Promising Deepmind well-placed for success at Wagga Riverside meeting

He might have been beaten over three lengths in his first-up assignment at Wagga last month but Matthew Dale’s promising Deepmind did bump into a talented runner in the unbeaten Mogo Magic.

That horse won’t be among his rivals when the four-year-old steps out in the Crestia By Anderson Handicap (1200m) on the Wagga Riverside track on Monday, but he will still face a worthy rival.

Deepmind conceded 2kg to Mogo Magic in a 1065m scamper first-up from an eight-month break and a late drift in betting suggested he’d benefit from the run. That turned out to be the case as he wasn’t able to match the winner over the last 200m.

Dale has elected to step up in class to bring the gelding’s weight down by 1.5kg which could be vital to his chances of toppling another promising galloper in Mitch Beer’s Greek Tycoon, who was an impressive winner over the Gundagai carnival.

A step-up to 1200m should be in Deepmind’s favour given he made light work of his maiden over the same course he’ll face on Monday at his second race start, leading all the way and similar tactics could be in play from his near outside gate.

The former Canberra trainer has shifted his base to Goulburn and the move struck instant success with Cavalier Charles scoring at Rosehill on Saturday.

All but one of his Wagga runners are now based at Goulburn and there’ll be plenty of interest in whether Neidr Dawn can continue his improvement in the Wagga Wagga Marketplace Handicap (1675m).

The gelding went for home a little early when runner-up at Canberra on November 25 in his second run from a break and was just run down late by Harderthantherest.