Race-by-race preview and tips for Monday meeting at Goulburn

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1 - 1.10pm: GOULBURN CARPET COURT CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2145m)

4. Waverley has had three runs back from a spell and finished midfield in each of the first two on the Kensington track and Kembla Grange before running home well to finish third behind Flying Bandit at Randwick over 1800m. The step-up in distance should suit.

Racing heads to Goulburn on Monday.Credit: Jenny Evans

Dangers: 2. Outlander ran second at Newcastle three starts ago and since then has missed a place in two provincial starts without being disgraced. He might find this easier and a forward showing is on the cards. 8. Flying Argento was ninth in the Spring Champion Stakes and is a trial winner leading into this. He looks suited here and should take beating. 10. Scottish Pearl looks ready to peak.

How to play it: Waverley WIN

Race 2 - 1.50pm: DIVALLS EARTHMOVING BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1200m)

6. Hot Bandit was a winner in a small field at Scone back in August and since then he’s finished second at Canberra, Kempsey and then Canberra again. Nick Heywood has been in the saddle in a couple of recent runs and sticks with the galloper in this.

Dangers: 8. Siovy Dane won and then ran second on the Acton track at Canberra earlier in the year then resumed with a second at Newcastle before a last start ninth at Nowra. She’s since had a trial to be kept up to the mark for this. 2. Stupendo hasn’t raced since finishing last at Rosehill in June but his form before that was solid with a string of placings. 1. Calgary King has been just behind the placings in two runs back from a spell and should show up in this company.

How to play it: Hot Bandit WIN

Race 3 - 2:25pm: ELECTEL SERVICES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP- HEAT OF THE RISING STAR (1400m)

8. Perfumist was a winner at Bathurst as a short-priced favourite on debut earlier in the year and then failed to fire at Newcastle. She since resumed with a second at Bathurst before running well enough when fourth at Wyong last time out.

Dangers: 3. Ken’ker has only won the one race but has had five placings and comes into this on the back of a last start fifth at the Sapphire Coast. He can figure here if anywhere near his best. 1. Dodi has been tackling Midway grade of late and looks better suited against these. 5. Brohm Lake was down the track when resuming but is a heavy track winner that is capable of improving sharply.

How to play it: Perfumist WIN

Race 4 - 3.05pm: GOULBURN CHRISTMAS CUP 20/12 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

9. Haberfield was on debut at Nowra and settled back in the field before hitting the line well to finish fourth behind Super Sugoi. The step-up in distance suits and Jess Taylor sticks.

Dangers: 4. My Greek God had shown some talent in trials before debuting at Nowra against Haberfield and beating that horse home when finishing third. A repeat would have him in the finish again. 1. Ghaznavi has been placed in two of his last three starts and has claims, while 8. Celtic Sin is lightly raced but could improve in this on his latest effort.

How to play it: Haberfield WIN

Race 5 - 3.40pm: GOULBURN HAY SUPPLIES MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

9. Bombard is a Spirit Of Boom filly on debut here for Bjorn Baker and she has had two trials leading into this. She ran second in the first of them and then won the second of them, with both being at Warwick Farm. She looks to have the talent to give this a shake.

Dangers: 11. Lay Memphis was on debut at Newcastle when finishing a solid second and she should show up here with a repeat of that performance. 10. Greygenta is on debut after three good trials and bears close watching. 7. Glory is a well-bred Zoustar mare on debut and has had some solid trial form leading into this.

How to play it: Bombard WIN

Race 6 - 4.20pm: REC EQUINE SPECIALISTS COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

6. The Main Event disappointed at Moruya when resuming from a spell but showed improvement when charging home late to finish second at Nowra when second-up. He’s drawn a good gate here and should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 3. King Taurus debuted at the Sunshine Coast in April of last year and finished fourth and then was given a break and has had a change of stables since then. He was a close-up second in a recent Queanbeyan trial and should be given plenty of thought in this. 4. Danza was on debut when finishing midfield at Nowra in an acceptable effort. 5. Hot Toddy has been racing well at Wagga.

How to play it: The Main Event EACH WAY

Race 7 - 4.55pm: D ONE ACCOUNTING COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000m)

9. Serial Offender had been racing well with a string of placings before finally breaking through with an easy win at the Sapphire Coast when last produced. She’s drawn well enough in this and gets her chance to go on with the job.

Dangers: 4. Fire And Gemstone comes into this on the back of a last start Sapphire Coast placing and has the ability to figure. 1. Scoffa followed an Albury victory with a last start fifth at Dubbo and shouldn’t be underestimated. 11. Magic Forest broke through to score in Super Maiden grade at Dubbo last time out and could go on with the job without surprising.

How to play it: Serial Offender WIN

Race 8 - 5.35pm: EMMA MURPHY RACING BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1600m)

7. Ruff is a winner over this distance at his only start at this track and that was in a big field back in August. His form since then has been solid with a couple of close-up Highway efforts at Rosehill and Randwick.

Dangers: 9. Mickey’s Pride has had some mixed form of late but is a chance on his last start third at Queanbeyan. 6. Stay Tuned has disappointed since resuming but has shown some talent. 5. December Sky was down the track when last produced but has performed well in a trial since then and an improved showing is expected.

How to play it: Ruff WIN

Best Bets
Race 4 (9) Haberfield
Race 5 (9) Bombard
Best Value
Race 6 (6) The Main Event

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au