By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True
RACE 1
6. Complaisance is a filly by Pierata who can strike on debut for the Matthew Dale stable. Has continued to work well since an easy trial last month, and draws to get the right run with cover. Boosted heavily by two of the early market rivals both being preferred at Sunday’s Cowra meeting. 9. Akatarawa improves further third-up over more ground; and 3. Roullottie gets weight relief second-up.
Racing returns to Albury on Monday.Credit: Phil Carrick
How to play it: Complaisance to win
RACE 2
2. Downtown’s Abbey is an honest and hard-fit mare who can finally crack it for a third win deep into the prep. Was run down late three starts back before stiff not to win finishing well over 1800m; then given no favours from well off the speed at Orange after being backed from $3.20 into $2.60. Parks closer here from the softer draw, and this looks ideal. 1. Divine Conclusion gets blinkers removed second-up off a five-week let-up. 2. Notes ran home well in a BM 58 with more depth second-up. 7. Big Time Charlie won at this level two starts ago, while 3. Bobotov rises in distance fifth-up behind a fighting win over the border.
How to play it: Downtown’s Abbey to win
RACE 3
8. Direct Sound is a lightly raced and improving Victorian suited at good odds. Liked the way he finished off at Echuca behind a handy winner coming off a break, and drew to park a little closer with cover. Out of a Savabeel mare, so he’ll enjoy the big and wide circuit. 7. Triumphant Tonic is a serious threat third-up from the inside draw. 4. Maham also improves coming through that same Wodonga maiden as the former. Both third-up stablemates 10. Queen Of Drama and 13. Darn Deadly can run into the minor money.
How to play it: Direct Sound to win
RACE 4
Improving 3. Lightning Lizard is another one hopping the border, and gets his chance third-up for the new stable in a thin race. Failed to finish off in a handy maiden at home, but the winner of that race has since bolted in a much tougher affair. Held his ground nicely into a place at Wagga 17 days ago. 14. Party Boss by Golden Slipper winner Farnan debuts for a leading country stable behind a very quiet trial. 12. Kathy’s Rose gets a soft run just behind the speed. 10. Luja Attitude is another first starter from over the border who won the second of two improving trials and starts with key gear additions.
How to play it: Lightning Lizard to win
RACE 5
In an open race, underrated mare 7. Divron is terrific each-way value returning to open Class 1 company. Came off a break to finish well in a strong maiden here before breaking through at Wagga after tracking the speed. Was very stiff not to win 11 days ago when held up for a long way before charging home to miss by a long head. Carries 1kg less, loves plenty of room to find the line, and is drawn to get cover around midfield. 10. Luna Jet is a promising filly likely to jump as favourite after a smart debut win. Big respect too for Victorian 3. Hellberg who broke through third-up with a dominant maiden win. 2. Dalhart resumes for a second prep off a tidy trial. Big gap to the rest.
How to play it: Divron each way
RACE 6
6. Lord Finland is a tough and progressive Canberra five-year-old who can go back-to-back third-up. Led for a long way at home when resuming in a weaker grade before a dominant barrier-to-box win at Wagga in similar company. Up in weight, but bred to get further and is well-placed from a handy enough draw. 7. Urafiki is a major threat coming off an impressive first-up win when heavily backed from $4.20 into $2.90. 5. Maid In Dubai shoots for a third win in four starts this prep, dropping back from deeper grade over the border. 11. Sebastian’s Flyer flew home to win in this grade when coming off a break; while 8. Choice Witness is fourth up with gear changes for the new Victorian yard.
How to play it: Lord Finland to win
RACE 7
4. Baggage Handler is a lightly raced and talented Wodonga sprinter who comes to hand quickly and can blow them away first up off a 29-week spell. Boasts superior tactical speed and tuned up for this with two progressive trials, bolting in the latest and running a slick time. 11. Antisocial is well-placed fourth-up for the new Victorian stable, with blinkers coming off. 6. Shoresy and 15. Toronto Rain both second-up, head the rest.
How to play it: Baggage Handler to win
BEST BETS
R2 4. DOWNTOWN’S ABBEY
R7 4. BAGGAGE HANDLER
BEST VALUE
R5 7. DIVRON
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
