Goulburn stables capitalise on Canberra rivals’ absence in coastal raid

It’s normally a track Canberra stables love to raid, but the visiting baton has temporarily been handed to Goulburn before Thursday’s feature south coast meeting at Moruya.

With Canberra racing 24 hours earlier, just two gallopers make the coastal trip for a modest meeting.
Instead, Goulburn is ready to grab a big slice of the cake, headed by the Scott Collings stable, which is targeting a double strike early on the card.

Tough Wandjina five-year-old Bleue’s Choice looks very hard to beat fifth-up in a Class 2 & Above Benchmark 58 Hcp over the flying 1010m to start the meeting.

Placed in three of his last four, Bleue’s Choice draws to get the right trail on a surface that will likely play better than a Soft 5. He can stave off the challenge from home-track four-year-olds, Greaves who won first-up, and Defcon One, resuming off a 15-week spell.

The Collings camp will also be confident in the next race, with capable four-year-old sprinter Hello Jack returning for his first run since midwinter.

Despite not officially trialling, Hello Jack has reportedly been working well and looks headed for a first-up showdown with home-tracker Forbes, who is also ready for a big return behind a trial win 25 days ago.

Later in the meeting, leading country trainer Matt Dale, who is based at Goulburn after switching from Canberra, fires up a two-prong assault on a Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1650m.

Top of the pile is progressive four-year-old Neidr Dawn, who shapes well after four runs this prep. Five-year-old stablemate Tavifern looms as a danger third-up with winkers back on.