Echuca has eight races on Monday and the track is rated a Good 4. Maidens make up the first half of the card. The second half is three BM56 handicaps, which look very open.
Sihaya in Race 1 is our best bet. She is short, but her debut form is better than anything else in the race. Here Comes Wozza in Race 7 is our value play and we would back him each way. Truant in Race 3 and Mickio in Race 5 also rate well.
Race 1 - Hygain Racetorque Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Sihaya Current odds: $2.00
Sihaya was slow out of the gates on debut at Pakenham but still ran on strongly for second. That race has worked out well since. She showed speed in her trials, so the longer trip and the long run to the first turn should let her settle handy. Interrogate has the blinkers back on and draws well for his second run back. Challenging is from a good stable and is worth a small saver. Stash Royale looks too short in the market on her trial form, and we are happy to bet against her.
Selections:
- Sihaya - $2.00
- Interrogate - $4.80
- Platinum Rush - $6.50
- Challenging - $11.00
Race 2 - Suzi Luck Memorial Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Sayalero Current odds: $4.40
Sayalero resumes after a 22-week break but won a trial in the meantime. He also drew a good gate, so he should race near the lead. Plinian came home well for second at Tatura and the rise to 1200m suits him. Casamar has trialled well over two preparations, and at $9.00 he is the each-way value on debut. Ninetyfiveinafifty has won all of his trials and is another fresh danger. This is a hard race to read, so keep stakes small.
Selections:
- Sayalero - $4.40
- Plinian - $3.90
- Casamar - $9.00
- Ninetyfiveinafifty - $4.80
Race 3 - Moama Bowling Club 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: Truant Current odds: $3.10
Truant ran second first up at Moe and should push forward early. He looks the most reliable runner in a race that could be run slowly. Valentina Girl is a Tony and Calvin McEvoy debutant, so she has to be respected, but $2.00 looks short for a first starter. Magnusaurus Rex comes out of a strong Cranbourne maiden and should get a nice run behind the speed. Daynes Dahwun has trialled well and is the roughie at a big price.
Selections:
- Truant - $3.10
- Magnusaurus Rex - $4.80
- Valentina Girl - $2.00
- Daynes Dahwun - $14.00
Race 4 - Ashwood Football Club Maiden Plate (2100m)
Selection: Musical Journey Current odds: $4.60
Musical Journey placed first up, then ran a flat race at Kilmore. The step up to 2100m should help him. Meet The Prince was narrowly beaten as favourite at Manangatang and will start favourite again, so he is the main danger. Under Control has the blinkers off and should improve on a poor run at Ballarat. Just Basil placed at Sale this campaign and can run into the money.
Selections:
- Musical Journey - $4.60
- Meet The Prince - $3.40
- Under Control - $5.00
- Just Basil - $8.50
Race 5 - Rich River Party Hire BM56 Handicap (2100m)
Selection: Mickio Current odds: $3.50
Mickio gets the winkers back on and drops in class after a sixth at Seymour. He should race on the speed, and Brad Rawiller is a good booking. Love Sparkles was only just beaten at Mildura and has won this campaign, but she has drawn wide. Phoenician ran on for a close second at Bairnsdale and is in form. Callawadda is the roughie and has to bounce back from a poor run at Ballarat.
Selections:
- Mickio - $3.50
- Love Sparkles - $5.00
- Phoenician - $8.00
- Callawadda - $13.00
Race 6 - Border Inn BM56 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Sheanadh Current odds: $4.20
Sheanadh won first up and ran third at Tatura last start. She has placed every start this campaign, so she is the most consistent horse in the race. Hustle backs up after six days and should run better than he did at Kilmore. Lim’s Ida placed first up at Kyneton and finishes well. Boulderoo won at Donald two runs ago and has a good draw.
Selections:
- Sheanadh - $4.20
- Hustle - $4.40
- Boulderoo - $7.00
- Lim’s Ida - $10.00
Race 7 - Carlton Draught BM56 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Here Comes Wozza Current odds: $5.50
Here Comes Wozza is our value bet of the day. His record of one win from 20 starts doesn’t read well, but he won first up at this track and trip last campaign, and he has trialled well at Echuca since. He should get a soft run on the speed. Sacred Chord ran second at Mildura and is the main danger from the inside gate. Lujaego and True Prophet both have each-way claims. We would back Here Comes Wozza each way.
Selections:
- Here Comes Wozza - $5.50
- Sacred Chord - $4.80
- Lujaego - $6.00
- True Prophet - $15.00
Race 8 - Bet365 Same Race Multi BM56 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Queue Jumper Current odds: $6.00
Queue Jumper resumes from a good draw after winning a Wangaratta trial on 7 October. Beau Strada ran well first up last campaign and has the speed to overcome a wide gate. Do It Now won at Tatura two runs ago and is better than his last run on soft ground at Kyneton. Adieu Grasse is another Tatura winner and can run a place. This is an open race to finish the day.
Selections:
- Queue Jumper - $6.00
- Beau Strada - $4.80
- Do It Now - $10.00
- Adieu Grasse - $7.00
