Race-by-race tips and previews for Monday’s meeting at Albury
By Neil Evans
Track good 4 and rail out rail out 6m from 1600m to 350m; cut-away applies and true the remainder.
Race 1
7. Sorastorm is a Victorian filly dropping in class fourth up. Worked home only fairly in two runs back before stepping up to this trip in a deeper field at Bendigo, and beating all but the winner. Hits peak fitness now and well treated at the weights only 1kg over the limit. 2. Triumphant Tonic mixes his form, but draws well and has an edge in fitness. 4. Sampson improves into his fourth start. 11. Champ De Fleurs is also an improver, third up from the inside draw.
How to play it: Sorastorm to win.
Racing returns to Albury on Monday.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2
4. Sergeant Stan is a talented home-track three-year-old, resuming as a gelding off a long break and smart trial win here. Was backed from $3.80 into $2.35 when finding the line well on debut last winter. Big watch too on 9. Bon Holler, which makes her debut wearing blinkers for the Donna Scott stable behind a string of improving trials. 1. Desert Opal is also trained on the track and resumes for a second prep after a solid trial. 3. Run Raymond Run is another betting watch having his first start from a low draw behind two easy trials. 5. Denicci, improving sharply second up over more ground, and 6. Madam Doesfly, on debut off three trials, can both add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Sargeant Stan to win.
Race 3
5. Lunar Mojo is lightly raced and progressive, crossing the border first up off a nice trial here behind Bon Holler who goes around in a stronger maiden prior. Did his best work late, when on debut here back in late October before failing to finish off at Benalla and was spelled. Drawn to settle back and be taken to the middle of the track past the 350m. 2. Antidote is a first starter by Shamoline Warrior who has trialled well over the border. 4. Love From Venus is a stablemate mare by Magnus also on debut. 9. Monnie is a filly by Hellbent on debut. 14. Kathy’s Rose has a real fitness edge peaking fourth-up off a break if she gets a run.
How to play it: Lunar Mojo to win.
Race 4
8. Mariner’s Dream is an improving four-year-old that peaks third up getting out to a longer journey. Was only even to the line when resuming before being ridden quieter and doing his best work over the final furlong. Gets a nice weight drop here with blinkers off again and he’ll be given plenty of time to find his feet before launching down the middle late. 4. Unowho stuck on well when resuming in a handy class 1 at Canberra. 6. Daddy”s Girl is an underrated mare that likes to settle back and hit the line late. 15. Astern Torch heads the rest.
How to play it: Mariner’s Dream to win.
Race 5
3. Extravagant Choice is still progressing and can go back-to-back staying at the distance fifth up. Worked home OK over two shorter trips early in the prep before hitting the line hard in a class 2 when stepping up to the mile. Then relished heavy ground to bolt in 13 days ago proving he handles all conditions. Up in weight, but right at peak fitness, and draws to get a soft run behind the speed. 4. Char is sparingly raced and a big threat having done his best work late when resuming in a deeper BM58. 1. Copperfield can be hard to catch, and has to cart a big weight, but likes this trip and drops in grade. 2. Daly Heads is also deep into the prep and comes out of that same last race as the former. 8. Washington is resuming off a break and a trial, and can run into the minor money.
How to play it: Extravagant Choice to win.
Race 6
5. Cooee is a lightly raced and progressive local set to peak second up four weeks between runs. Won twice here from just off the speed to open his career last year before resuming on Australia Day under 62.5kg and finishing under a length from a smart and well-backed winner. Suited down 3.5kg, and drawn low with important gear changes in play. Headed for bigger races. 6. Dupride Star will relish the extra trip third up after finishing well in two runs back over 1000m. 10. Explosive Rosie resumes off an eye-catching trial with blinkers coming off. 2. Sheila drops in grade after a fair closing run at The Valley. 3. Mountain Chatter just missed when hitting the line late firstup in a Country Championship preview 15 days ago. 1. Chop The Ice improves sharply second up.
How to play it: Cooee to win.
Race 7
1. Brial Rose is a talented home-track mare resuming off a solid trial win here. Sparingly raced, but still had consecutive wins through winter up to class 1 level. This shapes as an ideal return race where she can roll across and either lead, sit outside or just off before producing a superior final burst. 3. Speedy One is well named having comfortably led all the way in two runs so far to start his career either side of a spell and is the clear threat. Drawn to advantage. Another one resuming, 5. Xceptional Fella, has been fitted with two trials. 6. Tycoon Artie is consistent and hard fit, while resuming 8. Sweet Paree is trained on the track and the best of the rest.
How to play it: Brial Rose to win.
Best bets
Race 1: 7. Sorastorm
Race 3: 5. Lunar Mojo
Best value
Race 4: 8. Mariner’s Dream
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au