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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

5. The Storyteller has only won the one race from 20 starts, but he’s been placed in another five of them. He comes into this after a last start third at Ararat and that followed a run at Moonee Valley in which he was safely held. This is an easier assignment, and a big improvement is expected. 4. No Rumours broke through to score last time at Ballarat at just his fourth start and he looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 2. Scandoval has been racing well with wins at Horsham and Kyneton before a last start third at Pakenham when battling on well and not getting beaten far. 3. Burgundy Girl is a handy mare at her best and she can be prominent if anywhere near her best.

How to play it: The Storyteller EACH WAY.

6. Monte Veebee has finished second in three of his six starts and resumes from a spell in this having ran fifth in a Super Maiden at Rosehill back in October. He’s had two trials leading into this and looks set to break through against this line-up. 11. Dubai Darling debuted with a third at Newcastle when hitting the line well and can go on with the job despite the wide draw. 10. Roullottie has been placed in seven of 11 starts including her latest four outings. She should be a factor again here. 8. Antidote has been placed in both starts and can figure again from the good draw.

How to play it: Monte Veebee WIN.

5. Schimmelbusch has three second placings to his name before breaking through at his latest start when scoring at Echuca. He’s drawn wide here but is still on the way up and looks hard to hold out. 2. Daze Off was close-up at Wagga when resuming and her previous form was sound. She’s drawn well and is set to be in the thick of things. 11. Bombelleistic was a winner on debut at Nowra. His resuming run at the Sapphire Coast was average but he can lift on that here. 7. Magic Leprechaun scored as favourite at Wagga at his latest start and has been kept up to the mark with a recent trial.

How to play it: Schimmelbusch WIN.

4. Extravagent Lad was racing in great form at the end of his latest campaign with a couple of wins at Gundagai and Queanbeyan before following a third at Mudgee with a similar finish at Randwick. He resumes here from a good gate and can make a winning return. 2. Big Me was placed in a couple of Moonee Valley events before scoring as favourite at Echuca last time out. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 3. Wolflands has been racing well in city grade of late and only needs to have maintained that form to be a factor in this. 1. Sparring will find this easier than his recent runs and an improved showing is on the cards.

How to play it: Extravagent Lad WIN.

4. Brial Rose resumed with a solid second at this track when racing on the speed and battling on well. She has a good record and ran well in a Highway at Randwick last preparation. 2. Cholante was down on form in her most recent runs for another stable before being spelled. She’s shown talent when at her best and has run well in two trials leading into this return from a long break. 3. Boom In The Dark is on debut for a new stable and looks to have the ability to give this a shake, while 6. Reasonable Point was placed at Caulfield two starts ago and that is solid form for this.

How to play it: Brial Rose WIN.

1. Villasaurus has a great record with three wins from 10 starts and he comes into this on the back of a last start third at Wagga in the SDRA Country Championships. He has a big weight here but is drawn well and can bounce back to winning form. 2. Future Fund finished fifth in the same race Villasaurus contested last time out and should figure prominently if he can repeat that effort. 11. Win The Day won well at Canberra when last produced and she has a good record in her lightly raced career. 15. Lysander was a winner at Orange two starts ago and then ran second at Moruya when last produced. He can get into the placings again without surprising.

How to play it: Villasaurus WIN.

***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY***

2. Matusalem had been racing well and getting up to his best in a couple of runs since resuming before following a midfield sixth behind Kings Valley with a last start second in the Canberra Cup when attacking the line well. He’s ready to peak now and this looks a nice race for him. 10. Kings Valley is a talented performer with four wins and eight placings from just the 15 starts. He is a last start Randwick winner that can go right on with the job in this. 4. Touristic hasn’t been too far away in three recent runs and it wouldn’t surprise if he was to show up here. 9. Medatsu was close-up when fourth at Randwick behind Kings Valley at his latest start and only needs to run up to that to be a leading contender here.

How to play it: Matusalem WIN.

1. Conchiero is lightly raced with just the four starts to his name, and he has a win and two minors. He scored at Warwick Farm over subsequent winner Polymnia when last produced and has had a trial to tick over into this. He is clearly the one to beat. 5. Bide Your Time showed ability winning his first two starts on the Riverside at Wagga and then the course proper at the same track and then ran well when second in Highway grade at Rosehill. This looks within his grasp. 6. Fingers Hunter started a short-priced favourite when scoring at Tamworth last time out and he is worth including among the main chances. 10. Pussyfoot hit the line well to score a last start win at Wagga when resuming from a spell and she could go on with the job here.

How to play it: Conchiero WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 7 (2) Matusalem.
Race 8 (1) Conchiero.

Best Value:
Race 1 (5) The Storyteller.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Albury Cup meeting