Trainer Mitchell Beer believes the return to his home track at Albury on Saturday is key to the chances of several of his runners on the six-race program.
Beer, who posted a winning double at the most recent Albury meeting on November 6, could have seven runners across five of Saturday races, and is particularly keen on his chances in the final two events with Chap's Dream in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175m) and Power Me Up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1500m).
Albury trainer Mitchell Beer (Pic: Bradley Photos)
"I think Chap's Dream is definitely my best winning chance on Saturday with Power Me Up the next best," said Beer.
"Chap's Dream didn't have much luck at Gundagai the other day and should have run second. I think she's back in the right race here at Albury on Saturday, Nick Souquet gets back on her and I think she'll be very hard to beat."
Souquet knows the mare well and is unbeaten in his two previous rides on her at Leeton and Albury back in May.
Beer has also nominated Power Me Up for Wagga on Monday but is almost certain to run the four-year-old at Albury.
Power Me Up has been racing very consistently with back-to-back seconds at Albury on October 10 and October 24, before easily winning his Maiden over 1600m at Corowa on November 2.
His latest run was at Queanbeyan on November 22 when he finished fourth to Call Me Artie in a 1600m Class 1.
"I just think that he didn't handle the Queanbeyan track last time out and back here at Albury I think he'll improve on Saturday," said the trainer.
Beer thinks Shadow Company, a last-start failure in heavy conditions at Wagga on November 23, can also bounce back in firmer conditions at Albury where he won his Maiden over 1175m two starts back on November 6.
"He'd never seen a heavy track before and once he let down in those conditions at Wagga he just struggled," said Beer.
"He's back on a good track and returns to Albury where he won his Maiden and I've kept him at the same distance (1175m) and put the blinkers on him. He's drawn out a bit (barrier seven) but that doesn't really worry me too much because if he did happen to be a bit slow out in the blinkers he can muster speed from out there."
Beer could have four other runners on Saturday - the I Am Invincible filly Vinnie's Girl and stable newcomer Poetic Affair in the Maiden Hcp (1000m), and first-starter Appange and another recent stable arrival Mr Zhivago, the second emergency in the Maiden Plate (1400m).
Beer was obviously disappointed in Vinnie's Girl's debut effort at Gundagai on November 14 when she started the $2.60 favourite but weakened in the straight to finish sixth, just over five lengths from the winner.
"Perhaps she didn't handle the Gundagai track, but she was certainly disappointing," said Beer.
Chap's Dream runs third at Gundagai on November 13
"But on her previous barrier trial effort and her trackwork she is certainly capable of much better back here at Albury and I think she can definitely run in the top three.
"Appange is a staying type by Helmet who will obviously be better later on over more ground, but I did like his effort in a trial the other week, which has really sharpend him up, and I've put the blinkers on him for his debut. I think he's certainly also capable of getting into the top three.
"Mr Zhivago is new to the stable and I'm not expecting much from him at this stage - I certainly much prefer Appange's chances on Saturday."
Appange made ground late in his barrier trial over 1000m at Gundagai on November 14.
Mr Zhivago recently joined Beer's stable after having his debut run for Victorian training partners Jason Warren and Dean Krongold at Pakenham on November 5, finishing a well-beaten 11th of 13.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Albury meeting