Neil Evans
Track heavy 8 and rail true
RACE 1
4. The Buncha is a four-year-old on debut behind three trials. Bolted in the latest, cruising clear late after crossing to the front from wide out on a heavy surface. Had plenty in hand, and looks ready to go in what is a moderate lineup. 6. Reds Express is fit and handles rain-affected ground. Has placed in his last three when working home from midfield. Expect home track filly 8. Ultrasonic to improve at her second start, with blinkers added, after dropping out in a deeper maiden five weeks back. 2. Phenomenon is a market watch second-up after an even effort into a place at huge odds over the border on soft ground. Drawn inside and bred to handle heavy going.
How to play it: The Buncha to win.
RACE 2
1. Mr Tadashi won three straight up to BM 66 level when relishing the wet before a flat performance over the same trip and grade five weeks back. Freshened to recapture his best, and while rising to 59kg deep into the campaign, finds a thin lineup for this level, and in his pet conditions with all six wins from 30 starts coming on rain-affected ground. 2. Winning Point will appreciate getting back up to this distance after doing his best work late over the mile in a lesser grade. Include Goulburn-based stablemates 4. Devine Outcast rising in distance fifth-up, and 5. It Is To Be having dropped in weight for a tougher race, in all trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Mr Tadashi to win.
RACE 3
8. Nikita Zou is a lightly raced and progressive Canberra filly in a position to open her account in her first full preparation. Was ridden much quieter at Nowra 17 days ago when charging home to beat all. 11. El Cool Gee comes through that same race as the top selection when also making up late ground at her second start. Showing promise. 3. Hellfighter has been up for a long time, and after running a place in consecutive provincial maidens, put in a howler as a heavily backed favourite at the Sapphire Coast. Given a month between runs, with winkers replacing blinkers. 7. Brilliant Bull Ant is chasing a breakthrough win at his 13th start, but gets an overdue drop in weight.
How to play it: Nikita Zou to win.
RACE 4
1. Time For Snow is still a maiden after beating all but the winner seven times from 14 starts. Found one better in five consecutive starts last time out before failing at the provincials and spelling. Looks well weighted against country opposition. No official trials, but reportedly been working well, and is the one to beat. 6. Snitzel Tycoon is a lightly raced Victorian filly stepping up in trip at her third start after going under as a hot favourite at Albury nine days ago. 2. Wiser is over the odds getting down in the weights second-up. 8. Rubilace is a market watch resuming for an experienced provincial stable.
How to play it: Time For Snow to win.
RACE 5
1. Laurel Hill is a capable, yet often underrated, Canberra mare that can strike at good odds in the feature sprint. Hit the line hard into a place in a good sprint over the Grafton Carnival before running on late in a deeper BM 78 at Rosehill. Given 26 days between runs to off-set a drop in trip, and four of her seven career wins have come on wet tracks. With enough speed up front, she can cut loose over the final 300m. 3. Canny Hell is a sparingly raced Albury six-year-old resuming off a dominant trial win in heavy ground. Draws to get the right run. 4. Brenlyn’s Legacy is a second-up improver over a longer trip. 2. King Gutho hasn’t won for a while, but has finished off well in his last couple against metropolitan opposition.
How to play it: Laurel Hill to win.
RACE 6
2. Desert Opal is an honest mudlark having won all three starts on heavy tracks, the latest surging over the top from well back in similar company at Albury nine days ago. Bred to get further and can win again from a low draw. 5. Blow On The Dice is consistent in these conditions. Powered home to win a weaker race at Wodonga. 4. Royaltown is a lightly raced four-year-old banging on the door for a second career win third-up, but not convinced the inside draw on this surface will do him any favours. 1. Sacred Mistress back in grade third-up heads the rest.
How to play it: Desert Opal to win.
RACE 7
3. Lord Of Valor is a lightly raced Albury five-year-old that can claim a third straight win, either side of a break. Was dominant in winning his maiden before freshening and finishing best to claim a CL1 at home in heavy going. Very progressive in these conditions. Big watch on home track mare 2. Judith’s Revenge resuming off a recent trial. In the money in five consecutive races through autumn, including being beaten a whisker in the Guineas Prelude here and close up in a strong CL3 Highway at Randwick. Gap to the rest headed by first-up BM 58 winner 5. Riverbend Unicorn, and 6. Curly Bend that draws inside deep into her preparation.
How to play it: Lord Of Valor to win.
RACE 8
2. Bargino is a sparingly raced Albury six-year-old that represents tremendous value third-up. Was spelled after powering home to win a CL1 before finishing fairly in a BM 58 at home. Then stepped up and did his best work late at huge odds in a much deeper CL3 Highway at Randwick. Ready to peak back in this company, and importantly is drawn to get to the outside from off speed. 1. Serenading is a promising mare trained on the course resuming from a low draw. Won both starts in winter and spring last year to launch her career before missing a place as a short-priced favourite here in December. Hasn’t started since, but she has plenty of ability and is a winner in heavy ground. 4. Tassalina is a lightly raced Canberra mare, and big betting watch first-up after sweeping home to win on debut at this track back in February. Keep safe too locally-trained 8. Teresprit that has closed off strong to beat all but the winner in her last two up to this level.
How to play it: Bargino to win.
BEST BETS: R2 1. MR TADASHI; R4 1. TIME FOR SNOW
BEST VALUE: R5 1. LAUREL HILL
Supplied by Racing NSW
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