Competitive meeting on a Good 3/4 with the Rail True so on-pace should dominate early before a levelling out across bigger fields later in the day.
Race 1 – Maiden Hcp (900m)
No holding back here on the Hayes/Dabernig 3YO debutant filly 5. Buthayna – by Exceed And Excel – who looks hard to beat off that impressive Tatura trial win.
Dangers: Wagga-trained 2. Mr Menzies was very good on debut after being caught wide; while another 3YO first starter, locally-trained 8. News Girl has won two trials and looks ready to run. Mornington debutant 3. Youwantsome has also trialled okay and will fly over from a wide gate.
How to play it: Buthayna to win; box 2-5-6 in trifecta.
A big day of seven races awaits on the bank of the Murray in Corowa.
Race 2 – Maiden Plate (1200m)
Thin race, with little form to impress, but if Canberra-trained 10. Who's Shout gets an even share of luck from a wide gate, will be hard to hold out. Has found the line nicely in two career starts, both times well in the market and has scope to win.
Dangers: Benalla-based debutant 5. Bone Dry – by Danerich – trialled nicely and gets a 2kg claim but is drawn wide, while Albury visitor 7. Talk To Amanda has returned from a spell with two solid runs in slightly better company and wouldn't need to improve much.
How to play it: Who's Shout to win.
Race 3 – Maiden Hcp (1400m)
Some of these might be Maidens for a while but Wagga-trained 6. Serious Charge looks ready to break through stepping up in trip. Has found the line well enough from midfield in last two and gets in on the 54.5kg limit.
Dangers: Another Wagga visitor 5. Manhattan Zip has shown gradual improvement in five runs on his home track and carries his lightest weight in this. 1. Tudor Hall has started big odds in both career runs but his last-start effort at Wangaratta was solid enough and big weight is offset by soft draw. And 2. Dash To The Bar is consistent enough without winning and will get a lovely run on or just behind the speed.
How to play it: Serious Charge each way.
Race 4 – BM 58 Hcp (1400m)
Very keen here on Wagga-trained mare 7. Star Of Serena. Only won once from eight, but got home well under 58kg in a stronger BM 58 at Goulburn in the worst part of the track last start after a strong closing effort first up on her home track. Nicely weighted and leading Canberra rider jumps on.
Dangers: Topweight 1. Supplyzing was good in a stronger race at Wangaratta last start and should find the front. Local 2. Kapover has won two from 14 and finished off nicely also at Wangaratta last start, but doubt he can give my top selection 3.5kg and beat her.
How to play it: Star Of Serena to win.
Race 5 – Cl1 Hcp (1400m)
A deeper race, but again keen on the Chris Heywood stable from Wagga with 2. Event, who put the writing on wall two runs back in a strong closing effort at Albury before winning her Maiden in good style at home. This looks well within her grasp from a nice draw.
Dangers: Canberra mare 7. Orithyia built up nicely to her Maiden win on the synthetic at home last start and will go close here with a more experienced rider on. Another Canberra mare in 8. Ultraviolet was competitive in a stronger race at Wagga last start and if she gets some luck from a wide draw will be in the finish.
How to play it: Event to win.
Race 6 – BM 66 Hcp (1600m)
Open affair, with chances galore and a huge spread in the weights. Settled on border-hopper 4. Annaman, who found the midweek metro staying opposition a little rich last start but previous form was rock solid for this. I like the drop in both trip and class off a one-month freshen-up.
Dangers: Locally-trained 1. Marchello has been consistent just behind the place-getters in much stronger races but has a huge weight. 2. Sir Ottavio (62kg) is intriguing coming back from a marathon 3800m BM 70 at Wagga where he ran out of petrol tickets but has had five weeks to recover, so don't dismiss over a much shorter trip. Bendigo-trained 3. Dubai King mixes form but should be included in exotics.
How to play it: Annaman each way.
Race 7 – BM 66 Hcp (1200m)
Competitive battle of tactics, but if lightly-raced 3. Northern River produces anywhere near her best, it should be over! Has had two impressive runs back from a spell at Newcastle and Goulburn (1000m) hitting the line nicely both times and the return to 1200m is a plus. Was close-up in much stronger Highway races at Randwick back in the autumn.
Dangers: Canberra mare 6. Dylan's Deeva is the clear threat after a brave effort from the front in a Randwick Highway (1400m) last start and the drop back in trip in obvious weaker company places here very well. Wagga duo 1. Not Too Sure and 2. Hangin' With Willy come out of the stronger $35,000 Ian Reid where they both found the line nicely at big odds from off the speed, especially the former.
How to play it: Northern River to win; and quinella with Dylan's Deeva.
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