Wangaratta kicks us off for a new week of racing as The Wizard of Odds goes through his best bets.
We know the Wizard loves a maiden race and he has found few early on the card.
Wangaratta Race 2
#2 Noble Nightowl
Sticking with the fit horse here and siding with Noble Nightowl.
The three-year-old gelding from the Russell Osbourne stable has shown the best form of the raced horses so far and looks well adept at handling the wet track.
He looks to map in the lead here and Michael Poy should be able to the dictate the tempo out in front and boot clear on the bend.
His main danger will be the Patrick Payne runner, but our selection can pinch enough of a gap with his early speed.
Suggested Bet: Noble Nightowl $2.9
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 5
Wangaratta Race 3
#3 Dictated Democracy
Dictated Democracy has been given time to get to the races having had five jumpouts to get her ready for a debut.
Her most recent jumpout was over 990 metres on a heavy nine-track at Casterton where she was asked to do next to nothing.
She traveled strongly on the bridle after being restrained to find cover and looked to really enjoy her outing.
Seemed to handle the wet track with no issues and it was a typical Patrick Payne jump out before the races with plenty being saved in the locker for a big effort first-up.
Expect this three-year-old filly to kick up from the inside gate, get cover and then peel out to make her winning run.
Suggested Bet: Dictated Democracy each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place.
Wangaratta Race 4
#14 Winston Smurfhill
Winston Smurfhill looks ready to run a career peak rating when he pops up in this 1400-metre maiden event at his home track.
He debuted over 1100 metres in a hot race at Bendigo when running sixth behind Beldivian and then he returned to Wangaratta with a solid enough effort over 1400 metres.
He got slightly held up at the 150-metre mark of the race which did him no favours.
The step up in distance might have also just found him out from a fitness perspective, but this race looks to set up much better for him.
He has fitness on his side now which is going to be a big factor on the heavy track and local trainer Ben Brisbourne has applied the blinkers.
Expect a spike in performance here of about two to three lengths with the shades going on.
Suggested Bet: Winston Smurfhill win at $4.8
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 1, 6, 14
Wangaratta Race 7
#4 Fantasia's Choice
Fantasia’s Choice may only have one win in his 10 career races, but this is a golden opportunity to get that so far elusive second victory penciled into the form guide.
He brings a great base of fitness and form into this race that is going to ensure he is strong to the line in what will be a gruelling test of 2000 metres on a heavy track.
He clearly has a liking to the rain-effected turf having had one start on a heavy track for one win.
Draws a perfect barrier here to settle one pair back off the fence which will allow Lewis German to get into clear galloping room when required.
Looks one of the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Fantasia’s Choice win at $2.5
