3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Tuesday’s Goulburn meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.

2. Tavi L'Amour has been a little costly in her short career but though she was a beaten favourite first-up at Warwick Farm she chased hard and there was a big gap back to third. Fitter for it, heavy track should be no issue and this is a good chance for her to break through.

Dangers: 1. By Nine had good support last time at Hawkesbury and was only picked up late running second over 1500m. Appears not far off a win and should give a good sight here. 7. Blackall is a 15 start maiden now but he's rarely too far away and got within half a length when runner-up in a similar race at Kembla last week. If he gets the breaks there's no reason he couldn't go one better. 3. Pioneer Lass was back 100m in trip when closing off late in a 1400m maiden at Kembla third-up so getting back up in trip is likely to suit. Definite chance.

How to play it: Tavi L'Amour WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

1. Boomsong steps out of a maiden grade after an impressive all the way win first-up at Kembla a couple of weeks ago. Took control there when nobody wanted to lead and was never threatened. This isn't looking a whole lot harder so he's clearly the one to beat again.

Dangers: 7. Flower Moon led all the way in her maiden win here on a heavy track in August then spelled after failing in a Class 1. Not a bad trial behind Mallory recently and she's worth keeping safe. 6. Sir Artie sat back and finished off strongly to score on a soft 7 at Newcastle second-up from a spell. Takes on the older horses again here and is in the mix. 3. Elleves has the blinkers on first time after an ordinary effort in a similar race two weeks ago. Needs to lift on that one but did run well previously so could be worth another chance.

How to play it: Boomsong WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

3. Ruban Bleu produced a handy performance at his first run for the new stable, hitting the line into third at Wagga from last on the turn. Has handled wet tracks for previous trainers and there appears to be good speed on here so he'll have his chance to run on again.

Dangers: 4. Espirito is showing promise with a couple of smart heavy track wins at Kembla in the past few weeks. Has led in both those wins, not sure if he leads here from the outside but otherwise hard to fault. 5. Don Luigi has been a little enigmatic but was able to hold them off for a popular win at Kembla last week over this course. Creeps up in class but sure to be competitive again. 1. Circularity ran well on a heavy track first-up then two solid wins at Canberra and Wagga on good ground. If he can transfer that form back to the heavy he's a good chance.

How to play it: Ruban Bleu E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

13. Pierossa was a real eye-catcher at her debut at Canterbury earlier this month. Took a while to wind up but once she did she charged late to just miss. Extra 100m and bigger track are pluses and if she can back that performance up she should go close.

Dangers: 4. Indifference showed a bit of a promise with an even effort on debut then spelled after failing at Warwick Farm with no explanation found for the run. Both recent trials have been handy and it wouldn't surprise if he improved sharply. 7. Sacred Alba has taken plenty of time to make it to the races and the latest trial was his best for a while. In good hands and drawn soft, if there's support it'd be worth noting. 1. Captain George has been just behind the placings in all three starts, loomed for a bit at Warwick Farm last time as though he might place before weakening late. Has another chance to feature here.

How to play it: Pierossa WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

7. Allasandra made a promising enough debut at Canterbury, she was outsprinted at the top of the straight but kept finding the line beaten three lengths. Should relish the extra ground and with natural improvement looks a good chance.

Dangers: 2. Manzoni may have had excuses after racing wide in a different race on the same meeting at Canterbury, finishing fourth. We'll find out as he's drawn nicely this time and likely gets every chance to break through. 3. Awesome John has been beaten around five lengths at both starts but they haven't been bad efforts as he's made ground, without threatening, both times. Might be wanting a shade further now but if Goulburn plays down the outside he could be suited. 6. Mount Brilliant led them up in the same race as Manzoni and just battled late when fifth. Fitter for it and he could give a sight.

How to play it: Allasandra WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

4. The Maxinator is doing everything right at the moment and backed up a closing third here on a heavy 10 with a gutsy win at Hawkesbury. Only tried this trip once and happy to forgive it in a much stronger race, draws nicely and is a good each-way chance at least.

Dangers: 14. Tenorino doesn't win out of turn but he's been competitive at his past couple of heavy ground at Kembla. Probably better suited back to 1400m here and while drawn wide he's an each-way player. 2. Sealion won on debut at big odds at Wyong before placing in Melbourne. That was back in the late winter, trialled a couple of times recently and kicking off at this trip might be significant. Check betting for confidence, keep safe. 9. Shotgun Alli improved third-up at Newcastle on a good track and gets the blinkers on for a return to heavy ground. She can handle it and if the shades add a length or so to her she could be right in the finish.

How to play it: The Maxinator E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.