The plan of attack:
| Bet Type | Race | Horse | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Race 2 | (9) The Better Husband | Can control race, maps perfectly. |
| Roughie | Race 2 | (1) Avenel Sprout | Trialled well, big odds appeal. |
| Roughie | Race 4 | (12) More Highs On Me | Spec play, showed ability in trials. |
| Win | Race 5 | (1) Ballon D’or | Strong late splits, dry ground suits. |
| Win | Race 5 | (11) Starmae | Good run at Sandown, well placed down in grade |
| Each-Way | Race 6 | (2) Raven’s Silver | Fast trial, drops in grade. |
| Best Bet | Race 7 | (5) Anchor Down | Strong closer, maps better here. |
| Saver | Race 7 | (10) Farisha | Ready to win, 1400m suits. |
| Quaddie | 1,5,6,8,11 / 1,2 / 1,5,10 / 1,2,4 | ||
Turf Talk:
- Wodonga is a tighter-turning track with a shortish home straight that generally gives some edge to horses on speed.
- The 1400m start has a lovely, long run down the back straight before they start turning.
- The track has raced very well in recent months.
- Need to keep an eye on how the track plays with a Good 4 deck, look out for any on-speed pattern early.
The Stats That Matter:
- Both Dwayne Reid (23.5% PoT) and Sylvia Thompson (42.8% PoT) have strong PoT from their last 100 runners.
- Teo Nugent is going at a strike rate is 20.9% here at Wodonga and a PoT of 31.2%.
Race 2 No.9 The Better Husband, smaller No.1 Avenel Sprout
(9) The Better Husband can control this race. He was good on debut at Pakenham before knocking up late at his only other run last campaign. His latest jump-out was excellent and he maps for a super run, where his main danger – (10) Vouchers – is likely to concede them a start.
(1) Avenel Sprout can run better than the $26 suggests. He has trialled well between runs and didn’t have much luck at Wangaratta last start. Blinkers and tongue tie come off here.
Betting suggestion: Keen (9) The Better Husband, think he should be favourite. Having something on (1) Avenel Sprout at a big price.
Race 4 No.12 More Highs On Me
This is a bit of a spec play. (12) More Highs On Me is one of the outsiders, but it’s not a strong field. She was ridden very quietly in her jump-out here two back but looked to move well and showed some early speed. She jumped well in her Wagga trial on August 28 but was allowed to drift back, going to the line under a good hold. There’s some ability there and worth a small play at $27.
Betting suggestion: Something small E/W (12) More Highs On Me
Race 5 No.1 Ballon D’or/No.11 Starmae
Speed here comes from (6) Seeyou Raider, (7) The Wizard King (drawn out), (8) White Bear & (9) Noble Style. They should roll along.
Doubt (11) Starmae will be too far away from the speed. She was strong through the line at Sandown last start in her first outing for Dwayne Reid. She gave the indication 1200m would suit and her best NSW form, when with Bjorn Baker, is certainly good enough to win a race like this. She’s done all her recent racing in 70+ company, the last time she was in a BM64 she was victorious at Wyong. Think she’s over the odds.
Ballon D’or can improve big-time getting back on to dry ground. Despite finishing well back first-up at Bendigo. She was home the 3rd best last 600m split of the entire meeting. The knock is her map, as she will get back, but with a strong tempo up front I see her charging late.
Always been a fan of (6) Seeyou Raider, having found him on debut at Kilmore last campaign. Just would’ve liked to see him trial slightly better than he did at Benidgo, but he will give a sight on speed.
White Bear will appreciate getting back onto dry while (5) Jugiong will be strong late.
Betting suggestion: Backing (1) Ballon D’or and (11) Starmae, small quinella 1,5,6,11.
Race 6 No.2 Raven’s Silver
Now with Ben Brisbourne, the flashy white gelding trialled well at Wangaratta behind a promising galloper in Recon, in easily the fastest time of the morning. He was a good winner two back and then got too far back in stronger company last start. Drops in grade and maps well with the claim – an uncomplicated ride for Alice Kennedy.
Betting suggestion: (2) Raven’s Silver E/W
Race 7 No.5 Anchor Down (Save (10) Farisha)
Good speed with (1) Brullen, (6) Sister Shay and (10) Farisha all rolling forward.
Expect Billy Egan to have Anchor Down not too far away and he looks clearly the horse to beat. He got too far back first-up at Geelong but powered home in the 3rd best last 600m of the meeting, against the pattern. From a good gate, up in trip, he should be handy – hard to beat and $6 looks generous.
(10) Farisha is ready to win. She dropped back to 1200m last time but was doing her best work late, suggesting the 1400m is perfect. She should make her own luck.
Race favourite (1) Brullen will give a sight but meets a deeper race. He makes his own luck on speed and has a hope, but think this is a bit deeper than what he tackled last time out.
Betting suggestion: Keen (5) Anchor Down, something smaller (10) Farisha.
