Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail out rail out 6m from 1600m to 350m; cut/away applies & True the remainder:

7. Sorastorm is a Victorian filly dropping in class fourth-up. Worked home only fairly in two runs back before stepping up to this trip in a deeper field at Bendigo; & beating all but the winner. Hits peak fitness now & well treated at the weights only 1kg over the limit. 2. Triumphant Tonic mixes his form; but draws well and has an edge in fitness. 4. Sampson improves into his fourth start. 11. Champ De Fleurs is also an improver, third-up from the inside draw.

How to play it: Sorastorm to win

2. Ischyros is an honest & hard fit three-year-old primed to finally break through deep into the prep. Hasn't been out of a place since early December; beaten narrowly in his last two after tracking the speed. The extra trip is a plus & so too is winkers coming off; allowing him to settle just off the speed & away from the inside & be given clear air from the 400m. 4. Sergeant Stan is lightly raced and a serious threat for a leading local stable, resuming as a gelding off a smart trial win here. Big watch too on 9. Bon Holler who makes her debut wearing blinkers for the Donna Scott stable behind a string of improving trials. 1. Desert Opal is also trained on the track, and resumes for a second prep after a solid trial. 3. Run Raymond Run is another betting watch having his first start from a low draw behind two easy trials. 5. Denicci, improving sharply second-up over more ground, and 6. Madam Doesfly on debut off three trials; can both add value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Ischyros to win

5. Lunar Mojo is lightly raced & progressive, crossing the border first-up off a nice trial here behind Bon Holler who goes around in a stronger maiden prior. Did his best work late, when on debut here back in late October before failing to finish off at Benalla and was spelled. Drawn to settle back and be taken to the middle of the track past the 350m. 2. Antidote is a first starter by Shamoline Warrior who has trialled well over the border. 4. Love From Venus is a stablemate mare by Magnus also on debut. 9. Monnie is a filly by Hellbent on debut. 14. Kathy's Rose has a real fitness edge peaking fourth-up off a break if she gets a run.

How to play it: Lunar Mojo to win

8. Mariner's Dream is an improving four-year-old who peaks third-up getting out to a longer journey. Was only even to the line when resuming before being ridden quieter & doing his best work over the final furlong. Gets a nice weight drop here with blinkers off again; and he'll be given plenty of time to find his feet before launching down the middle late. 2. Oversize is a big watch having trialled well after disappointing first-up. 4. Unowho stuck on well when resuming in a handy CL1 at Canberra. 6. Daddy's Girl is an underrated mare who likes to settle back and hit the line late.

How to play it: Mariner's Dream to win

3. Extravagant Choice is still progressing and can go back-to-back staying at the distance fifth-up. Worked home okay over two shorter trips early in the prep before hitting the line hard in a CL2 when stepping up to the mile. Then relished heavy ground to bolt in 13 days ago proving he handles all conditions. Up in weight; but right at peak fitness; and draws to get a soft run behind the speed. 4. Char is sparingly raced and a big threat having done his best work late when resuming in a deeper BM 58. 1. Copperfield can be hard to catch, and has to cart a big weight, but likes this trip and drops in grade. 2. Daly Heads is also deep into the prep and comes out of that same last race as the former. 6. Miss Defy back in distance fifth-up, and 8. Washington resuming off a break and trial; are both capable of running into the minor money.

How to play it: Extravagant Choice to win

5. Cooee is a lightly raced & progressive local set to peak second-up four weeks between runs. Won twice here from just off the speed to open his career last year before resuming on Australia Day under 62.5kg & finishing under a length from a smart & well backed winner. Suited down 3.5kg; and drawn low with important gear changes in play. Headed for bigger races. 6. Dupride Star will relish the extra trip third-up after finishing well in two runs back over 1000m. 10. Explosive Rosie resumes off an eye-catching trial, with blinkers coming off. 2. Sheila drops in grade after a fair closing run at The Valley. 3. Mountain Chatter just missed when hitting the line late first-up in a Country C'ship Preview 15 days ago. 9. Just Like Liam starts a new prep without blinkers, and has been fitted with two trials up to this trip. 1. Chop The Ice improves sharply second-up.

How to play it: Cooee to win

1. Brial Rose is a talented home track mare resuming off a solid trial win here. Sparingly raced, but still had consecutive wins through winter up to CL1 level. This shapes as an ideal return race where she can roll across & either lead; sit outside or just off before producing a superior final burst. 3. Speedy One is well named having comfortably led all the way in two runs so far to start his career, either side of a spell. Drawn to advantage. 2. Densetsu is also a big market watch first-up off a long break and two trials. Another one resuming 5. Xceptional Fella has been fitted with two trials. 6. Tycoon Artie is consistent and hard fit; while resuming 8. Sweet Paree is trained on the track, and the best of the rest.

How to play it: Brial Rose to win

BEST BETS:
R1 7. SORASTORM
R3 5. LUNAR MOJO

BEST VALUE:
R4 8. MARINER'S DREAM

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Albury meeting