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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

3. Conjoin has had two runs back from a spell and he fought on well when a last start third at the Sapphire Coast when starting favourite. He has shown enough talent in his career to be rated hard to beat here. 1. Master Patrick was on debut at Albury when not beaten far when midfield. The step up in distance should suit and he looks a leading contender. 2. Roullottie has a good record with five placings to her name from nine starts and she should get every chance from the inside gate. 4. Oaky Doaks hasn’t figured in the placings from three starts but was midfield here last time out and could get into the money without surprising.

How to play it: Conjoin WIN.

9. Carry On Lizzy led on debut at Kyneton when finishing fourth when beaten just over two lengths. She should have derived benefit from that experience and should figure prominently again. 10. Jenni Divine has been placed in each of her latest four starts and is knocking on the door to break through for a victory. 4. Piankhi hit the line well for a last start second at this track when big odds and a repeat of that would have him figuring in the finish. 13. Sister Shay was midfield at Kyneton at her only start and she should be better for that run.

How to play it: Carry On Lizzy WIN.

9. O’Hellyeah was a winner at Cowra when resuming from a spell then finished third at the Sapphire Coast before a last start fifth at Canberra. She has her share of talent and can make an impact stepping up in distance. 15. La Rosetta had a number of trials and jumpouts before debuting with a fourth at Benalla. She’s drawn wide but can overcome that. 1. It Is To Be was a winner at this track three starts back, and since then finished fourth at Goulburn before a last start last at Canberra. He can make an impact. 5. Miss Defy won at Parkes two runs ago then was midfield at Canberra when last produced.

How to play it: O’Hellyeah WIN.

3. I’m Airborne ran well enough when placed at Albury two starts ago then failed to fire at the same track at his latest start. The booking of Nick Heywood is a positive and he looms as a knockout chance. 2. Exceedingly Hot was close-up when fourth at the Sapphire Coast before a weakening effort at this track last time. 4. Philadelphia Storm wasn’t beaten far when a last start fourth at this track and has the advantage of gate one. 5. Taluk has been placed in each of her latest two runs and another bold showing is on the cards.

How to play it: I’m Airborne EACH WAY.

1. Laurel Hill has been racing in fine form with a couple of recent city placings on the Kensington track and at Canterbury. She’s been narrowly beaten in each of those events and gets her chance to bounce back to winning form here. 2. Doogan’s Design scored a strong win at Cowra at her latest start when leading throughout. She is building up a good record and looks one of the hardest to beat. 5. Kahawaty won in easier grade in the Holbrook Cup at the picnics last time out and can be placed with a repeat. 6. Merc has been below his best of late but is handy on his day and can lift.

How to play it: Laurel Hill WIN.

10. Taumata is lightly raced and was a winner at this track back in September over 2000m. He has a further four placings to his name, with two of them coming either side of a spell. The rise in distance suits here and he should be hard to hold out. 9. Notes has been racing well with placings at this track either side of an Albury victory. Another bold showing is on the cards. 3. Mathrin won at Cowra before solid fourth at the Sapphire Coast. 8. Avonview ran well when a last start second at Canberra and warrants some thought.

How to play it: Taumata WIN.

7. Villasaurus resumes from a spell here and has shown plenty of ability in his nine-start career. Was a Highway winner at Rosehill back in November and then ran third in a Highway at Rosehill behind subsequent SERA Country Championships winner Sunchyme. Fresh for this and has the right form to return as a winner. 2. County Kilkenny is a talented galloper which has scored in city grade on the Kensington track at Randwick when fought on well over a longer trip. Has been unplaced either side of a spell but wasn’t beaten far in either of them. Can show up against these without surprising. 5. Burrandana has a solid record with a string of Highway placings to his name. Was a winner at Gundagai last November on the back of the solid Highway efforts, and he since finished third at Wagga when last produced. Has the ability to give this a shake. 13. Dolly is a consistent mare with two wins and nine placings to her name from just the 12 starts. Hasn’t been beaten far away in her latest two seconds at this track. Only needs the breaks to go her way to be a chance of scoring a knockout win.

How to play it: Villasaurus WIN.

10. Pussyfoot is resuming from a spell having finished down the track in Listed grade at Caulfield before the break. She was a winner at Albury in maiden grade before that and from the good draw here looks nicely placed to resume with a win. 12. Jessie Doll debuted with a victory at Tumut as favourite and that followed a trial win at this track. She looks to have the talent to make an impact. 1. Darkley has finished fourth in each of his last two starts in the Northern Rivers and can figure in this without surprising. 4. Fourthtimelucky wasn’t far away on debut at Cootamundra and then led throughout to score a win at Albury before being spelled. He resumes here after a recent Albury trial.

How to play it: Pussyfoot WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (10) Taumata.
Race 8 (10) Pussyfoot.

Best Value:
Race 4 (3) I’m Airborne.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Country Championships meeting at Wagga