3 minute read
An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the $150,000 Newhaven Park Southern Districts Country Championships (1400m) at Albury on Sunday.
1. Bianco Vilano (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Won this race last year as a $9.50 chance and ran fourth in the Final. Carried 63.5kg to win a Highway after that. Just one placing in five runs this season, a second to Another One in the Wodonga Cup, though he did hit the line okay late in his lead up run at Moonee Valley. Has the bonus of Craig Williams riding and his preparation would be timed to fire here. Has to be respected.
2. Cliff House (Tim Donnelly, Wagga Wagga): Built a handy record from his 11 starts to date and won quite a strong Highway at Randwick back in June. That's a good pointer. Rested and set for this after a fair effort in BM78 grade at Kembla Grange and while his trial won't catch any eyes they did break 34 seconds for the last 600m. He could be giving away a bit of a start fresh at the 1400m but sure to be hitting the line strongly.
3. Salute Again (Wayne Carroll, Wagga Wagga): Could be a very big improver on what he produced second-up, but off a seven week break, at Kensington in a race completely dominated by the front runner Whinchat. Highway winner at Randwick over 1400m in June and has run well both times he's been to Albury. He's the type that can make some use of an inside draw and shouldn't be left out.
4. Baledon (Ron Stubbs, Albury): Full brother to Bianco Vilano and ran fourth in this race a year ago. Beaten favourite when resuming, albeit very narrowly, over the 1175m with a big weight and will be much better for that. Appears to get a perfect run from the rails draw and no reason why he can't be in the finish somewhere.
5. Rocket Tiger (Scott Spackman, Wagga Wagga): Wonder if his best is behind him given the issues he had since his amazing two-year-old season. Placed under 62.5kg over this trip back in November so gets in with a light weight here but he was only fair, though with 64kg, in his main lead up to this. If things work out for him he could be competitive but take him on trust.
6. Burrandana (SCRATCHED).
7. Canny Hell (Kym Davison, Albury): Up and comer who is a little hard to line up though he does have the early speed to offset the wide gate pretty quickly. Placed at 1300m at his second race start and only failure was in his Highway back in August. Dominant in two wins this time in though has to jump from 1000m to 1400m within two weeks. Can't rule him out but will need everything to go right.
8. Just Like Liam (Garry Worsnop, Albury): Honest gelding whose only failure of late was in a Highway at Randwick. Freshened off that and was gallant under 62.5kg over this course a couple of weeks ago. Hit the lead and looked the winner only to be collared very late. Nice weight drop and that will give him a chance but this is a lot tougher as well.
9. Indian Soldier (Martin Stein, Albury): Another lightly raced galloper and he was the one who arrived in time to knock over Just Like Liam, carrying 1.5kg less. There's a bit to like about him, he was strong on the line winning that race and loves the Albury track. Also a big class test for him but might be worth including in the exotics.
10. Snap Book (Donna Scott, Albury): Finished midfield in this race last year at his fifth race start and as a $41 chance. His effort there was sound enough. Not raced since November where he stretched out beyond 2000m and suspect he might need a soft to heavy track to be competitive in this class at the sprint trip.
11. Underpants (Scott Spackman, Wagga Wagga): Only had a handful of starts and does show some promise but this is a big test for him. Left it far too late when midfield at Wagga on Australia Day over this trip but did draw wide there so might be able to settle a bit closer from a kinder gate. Still, is meeting some well established gallopers and will need a career best.
12. Asgarda (Doug Gorrel, Wagga Wagga): Looks a real up and comer and has quickly notched four wins from nine starts. Dominant over this track and distance back in November before a spell and picked up where she left off winning the Preview at Wagga easily just over a week ago. Draws ideally and while this is her biggest test she's not reached the ceiling as yet. Looks a good chance.
13. Supido Beauty (SCRATCHED).
14. Dupride Star (Gary Colvin, Wagga Wagga): Returned to form this preparation, backing up a nice fresh performance to win over the 1175m here a couple of weeks ago. Only tried 1400m once and that was her Highway run in July and she faded after racing handy. Drawn well so on her best efforts she could get into a placing.
15. Clever Art (Donna Scott, Albury): Ran second last in this race last year, at start number six. Yet to win a race since then with her last start second at Wagga, finishing off when it was all over, her best performance. That was a month ago and she's had a tickover trial since then. From that gate she'll be giving a start and it's hard to see her winning, but you never know.
16. Laurel Hill (Kerry Weir, Tumut): Ran on well but no match for Asgarda at Wagga last time when in receipt of 3.5kg. A shade worse off at the weights under these conditions. Rarely runs a bad race but hasn't taken on anything like this. Beaten three lengths in the Highway that Salute Again won and while you'd say she won't run a bad race whether she's a likely winner is questionable.
17. Prophet's Daughter (SCRATCHED).
18. Zuurberg (Kevin Hanley, Albury): Broke through for his first win at start 13 and notched his second two starts later. Ran on without threatening behind Canny Hell and like that horse has to jump straight to 1400m against this level and that might be a bit on the tough side for him.
SPEED MAP: There should be some good early speed with Canny Hell drawn wide, Zuurberg and Just Like Liam all noted on pacers. Indian Soldier has some early toe and inside alleys could see Baledon and Salute Again settle handy. Rocket Tiger has a decision from his gate. Asgarda has a better than midfield pattern and a draw to match.
SELECTIONS:
12 ASGARDA
1 Bianco Vilano
2 Cliff House
3 Salute Again
