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By Graeme White

Former top jockey David O’Prey has many fond memories from his riding days at Albury and on Tuesday he will step back in time with a high volume of runners.

O’Prey will saddle up eight starters as a trainer which isn’t a record for him, but in recent times it is after he had to cut back his numbers due to an operation that restricted his movement.

“I’m back riding work again and have about 25 in work, and eight starters at Albury is the most I have had for many years,” he said.

“I have had up to 12 starters in a day before, but eight is the highest for a fair while.”

David O’Prey’s [pictured left] greatest feat at Albury as a trainer was capturing the Albury Cup galloper with the gallant campaigner Baby Bomber.

“That was definitely the highlight. I have some consistent horses racing and on recent form, I think Lady Kermadec ($3.90 on TAB) and Americconi ($19) in the same race are two of my best chances,” he said.

“Lady Kermadec has been around the mark lately and has an affinity for the NSW way of racing.

“She proved to be awkward to ride out at her last start at Sandown, but back to Albury she will do much better.”

O’Prey also holds hopes for Americconi hitting back in the Avis Albury Benchmark 66 (2000m).

Americconi posted his first career victory over 1600m at Albury two starts ago, before finishing fourth as favourite at Corowa.

“He is a progressive horse and didn’t like being cluttered up last start. He will have a bit more room in the run this time and should do better,” he suggested.

The Wodonga-based trainer also likes the chances of Dunvegan ($4.40) who has top weight in the Albury Demolitions Maiden (1175m) and Dhiaga ($4.20) in the Daro Group Benchmark 58 (1600m).

“Dunvegan was brave first-up from a spell finishing second then he was plain at his next start, so he will wear blinkers for the first time on Tuesday,” he said.

“Dhiaga raced the best he has when second at Benalla last start and he should be prominent.”

Dhiaga also ran second at his previous start at Albury behind Miss Isolation ($6) whom he faces again on Tuesday.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Albury here