Albury races on Friday with eight races, starting at 2:45pm. The track was rated a Soft 5 at the time of writing. It is a typical country card with a couple of big maiden fields, so stick to the runners with solid recent form.
Keikoku in Race 4 is our best bet. He has the best form in the Open Handicap and has drawn the inside. Bottas (Race 2) and Hazardous (Race 5) are the short-priced runners we like, and Zetalyn in Race 8 is our each-way value play.
Race 1 - Twin City Truck Centre Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Lull Us Away Current odds: $5.00
Lull Us Away has placed four times from eight runs this preparation and was only just beaten here last start. She has drawn wide, but she has the speed to get across. Smokin’anniversary resumes after 20 weeks for a good stable and is the main danger. Roscomain Bill is a first-starter to watch in the betting. Tassy Fox finished well here last start.
Selections:
- Lull Us Away - $5.00
- Smokin’anniversary - $4.00
- Roscomain Bill - $6.00
- Tassy Fox - $11.00
Race 2 - Johnsons MME Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Bottas Current odds: $1.90
Bottas backs up seven days after running on strongly into second at Wagga, and he drops back to an easier grade. He is short at $1.90, but he is the most likely winner. Bennelong Time won his maiden here and has drawn the rails, so he is the main danger. Red Light Rachel won at big odds at Wangaratta, and Maremoto comes from Eagle Farm form for a new stable.
Selections:
- Bottas - $1.90
- Bennelong Time - $6.00
- Red Light Rachel - $5.50
- Maremoto - $6.00
Race 3 - Wello’s Plumbing Country Boosted BM58 Handicap (1175m)
Selection: Seaton Moon Current odds: $2.80
Seaton Moon won well at Taree on debut and should improve again at his second start. He is favourite and has the speed to cope with his draw. Santolini was only just beaten at Canberra and is the main danger. Mer Char drops in class, and Wild Annie placed here first-up and has drawn the inside.
Selections:
- Seaton Moon - $2.80
- Santolini - $4.40
- Mer Char - $5.00
- Wild Annie - $9.00
Race 4 - Twilight Open Handicap (1175m)
Selection: Keikoku Current odds: $4.80
This is our best bet. Keikoku has won at Canberra this preparation and ran on well for fifth there last start. He has drawn the inside and should get a good run before finishing strongly. Greatham Boy is the main danger second-up, as he has won second-up before. Coco De Luxe gets a drop in weight, and Dolly won here two runs back.
Selections:
- Keikoku - $4.80
- Greatham Boy - $4.40
- Coco De Luxe - $5.00
- Dolly - $6.50
Race 5 - Baxters Concrete BM58 Handicap (900m)
Selection: Hazardous Current odds: $2.30
Hazardous won his only start at Wodonga and should improve at his second run. He finishes well, which suits a short sprint with plenty of early speed. She’s Elusive won twice last preparation and can bounce back from a poor first-up run. Carlow Rose won her maiden here and is the value runner at $14.00. Winter Hail wears blinkers for the first time.
Selections:
- Hazardous - $2.30
- She’s Elusive - $4.80
- Carlow Rose - $14.00
- Winter Hail - $9.00
Race 6 - Hutchinson Civil Super Maiden Plate (1175m)
Selection: Samaka Current odds: $4.60
Samaka has placed at every start and was heavily backed when just beaten at Newcastle first-up. He is with a new stable and looks the most reliable runner in a big field. Big Storm ran third at Bendigo first-up and drops in class. Snakeunderfoot was only half a length off the winner at his only start. Scorpion has the speed to settle handy.
Selections:
- Samaka - $4.60
- Big Storm - $5.00
- Snakeunderfoot - $8.50
- Scorpion - $14.00
Race 7 - MWS Wealth Professionals BM66 Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Annotate Current odds: $5.00
This is an open race with no clear favourite. Annotate won at Tatura two runs back and has drawn barrier 2, which should give him an easy run. Hip Hip Ole drops back from a Rosehill run and should go well against weaker horses. Deeling Aces won first-up last preparation, and Macy Moon resumes off a placed trial.
Selections:
- Annotate - $5.00
- Hip Hip Ole - $5.00
- Deeling Aces - $6.50
- Macy Moon - $10.00
Race 8 - Gazebo and Shade Centre Class 2 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Zetalyn Current odds: $9.00
This is our each-way value play. Zetalyn backs up six days after finishing fourth at Berrigan and has placed four times from 10 runs this preparation. At $9.00 she is worth an each-way bet. Lord Limerick resumes off a placed trial and is the main danger. Aristocrat drops in grade. Mishima has drawn the inside and is the roughie.
Selections:
- Zetalyn - $9.00
- Lord Limerick - $8.00
- Aristocrat - $9.00
- Mishima - $23.00
