Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track around Heavy 9/10 and rail true for Showcase Listed Gold Cup day so likely gradual trend away from the fence

Competitive sprint to get us underway. Smart 3YO 1. Biscara from the Matt Dale stable in Canberra is a specialist five-furlong filly who resumed off a lengthy break in dominant style for new stable claiming a CL2 at Gundagai, and while she looks well placed again, some query first go on genuine heavy.

Dangers: Canberra 4YO mare 6. On Ya Marks held on okay behind Biscara at Gundagai first-up for eight months for new Canberra yard, and won only previous second-up run in handy company at Morphettville. Warwick Farm 3YO filly 5. Estrado has been generally running on late in four runs this prep, and drops significantly in weight, but inside draw likely disadvantage over shorter trip.

How to play it: Biscara to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Canberra filly 9. Glorious Dream is over the odds after finding the nicely first-up at Moruya. Bred to love heavy tracks, and trainer has tinkered with the gear.

Dangers: Watch the betting on 3YO Goulburn gelding 2. Highly Decorated who was okay late resuming in that same maiden here after previously tackling deeper company. Bred to handle these conditions, and blinkers come off. Consistent 3YO local filly 10. Miss Elsie May is hard fit and has attacked the line in her last couple, although jury out too on a heavy surface. Canberra 3YO gelding 6. Supreme Kitty was disappointing third-up at this track when failing to hit the line, but has enough closing ability, and blinkers go on; while don't discount

How to play it: Glorious Dream each way and box trifecta 2,6,9,10. Odds and Evens: Split.

One of the more open races on the card, and there are plenty of chances. Liked the way 6YO Jerilderie gelding 5. Bezazzalled finished off in this grade at Gundagai after four solid runs in Victoria. Has a liking for rain-affected ground, and stable is underrated.

Dangers: Canberra 5YO gelding 4. Upper House has been freshened after a dominant win at home in a similar race, and then boxing on okay in stronger-rated Albury Mile. Drawn out and also up significantly in weight so will need plenty of speed on up front. Local 8YO 7. Superoo can be hard to catch, and needs a good speed on to chase as well, but motored home to win a weaker race here two runs back before finding a jump in class at Albury a bit rich. Tough local 7YO 3. Fermanagh Lad will appreciate the drop in grade after fighting on from the front in the BM 88 Town Plate Prelude, but will still need to get away with some easy mid-race sectionals rising sharply up to 61kg even after the claim.

How to play it: Bezazzalled to win and trifecta 4,5/3,4,5,7/3,4,5,7. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Now for the most open battle on the program across a big and even field. Progressive 3YO gelding 7. Leg Work from the Goulburn stable of Danny Williams has been kept on the fresher side since rattling home to win his maiden here as a hot favourite. Destined for much bigger prizes, and bred to handle heavy tracks.

Dangers: Lightly raced 4YO Goulburn mare 13. Inland Retreat had no luck here in similar grade at only third start, but previously had sailed home in heavy ground to win her maiden. Canberra 4YO 1. Nieces And Nephews has been freshened since a narrow BM 60 win at home on Cup day. Normally performs off a break, and drawn to park behind the speed. Capable Queanbeyan 6YO 4. Tag And Release resumes without an official trial. First-up form is solid, but back up in grade after a comfortable win in a weaker race on Boxing Day.

How to play it: Leg Work to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Leg Work wins at Wagga on March 30

Another competitive contest for the girls in the Queen of the South. Consistent 4YO Randwick mare 1. Got Your Six has strong credentials for this despite being lumped with a huge weight. Powered away to win the Tiara at Muswellbrook before taken to the front and only swamped late in a BM 70 on the Kensington track. Reliable in the wet.

Dangers: Improving 6YO Canberra mare 11. Away She Goes was a dynamic winner from the back here last start, but this is tougher and not convinced she can let down as well in heavy going; while rival Canberra filly 3. Rockarosa did some work third-up at Wyong, and didn't finish off, but she draws the fence, and has shown a liking for rain-affected ground.

How to play it: Got Your Six to win. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Now the 3YO feature at BM 74 level over the mile, and it doesn't get much easier. After three consistent closing runs, talented Randwick gelding 2. Lancer was disappointing fourth-up at Canterbury in stronger grade when heavily backed. Can be ridden quieter here, and excels on wet tracks.

Dangers: Another one based at Randwick, filly 3. Foxborough hasn't gone on with since a dominant first-up win the Canberra Guineas Preview, although has generally taken on tougher, and enjoys rain-affected ground. Progressive 3YO Canberra gelding 4. Cyborg is drawn wide, and will need the speed on, but has flown home to win his last two at this track, and capable of charging into the finish in tougher company.

How to play it: Lancer each way. Odds and Evens: Split.

The headline race of the day is typically wide open, but two Kiwi-bred 5YOs are over the odds in these conditions. Tough mare 5. Savacool from the Chris Waller stable at Flemington is primed fourth-up over this trip. Comes out of three consecutive runs at Group 3 level, finishing hard late in the Easter Cup at Caulfield, and in nicely at the weights carrying 2kg less back to Listed company. Drawn out, which probably won't disadvantage, and prefers it wet.

Dangers: Warwick Farm 5YO gelding 9. Kaapfever from the Joe Pride stable is also suited this ground and trip after hitting the line well in consecutive BM 88s at Warwick Farm. As long as it's truly run, will be driving into the finish again. Another Randwick mare 7. House Of Cartier comes back in trip and trialled strongly since failing in the Group 2 Chairman, but inside draw could well land her in inferior ground; while tough 8YO 4. Master Of Arts was okay at huge odds in the Group 3 JRA Plate, and is best of the rest.

How to play it: Savacool to win and Kaapfever each way. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Loved the way 3YO gelding 2. Shelby Sixtysix from the Danny Williams stable at Goulburn swept past them here to win his maiden at third start, and while this is new territory on a genuine heavy, did get through soft ground okay in previous two. Was scratched from Day 1 of the carnival and preferred here.

Dangers: Home track 4YO gelding 5. Zarsnip hung on to win his maiden here first-up, and draws to take up another cosy position, but a query in the conditions. Rival local 4YO 3. Kaipaki did his best work late this grade third-up, but will likely be forced a long way back from an outside draw so needs a tonne of speed on up front; while 4YO Canberra mare 8. Rosy Dawn is best of the rest.

How to play it: Shelby Sixtysix to win. Odds and Evens Split.

Shelby Sixtysix wins at Wagga on April 19

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Wagga Cup meeting