Tips and race-by-race guide for Albury on Monday

1 month ago 25

By Neil Evans

January 18, 2026 — 6.00pm

Track good 4 and rail true.

Race 1

2. C’mon Wicksy is a lightly raced Canberra four-year-old resuming for a second prep. Showed enough in three runs through late winter when always well in the market before spelling. While he hasn’t officially trialled, he’s reportedly been working well for some time. Stable has a handy strike rate on the fresher side and further boosted with the early favourite being preferred at Sunday’s Cowra meeting. 1. Edika is a market watch resuming off a quiet Canberra trial for only his second start. 10. Sensesational Star is a former SA mare resuming from a lengthy break in her first outing for the new local yard. 3. Excel Moon is yet to run a place from four starts, but has blinkers on here and back on a bigger track is over the odds.
How to play it: C’mon Wicksy to win.

Race 2

6. Hells Spirit is an improving home tracker well placed at big odds deep into the current campaign. Finished just out of the placings here in consecutive maidens when ridden from both in front and off speed, both times forced to work early. Then did his best work late to beat all but the winner at Corowa. Overdue for that breakthrough win but is hard fit, drawn to get cover and will relish more ground on a bigger circuit. 5. Bravo Six is an emerging home tracker which ran home OK here on debut and will enjoy the extra furlong 26 days between runs. 2. All Too Swift crosses the border to make his debut in winkers from a soft draw. 8. Deflector has been mixing his form, but fit for this journey and gets a crucial gear change. 9. Doppio, bred to run this out strong, and at bigger odds 13. Miss Shiino, improving at her second start for the Hayes stable in Victoria, can both figure in the minor money.
How to play it: Hells Spirit each way.

Race 3

2. Flashy Icon is progressive enough and drops in grade and distance fifth-up three weeks between runs in what is a race of many chances. Has finished well all prep, including a game effort when beaten just over a length in a BM 65 over 2000m at Canberra. Ridden from further back against similar opposition in his latest outing and again hit the line to miss by a long neck. Hard fit and looks well treated at the weights after the jockey’s claim. 7. Star Bling is on an eight-day back-up after charging home to win third-up and can repeat the dose staying at the trip. 9. King Czar is also in the mix fourth-up from a low draw. 3. Wish You Were Here is an improving Canberra mare which got right under the market guard winning second-up at Moruya. 4. Freud will probably go right back again from a wide gate, but showed his finishing power roaring home to win a Class 1 17 days ago. 5. Tycoon Artie gets a cosy run on the map and is hard fit for the rise in distance, while 10. Lovehunter, deep into the prep, can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Flashy Icon to win.

Race 4

5. Wild Romeo is a three-year-old by Everest winner Yes Yes Yes on debut in winkers for a shrewd Canberra stable. Given plenty of time to develop last year via two sets of trials. Cruised home by nearly four lengths at Rosehill in mid-October before dropping out and given a quiet time in a subsequent hit-out. Been working strongly and drawn to get a handy run with cover. The one to beat. 2. Smart And Mighty has enough early speed to utilise the inside draw, and missed narrowly at his only previous run this track. 6. Gold Thunder is a Victorian mare drawn right off the track, but finds a maiden with less depth. 14. Sizzleist will also have to tuck in from a tricky barrier, but in good local hands, and was well backed when resuming. Gap to the rest.
How to play it:Wild Romeo to win

Race 5

2. Guru Two is a consistent galloper which makes the short trip over the border third-up. Placed in three consecutive outings this time last year up to deeper BM 64 level before being given a long break. Resumed when charging home to miss narrowly at Wagga before not being suited ridden closer at Wodonga and failed to attack the line. Much better placed here on the bigger track with a key gear change. New jockey booking is also significant and he’s drawn to find cover. 9. Coco De Luxe is the immediate threat and likely favourite after flashing home to win on debut at Echuca. 8. Wolf Island is an improver and over the odds resuming for a handy Canberra stable. 1. Razzo Rosso is a lightly raced Victorian drawn the fence first-up behind a handy trial.
How to play it: Guru Two to win.

Race 6

11. Moonlight Dream is trained on the course and can overcome a wide barrier fourth-up on an eight-day turnaround in another wide affair. Former Joe Pride-trained galloper which hit the line impressively first-up in a Class 1 here before again doing her best work late at Wagga. Signalled she’s ready to win by rushing home late to miss by a nose in a Class 1 at that same course and the extra 100m is a bonus. Just needs to tuck in from the gate and she can produce a superior closing burst. 3. Divazou draws wide,but is fit and has enough early speed to get across. 5. Kotaishi was beaten narrowly third-up in a Class 2 at Nowra. 15. Under The Hat is an under-rated mare and well over the mark having not been beaten far in her last three.
How to play it: Moonlight Dream to win.

Race 7

8. Bridie’s Luck is a sparingly raced local mare which is ready to win again deep into the prep. Stuck on well when chasing in a deeper race here before again finishing only two lengths from the winner at Corowa. Has enough tactical speed and is well treated at the weights after the jockey’s 3kg claim. 13. Shelly’s Legacy is hard fit and a big threat after working home late behind the placegetters at Wangaratta. 5. Narcissist is trained on the course and drawn to get a soft run third-up. 3. Tadgh is lightly raced and resumes off a long break from a handy draw. 9. Lunar Mojo, resuming behind a soft trial, and 10. Acantilado, coming off a dominant maiden win over the border, head the rest.
How to play it: Bridie’s Luck to win.