
RACE 1 - CLASS 2 HCP (900m)
We open up over the sizzling short course on an improving track, and can't go past lightly raced home track five-year-old mare 1. BOSS LADY ROCKS (Ron Stubbs/Matthew Cahill; 59.5kg) resuming on her preferred soft surface. Hasn't started since fighting on hard from the front in a much deeper Highway at Randwick in mid October, and has won two from three both at the track and distance.
MAIN DANGERS: Wangaratta four-year-old mare 2. Redneck Princess comes off a dominant BM 58 win over the border as a hot favorite, and while she draws to get a charmed run right behind a good speed, taking on some slicker ones here. Keep safe improving local mare 8. Wonderful Phrase who was an easy winner last start in weaker company, but a leading rider sticks and she draws well. Trained on the track as well, speedy five-year-old 3. Deep Space is over the odds coming back to this trip and dropping in weight.
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Likely Tempo: Good to strong
My Betting Attack: BOSSY LADY ROCKS to win and trifecta 1/2,3,8/2,3,8

RACE 2 - BENCHMARK 66 HCP (2000m)
Fairly even and tactical battle, and always a few solid chances at this level. If ever an emerging stayer is peaking to win it's Wang four-year-old 3. VINTAGE DIESEL (Ben Brisbourne/Nick Souquet; 59kg) first time having back-to-back runs in NSW. Was charging home late in a similar grade at Wagga on Xmas Eve, and a significant jockey change with a more experienced and stronger pilot going on.
MAIN DANGERS: Another Victorian six-year-old 2. Port Royal should also be peaking now getting out to this distance fourth-up. Swept home to win a weaker race two starts back before working home late under a big weight 11 days ago. First time at the track, and the more it dries out the better he's served. Wodonga mare 8. Lady Kermadec put two wins together here in spring before eventually struggling at metro BM 64 level. Has been given four weeks since that run, and drops 2kg; while Canberra seven-year-old 5. Fox Beat is over the odds fourth-up from the inside barrier.
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My Betting Attack: VINTAGE DIESEL to win & quinella 2 and 3

RACE 3 - MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
Tricky maiden over the mile. Local four-year-old mare 13. LUNAR KISS (Donna Scott/Blaike McDougall; 57kg) is by Puissance De Lune and ready to win first time out to the mile fourth-up. Failed to run on at Corowa after doing it tough from the gate, but her previous closing effort over the border was good enough to win this.
MAIN DANGERS: Home track four-year-old mare 12. Gracious Gracie has virtually led until the final stride in her last two over this distance. Draws to roll forward comfortably again, and she's the best weighted runner after the rider's full claim. Victorian four-year-old 8. Phakisa showed steady improvement at his second run back, and this looks a shade easier although drawn off the track. Another one hopping the border, six-year-old 6. Love Vassall has only been fair to the line in his last couple over the border, but a much stronger jockey has been booked.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: LUNAR KISS to win & quinella 12 and 13

RACE 4 - MAIDEN HCP (1175m)
Very big watch on home track three-year-old 3. BIANCO VILANO (Ron Stubbs/Matthew Cahill; 58kg) who resumes off a near eight month spell and hasn't publicly trialled, but that's typical of the stable who will have him ready. Races in bar plates, though, which may be a little query.
MAIN DANGERS: Keep safe tough Wang four-year-old 2. Carrick Bend who improves again second-up; while local filly 10. Excelegant is fifth-up and goes in all forms of exotics.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: BIANCO VILANO to win
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RACE 5 - BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m)
Don't be reluctant because of a modest strike rate with Wodonga five-year-old 3. DHIAGA (David O'Prey/Brendan Ward; 59kg) who has rushed home to just miss in his last two up to this level, and has the best closing sprint in the field. Draws to get good cover off the pace, and will love the long run home at this track.
MAIN DANGERS: Home track six-year-old mare 4. Sharlie hasn't recaptured her best form in three runs this prep, but comes back to an easier class, and with the leading rider returning to the saddle she can charge into the finish fourth-up. Capable local mare 6. Miss Isolation charged home to win a weaker race two starts back before given little or no chance from back in the field at Wagga on Xmas Eve. Has the ability. Keep safe local six-year-old 1. Bell's Innocent who will find this much more to his liking after tackling tougher grades.
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My Betting Attack: DHIAGA to win and box exact: 3,4,6

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RACE 6 - MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
Testing maiden sprint at set weights, although suspect if local Capitalist colt 3. INCENTIVE (Donna Scott/Blaike McDougall; 57.5kg) drew a better gate, he'd be a near good thing on debut. Strong through the line in a recent trial, and despite drawing wide looks to have enough class on this lot.
MAIN DANGERS: Another three-year-old first starter trained on the track, 14. Well In Sight is a filly by top Irish sprint sire Shalaa, and has trialled okay. Include in wider exotics both honest mare 7. Hi Poppy who draws the inside with a claim; and Wang filly 13. Leisure Games who can improve sharply second-up with blinkers added.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: INCENTIVE to win & quinella 3 and 14

RACE 7 - BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1175m)
We wrap the meeting with another competitive contest for the restricted sprinters. Progressive home track mare 1. SNOWBELLA (Mitchell Beer/Ms Fiona Sandkuhl a3kg; 58.5kg) was only fair through the line resuming, but she's a sharp second-up improver, and draws to get a nice trail just off the speed in what is a weaker rating race.
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*MAIN DANGERS: Plenty of them starting with four-year-old local mare 13. Spirit Of Freedom who resumes for a leading stable off a lengthy break behind two improving trials. Keep safe tough seven-year-old 6. Mr Brown Fox who doesn't win out of turn, but has closed off okay in his last two against slightly deeper opposition. Improving four-year-old 3. Magnetic draws to get a charmed run right behind the lead second-up; while five-year-old 4. Willybeafactor drops in grade, and three of his four career wins have come over this distance.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: SNOWBELLA to win
MY BEST EARLY BETS
R1 1. BOSS LADY ROCKS: Expect: $2.65 - $2.80; My Early Rating: $1.98
R2 3. VINTAGE DIESEL: Expect: $3.85 - $4.00; My Early Rating: $2.58
R7 1. SNOWBELLA: Expect: $2.75 - $3.00; My Early Rating: $2.08
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MY BEST EARLY VALUE
R5 3. DHIAGA: Expect: $3.75 - $4.00; My Early Rating: $2.48
MY BEST EARLY EXOTICS
R5: Box Exacta: 3,4,6
TRAINERS TO FOLLOW
Donna Scott, Ron Stubbs, Ben Brisbourne, Mitchell Beer
JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW
Blaike McDougall, Brendan Ward
