By Neil Evans
An underrated Riverina mare can put the brakes on a rival’s promising emergence when they clash in an intriguing battle at Monday’s feature Albury meeting.
On a day when Victorian raiders have never had a stronger hand across the Riverina, a Wagga Wagga-based four-year-old is set to steal the headlines from well-fancied visitors.
Racing heads to Albury on Monday.Credit: Jason South
Divron, from the Gary Colvin stable at Wagga, looms as one of the big value bets on the program, tackling an open Class 1 Hcp over 1175m.
Despite being a model of consistency over a long prep, including a Super Maiden win on Christmas Eve, and two luckless second placings on either side, Divron opened around $15 in early betting.
The daughter of Divine Prophet has one win from 10 starts but has placed a further six times around the region.
Yet, the market took an instant dislike to her, a long way back from promising filly and early favourite Luna Jet who opened around $3 after an impressive debut win at Nowra on the last day of 2024.
Part of another healthy invasion from both Goulburn and Canberra, Luna Jet will be aimed at some feature country carnival sprints next month and through March if she wins this.
The other big fancy in early betting was Victorian-based Hellberg, who is reloading after a dominant maiden win at Corowa 24 days ago.
Meanwhile, progressive Canberra five-year-old Lord Finland is out to take the next step when he tackles a wide-open Benchmark 58 Hcp over 1400m.
The tough son of group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard recaptured his best last start in a similar grade at Wagga leading comfortably all the way.
That was his second run in the new prep since trainer Luke Pepper returned to Canberra after being based in the Upper Hunter.
Lord Finland opened around $6.50, behind an early three-way battle for favouritism, with Victorian country mares Maid In Dubai and Choice Witness, as well as improving Urafiki, all around the $5 mark.
Good news for injured jockey
There was more good news in the recovery of jockey Beany Panya yesterday after her and Blake Spriggs’ shocking fall at Moruya on Friday. Racing NSW reported that Panya had her intubation tube removed and she had been moved into a ward. The 31-year-old had been in the intensive care unit of Canberra Hospital with a head injury and two fractured vertebrae. Panya was waiting for a neurosurgery review to determine if she needed spinal surgery. Spriggs remained intubated in a critical but stable condition. He had a head injury, broken ribs and collarbone as well as internal bleeding from a punctured lung.
Craig Kerry
J-Mac backing Via Sistina for more success
James McDonald will miss out on riding Via Sistina in her first trial back on Monday at Warwick Farm but he’s already confident the superstar mare is on track for another great preparation. The seven-year-old, which won four group 1s last spring, was to trial last Thursday but they were washed out. Potential Apollo Stakes rival Ceolwulf is also now in her trial. Victorian hoop Damian Lane will take McDonald’s trial rides on Via Sistina, Fangirl and Switzerland for Chris Waller. McDonald, who had four winners at Rosehill on Saturday before heading to Hong Kong and Dubai, said Via Sistina in trackwork “looks to be going really well, she looks really healthy in the coat and seems pretty happy with herself. Her ears are pricked every time she goes on and off the track. She definitely looks as good as last prep.“
Craig Kerry
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
