Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Victoria · Tuesday 26 May 2026
Our top pick won 5 of 8 races at Hamilton. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Colt Forty Five profiles perfectly for this race. As the likely leader in a field with fast tempo, he can control the race from the front. On Heavy 8 at Hamilton, on-pace runners are statistically dominant. His second placing on heavy at Geelong last November is a strong form reference. While he's yet to break through, he's consistently competitive and gets a favourable map. The main risk is his winless record, but this is his best chance yet.
He's first-up after 9 months, has no heavy track experience, and his best form came on synthetic and soft.
Lyrebird Lady is a filly with one start to her name, but she showed enough at Geelong to warrant consideration. The step up to 1200m might suit, and barrier 2 gives her every chance to settle midfield and improve. John Allen's booking is a strong positive.
Lyrebird Lady rates as the value play in this race. The main risk is her inexperience on heavy ground, but her debut showed enough to suggest she can improve.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Colt Forty Five | 6 | Teodore Nugent | Jamie Edwards | 59.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 3 | Soundwave | 3 | Will Gordon | E & D Browne | 59.5kg | $1.90 |
| 3rd | 5 | Oh So Vein | 4 | Melissa Julius | Jim Cerchi Jnr | 57.5kg | $26.00 |
| 4th | 2 | My Boy Ricky | 7 | Emily Pozman | Ms J Wicks | 59.5kg | $11.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Lyrebird Lady | 2 | John Allen | Emma Church | 57.5kg | $5.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Pacific Pixie | 1 | Cian Macredmond | Stephen Lenehan | 57.5kg | $61.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Peyton Jane | 5 | Kate Walters | Wayne Walters | 57.5kg | $26.00 |
Queen Christine presents as the most reliable winning chance with proven heavy track form and strong second-up record. The addition of winkers first time from the in-form Symon Wilde stable adds confidence.
The good barrier draw and in-form jockey booking make him a strong each-way chance despite being winless.
Dreck showed improvement last start with a third placing on Heavy 8 at Warrnambool. Being second-up from the Symon Wilde stable is a positive, and the strong jockey/trainer combination (40% strike rate) adds confidence. The good barrier draw should see him settle handy in a race that favours on-pace runners.
The significant class drop from previous racing levels and established jockey/trainer combination provide hope. While his recent form has declined, the conditions suit and he's proven capable of placing at this level.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Queen Christine | 5 | Damien Thornton | Symon Wilde | 56kg | $2.45 |
| 2nd | 2 | Dreck | 3 | Jack Hill | Symon Wilde | 58kg | $2.90 |
| 3rd | 6 | Upolu | 4 | Teodore Nugent | Jamie Edwards | 58kg | $4.20 |
| 4th | 5 | Shades Of Stardom | 8 | Dean Yendall | M J Williams | 58kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 1 | Dioscuri | 6 | Neil Farley | Andrew Bobbin | 58kg | $51.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Royal Attire | 7 | Luke Williams | J G Brooks | 58kg | $151.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Josie Kate | 2 | Eoin Walsh | Stephen Lenehan | 56kg | $101.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Prague's Knight | 9 | Ryan Hurdle | Damien Hunter | 58kg | $91.00 |
| Scr | 9 | Rhineglow | 1 | Cian Macredmond | Brent Stanley | 56kg |
The addition of blinkers first time and strong trainer/jockey combination suggests stable confidence.
The good barrier draw and proven jockey connection are positives, though the heavy track remains a query. Represents solid each-way value as the main danger.
Immortal One brings solid recent form including a strong second over this distance.
Specky Boy offers value as a second-up runner with proven Hamilton form.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Immortal One | 8 | Eoin Walsh | Tyler Donaldson-Aitken | 57.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 4 | Impactical | 9 | Will Gordon | E & D Browne | 59.5kg | $3.50 |
| 3rd | 7 | Specky Boy | 2 | Ryan Hurdle | Damien Hunter | 59.5kg | $13.00 |
| 4th | 5 | Malawi Man | 7 | Melissa Julius | S V Gebert | 59.5kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 10 | Show No Doubt | 3 | Cian Macredmond | Anthony Cosgriff | 57.5kg | $8.00 |
| 6th | 8 | The Botany Frog | 10 | Fred W Kersley | L Smith | 59.5kg | $2.80 |
| 7th | 3 | Brother Quickie | 6 | Amy Herrmann | Jamie Barry | 59.5kg | $151.00 |
| 8th | 6 | Merry Jack | 5 | Christine Puls | Q J Scott | 59.5kg | $8.50 |
| 9th | 1 | Albanian Blood | 1 | Tom Madden | Cameron Thompson | 59.5kg | $61.00 |
| 10th | 2 | Bool Rush | 4 | John Allen | Luke Williams | 59.5kg | $20.00 |
The Shane Jackson/Emily Pozman combination is competent, and the good barrier draw allows tactical flexibility.
