Maribyrnong Gift

With such a short turnaround this week I am only going to put the Gift up for Maribyrnong. It has seen some controversy with Ed Ware almost losing his bonus last year when he probably should have won. From memory 'The Man' took this one home. Good entries, who do you like?

Augustine Carty-Cowling

Nick MacGibbon

THOMAS MOLONEY

Thomas Yeung

Jack Armour

Stephanie Richards

Winner

Nick MacGibbon

Final:

Paul Tancredi

Nick MacGibbon

Thomas Moloney

Carl Morehouse

Kevin Brittain

Tim Rosen

Winner:
Thomas Moloney

Very interested to see how Moloney runs throughout the carnival . Has been right in the mix lately and looks like he is getting ready for the big dance at the end of the season. This is his best chance to pick up the .75m, putting himself in a great situation at stawell. Think he has been flying under people radars.

final:
macgibbon
moloney
brittain
rosen
taylor
richards

winner: brittain

"Very interested to see how Moloney runs throughout the carnival . Has been right in the mix lately and looks like he is getting ready for the big dance at the end of the season. This is his best chance to pick up the .75m, putting himself in a great situation at stawell. Think he has been flying under people radars. "

I think he is on most people's radar, bit hard not to be when you keep breaking in finals. Strange way to not draw attention to yourself.

Looks like Mr Moloney might be 'breaking' & also 'stumbling' on purpose. Playing the game

The night before so here are the results of the poll.

Thomas Maloney 6.5m 12% - The 'Break' King. Maloney surely must win a race soon. I would think that he is being watched closely after multiple breaks and throwing in some short steps at Rye. Interesting athlete. If he is going for a big novice could it be at Ballarat or can he continue to duck and weave his way to Easter? If he is after a bonus for the big one he must be considered. If he is not, then he will win the novice at Ballarat as he wont make it to Stawell on his current marks I would think. Sorry POD

Kevin Brittain 7.25m 10% - Kevin has not shown his hand much until this season. He was an athlete who seemed to focus on finals at Stawell. And why not when you can cover the ground like him. A bonus here puts him back out to 8m for Stawell and a chance at another final. I personally think that his best is behind him so he should take a win when it presents itself and move on from the dream of winning the Stawell Gift.

Oliver Wurm 8m 8% - Thank you to the extra person who voted for the human Lumbricina to keep him in the spot light. Last chance at a three quarter lift. Will he take it? Will he wait for another year?

Tim Rosen 13m / Scott Rowsell 13m 10% - Rosen has come down from his high early in the season and may very well be building towards one of the really big races coming up. Interesting to see he has not entered Wangaratta as I thought this may be the kind of race he targeted. Rowsell wont win.

Brendan Boyle 16.5m / Sophie Taylor 18m 10% - Boyle hasn't run out of sight in the dark for a few years now and should have at least the same mark as Taylor and Hilditch if not more. Taylor ran well at St Albans and why would she not. She is a lot fitter than when she came back from her break and was a class athlete before winning from a tight mark. Will be out in front with another lass for a bit of the race. Does she want the gift win? How much would she be pulled in the women's races?

Stephanie Richards 19.5m 12% - It was an accident that Richards was left by herself but at least we know the votes are for her. Richards should make the final and should go very close. I am not sure what her game plan is at the moment but it has to be about maximising her mark before winning. She goes out past most limits here so should take the win and come back towards the 18m limit of other small races.