By Neil Evans
Track likely Soft 6 and rail True:
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1400m): |
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Plenty of chances in the opener for the maidens. After three gradual improving runs this prep, three-year-old 11. Jungle Fever can pounce at big odds. Drops sharply in weight, and much better placed getting out significantly to this distance.
Dangers: The betting will be an indicator with Victorian three-year-old 4. Blonde Suspect who resumes for a second prep after doing absolutely nothing in three runs back over the border earlier in the year. Both 1. King Aviator fourth-up; and 8. Borislav third-up; can run into the placings.
How to play it: Jungle Fever each way
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 CLASS 1 HCP (1000m): |
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Keen on home track filly 3. Rapid Ruby resuming from a handy trailing draw. Progressed nicely last prep continually hitting the line from well back before nailing her maiden at Stony Creek as a heavily backed favourite, and then tackling metro BM 64 grade. Can settle back with cover in suitable ground and charge over them.
Dangers: Rival local 4. Extreme Prince gets an ideal draw to roll forward, and comes off a tough all-the-way win here in Heavy going 22 days ago. Watch the market on honest Victorian 1. Whispering Tycoon who has been in and around the money all prep, and gets some weight relief hopping the border for first outing at the track. Include improving filly 5. Dupride Star fifth-up; and 10. The Tapster who is fit enough; in exotic bets.
How to play it: Rapid Ruby to win and quinella 3 and 4
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN PLATE (1175m): |
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From the same stable as the previous on top selection, local filly 1. Clever Art went close to landing a big-priced shock on debut, charging home late from midfield, and is on the 10 day back-up, with a key gear change.
Dangers: Watch the betting on Victorian filly 2. Cotton Tail who debuts behind a quiet trial, and bred to thrive in rain-affected ground. Big watch too on two-year-old Canberra filly 14. Region Time who has finished off okay in three runs to start her career, and will appreciate the long run home here.
How to play it: Clever Art to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE (1175m): |
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A wider and much tougher boys' edition over the same trip. After beating all bar the winner in three of four starts so far, progressive three-year-old 6. Gobbo's Mate is ready to break through second-up. Charged home from the back fresh to miss narrowly at Corowa under 60.5kg, and while this is a deeper race, the much bigger track and longer straight are right up his alley.
Dangers: Local three-year-old 5. First Platoon can figure second-up getting away from heavy ground. One of several from the Ben Brisbourne team at Wangaratta, debutant Reward For Effort three-year-old 4. Del Viento has trialled okay. Home tracker 10. My Brother Bob has ability, and resumes with no public trials.
How to play it: Gobbo's Mate to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): |
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A big field here at set weights. Consistent Canberra filly 14. Stratum Pride has been knocking on the door all prep in deeper company, including a fast-finishing placing in Highway grade a month ago. Draws to get plenty of cover around midfield, and is the best weighted runner in the race.
Dangers: Must respect honest and improving Victorian filly 13. Barbaran who thrashed her maiden opposition at fifth start, powering home from a few lengths off the speed. Keep safe improving 4. Mittata dropping back from Highway grade fifth-up; while both provincial four-year-old 5. Victory At Omaha fourth-up; and local 15. Lensman deep into his first prep; can run into the placings.
How to play it: Stratum Pride to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1175m): |
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Home track mare 2. Snowbella was only beaten in the last few strides when fresh after rolling back to the worst part of the track. Reliable weight carrier, and will be hard to gun down from this draw.
Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 7. Noble Nightowl is also drawn to park on speed coming off an all-the-way CL1 win, but up sharply in weight to 60.5kg. Keep safe 11. Miss Elsie May resuming, and importantly with concussion plates off for the first time.
How to play it: Snowbella to win and quinella 2 and 7
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1500m): |
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Wide open and moderate restricted middle distance battle to close the meeting. Much improved Canberra four-year-old 5. Dubai Centre was very good at Dubbo, powering home from midfield to beat a stronger line-up than this. Ready now for a bit more ground fifth-up, and well suited on a big track where he gets plenty of time to hit top gear.
Dangers: Consistent and last start Wagga winner in this grade, 4. Bonvalante is a mile over the odds, as is another recent BM 58 winner from over the border, 8. Shiny Rock who draws to get plenty of cover and loves soft ground. Watch for any market move with improving four-year-old 7. Victory Chuckle who hit the line from well back first-up; while last-start Echuca winner 9. Maazle; and local mare 12. Miss Isolation third-up; can both add a stack of value into wider exotics.
How to play it: Dubai Centre each way
Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS:
R2 3. RAPID RUBY
R4 6. GOBBO'S MATE
BEST VALUE:
R7 5. DUBAI CENTRE
All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Albury meeting