterinary Services The Holmes DG

Is the extra distance and a run under the belt enough to see Merlin bounce back at his short quote?

I think it is and believe he is the horse to beat – as does the market.

Coming off 20m first up in the Spring Cup he stepped very well, but still found himself last, and even running a 54.1second last half wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Being an older stallion, he will have taken immense benefit out of that first up run, and over 2700m he has won four from nine, with a further three placings.

Better Knuckle Up proved he belongs amongst our elite with a super New Zealand Cup fourth last year as an inexperienced four-year-old. Despite having even more standing start practice since, he is still having trouble getting his beginnings right. It likely cost him in the Spring Cup fresh when he was exceptional in second, but if he can step and maintain his handicap advantage he will be a major player.

The marvellous American Me cannot be discounted in his current form patch but does move to the back mark of 20m, while Jeremiah looked to have his chance last start but is another who can improve his standing start manners to assist his chances.

SELECTIONS – 7,5,4,6
SUGGESTED PLAY – Purdon/Phelan trifecta – 7,5,4