3 minute read

Racing in the West heads to Albany on Saturday with seven chances to find a winner.

You can catch all the racing and analysis from Albany live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA. 

Race 1:  ALBANY STOCKFEEDS MAIDEN (1,100m)

G'DAY BLOKE (1) has improved since joining the local Rebecca Bayliss stable and hit the line strongly here 6 days ago over 1000m. The extra 100m is ideal and his first win is not far away. LE BEAU (2) has not had much luck in both of his starts this season. He has the winkers on for the first time and is open to improvement. Each way value in this lineup. LENDANEAR (5) has had plenty of trial experience and has picked a nice race to make his debut. A good draw will help and he is sure to have his admirers. Use the markets as a guide. BIGGA BOY (3) has yet to show anything but such is the field that he could run into a top 4 spot with some luck in the running.

Race 2:  AIDINVILLE PREMIUM GRAINS MAIDEN (1,600m)

OPTIMAL (1) changed stables last year and has been racing well in 4 starts after resuming from a long spell. He was less than a length from the winner here last time out and has the advantage of the pole position here. The extra 100m will suit him and he should pick up an overdue win at short notice. BRANDBERG (3) has been steadily improving with racing and has turned a corner with his form. He has a good draw and is a winning chance after his last start second-place finish here 16 days ago. Each-way. PUSH TO PLAY (5) just battled on debut at Pinjarra-Scarpside 16 days ago and will find this easier. He will naturally improve second up and can figure in the top 3 this time. MISSIJAY (9) ran the race of an improver at Bunbury last time out when finishing fourth over 1400m. The extra furlong is ideal, and she is ready to put her best hoof forward in this.

Race 3:  ODRISCOLL CHAFF HANDICAP (1,500m)

OUTSPOKEN LAD (1) has been very hard to catch and is usually running along in front which could work in his favour around this circuit. He has a good draw and if his mind is on the job, he will be hard to peg back. LITTLE SILVER (3) did not fire in a tougher field at Ascot 4 weeks ago and is much better placed in this on his home track. His fitness is still on the up and he is expected to be more competitive this time. Can win. ODINAKA (5) is a stablemate of the second pick who has been battling to find his best racing at Ascot. He can improve quickly on this track. Each-way value. AGENT JAY (4) turned his form around with a soft win at big odds here 16 days ago when scoring by well over a length. He has a better draw this time and can hold his form. Stick with him but don't expect another fancy price.

Race 4:  T&R HI-PERFORMANCE MUESLI HANDICAP (1,000m)

HIT THE JACKPOT (1) resumed with a soft all-the-way win here a month ago, scoring by a neck. He has been back to the trials since then and is facing a similar lineup here. He has a good draw and over 1000m, he will take some pegging back. SPEEDY NOVA (5) did win her only race here over this trip and has been thereabouts lately. She will be looking to settle just in behind the early speed and is worth including in all combinations. UNDERCOVER SNIPER (2) did not like the soft tracks at the end of his last campaign and resumes from a spell that would have done him the world of good. He was good enough to win on debut and with a couple of trials under his belt, he is poised to make a winning return. ELSA'S PRIDE (7) has the blinkers back on third up and is making her track debut. A good draw will help, and she is ready to put her best hoof forward.

Race 5:  WESTERN HAY HANDICAP (1,100m)

MOCHA DREAM (3) fought on gamely when finishing third here fresh up from a spell and then should have finished closer than fifth on this track 6 days ago after being held up in the home straight. He will be peaking third up and is likely to settle back from a wide gate. With a genuine tempo up front, he is good enough to have the last say. BLUE LINE (2) is a consistent local gelding who is very competitive at this level. He usually likes to run along in front and probably found 1240m a touch too far last time out. This is his pet trip and he has solid each-way claims. VONSNIP (1) has been freshened up since her last start at Ascot 6 weeks ago. She was only beaten by a nose here before that and back on this track, from a superior gate, she is capable of taking this out. EX SPORT GIRL (5) had her issues last year and will be hoping to get her career back on track this season. She is unbeaten in 3 starts on this track and usually comes to hand quickly. Don't risk her fresh up.

Race 6:  HYGAIN RELEASE HANDICAP (1,600m)

BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE (1) has a good record here on her home track and won her penultimate start by a nose before being beaten by a wide draw at Ascot 6 weeks ago over 1800m. She won't have any issue dropping back to a mile and is expected to be hard to hold out in this. MORE LIKELY (5) has been hitting the line strongly in his last 3 starts and is making his track debut after nearly 2 months off the scene. He should be suited by the mile and this company will also be to his liking. Stick with him on an each-way basis. MAGNABURMA (4) was not beaten far here 6 days ago after working hard in the running from a wide draw. He has not fared any better with his gate this time but only needs some luck to have some each-way claims. MAKIN PROPHETS (7) joined the local Alan Smith stable earlier in the season and broke through for his first win from that yard here 6 days ago. He has a superior gate this time and can go right on with the job now.

Race 7:  MCDOWELLS HERBAL HANDICAP (1,230)

GOLDEN DORE (1) is a promising gelding who was good enough to win his debut at Bunbury by a nose. He should have finished closer than fifth at Belmont nearly 2 months ago and his recent freshen-up would have done him no harm. He has the advantage of the pole position and with a recent trial placing under his belt, he will be among the hardest to beat in this. WEATHER QUEEN (8) did not beat much on debut at Narrogin 3 weeks ago but did so in style, scoring by over 3 lengths. She has the scope to kick on with it. Stick with her. WILEY GIRL (5) has been steadily improving for the Sam Faithful team since joining her yard at the start of the season. The blinkers are off for the first time and she is now ready to put her best hoof forward. Each-way value. BERRY BERRY GOOD (7) did not kick on as expected at Narrogin last start in a race that probably came too soon for him. He has 3 weeks between starts this time and a win would not shock. Don't risk him.