Tauri's heavy track credentials and strong Hamilton record make her a key contender. The class drop from BM70 is significant, and Dakotah Keane has a perfect record on the mare. Despite recent poor form, the conditions strongly favour her profile and she maps well from the middle barrier.
The inside barrier is advantageous on heavy ground, and his Hamilton track record is encouraging. However, the jockey booking is concerning given Olivia East's recent form, which prevents higher confidence.
Chelsea Thompson's strong recent form is encouraging, and the mare showed improvement last start.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Nevra Queen | 4 | Chelsea Thompson | Cameron Thompson | 52.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 7 | Spanish Snitzel | 5 | Christopher Pang | M W Greig | 53.5kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 4 | Cosmic | 3 | Emily Pozman | Shane Jackson | 59kg | $2.90 |
| 4th | 2 | Tauri | 7 | Dakotah Keane | Q J Scott | 59.5kg | $5.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Bow Ribbon | 1 | Olivia East | D F Hill | 56kg | $2.90 |
| Scr | 1 | The Bantam | 2 | Zac Moore | Brent Stanley | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 5 | Friday At Five | 6 | Sarah Field | Henry Dwyer | 57kg |
Maher stable excels in country racing and significant class drop from previous metropolitan attempts. Light weight and improving trajectory outweigh maiden status.
Lightly raced filly showing improvement in both starts on soft tracks. Distance experience advantage over many rivals. Barrier allows settling position but Hamilton's anti-backmarker bias concerning. Improving trajectory and track conditions suit.
John Allen booking indicates stable confidence despite poor debut results. Second up from spell with quality trainer/jockey combination. Barrier draw suits Hamilton's position-sensitive nature.
Quality stable and jockey combination suggests this Dundeel filly has ability despite poor debut. Breeding ideal for 1600m and connections wouldn't persist without seeing improvement.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Adira River | 1 | Cian Macredmond | C Maher | 57.5kg | $1.35 |
| 2nd | 7 | Freshwater Fox | 9 | Neil Farley | Jamie Edwards | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 9 | Rock On Foxy | 8 | Emily Pozman | S R Fisher | 57.5kg | $18.00 |
| 4th | 1 | He's Electric | 7 | Melissa Julius | M W Greig | 59.5kg | $9.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Spot The Grey | 2 | Will Gordon | Anthony Cosgriff | 59.5kg | $31.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Savvy Nights | 6 | Jason Webb | Pat Cannon | 59.5kg | $13.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Iskadeel | 5 | Damien Thornton | Symon Wilde | 57.5kg | $17.00 |
| 8th | 10 | Shamus Illusion | 4 | Amy Herrmann | Matt & Louise Cooper | 57.5kg | $91.00 |
| Scr | 4 | Tarnation | 10 | Teodore Nugent | Jamie Edwards | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Eye Tracker | 3 | John Allen | Shane Jackson | 57.5kg |
Tori's Dee arrives in career-best form with two recent wins including a Heavy 9 victory just 8 days ago. His 7:1-0-1 heavy track record is outstanding, and the strong jockey/trainer combination (75% strike rate) adds confidence. While stepping up slightly in class, his recent form progression and wet track expertise make him the standout selection despite the wide barrier.
Atomova is the proven heavy track specialist with a perfect 3:1-0-0 record on heavy going, including a last-start win on Heavy 10. The low weight of 57.5kg and strong trainer/jockey combination provide additional appeal.
The perfect jockey/horse combination and strong trainer partnership provide confidence. However, his complete lack of heavy track experience (0:0-0-0) and top weight burden are significant concerns on today's Heavy 8 surface.
