St Albans Gift

Running under lights is always something very different. Not many would remember the days when the Wangaratta Gift suspended lights above the gift track and turned all the surrounding lights off. The was something race to run in. And St Albans has a similar atmosphere. Late start with a late finish but it is worth it. Who takes home the win here?

final:
bee
macgibbon
nettlefold
shepherd
phelan
kardakovski

winner: bee

Augustine Carty-Cowling

Nick MacGibbon

THOMAS MOLONEY

Jack Armour

Leigh Phelan

Joshua Tiu

Winner

Nick MacGibbon

The Newmans making the trip down to St Albans. Tom on his Stawell handicap. Jack getting 0.75m lift from Stawell first up after coming 2nd in the 200m. Nooiicce.

Here's me thinking you can't start on a bigger mark then what you had at the end of the previous season. I really have to re read those handicapping regulations Kangaroota

St Albans is always a good final. I am a little biased, but I do like the final under lights. It is a great spectacle from the sidelines as I have already mentioned. On to the tips.

Joel Bee 0.75m 21% - Float like a butterfly sprint like a, well, Bee. This man is on fire. Was ever so close to winning Rye 'Grass' so why would he not be the favourite for St Albans. I just wonder if he has it in him to make the Stawell Gift final of such a tight mark? Watch how quickly he eats into the 'field'. I have been praising coaches a lot tonight, so well done to JH as Bee is 'Flying'. All puns intended

Oliver Wurm 8m / Mohamad Zeed 8m 14% - Zeed has not run yet so I think these votes are not for him. The human Lumbricina is looking good. He has form over the 400m and a good mark in the gift. Sound familiar? A win here would place him on 8.75m at Stawell. Is he a dark horse? One to watch.

Rupert Lugo 9.75m / Leigh Phelan 9.75m 14% - Lugo only runs quick at Stawell so don't worry about him here. Rampaging Phelan is another huge threat to win this weekend. He is running extremely well and people should take note of his never say die attitude. Made the Classic final at Maryborough, just missed out on the win Castlemaine and will go very close here!

Lawrence Coop 13m / Tim Rosen 13m 14% - Last season Coop was right in everything. I am not sure what has changed but he has not looked the same athlete this season. Perhaps he has an injury? On last year's form he goes very close. Right now I, I think the votes were for Rosen. I do not think Rosen will feature this week. He has not looked the same since he won the 200m at Maryborough. I cannot see him on current form beating home his training partner. He withdrew due to illness from the 400m final at Rye. Let's hope he is alright.

Like my fellow thought provoking Ballaritian I had noticed the lift afforded to the better Newman. He was actually my vote. Can he win and come back later with 8m? Why would they make the trip down? He is a talent!

Good luck.

This should pan out to be a tight race if the top handful go for the win. Prize money is reasonably attractive and as one of the last few 3/4 lifts on offer varying motivations will come into play to cross the line first.

My picks....some pretty simialar to others:

BEE - If Bee is looking for the lift to have a crack at Stawell watch out anyone in front (which is everyone) as he has shown he can run down most if not all over a variety of distances this season. Gut says he'll wait for something bigger.

MACGIBBON - I'd been expecting him to fire a little more this season and think it's only a matter of time before he gets it all altogether and runs a smashing time. One to watch.

NEWMAN - The lift for Newman, as raised, is interesting but would now make him a favourite in my book. He is a talent as Mex said and moves really well. Both Newman's ran down my next pick in the Stawell 200m final so may just have him covered in this as well.

PHELAN - Not too sure what to make of Phelan's mid season form as he normally only starts to wind up around late Jan / early Feb. He's clearly running well and got himself into good shape. I'm thinking he might sit this one out and have a crack at a bigger one, as his Castlemaine run would put him in the mix for Ballarat, Stonnington or Wang.