ECHUCA June 20

BEST BET: BUT IT’S TRUE R8 #16

BEST VALUE: COMRADE NED R7 #5

Race 1:  5-11-3-14

Tough start but ALL POINTS WEST (who started life with Chris Waller) before debuting at Traralgon looks good hope from inside draw resuming here. Not a lot of depth and hard to knock so early in career. RAVEN’S BLAZE had no luck on debut then spelled and has trialled well to race well here. First starter ROYAL OBIDOS ($38k Snippetson yearling) off 3 last campaign trials and two better recent ones is typically well prepared from Payne stable. The 2YO LA CELESTINA is fit and has the track’s best rider (Meech) aboard. KISS THE BOSS next best.

SUGGESTED: ALL POINTS WEST on top but not a big gamble here.

Race 2: 5-13-14-11

Another impossible race, a couple we haven’t seen anywhere I don’t think (ALL ABOUT ALICE/SINDABELLA). Didn’t mind trial Tatura of ANNEMIEK who makes home track debut here but with a task from gate agreed. SACRED ARCHER was ok 2nd in a 3 horse Werribee trial (winner won at Swan Hill) for debut now and MADAM SUPERIOR, the 2YO has a trial that was favourable with city performed Sweet Rockette. PANAGIOTA goes well enough and has improved each start. DASH FOR MAY is right in market, resumes off a year off is slight concern.

SUGGESTED: Monitor moves but reckon ANNEMIEK will run decent race of recent trial.

Race 3: 4-1-2-5

LEATHERHEAD is a half to Furnaces (by helmet) and has shown ability to be competitive on debut but it is a trick race again with numerous fresh ones here. OKAY BOSS is back to 1200m after being in worst ground Sandown. Certainly respecting the experience and ability to handle wet ground (won on heavy) GALWAY, by Pierro, has trialled well also for Oliver/Price. Snitzel colt SWEET DEFEAT ($100k) will have admirers. TARDIGRADE is in good hands and well in betting, not overly enthused about trials. MASLOW ($260k Lohnro gelding), trialled better on synthetic than Cranbourne heavy.

SUGGESTED: Tread warily again but think LEATHERHEAD has enough ability to a winning or competitive debut gamble.

Race 4:  6-7-2-1

Doesn’t get easier in a BM78 with no horses placed at their last appearances. Have been traipsing through with SCOLARIO who maintains form and won well from back two runs back, latest Sandown – handles soft. Not a good pattern for Echuca normally but rail true a help. JOCASTA has no wins but no bad runs, will also be back and running on if you like that. RUN GYPSY RUN is quick and gives you the other option, well placed here. BELLARIA, also for Weir has trialled well to resume.

SUGGESTED: Tough again but sticking SCOLARIO.

Race 5: 4-6-8-1

Very competitive leg of this Super Bowl series with these 3YO’s chasing a Flemington spot next month. CAPTAIN HARRY is enjoying its best campaign and drawn to advantage and back onto softer ground a plus. SMOKE SIGNAL has the blinkers off now after super fresh win and below expectations last time when a little keen and erratic. ELITE DRAKE was heavily backed to win last time and ran up to that and previous form and all form around it is solid. OCEAN’S FOURTEEN might be best horse in race. Only 4.6 lens away in Vic Derby, resumes off good trial, unknown race day in this ground.

SUGGESTED: STREET SHEIK safe betting option. Good race.

Race 6: 5-7-1-4.

MISS SISKA will be the betting rage here. Back from G3 company after impressive BM64 win Gawler. A worry in ground for mine but would think 1400m a plus. Not at these odds for mine though can win. RAPATRUN looked the good winning at Swan Hill on debut (heavy) and doubt this is the usual challenge to a BM64 next time. Thinking stablemate OUR CHIQUILLA (only a 2/18 strike rate though) is the danger, ready after 3 runs in, different horse. HONOLULU LASS right in this, both runs solid and 1400m suits here.

SUGGESTED: RAPTARUN can make the grade.

Race 7: 5-10-4-7

Sticking with COMRADE NED again, was good in a bunched finish (leader dominated) Sandown (vets reported lame). Not worried about that, very honest trier and always get some odds. Obviously SHALWA (Oliver/Price) will be well fancied and a Flemington 2nd Twitchy Frank stands out on form card resuming. Wary skinny odds on soft ground debut. MR SINATRA had no luck in town last time when in betting, can forgive that and respect here. REAL GENT is on Oz debut, you’d think 1200m too short but won’t be surprised to see it doing something late.

SUGGESTED: Sticking COMRADE NED at the value.

Race 8: 16-9-10-13

BUT IT’S TRUE has no recent wins, but he is in the right race for this lot and making it a better bet on a tough card. Last run Mornington was without best luck when needed and doesn’t need much bad luck to get beaten. Previous Ballarat on heavy also without luck. Due. HENPECKER has Meech and had no luck Cranbourne. Good in ground.  AYRES ROCK is well grade BM70 off a Bm64 rating and loving racing. But can look elsewhere with some credit. THE DONCHESS might be one of those.

SUGGESTED: Wide quaddie, value BUT IT’S TRUE.

Race 9:  2-7-6-5

Think Gwenda Johnstone holds key here and leaning DEFINA on her home track off good return 2nd Swan Hill on wet. SALTY KISSES comes in solid form, latest Kilmore win. LIKA SHADOW gets good draw and good run fresh and can be a player, will need all of the 1000m. LET LOOSE is only a Wodonga maiden winner, lightly raced, include. UNDER THE SEA won impressively on good ground Werribee, hasn’t been as effective on affected ground.

SUGGESTED: Difficult race but liking DEFINIA.

QUADDIE:

1-4-5-7

3-4-10

9-10-13-16

2-5-7

$72 for 50%