It's anybody's race: opinion

I think today’s Wodonga Gold Cup is a bit like a chook raffle down at your local.

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Anyone who’s in it can win it.

The latest markets have Minnie Downs the $4.60-favourite ahead of Saint Or Sinner at $5 which is a fair indication of how open the race is.

With no standout runner in the field the winner could simply be decided by who has the most luck in running.

That’s where jockey skill plays a major role in the outcome.

And why I’m happy to have two of the best in the race in Linda Meech and Jake Duffy aboard my pair Price Of Glory and Prince Pedro.

Trying to line up the form is almost impossible with your up-and-coming horses, taking on some old timers and honest campaigners.

After studying the form I think the three hardest to beat are Sadaqa, Saint Or Sinner and last year’s winner Stratigraphy.

Sadaqa arguably has the best form after winning a $100,000 Open Handicap over a mile at Flemington on Oaks Day and looks the testing material.

Saint Or Sinner worked his way through the grades but is yet to measure up in open company but will also be suited back under today’s handicap conditions.

Stratigraphy is chasing back-to-back cup wins and is another runner that you have to respect.

Brian Cox is shooting for an unrivalled 11th win in his hometown feature and looks to have a strong hand with Minnie Downs, Full Hand, Smoken Cash and Grassini.

If I had the chance of backing the float up to Coxie’s stable and putting the head collar on one horse — I’d whack it on Minnie Downs without hesitation.

The classy mare has been running in much tougher company but in saying that hasn’t won for a while either.

Brian keeps going back to town with Minnie Downs — so that tells me she must be showing him something on the track.

I thought Full Hand went enormously in the Gundagai Cup the other day but for some reason seems a better horse the NSW way of going.

Smoken Cash could find the front and might give them something to catch with only 51 kilograms on his back while it would be a major shock to see Grassini win.

But you can never discount a Cox runner on their home track and no doubt Brian will have all four runners peaking for today’s race.

It was good to see Sylvia Thompson land a winner over the Flemington carvinal with Allelu and her mare can win again here if the pace is on from the outset.

My two runners Prince Pedro and Price Of Glory are quoted at $21 and $26 chances which is probably a fair assessment.

Besides not being allowed on the Wodonga track in the lead up, I can’t fault either of the pair’s preparation leading into the race.

I was toying with the idea of running Price Of Glory first-up in the cup but I sent him around in the Snake Gully Cup instead and was happy enough to see him finish midfield over 1400 metres.

While the step up to a mile is more up his alley, I still think 2000 metres is his pet distance and today’s race may still be too short to show his best form.

Prince Pedro has found his mark in open company and boasts a good strike rate but seems to struggle against quality opposition.

One fancied runner that I’m willing to risk is Spacecraft.

The David Hayes and Tom Darbernig-trained gelding is certain to carry the hard-earned of a lot of punters, but is one runner who is well past his prime.

The eight-year-old has one win from his past 16 starts and in my opinion past his used-by date.

I’m tipping with the little kid in Brandon Stockdale aboard they will scoot along in front and alongside Smoken Cash should set a fast tempo.

Hopefully the pair go like cut cats which will give my two runners the best chance to be steaming home late and be right in the finish.

If I can’t win hopefully another local trainer can.

For the record I tip Saint Or Sinner from Sadaqa and Stratigraphy.