Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Albury, Wellington

Following to very impressive wins at Gosford and Hawkesbury, a John Thompson-trained gelding can bring up the hat-trick in the Albury Guineas on Friday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer John Thompson can take out the Albury Guineas on Friday with the in-form Bundeena. Picture: AAP

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Albury.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

ALBURY

BEST BET

Race 3 No. 1: BUNDEENA

A progressive galloper from the John Thompson stable who has won his past two by good margins. Can make it a hat-trick here.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No. 3: WAY TO THE STARS

Matt Smith’s gelding has won three from three first-up and can boost that record here.

VALUE BEST

Race 6 No. 5: CATALINA BLACK CAT

The Victorian gelding wasn’t far away fresh and should be a sharp improver second-up.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 9

Race 6: 1, 5, 7, 12

Race 7: 1, 4, 7, 8

Race 8: 2, 3

Way To The Stars can maintain his unbeaten first-up record at Albury. Picture: Grant Guy

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Alysha Collett rode a treble on her last day in the saddle back at Kembla Grange on March 18 and has a nice book here too.

WELLINGTON

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 8: RUBISAYA

She is a speedy mare returning from a freshen up. Can take advantage of the rails run.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No. 9: FREEWHEELER

Former Victorian having his first start for Brett Cavanough. Looks well placed in this grade.

VALUE BEST

Race 3 No. 1: ALL TOO SCOTTISH

Talented enough mare debuting for a new yard. Has been competitive in provincial grade and will find this easier.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 5, 7

Race 6: 3, 4, 7, 12

Race 7: 8

Race 8: 4, 5, 6, 7

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR ALBURY

RACE 1

Nutbush Ambush returns to the scene of his debut run where he ran a credible second over the same trip. This looks to be a deep country maiden but the Mitchell Beer-trained gelding should derive plenty of benefit from that experience. Think he can go one better here. Too Sharp has finished runner up in two of his three starts. The Bull Point gelding looks more than capable and is rock hard fit now. Vonk has also been around the money in his three starts but the 11 draw will make life tougher than his main rivals.

Verdict: Nutbush Ambush to win

RACE 2

Seinfeld lovers may want to back Festivus on name only but the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper has the right form too. The son of Teofilo may have only won one of his 11 starts but is up to his right trip now. He was a close second over 2400m last time at Bendigo and should be battle hardened by that experience. Foxtrot Bravo is a winner at his only visit to this track and trip. Expecting him to be around the money again after just missing at Wagga last time. Perfect Illusion hasn’t been far away in two runs for Mitch Beer and can run well again.

Verdict: Festivus to win

RACE 3

Bundeena opened even money with the bookies but it would be surprising if he doesn’t run odds-on. The John Thompson-trained gelding couldn’t have been more impressive this preparation with winning margins of five and a half lengths and four and a half lengths at Gosford and Hawkesbury respectively. He looks to be a pretty progressive galloper that can make it a winning hat-trick. Tapa Capall looks the best of the rest. He’s made a promising start to his career and wasn’t far away when second at Sandown Lakeside last time. Altrove should settle somewhere close to the speed and give them something to catch.

Verdict: Bundeena to win

Winona Costin will ride Sungblue on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Sungblue is ready to bounce back to his best after failing to hit the target last preparation. He was doing his best work late over an unsuitable trip first-up from a break and should relish the step up to 1500m second-up. With a golden inside draw and the in-form Winona Costin on, expect him to go very close. There was nothing wrong with the win of Cliff House first-up at Wagga. He’s a progressive type but must overcome the tricky barrier 14. Les Goh has won two of her past three and gets every chance with 53.5kg on her back.

Verdict: Sungblue to win

RACE 5

Wondereach and Vinolass will both put their unbeaten records on the line. Leaning towards Vinolass off her first-up success at Canberra where she chalked up her second career win with a bit in hand. Gets every chance to make it a winning hat-trick from barrier three. Take nothing away from Wondereach. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding was a strong winner at Newcastle on debut last prep and has trialled well in the lead up to his return. Think Royston Head is hugely over the odds and certainly worth throwing in wider exotics.

Verdict: Vinolass to win. Exacta 9, 3

RACE 6

Catalina Black Cat has only won one of his 12 starts to date but has the ability to double that tally here. The Air Force Blue gelding has done some of his best racing second-up and is coming off a first-up fifth at Ararat where he was less than a length off the winner in a blanket go. If he can get some cover from a tricky draw, he looks a big price. Magmetric jumps one to his outside in barrier 13. The Ron Stubbs-trained gelding won well at his home track and this trip on debut but needs to take the next step now. Zoe Shark will race on speed and take some running down.

Verdict: Catalina Black Cat to win

Beau Mertens can land me a race to race double with Catalina Black Cat and Mankayan. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Mankayan is an ultra-consistent stayer that can carry top weight and book his spot in the Big Dance. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper will have to carry 59kg but deservedly so off his best performances. He is ready to hit his straps third-up – a stage of his preparation he’s been very competitive at before. Riverina Cyclone will be the omen bet for many punters on track but she’s got talent too. She was a narrow second in the Listed Premier’s Plate at Morphettville last time and can go close again. Summerbeel is racing in outstanding form and shouldn’t be discounted.

Verdict: Mankayan to win

RACE 8

Way To The Stars can mix his form but he’s a genuine first-up flyer. He’s won all three of his first-up starts and looks well placed to continue the streak in this. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding should settle close to the speed from the gate and be too strong late. Magnetic has been racing in terrific form and should get every chance to make it a winning hat-trick. This is a step up from what he’s faced but he’s a progressive type. Sparring is a home tracker that has won his only start at this track and trip.

Verdict: Way To The Stars to win