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By Ray Hickson

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in Sunday's $150,000 Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card (1400m) at Goulburn.

1. No Drama (Matthew Dale, Goulburn): There’s a chance he wasn’t suited when they put the brakes on in the Nowra heat a month ago, he was sitting outside the lead but might have been outsprinted. He rallied to be beaten about a length and a half. So it wasn’t a disgrace. He’s been at his best when rolling along at a good tempo and it wouldn’t surprise if those tactics are employed. Capable of giving a sight.

2. Craving Magic (Rob Potter, Canberra): Made some ground at big odds when in that blanket finish behind Sunchyme at Nowra but has since been a bit plain in running fifth in the Corowa Cup up to the mile and in the market. Wide draw doesn’t look a help to his cause and perhaps the wheels have fallen off.

Nomorenightshift (Pic: Janian McMillan).

3. Nomorenightshift (Mack Griffth, Mudgee): Looked set to run well in the Orange heat when he pressed Zarizatycoon at Hawkesbury but was no match for that horse when they made it to Orange. Seemed to have his chance in the run and was under some pressure before the turn. To his credit he boxed on okay to run fourth. He’s better than that, draws well and it wouldn’t shock if he was able to bounce back and be in the finish.

4. Sturn Words (Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones): Two wins from his last three say he comes into this race in great form though the query is whether there has been less depth. That stems from his couple of recent runs in Highways where he’s finished midfield. Able to make use of favourable draws so that’s in his favour and it wouldn’t shock if he ran well.

5. Mosgold (Tash Burleigh, Goulburn): Had a good run behind the leaders when resuming at Nowra and couldn’t improve his position, dropping away to beat a few home. Since gone back to the trials so perhaps it was a fitness thing. He’s won both starts on his home track but the problem is one win from his last seven and safely held in the other six. Best form gives him a fighting chance, just have to doubt if he’ll find it.

6. Tavolo (Rob Potter, Canberra): Was set to start one of the favourites at Nowra but had to be scratched with a minor issue. So she hasn’t been seen publicly since her outstanding first-up effort at Randwick back in February in quite a good form race for a BM78 for mares. Synthetic hoof filler on, might be a small concern, but she’s drawn well. If she can turn up in the sort of form that she showed fresh she’ll be dangerous, just not the most ideal of preparations.

7. Ticklebelly (Scott Collings, Goulburn): Massive drifter at Nowra at her first attempt at 1400m ($11 out to $26) and have to say she battled on strongly to be beaten just over half a length. And after drawing near the outside as well. Gets a much kinder draw this time and with the run under her belt at the trip she might be a bit more seasoned. If it turns into a sprint home she’ll be suited and she has to be given some respect.

8. Arthur The Great (Donna Scott, Albury): Gave quite the sight when he tackled the Wagga heat first-up off a wide barrier, leading for most of the way before going under a length in fourth. Sure to be better for that run and if it fits him for another 1400m he could run it out a bit stronger this time around. Still, probably a place chance at best.

9. Bide Your Time (Danielle Seib, Goulburn): Was accepted for the postponed Albury meeting on Friday and has been handed the visitor’s draw for his first attempt on his home track. Won his first two at Wagga in nice style then an excellent performance behind Exit Fee in a Highway at Rosehill a month ago. Does tend to like to race in a forward position so the gate is problematic. This might come all a bit too soon but he’s showing plenty of potential.

10. Light Infantry (Gayna Williams, Orange): Model of consistency who just failed to qualify at Orange when he was cut out of second placing in the final couple of strides. Did have his chance in the run there all the same. Barrier one is an interesting asset for him, there’s plenty more depth in this race than he met last time so he’ll need it to save a bit of ground. On face value he might find this a bit tough but he can still run a good race.

11. Villasaurus (Donna Scott, Albury): Enormous run in the Wagga heat where he jumped from the outside barrier and raced three wide on the speed and still ran third beaten one length. Much fitter for that, was going to run at Albury on Cup Day but with that meeting off this could be a nice consolation as he’s drawn a much better gate. His Highway form late last year was excellent and he’s right in the mix.

12. Fourcade (Shaun Coady, Moruya): Didn’t make the cut for the Nowra heat and comes here on the back of a solid win on this track three weeks ago at 1200m. Overall form is pretty honest though there is that Highway failure three starts back that is a worry when it comes to this class. Draw isn’t any help to her and she’ll need to put in a PB.

13. Kimberley Secrets (Nick Olive, Queanbeyan): Puzzling run when favourite for the Nowra heat but she only managed to beat one home and that was in the last stride of the race. Has to go down in the too bad to be true category, her form leading into that race was outstanding with placings at Canterbury and Randwick. Perhaps the wider gate will allow her to roll a bit though there does look to be some pressure here. On her best she’s more than good enough to bounce back.

Kimberley Secrets (Pic: Bradley Photos).

14. Mighty Myrtle (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden, Canberra): Had a little specking in the Nowra heat and made a sustained run down the outside to finish fifth, beaten 1.5 lengths, after turning near the tail. That was her first run for 11 weeks and she’s now a month into this race. Another wide barrier means she will be giving away a start but Goulburn can be more conducive to getting back and running on. Place claims.

15. Outback Angel (Allan McRae, Yass): Balloted from the Nowra heat and since that race day she’s run twice for a close third at Wagga and a handy effort for fifth at Kensington beaten under two lengths when coming back to 1100m. Yet to be tried at this distance and she’ll do it from near the outside gate. Has a good record over shorter trips and she’s probably a place chance at best.

16. Reet Petite (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden, Canberra): Just the one run since last July and she was safely held as an outsider in Exit Fee’s Rosehill Highway a month ago. Trialled since then. Did show a lot of promise last year with a couple of nice wins at the mile but she’s playing catch up in tough race and is hard to recommend.

17E. Mountain Chatter (John Nisbet, Canberra): Only had the nine starts and not done a whole lot wrong in easier races. Made ground but didn’t threaten the winner when placed over 1300m at this track two weeks back. Just the question mark over the class given he’s yet to be exposed to it.

18E. Dolly (Scott Spackman, Wagga Wagga): Drew wide and always well back when beating a few home in the Wagga heat. Easy to forgive that as previous form was consistent but she’s facing another wide gate so she’s going to need plenty of luck.

Other emergencies: So Magnificent (Todd Smart, Canberra), Wal's Angels (Nick Olive, Queanbeyan).

SPEED MAP: Potential for a genuinely run race with Ticklebelly drawn in, Arthur The Great and Mosgold both natural on pacers. No Drama tends to race best when allowed to run, Light Infantry has the draw to be handy too. Kimberley Secrets and Outback Angel are others with early speed.

SELECTIONS:
11 VILLASAURUS
6 Tavolo
3 Nomorenightshift
7 Ticklebelly

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Goulburn meeting