Riverine Herald editor and keen form student Gregor Mactaggart has got the magnifying glass out for this instalment of Mactaggart’s Mail looking at Sunday’s seven-race meeting at Echuca.
Gates open at 11.30am, with the first race at 1.10pm and the last at 4.45pm.
Free parking is available on site, with free shuttle buses picking up patrons from Moama Bowling Club, Border Inn, Star Hotel, American Hotel and Caledonian Hotel.
Race 1 - BOURKE BUILDERS MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): A typically tricky Echuca maiden to open the program with four debutants from astute stables. Just Rich Lika from the Gwenda Johnstone stable has impressed in a couple of jumpouts including a win at Bendigo on a Good 4 track on December 12. Back To Black trained by Danny O’Brien is coming off a third in a quiet Geelong jumpout on December 20. More Than A Hero is a Russian Revolution colt from the Moody-Coleman team who won a trial at Traralgon over 950m on December 14. Grouse Mountain is a filly from the Maher-Eustace stable who won an 800m jumpout at Ballarat on a Heavy 9 on December 11. Won’t get those conditions this time. Of the raced brigade, Fire Follower ran in the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude as a juvenile and rates well, but drawn the car park here. Amigo also resumes after competing in the Blue Diamond Prelude — he finished closer than Fire Follower and then ran second over 1300m to Snow Patrol, that run looks good for this assignment. Like Mutsuhito as a horse, but he’s up against a hot field here. Pinned my colours to the Moody-Coleman team. BET: Amigo (1u win), More Than A Hero (1u win).
Race 2 - THE BORDER INN MAIDEN PLATE (1600m): She Flys was a game second in defeat to Delta Sky at Geelong over 1521m. Is third-up today, surely the mile suits. Gets the Lindsay Park polish and Madison Lloyd has built up a terrific rapport with the stable. Liked the run of Whispering Pharoah on debut at Bendigo for the Hickmott stable and the step up in trip will suit. Should get a good run from the front. Goats On Oats comes through the same form line as She Flys and warrants respect. So Distinguished flopped at Kyneton on a Soft 6, but previous efforts on good-rated tracks read well. Well worth keeping him safe. BET: She Flys (1u win).
Race 3 - RICH RIVER PARTY HIRE MAIDEN PLATE (1300m): Another tough race to assess with up to seven debutants likely to start. Running through each of them. Jeffo won a 650m Cranbourne jump out on a heavy track before finishing second in a 950m Traralgon trial on December 14. Librarchy’s Dancer won a 400m Seymour jumpout on November 20 before finishing third in an 800m Bendigo jumpout on December 12. Haraldus ran third in an 1100m Werribee jumpout on a Heavy 8 surface on December 12. Sacramental has had four jumpouts, most recently for a third over 800m at Horsham on December 20. Hot Spring ran fourth in a 1000m Benalla trial on December 19. Stable’s recent record with newcomers at Echuca means I’m leaning its way. Offcast finished third in an 1100m Ballarat jumpout on December 11 (Heavy 9 track). Ala Moana won a 900m Geelong jumpout on December 20 on a Good 4 surface. None of the raced brigade have set the world on fire just yet. BET: Hot Spring (0.5u each-way).
Race 4 - MURPHY’S TURF AND LANDSCAPING RATING 58 HANDICAP (1300m): Belluna has her hoof on the till after a string of runner-up efforts at Seymour, Mornington and Hamilton. Been here twice previously and both unplaced, when third-last behind Birthday Suit and sixth, beaten 1.45 lengths by Swiftly Ned. Inclined to give her another chance. Verbosity doesn’t win out of turn, but liked the run at Horsham behind Masako and did push Burning The Clock to a length over this trip at Swan Hill in November. Mahjing has won two of his past three, having previously gone one win from 39 starts. Always runs well here. The Rhys Archard-trained Vandelle can improve here, especially on a good surface. Zadar Sunset’s best would put her in calculations. Oamanikka capable on his day. Chances don’t end there. BET: Belluna (1u win).
Race 5 - MOAMA BOWLING CLUB RATING 58 HANDICAP (1100m): On paper shapes as a very even race. Hellara made a good impression when winning at this trip in maiden grade at Bendigo. The Danny O’Brien-Liam Riordan combination is a quality one and she is a filly with good ability. Repeat effort of that last start run would win this, although it is not easy going from maiden to 58 grade. O’Reg has been racing well without winning, but has shown some quality at Echuca previously and does his best work on improving tracks. Defactor won on his only previous Echuca visit in 58 company back in May on a Good 4. Conditions suit. Gets Rose Hammond and tackles this race fresh. Think the grey will be in this for a long way. Swiftly Ned another who has won his only previous Echuca start, but has a wide draw here. Could prove the place to be at this time of the day. Guaranteed drawn to get a good run. Bromeo resumes and is handy. Kollantai brings form through Bairnsdale and Colac. Will pay to respect. BET: Hellara (1u win), Defactor (0.5u each-way).
Race 6 - PERRICOOTA STATION RATING 58 HANDICAP (1600m): Nijmegen drops back in class on his last start run at Seymour. Looks a handy each-way hope in what looks an even race. A Magic Gust has been placed all three previous runs here at Echuca in maiden grade. He broke through for a good win last start and there’s no reason why he can’t make it back-to-back. Spirit Angel was good at Geelong, this is no harder. Her best form has been on good tracks. Not A Brass Razoo is a former Tasmanian who ran well at Kyneton. Second Nature good at Benalla, this is no harder. BET: Spirit Angel (0.5u each-way), A Magic Gust (0.5u each-way).
Race 7 - BET365 RATING 58 HANDICAP (2100m): Written Advice did a terrific job to score at Wangaratta last time out at 2000m. This doesn’t look much harder, although this is her first visit to Echuca. Aquila Volare drops back in trip and class after back-to-back Moonee Valley appearances. With a bit of luck from the gate, his best is more than good enough. Tosen Glory whacked away at Benalla and stays under notice. Live Life Loud capable on her day and gets the benefit of Rose Hammond’s claim. Stately Star, Chestnut Thunder, Highland Harley and Wyatt Earp all genuine contenders. BET: Aquila Volare (0.5u each-way).