******AIRBORNE ALBURY PREVIEW******
with NEIL EVANS
Albury Racing Club
Monday Jun 29, 2026
TAB WINTER RACE DAY
*Home of the Best Border Battles
Fallon St, NORTH ALBURY, NSW
PH: (02) 6025 1333
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options & hospitality packages @
@AlburyRacing
+1st Race @ 12.40pm
+Track Heavy 9 & Rail out +6.5m from 1200m to 350m; Cut/Away applies & +3m the Remainder:
*RACE 1 @ 12.40pm SURDEX STEEL COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HCP (1175m) – Min Weight 55.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. LORD OF VALOR (Donna Scott/Blaike McDougall; 59kg & barrier 5) -we open with the maidens over the regular sprint trip on rain-affected ground; and rating on top is a lightly-raced & locally-trained 4YO by Epaulette. Didn’t fire from the back here, resuming over the flying 900m in heavy ground when well supported; although was slow to begin & the ride from an inside gate did him no favours at all. Be forgiving as he’s bred to handle these conditions; and can improve enough over a longer trip to take care of what is a very moderate lineup
MAIN DANGERS: 4. *In The Attic; 6. *Four Esses
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: LORD OF VALOR to WIN
*RACE 2 @ 1.15pm SOUTHERN ASSET SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) – Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. POSTWAR (Dan McCarthy/Mitchell Aitken; 59kg & barrier 6) -still with the maidens but coming back in distance at set weights; and in a testing race; very keen to unload on this lightly-raced & progressive Victorian 3YO by renowned wet track sire Extreme Choice. Came off a lengthy break to miss by under a length here in heavy going 13 days ago. Was backed from $5.00 into $4.20 that day in what is shaping as a handy formline. Fitter now; stays at the trip & can revel in the going settling on or near the speed
MAIN DANGERS: 2. **Inzain Baby; 6. *Et Zou;
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: POSTWAR to WIN; Quinella: 2 and 3
*RACE 3 @ 1.50pm THE ESSENTIAL UTENSIL MAIDEN PLATE (1500m) – Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 10. ROYAL OVERTURE (Craig Weeding/Jake Duffy; 57kg & barrier 9) -staying with the maidens at set weights; but up to a middle distance; and there’s a real sense of timing about this lightly raced & improving 3YO Victorian filly by Royal Symphony who is primed to peak heading into her 4th start on a quick 8 day turnaround. Made up late ground in a handy maiden at Swan Hill 2 starts back before running home okay to be beaten under 2 lengths at Wagga on a very heavy surface. Less depth here; and the extra 100m is a big plus with a stronger jockey taking over
MAIN DANGERS: 1. **Chief Of War; 2. *Clinch The Deal; 4. *Etched In Blue; 8. *Broken Image; 11. *Tristania
Likely Tempo: Fair to Solid
My BET PLAN: ROYAL OVERTURE to WIN & First Four: 1,10/1,2,4,8,10,11/1,2,4,8,10,11/1,2,4,8,10,11
*RACE 4 @ 2.25pm BORDER BANDAG BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m) – Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 9. SWINGING HIGH (Michael Travers/Damon Budler; 58kg & barrier 6) -up a shade in trip now for the restricted milers; and in a very open race; like this tough & still improving 5YO mare by Trapeze Artist who can finally land a 4th career win deep into the campaign; importantly with blinkers back on. Did her best work late in a handy fillies and mares race at Dubbo 2 starts ago; before running home well into a place here 13 days ago. Relishes wet tracks; stronger jockey takes over; and she’s on a fitness peak settling well off speed & getting to the outside over the final 400m
MAIN DANGERS: 1. *Forte Cheval; 2. *Spietata; 8. *Regal Reggie; 10. **Sundrop; 12. **Strategic Defense; 13. *Just Like Liam
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: SWINGING HIGH Each Way & First Four: 9,10,12/1,2,8,9,10,12,13/1,2,8,9,10,12,13/1,2,8,9,10,12,13
*RACE 5 @ 3.05pm HUTCHINSON CIVIL BENCHMARK 82 HCP (1400m) – Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. ACHESON (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden/Ms Jessica Brooks a2kg; 55.5kg & barrier 6) -back a furlong in trip here; but right up to a very competitive level;; and in another battle with many chances; confident this ultra honest Canberra-based 5YO by Churchill can run a mighty race at good odds. Swept home to win 2 straight up to open class back early autumn before running home only fairly in the Orange Cup at BM 76 level. Given a break; she did her best work late from well back 1st-up in a strong BM 74 on the South Coast carrying a big weight. Drops a hefty 6.5kg after the claim for this tougher test; and she thrives on wet tracks coming from off the speed
MAIN DANGERS: 1. **Blazing Sword; 4. *Dupli Kate; 8. *Future Fund; 9. **Mathrin
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: ACHESON to WIN & Trifecta: 1,7,9/1,4,7,8,9/1,4,7,8,9
*RACE 6 @ 3.40pm 2AY 1494 COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1175m) – Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. MADE EASY (Gary Colvin/Ms Holly Durnan a0kg; 62.5kg & barrier 2) -well back in grade now for a competitive sprint battle; and keen to launch into this lightly raced & emerging 4YO by wet track sire Press Statement; returning for his first run since early last December. Dominated from the front on debut at Wagga last spring before being stiff not to win a CL1. Then missed narrowly from the front in a deeper CL1 over 1400m at this track 3 weeks between runs before spelling. Fitted with a heavy track trial over 1000m, he comes to hand sharply & naturally bred to thrive in such conditions
MAIN DANGERS: 1. **Bessie La Belle; 3. *A Book Of Days; 4. **Brutal Force; 8. *Wolf Island; 9. *Alabama Hussy
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: MADE EASY Each Way & First Four: 1,2,4/1,2,3,4,8,9/1,2,3,4,8,9/1,2,3,4,8,9
*RACE 7 @ 4.15pm STUART GORDON LANDSCAPING BENCHMARK 58 HCP (900m) – Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 6. BRIAL ROSE (Ron Stubbs/Dale Cole a2kg; 59.5kg & barrier 4) -we close an open program back over the short course; and rating on top is this sparingly-raced 5YO home track mare who can go back-to-back 3rd-up & back 100m in trip; taking her winning strike rate to 25 percent. Didn’t fire in deeper races last spring before being given a lengthy break. Then came off a trial win to lead in a BM 66 at Wagga; boxing on okay before fading late. Came back to this grade here over 1000m; jumped to the front and gave nothing else a chance 13 days ago. All 3 of her career wins have come in heavy going; and now that she’s back to winning ways; can go right on with the job with a much stronger jockey back on board
MAIN DANGERS: 1. *Sheila; 2. *Induction; 8. *Abstruce
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: BRIAL ROSE to WIN
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R2 3. POSTWAR**
R7 6. BRIAL ROSE**
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R5 7. ACHESON**
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R3 First Four: 1,10/1,2,4,8,10,11/1,2,4,8,10,11/1,2,4,8,10,11
R5 Trifecta: 1,7,9/1,4,7,8,9/1,4,7,8,9
R6 First Four: 1,2,4/1,2,3,4,8,9/1,2,3,4,8,9/1,2,3,4,8,9
GOOD LUCK
@NeilEvansmail
Next Meeting:
Monday Jul 27; 2026
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