The Albury Cup each year brings a quality field and Friday’s edition is no exception where we see a strong sixteen horse field. Coliseo has opened as the favourite for the race at 44.20 although the best backed runner has been the David Hayes trained Auld Burns who would need to overcome barrier thirteen if he is to win the race. Rain has settled into Albury ahead of Albury Cup day so by race six there should be a good cut out of the ground.
1. NIBLICK – M A Cahill (7)
Western Australian galloper who made the trip to Eastern Australia and showed he is at his best here where he won the listed National Sprint at Canberra last start where he lead all the way and was tough enough to hold off the rest of the field. He goes up a bit in the weights here after that win but has shown to be decent on rain affected ground which we might see on Friday. Definitely one of the main chances in the race and has a class edge.
Odds: $5.50
2. COLISEO – J Penza (3)
Coliseo was very impressive last start in the Canberra Cup where he hit the line strongly to finish second behind Court Conenction. He only goes up a kilo and a half in the weights on Friday and with a large field it often allows for a strong gallop so he should have every chance although the Albury track can often prove to favour those on pace so depending on the earlier races in the day should determine whether he is a live winning chance or not.
Odds: $4.20
3. DOMESKY – (2)
Domesky hasn’t won a race since taking out the Ballarat Cup in 2011 and has been disappointing since. His last start at Flemington he got back in the small field and never fired a shot. In a strong race on Friday i think he would need to improve immensely to get into the placings.
Odds: $21.00
4. AULD BURNS – C Schofield (13)
Auld Burns has been the best backed runner in the race. He won a good race at Flemington last start where he hit the line strongly to win by half a length. Has won at the distance and looks one of the major dangers although he has shown not to be good on a slow or heavy track, and if the rain continues it may be that come race time. I think he is a danger but from barrier 13 and his running pattern im happy to risk him.
Odds: $4.40
5. NATCH CATCH – (15)
Natch Catch is coming out of the Canberra Cup where he finished mid field in the race. Has drawn barrier 15 but has the ability to go forward or come from behind depending how the race plays out. Currently a $17 chance in betting which i think is great value. If he can overcome the wide barrier i think he is right in this at odds.
Odds: $17.00
6. PECK – C Reith (11)
You can put a line through Peck’s last run at Warwick Farm on the bog track. The race before that he went well and only finished four lengths off them in a quality city race in which Havana Rey won and has franked the form since. He has drawn barrier eleven but will drift back in running. Again if the track is allowing horses to win from the back you must include him in your selections.
Odds: $6.00
7. CRIMSON LADY – J Lyon (14)
Crimson Lady is one of the more lightly raced runners heading into the race although she has been very disappointing this preparation. If she can find her best she is right in this but you will be taking a risk backing her in my opinion.
Odds: $17.00
8. ROCK ROBSTER – Nathan Berry (10)
Rock Robster is a very consistant runner who is never out of the money. He steps up a bit in class here and from barrier ten im happy to leave him out of my selections and i feel David Hayes’s other runner has a much better chance of winning on Friday.
Odds: $13.00
9. MICALONG – R Bensley (5)
Micalong ran in the Canberra Cup last start where he finished well back in the field and i dont think he will be able to turn it around on Friday. Happy to leave him out.
Odds: $31.00
10. REGULAR AUSSIE – (1)
Regular Aussie will be able to save some energy with the inside barrier but he is outclassed here and out of form. Cant have him.
Odds: $51.00
11. PRICE OF GLORY – (16)
Price Of Glory ran well in the Wangaratta Cup last start which was an easier task. Finds a harder field on Friday and from barrier sixteen its going to make it hard for him to win.
Odds: $19.00
12. MURDOCH’S JOY – J Kissick (9)
Murdoch’s Joy ran well in the Corowa Cup which is often a good form line for the Albury Cup. Has drawn a decent barrier and i feel is one of the better long shots in the race and could be a blow out chance in the race.
Odds: $31.00
13. FABRIANO – Jye Mc Neil (8)
Fabriano is very consistant without winning. Goes into the Albury Cup as a long shot and the thing that scares me is the fourteen starts over the distance for no wins. Happy to leave him out.
Odds: $31.00
14. UNIVERSAL PACK – B P Ward (12)
Universal Pack ran second in the Tumut Cup. If he couldn’t win that race he has no chance here.
Odds: $61.00
15. SKYSTREAMER – (6)
Skystreamer is out of form and has a terrible winning record. Will fight it out for last place.
Odds: $101.00
16. STUDIOUS – (4)
Studious doesn’t have a bad record at the distance and track. At $67 it looks overs but i doubt he can win.
Odds: $67.00
OVERVIEW.
The looks to only have a handful of winning chances this year. I’m going to go with a bit of value in the race in the way of Natch Catch who is currently a $17 chance, i think he has a very good chance here and have him rated pretty close to the favourites and at the odds looks a much better bet. Coliseo looks the horse to beat although often in the Albury Cup they dont make a lot of ground unless coming through the field which requires luck and may be a risk at the odds. Peck and Niblick are the other dangers in the race, they look to be the main chances in the race for me.