Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1
3. Fire Chat is a consistent performer with four placings in eight starts. The gelding enters this race
in strong form, coming off a last-start second at this track. He’s drawn ideally in gate two and gets his chance to break through with a win. 9. Parker’s Paradise was soundly beaten when she finished second on debut at the Sapphire Coast and can be thereabouts with the benefit of improvement. 2. Distant Stripes was placed at Albury earlier in the week and is on the quick back-up, while 1. Demanda resumes from a spell after two trials and a forward showing wouldn’t surprise.
How to play it: Fire Chat to win.
Race 2
2. Hammett ran well to finish third at Canberra two starts ago and followed that up with a last place at Canterbury in a small field when last produced. He’s drawn the inside gate and should get a good run in transit. An improved showing is on the cards. 6. Cayman Island has been racing well with two placings at Albury from his past two starts. He should push forward and take plenty of running down. 11. Look Here hit the line well to score a last-start win at this track as favourite. She’d been placed in four of eight starts before that victory and looks set to run a bold race again. 5. Watoto finished second at Wodonga two starts ago and enters this race after a last-start failure at Bendigo. He can improve in this.
How to play it: Hammett to win.
Race 3
4. Densetsu returned to form when he raced on the pace and held on well to score at Echuca two starts ago. He backed that up with a last-start seventh at Bendigo, where not beaten too far, and only needs to run up to that effort to be difficult to hold out against these. 5. Vainstream has been racing well with a number of placings either side of a win at Canberra last month and should be in the thick of things again. 7. Justenuffsplash was an Albury winner last October and was placed at the same track when resuming. She was since down the track at Wodonga but has had a jump-out and a trial leading into this event. 3. Notabeel debuted with a win at Corowa and can show up again here with a repeat of that effort.
How to play it: Densetsu to win.
Race 4
2. Chief Of War has shown improvement to place in both of his latest two starts at Albury. He only needs to maintain that form to break through in this field. 6. Reinczech is on debut after a trial at Canberra and bears close watching. 1. Magnus Maximus has been placed in two of four starts and looms as a contender. 10. Heart Balm is a last-start Corowa placegetter that is worth some thought.
How to play it: Chief Of War to win.
Race 5
3. The Shaper started favourite at this track last time out when he finished midfield behind Future Fund. He can bounce back in this and looks hard to beat on his best form which includes a win here in March. 4. Epaullo Creed finished last here when last produced, but is a bold front-runner at best that can improve sharply. 5. Bon Frankie has contested city grade since winning at Canberra three starts ago and warrants respect. 6. County Kilkenny has ability and can show up on best form.
How to play it: The Shaper to win.
Race 6
12. Witch Of November has been racing well with second placings in both of her latest two starts on Wagga Riverside and then at Narrandera. She has one win and seven placings from 14 starts and looms as a leading contender if she can run up to her best form. 14. Jenni Divine has also placed in her past two starts and only needs to maintain that form to be hard to hold out. 15. Midnight Affair was placed at Orange two starts ago before failing to fire at Goulburn when last produced. She’s talented at best and is not out of this. 7. Brutal Force won in good style at Dubbo at his latest start and that followed a second placing on the Wagga Riverside.
How to play it: Witch Of November each way.
Race 7
3. Hells Spirit has been racing well with two wins from his last two starts at Albury over this distance. He’s on an upward spiral and looks hard to hold out again in this. 1. Star Blazer raced on the pace and held on well to score a last-start win at Wangaratta. That followed a Corowa victory three starts ago. Another forward showing is on the cards here. 2. Super Paradise has won two of his last four starts at Kilmore and Albury and only needs to maintain that form to be in the thick of things again. 5. Ziggy Rose won well at Parkes two starts ago and backed that up with a last-start seventh at Canterbury. This looks an easier assignment.
How to play it: Hells Spirit to win.
Best Bets
Race 3: (4) Densetsu
Race 7: (3) Hells Spirit
Best Value
Race 6: (12) Witch Of November
Supplied by Racing NSW
