RACE 1
12.55pm HIB INSURANCE MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
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Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
We start the meeting with the maidens over the mile on a track that should sneak into Soft range. Improving four-year-old mare 7. SLEIGH'S BELLE (Wayne Carroll/Brodie Loy; 57kg) can break through fourth-up getting out over more ground. Went to the front and was only collared late last time, and with a senior rider sticking carrying 1kg less, she can run this right out.
*MAIN DANGERS: Metropolitan four-year-old 5. Spicy Restaurant is a query over the trip, but the trainer has made significant gear changes and this is the weakest race he's faced in a while. Local four-year-old 4. Raphael draws to get a soft run and is best of the rest.
Likely Tempo: Fair
My Betting Attack: SLEIGH'S BELLE to WIN & Box Trifecta: 4,5,7
RACE 2
1.35pm COMMERCIAL CLUB ALBURY MAIDEN PLATE (1175m)
Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
Progressive and talented Canberra three-year-old 7. KELVEDON ROAD (Todd Smart/Matthew Cahill; 56.5kg) seemingly has a mortgage on this third-up. Has been narrowly beaten in two runs back, yet with any degree of luck would have won them both. Will relish being back on the bigger track, and won't be as far off them turning for home this time.
*MAIN DANGERS: Doubt there are any if the top selection gets a clear run, but improving filly 9. Strawberry Swing can keep him honest at her third start; while watching the betting on local Rich Enuff filly 8. Adapt who debuts off a nice trial win.
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My Betting Attack: KELVEDON ROAD to WIN & Trifecta 7/8,9/8,9
RACE 3
2.10pm JUST SAFES AUSTRALIA MAIDEN HCP (900m)
Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Still with the maidens over the short sprint, and luckless Wodonga five-year-old 3. OPENHIMUP (Peter Maher/Shaun Guymer; 58.5kg) can finally break through ridden a little closer after chalking up nine placings from 16 starts. Has been hitting the line all prep, and should have won two starts back before coming from a mile back at Corowa. Returning to the bigger track from a more economical draw is ideal.
*MAIN DANGERS: Home track five-year-old mare 5. Boss Lady Rocks did little or nothing on debut when rock solid in betting, but can improve here from the inside draw on a slightly drier surface. Expecting a big run from Zoustar four-year-old 2. Master Kostya first-up for nearly nine months; while watching the betting local Kaphero mare 4. Moon Warriors on debut off a handy heavy track trial.
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My Betting Attack: OPENHIMUP to WIN
RACE 4
2.45pm DLG ALUMINIUM & GLAZING BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1000m)
Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Always a good competitive sprint around this grade, and the speed will be genuine. Tough seven-year-old Wangaratta wet tracker 1. YELDARB (Dan McCarthy/Ms Fiona Sandkuhl a4kg; 64kg) was in the worst part of the track at Sandown, and the run was way better than it looked. Has a strong record at this course, and huge weight has been off-set with a rookie 4kg claimer for this drop in class. Carried a half kilo more to win a handy BM 58 at home three runs back.
*MAIN DANGERS: Consistent local five-year-old 5. Seventh Seal has been in the money last four around this region, and draws to sit right behind the speed. Rival home track six-year-old 2. Galaxy Force also draws to find a handy position, and has been finding the line well enough in deeper grade; while keeping safe 4. Tobermory who resumes with blinkers off behind a nice trial win, and has a sound first-up record.
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My Betting Attack: YELDARB to WIN & Trifecta: 1,5/1,2,4,5/1,2,4,5
RACE 5
3.25pm ALBURY WODONGA PLASTERING SERVICES CLASS 1 HCP (1000m)
Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Sticking at the distance, and forgiveness is in the air with lightly raced local four-year-old 1. TAP 'N' GO (Ron Stubbs/Matthew Cahill; 59.5kg) who underwent a series of post race vet checks and tests after a horrible and mystifying performance first-up in heavy ground at Gundagai after trialling impressively on the same track rating. Trainer has applied the blinkers for the first time, and on improving ground, he can quickly recapture his best.
*MAIN DANGERS: Wangaratta three-year-old 4. Mojo Music is the obvious threat after surging home to win on debut in heavy going, and the Outreach stock love any track rain-affected. Gap to the rest headed by four-year-old mare and dominant last-start maiden winner 7. Mathrin who likes the ground and draws the inside; while four-year-old 2. Defence Force can improve with blinkers added.
Likely Tempo: Good
My Betting Attack: TAP 'N' GO to WIN and Quinella: 1 & 4
RACE 6
4.05pm STAR HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1500m)
Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Very tricky affair over the middle distance. Local five-year-old mare 2. OPOHO DREAMING (Donna Scott/Ms Jess Taylor; 61kg) continues to improve, and comes out of that same recent race as the top selection when strong through the line. Peaks here over a little ground.
*MAIN DANGERS: Home track mare 1. Snowbella led all the way in a deeper field last time, although the second horse that day should have bolted in. Can find the lead and give a big sight with a 4kg rider off-setting the hefty weight; while improving four-year-old 7. Astrobleme and five-year-old mare 9. Room Number; can both run into the minor end of the prize.
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My Betting Attack: OPOHO DREAMING Each Way and Quinella: 1 & 2
RACE 7
4.40pm LITTON LEGAL CLASS 1 HCP (1400m)
Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Open contest to finish with plenty of chances. Liked the way Wangaratta six-year-old and ex-South Australian 1. HEIMBERG (Andrew Dale/Brodie Loy; 59kg) hit the line in a handy BM 58 first-up for four months, and the extra trip is a big plus.
*MAIN DANGERS: Hard fit five-year-old mare 9. Pay The Deeler has been living on heavy tracks, and can work into the finish staying at the minimum weight. Keep very safe emerging Canberra three-year-old 4. Red Arion who scored in heavy ground at his second start; while including local six-year-old 6. Saint Henry coming back in distance off a six week freshen-up, with blinkers removed.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: HEIMBERG to WIN and Box Trifecta: 1,4,6,9
MY BEST EARLY BETS
RACE 3
3. OPENHIMUP*** Expect: $3.65 - $3.80; My Early Rating: $2.05
RACE 4
1. YELDARB* Expect: $3.50 - $3.75; My Early Rating: $2.60
RACE 5
1. TAP 'N' RUN** Expect: $3.75 - $4.10; My Early Rating: $2.23
MY BEST EARLY VALUE:
RACE 7
1. HEIMBERG* Expect: $4.25 - $4.60; My Early Rating: $2.45
MY BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
RACE 5
QUINELLA: 1 & 4
RACE 6
QUINELLA: 1 & 2
TRAINER TO FOLLOW
Dan McCarthy
JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW
Brodie Loy, Matthew Cahill
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, September 2, 2021