Border Mail racing writer Brent Godde runs his eye over Friday's field in a bid to find a few winners. As always, if you're having a bet, please do so responsibly.
BEST BETS
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SHINSEKI (Race 3 - No. 3)
Trained on the track by Mitch Beer and looks a progressive stayer in the making. Has struck a purple patch of form this preparation and has won three of its past five starts. Likes to get back in his races but expect him to be charging late with Nikita Beriman aboard.
ANOTHER SIN (Race 7 - No. 8)
The three certainties in life, death, taxes and Brett Cavanough winning the Flat Knacker. Cav has a two-pronged attack in the race and leaning towards Another Sin. Will probably have to sit outside stablemate Just A Bullet but over the 900-metre dash, that shouldn't be a problem. Another Sin won the final race of the carnival last year.
VALUE BET
CHAYANNE - Race 8 No. 15
The get out stakes looks a nightmare for punter's but Chayanne could be worth an each-way ticket if you are chasing your losses coming into the last race of the carnival. Only had a short preparation last campaign and was spelled after three starts. First-up over the sprint trip with Blaike McDougall on her home track at juicy odds is appealing.
CUP TIP
Was originally going to tip Thunder Cloud but with the scratching have gone for Emperor's Way. Has previously won in Listed company and wasn't far away last start in similar grade. Glyn Schofield makes the trek from Sydney to partner the gelding which only fuels my confidence.
CUP TRIFECTA
Looks one of the most open Cups in the past decade and going wide with a flexi trifecta looks the best option.
1-2-3/1-2-3-4-5/1-2-3-4-5-7-9
SUGGESTED QUADDIE
Looks another tough quaddie with the big fields in the cup while the last leg looks the hardest race of the carnival. The Guineas and Flat Knacker look the best legs to go skinny in so we can cast the net wide in the Cup and hopefully still be alive heading into the final leg.
1-2/1-2-3-4-5-7-9/1-11/1-3-5-6-8-9-10-11-12-14
Valac and Emporer's Way are the favourites to take out the Gold Cup, according to some of the Border's best known personalities:
STEVE HETHERTON
(Albury Racing Club)
1: Valac; 2: Ambitious; 3: Emperor's Way
CATHY McGOWAN
(Member for Indi)
1: Ambitious; 2: Almost Court; 3: Lieder
TOM O'CONNOR
(Wodonga Racing Club)
1: Valac; 2: Ambitious; 3: Taikomochi
RILEY-ROSE HARPER
(Hit104.9FM)
1: Ambitious; 2: Electric Charlie; 3: My Psychiatrist
STEVE KEENE
(Murrumbidgee Turf Club)
1: Valac; 2: Emperor's Way; 3: Taikomochi
KEVIN MACK
(Albury mayor)
1: Emperor's Way; 2: Spunlago; 3: Ambitious
ANNA SPEEDIE
(Wodonga mayor)
1: Almost Court; 2: Ruby Skye; 3: Spunlago
SEAN BARRETT
(O&M general manager)
1: Emporer's Way; 2: Ambitious; 3: Nothin' Like Harry
SUSSAN LEY
(Member for Farrer)
1: Spunlago; 2: Emperor's Way; 3: Valac
SIMON HODGSON
(Border punter)
1: Valac; 2: Ambitious; 3: Emperor's Way
MARC DURYEA
(Border punter)
1: Emperor's Way; 2: Spunlago; 3: Valac
ROBBIE MACKINLAY
(Cricket NSW)
1: Emporer's Way; 2: Valac; 3: Almost Court
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