His previous Hamilton experience resulted in a placing, and the quality Damien Thornton booking suggests stable confidence. The significant class rise from maiden company is the main concern, but his heavy track credentials and map position create value.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Tori's Dee | 7 | Chelsea Thompson | Jamie Edwards | 56kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 5 | Sacred Fort | 2 | Will Gordon | Taige Weir | 59.5kg | $6.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Big Rooster | 3 | Damien Thornton | Symon Wilde | 59.5kg | $2.70 |
| 4th | 6 | Atomova | 1 | Tom Madden | Adam Chambers | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 7 | Take Me To Church | 4 | Caitlin Hollowood | K T Bourke | 54kg | $16.00 |
| 6th | 4 | No Greater Vue | 5 | John Allen | Taige Weir | 59.5kg | $4.60 |
| Scr | 1 | Col Klink | 6 | Fred W Kersley | L Smith | 60kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Wild Roses Grow | 8 | Neil Farley | D J Cannon | 56kg |
Scholl Deep presents as the most reliable winning chance. Second up from spell with a strong record (1-0-1 from 3), she's a proven heavy track performer with 2 wins from 6 starts. The significant class drop from BM62-68 racing to BM56 is crucial, and the Kersley/Smith combination strikes at 20%. Her 1400m win at Newcastle and ability to handle wet conditions make her the standout despite the wide draw.
Belgian Chocolate brings the perfect heavy track credentials with 1 win from 2 starts on Heavy going. All her racing has been at 1400m with a win and place, making her a distance specialist. The Julius/Williams combination strikes at 50%, and her recent Terang win demonstrates current ability. Barrier 3 allows tactical positioning despite the class rise.
Dimora Queen is the Hamilton track specialist with a win and place from just 2 starts here. Recent form includes a solid third at Stawell, and her overall record of 3-3-4 from 16 shows consistency. The barrier 8 draw is workable for her racing pattern.
Pardon My French offers value through a significant class drop from BM70 racing to BM56. While unproven on Heavy tracks, her soft track record shows 2 wins from 8 starts. The 1400m distance suits, and the light weight of 57kg provides an advantage.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Star Of Rossa | 7 | Dean Yendall | M J Williams | 59.5kg | $10.00 |
| 2nd | 1 | Understudy | 1 | Neil Farley | T Cottier | 63kg | $10.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Pardon My French | 6 | Zac Moore | C Maher | 57kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Scholl Deep | 9 | Fred W Kersley | L Smith | 60.5kg | $3.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Krasnoludek | 4 | Ryan Hurdle | Robert Hickmott | 61kg | $12.00 |
| 6th | 5 | Belgian Chocolate | 3 | Melissa Julius | M J Williams | 60.5kg | $4.60 |
| 7th | 9 | Dangerous Secret | 5 | Christine Puls | Bob & Kane Post | 54kg | $61.00 |
| 8th | 4 | Our Beau | 2 | John Allen | Nick Ryan | 61kg | $4.80 |
| Scr | 2 | Dimora Queen | 8 | Zac Moore | Shane Jackson | 59kg |
The heavy track record (2-0-2) is crucial today, and his regular racing keeps him sharp. The inside barrier is concerning at Hamilton, but his class and consistency make him the logical choice.
Her 1100m record is strong and she's proven on heavy tracks. The wide barrier is problematic at Hamilton, but her speed and class could overcome it.
The Dabernig stable adds confidence and barrier 6 provides tactical options.
Ratnaraj offers value as a heavy track winner with improving form.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Port Louis | 2 | Ryan Hurdle | Denis Daffy & Harriet Place | 59.5kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Stargust | 1 | Tom Madden | Joanne Mugavin | 59.5kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 9 | First Division | 9 | Caitlin Hollowood | K T Bourke | 52kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 5 | Sierra Blanca | 6 | Damien Thornton | Tom Dabernig | 57.5kg | $9.50 |
| 5th | 6 | Sweetsop | 7 | Brendon Newport | Cameron Thompson | 57.5kg | $31.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Ratnaraj | 10 | Neil Farley | Bob & Kane Post | 57.5kg | $10.00 |
| 7th | 7 | The Mariner | 5 | Chelsea Thompson | Stephen Lenehan | 52.5kg | $4.80 |
| 8th | 10 | Ask For More | 3 | Christine Puls | Stephen Lenehan | 54kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 1 | Stan Tough | 8 | Melissa Julius | James McNamara | 60kg | $13.00 |
| 10th | 8 | Stellar Madame | 4 | Dean Yendall | Chris Calthorpe | 55kg | $6.00 |
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