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Course and distance specialist, Taree six-year-old gelding Al Be Swift, should prove hard to beat in the feature Airport Hotel-Motel Benchmark 70 Handicap (1007m) at Taree-Wingham Race Club’s big eight-race TAB card at Bushland Drive Racecourse today.

In a race of many chances where a blanket could be thrown over the runners, luck in running will be the determining factor. The Dr Peter Braude-bred and owned Al Be Swift was second last over 1000m at Wyong last start but was only 2.8 lengths from the winner Night Moves, in a slick 57.85secs.

The gelding had to shoulder 59kg on that occasion but this time drops to a more comfortable 56.5kg, a kilo less than the Bob Milligan-trained galloper carried in scoring over 1000m at the Kempsey Cup meeting on November 9.

The win followed a nail-biting second to Wyong 9yo Music Academy on October 30 when trying to make it two wins in a row at the course.

Many were of the opinion that Al Be Swift was only capable in rain-affected ground until the Taree win but Milligan reckoned that the gelding was suited by all types of going although its past two wins have been on dead-rated ground. In 22 starts at Taree, Al Be Swift has had four of its seven wins and nine placings. At the distance, the gelding has had six of its wins with 13 placings with prizemoney edging towards $110,000.

The main danger appears to be 5yo mare Melburg, trained at Broadmeadow by Darren Smith. Melburg disappointed last start over 1000m at Gosford when seventh to Cradle Me in 57.67 and hasn’t won at the distance; its four wins being 800m, 900m and 1200m.

Four starts back it was beaten 1.8 lengths by Gasquet over 1100m on a heavy track at Canterbury before beating former Port Macquarie galloper Newborn over 900m at Newcastle.

Other chances include last start Port winner Ripthis, trained at Port by Jenny Graham, the resuming Clan McClymont, trained at Taree by Ross Stitt and Gosford 4yo mare Zamalek Star, trained by Tony Newing, which should be fitter at its second run from a spell after a 1.9 lengths 6th in the Night Moves race.

Stitt said Clan McClymont had come back big after a spell for injury but its form at the track reads well with nine of its 12 wins being there but none at the distance.

In other races, Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt could keep his good record this season going with a win by 3yo filly Al Nova in the Jim Beam Class 3 Handicap over 1260m.

The filly resumed at the Kempsey Cup meeting and was a good third to Rebel Dancer.

Part-owner Simon Thompson said the run was good and she has improved since. His father, Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson, takes the mount and could make it three wins from nine starts on her. The filly looked like going places in notching two wins at her first two starts for the jockey and apart from a seventh, has been no further back than fifth in all her starts.

Godbolt feels Shamekha’s Choice, a last start winner at Port, has a big jump in class in the Saxby’s Ginger Beer Class 2 Plate over 1007m but was extremely impressive first-up.

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Local trainer Ross Stitt has two strong chances in Jaal Spirit and Just as Dapper in the Inglis Classic Sale Benchmark 60 Handicap over 2018m at Taree on Monday.

Jaal Spirit has been the find of this season and was aiming for four wins straight before a little bad luck and finding a stronger field last start at Newcastle.

“He got held up at a vital stage and being a one-batter he was unable to muster speed again and they were too good for him (8th),” said Stitt. “He looks a treat and will race well,” he said confidently.

Whereas Just as Dapper gets its chance after a drop in weight but unlike its stablemate which can take a position, the gelding needs luck as it gets back: “He just can’t carry big weights and gets his chance here.”

Interesting runner is 4yo mare Passo Corto, trained at Scone by Paul Messara, which has won three races and placed five times in only nine starts and is obviously promising. Its wins started in its last four starts at Muswellbrook, Tamworth and Newcastle, all races increasing in distance to 1850m and this will be her first start beyond that.

DOUG'S SELECTIONS

RACE 1: Leggera 1, Southern Starlet 2, Arbitrary 3.

RACE 2: Chew the Fat 1, Villamill 2, Shamekha’s Choice 3.

RACE 3: Sugared Almond 1, Grey Emperor 2, Bendita Sea.

RACE 4: Star Thriller 1, Can She Wait 2, Lunaverse 3.

RACE 5: Al Be Swift 1, Melburg 2, Zamaleta Star 3.

RACE 6: Jaal Spirit 1, Passo Corto 2, Just as Dapper 3.

RACE 7: Al Nova 1, Amazing Albert 2, Falvelon’s Angel 3.

RACE 8: Bermuda Blu 1, Cyrano 2, Jest Mambo 3.