Race-by-race preview and tips for Goulburn on Tuesday
With showers sticking around, track won't be any better than a soft 6/7, and with the rail true, expect the winners to get wider as the day wears on.
Race 1: Class 2 Handicap (900m), 1.10pm
Tricky claiming sprint, but Sydney mare 5. Chiang Mai Express looks very well placed resuming. Won on debut at Queanbeyan back in May, then wasn't beaten far in a subsequent Class 1 at Kembla, and was tuned up for this in a recent Warwick Farm trial. Gets a lovely trail behind the speed.
Dangers: Canberra mare 2. Kitana won her second race two starts back at Queanbeyan and was only just caught in a BM 58 last start on the same track. She probably sits outside the local mare 1. Bridyn May and won't be much between them on the line; while 4. Bay Of Modena has been consistently finding the line and should be included in wider exotics.
How to play it: Back Chang Mai Express to win.
Race 2: Class 1 Handicap (1200m), 1.50pm
Randwick-trained mare 5. With Purpose resumed in good style close-up in a blanket finish at Muswellbrook when well-backed. Gets a nice trail midfield here and extra trip suits second up.
Dangers: Sydney filly 9. Dizzy Miss Lizzy bolted in her maiden at Nowra from the front and will be prominent right on the speed, while Braidwood mare 6. Elegant Ellen is an intriguing runner. Was backed for plenty as a hot favourite when scoring on debut at Queanbeyan nearly a year ago, but hasn't been seen all year. Big watch on the market.
How to play it: Back With Purpose to win and quinella with Dizzy Miss Lizzy.
Race 3: BM 58 Handicap (1200m), 2.25pm
Last-start Nowra winner 8. Dizzy Miss Lizzy also accepted for this, although is drawn wide and this is a little tougher. Leaning more to 4. Maid In Milan, who came out of a decent Gosford maiden two runs back, then powered home to break through at Bathurst last start. From leading Sydney stable and again gets a cosy run off the speed.
Dangers: Hawkesbury-trained 3. Sweet Fella was virtually unwanted in betting last start at Bathurst, but flew home off a good tempo to win and was competitive in better races earlier this year. Locallytrained 1. Tiger By The Tale charged home for a cracking win in a good BM 66 at Moruya last start, but the handicapper has given him the grandstand here.
How to play it: Back both Main In Milan to win.
Race 4: Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m), 3.05pm
Really like 1. Battle Fury to go on with the job up in trip after a dominant win at Bathurst to break his maiden last start. In very well at the weights after the claim.
Dangers: Randwick filly 10. Etheridge stormed home to win on debut at Hawkesbury mid-year before returning in an even effort in a stronger Wyong Class 1 two weeks back. She can use the inside draw to sit closer here and be strong late. Most of the rest took a while to break their maiden, and doubt there's a knockout.
How to play it: Back Battle Fury to win and quinella with Etheridge.
Race 5: BM 66 Handicap (2800m), 3.40pm
They might be coming in at long intervals over this journey, but keen on Rosehill-trained 4. Grey Eminence stepping up in trip third-up. Carted big weights and found the line solidly in his last two and was well fancied in the market last start.
Dangers: A real assignment working out who will genuinely stay the trip, but despite a poor winning strike rate, 3. Everly Girl is hard fit and ran home well in a BM 76 at Canterbury last start after a strong closing second at Kembla two back. Naturally cops a big weight hike, but is one who will run it right out. Include 9. Stitched Up who had little or no luck start.
How to play it: Back Grey Eminence to win and quinella with Everly Girl.
Race 6: BM 58 Handicap (1400m), 4.15pm
Open race, with both 5. Sweet Fella and 6. Battle Fury also accepting here, but the latter is drawn off the track. Looks a nice race for local mare 2. Arrondissement, who has been hitting the line hard from a mile back in stronger races. Rider's 2kg claim is significant and has shown a liking for soft ground.
Dangers: Stablemate 4. O'Lordy also hit the line hard from well off the speed in that same BM 66 at Moruya and will be finishing off again, while 1. Attainment gets a valuable 2kg claim and is a superior wet-tracker. Canberra-trained 7. Burrangong won a Cl 2 on this track two runs back before taking on stronger in a Rosehill Highway. Perfect trip and drawn to get a cosy run.
How to play it: Back Arrondissement to win and box 1-2-4-7 in trifecta.
Race 7: Maiden Handicap (1400m), 4.50pm
Hard to line up the race and trial form here with plenty of lightly raced Sydney runners going around, and tempo and luck will play a big part. Like the way 3. King's Peak hit the line last start in a stronger Kembla maiden and should get through the ground. The one to beat!
Dangers: Several have fair form for a race such as this, but mainly unproven in wet ground. However, 10. Merlanite, who debuted with a nice closing effort back in May and had two trials at home, and 1. Circus Train, who also trialled nicely and is in the same owner interests as Trapeze Artist, should both be prominent.
How to play it: Back King's Peak to win and box 1-3-4-10 in trifecta.
Race 8: Maiden Plate (1200m), 5.30pm
A tough one to finish, but sticking hard with Warwick Farm filly 14. D'oro Rain, who was fancied on debut at Bathurst before just dying on her run after making a mid-race move. Has ability, down in weight and gets a nice trail from the draw.
Dangers: Plenty of them, including Canberra mare 5. Brussels, who can improve second-up over a longer trip after rattling home on debut, despite easy in betting. Will get an economical run midfield and launch late. Warwick Farm-trained 4. Read All About It resumed at Nowra before really attacking the line from well back last start on this track, and little step up in trip suits. Expect 7. Lamplight Lili to improve after being well beaten last few in stronger company. Big watch, too, on resuming filly 13. Adventure Queen after two recent trials.
How to play it: Back D'oro Rain each way.
Supplied by Racing NSW.
For more tips and information, head to www.racingnsw.com.au.
Most Viewed in Sport
Please explain
A weekly podcast giving you insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Listen now