Trainer Norm Loy is confident his in-form mare Takissacod can prove more than competitive in the $50,000 Albury Mile, (1600m) at Albury on Thursday.
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Takissacod notched the biggest win of her career last start after an all-the-way win in the Corowa Cup a fortnight ago.
Loy is happy to raise the bar again and take on some talented milers in Champagne Vega, Muswellbrook and Wyangle in what shapes as an early highlight of the carnival.
"Takissacod is flying but she does step up in grade again," Loy said.
"Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a solid enough win in the Corowa Cup.
"But this race looks to be a genuine open handicap with some proven milers going around.
"We beat the second favorite Muswellbrook at Corowa the other day.
"But the query for mine is whether Muswellbrook can run a strong mile?
"Muswellbrook had his chance to run us down at Corowa but we were pulling away from him over the final furlong."
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In an open betting race, Champagne Vega is the $5 early favourite after drawing barrier 14.
Muswellbrook is on the next line of betting at $7.50 ahead of Wyangle and Takissacod at $8.
Takissacod carried 56kg to victory in the Corowa Cup with Jack Martin set to partner the mare again at Albury and ride her .5kg over her allotted weight of 55kg.
"We drop .5kg so she gets in well at weights albeit in a harder race," Loy said.
"We led all-the-way at Corowa but it's a lot tougher to do that at Albury.
"Whether we still adopt similar tactics remains to be seen.
"Back in my jockey days, I ran down many a horse over a mile by just sitting behind them.
"It's certainly a lot easier to run horses down than trying to lead all-the-way.
"She is a versatile mare, so Jack can weigh-up his options before deciding where to settle in the run."
Albury trainer Laura McCullum is set to race for the first time at Albury today after a recent suspension.
McCullum has Wyangle in the feature mile and is set to be partnered by Brodie Loy.
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