3 minute read
Stirling Osland rarely misses when he targets Armidale home track meetings and is the value combination with international Ashley Morgan, airborne from riding a Dubbo winning treble into Tuesday’s TAB meeting.
A multiple TAB Highway winner with mid-week city success and a knack with discards, Stirling Osland is represented throughout the Armidale seven-race program.
Among them former Sargent and Laming charges to be ridden by "Welsh Wizard" Ashley Morgan.
The strongest punting lead is Stirling bypassing meetings in proximity, alternately numbering up with 10 acceptors at home where he has an outstanding strike rate.
Stirling's best on form is in an early maiden with ex-Sargent galloper Blue Canasta ($2.15 favourite on TAB) and the final races with Queensland acquisition Lost Media ($3 fav) and recent Armidale and Moree winner Bean Rocking ($4.60 fav).
All with Morgan from favourable draws.
Morgan has been among the leaders in the NSW jockey premiership in recent seasons.
He rode Bean Rocking for a strong win at Moree three weeks ago.
Lost Media, formerly with the Laming's Queensland stable, is race fit with recent placings at the Gold Coast and Kilcoy following a close fourth at Eagle Farm. Appealing form for NSW regionals.
Blue Canasta off close-up placings at Quirindi and Gunnedah contests a moderate maiden.
"Yep those three are the pick of mine and Ashley is low level flying," offered Stirling after riding trackwork.
"Blue Canasta from "Sarge" was in a stronger maiden at Gunnedah, fitter third-up, I'd probably be disappointed if it didn't win.
"We've only just got Lost Media from the sales - race fit, the two placings up there line up nicely for this grade but my only concern is barrier one where he could get cluttered up.
"His pattern indicates he's not an on-pacer."
Stirling then saved the best for last: "Bean Rocking is going super, produced all prep, so genuine and versatile won at 1100m and 1400m for us.
"Before that impressive win at Moree he had no luck whatsoever at Grafton but will run well at home."
