Ryan Phelan's Sunday best at Cranbourne (14/06)

By Ryan Phelan

Ryan Phelan has your tips and Quaddies for Cranbourne harness tonight.

Race 1

OVERVIEW: MAAS BETTING AGAIN (7) is a very quick beginner and, despite the wide draw and speed to her inside, can potentially lead over the short trip. It's a rocks-or-diamonds scenario, as her strike rate falls away significantly when she can't find the front. She's been racing in stronger grade and performing well despite her numerical form. She'll represent good value if she can find the top. HELLO POSSUMS (6) will be the beneficiary of a hot early tempo if there is one. She's won two of her past three when coming with one run after the leaders have spent plenty of tickets early. PISTOL PEARCE (4) will be looking for a forward position and, although only fair in his past couple, those runs came in tougher grade at Melton. He was a sound winner when able to lead and control the tempo four starts ago. BULLETPROOF KID (3) is first up here but is a quick beginner and has first advantage to cross to the pegs. He was good last time in and Herbertson gets on well with him.

BACK: MAAS BETTING AGAIN (7) – 1 unit (win)

SELECTIONS: MAAS BETTING AGAIN (7), MAAS BETTING AGAIN (7), PISTOL PEARCE (4), BULLETPROOF KID (3)

Race 2

OVERVIEW: BETTORSWEETVICTORY (3) is enjoying one of her more consistent seasons and races particularly well when she maps favourably off a solid tempo. She has options from this draw with speed both inside and outside her, and her performances at this track have been strong from less favourable set-ups than she receives here. FROSTY DROP (1) is a fast beginner who was impressive when resuming this preparation, leading throughout off a controlled tempo. Since then, conditions haven't suited, and she can use the draw to either lead or secure the trail. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (5) will be driven aggressively from the draw, as he generally performs best when able to find the front. He may have to earn it though, with several key rivals mapping well. JUST PEDRO (6) was a winner at this track two starts ago and the form from that race has stood up since. The draw is a little awkward, but he has claims.

BACK: BETTORSWEETVICTORY (3) – 2.5 units (win)

SELECTIONS: SOLS ME NAME (5), FROSTY DROP (1), MONSIEUR FLAMEL (5), JUST PEDRO (6)

Race 3

OVERVIEW: SWAYWITHSIERRA (1) has been racing well this preparation and now gets conditions to suit in her quest for a maiden victory. She's been well supported whenever drawn to race on speed and went close here two starts ago in decent time for this class. From the inside draw she looks the likely leader and should be able to control proceedings with little apparent pressure. FIFTY SEVEN CHEVY (2) gets another favourable draw to map well and continue the consistent performances he's been producing this year. He's fitter now with two runs under his belt following a let-up and can go close. BUNGY (6) is second-up from a break after a sound fresh performance when leading in moderate time. He profiles strongly on SP data but faces a sticky draw. CARAPAZ (7) has produced some nice efforts earlier this campaign and boasts a strong place strike rate. The draw makes things tougher.

BACK: SWAYWITHSIERRA (1) – 2.5 units (win)

SELECTIONS: SWAYWITHSIERRA (1), FIFTY SEVEN CHEVY (2), BUNGY (6), CARAPAZ (7)

Race 4

OVERVIEW: PARIS KAY (3) brings up her 100th start and can raise the bat with victory at a track where she races particularly well. Her last win came here in April when she was able to show speed and map favourably. She gets an even better set-up here and drops in class after placing at Melton last start. RARITY ROCK (4) shows good gate speed and likes to lead. He gets the draw to do just that and races well at his home track but resumes without a trial and may be vulnerable late. SHES SKY HIGH (6) has ability, although she's been difficult to catch this campaign. She races best when up on speed and enjoys this track but will need to be very sharp early to cross those drawn inside. TE AMO (5) has won three of his past five starts, albeit in more suitable company. He's an honest type who should be competitive again.

BACK: PARIS KAY (3) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: PARIS KAY (3), RARITY ROCK (4), SHES SKY HIGH (6), TE AMO (5)

Race 5

OVERVIEW: OUR TRUE COLOURS (4) hasn't won since January, but she continues to race well, and this appears her most suitable assignment for some time. She had no luck at all last start and still found the line strongly, while her two runs prior when leading were full of merit. She's versatile enough to overcome the speed drawn inside her and still map well. AVEIRO (3) may represent value based on his recent numerical form, but he hasn't had much luck with draws or race shape and now drops in class. His record at the track is solid and he appeals as an each-way play. DANCINGONSTARLIGHT (2) resumes from a single trial and has enough speed to press forward from the draw. She has claims with an economical run. QUICK CRUNCH (8) was quite good first-up when third, albeit with every chance. Her form last season as a three-year-old was strong and she can improve further with added fitness.

SELECTIONS: OUR TRUE COLOURS (4), AVEIRO (3), DANCINGONSTARLIGHT (2), QUICK CRUNCH (8)

Race 6

OVERVIEW: PICKLE IT (6) drops in class and races particularly well at Cranbourne, especially when able to find the front. There's good speed drawn inside him, so he'll have to earn the lead if he's to find it, but there doesn't appear to be much pressure once positions are established. REASON TO LAUGH (1) has had plenty of opportunities to break through this preparation, but none better than this. He draws the pole and drops significantly in grade. He should secure the right run and be in the finish. NIVEKALON EAGLE (3) has gate speed and will play a major role in how the race maps. He's shown signs of returning to form and this looks his most suitable opportunity to return to the winners' list. CHASING THE WIND (4) is second-up after a solid run in stronger company first-up. If he maps softly, he has claims in a race lacking depth.

SELECTIONS: PICKLE IT (6), REASON TO LAUGH (1), NIVEKALON EAGLE (3), CHASING THE WIND (4)

Race 7

OVERVIEW: AT THE DISTANCE (2) is a reliable trotter drawn well to show gate speed and potentially lead over the short trip. He boasts a strong record at this track and, with the state's leading driver aboard, can take catching. SPIRITED LASS (8) resumes after a good trial win at Melton. She's a mare who can be her own worst enemy, particularly in the score-up, but when she does everything right, she possesses plenty of ability. On ratings she's right in the race. SHAQ THE ANVIL (3) made a mistake last start but was racing well prior. He's yet to place at Cranbourne, though his best form keeps him in calculations from a positive draw. MISTA WALKER (5) is in a purple patch chasing four straight wins. He may not enjoy the same favours he received in those victories but demands respect.

SELECTIONS: AT THE DISTANCE (2), SPIRITED LASS (8), SHAQ THE ANVIL (3), MISTA WALKER (5)

Race 8

OVERVIEW: GYM QUEEN (1) has been a model of consistency without breaking through this preparation, often finding one better. She now draws perfectly to use her speed and map favourably. Everything points to this being her best opportunity to break through. HES RUNAWAY BAY (7) carries the famous Maoris Idol colours and improved his manners last time when a well-supported second. He showed good gate speed there and a similar effort would see him go close. LARAS DREAM (2) may represent value. Her recent efforts have been sound, and she maps for a soft run. MI BOW (5) continues to earn a cheque but finds winning difficult. In a race lacking depth, she remains in calculations.

BACK: GYM QUEEN (1) - 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: GYM QUEEN (1), HES RUNAWAY BAY (7), LARAS DREAM (2), MI BOW (5)