Albany November 7th, 2010 Review

First meeting of the season was held in good weather, but the crowd looked down on opening meetings of previous seasons. The track was in excellent shape, but the big blight on the meeting was no Sky Racing vision, which affected punters Australia wide. Regardless of who's fault this was, it should never have been allowed to happen, and must not be allowed to happen again.

Race One: Shovely lead after 300m then was headed by Kirov Park at the 250m, but under strong riding regained the lead to win by a half length. Kirov Park peaked on her run 50m out and will improve further next start. Desert Oak was good at her debut to finish third after getting onto heels at the 300m when attempting to change direction to get a clear run. Metal Spider finished off well to run fourth, with favourite The Pupster looking in need of the run first up with a battling fifth.

Race Two: Apprentice Yannick Valenti rode the perfect race on Dambig, taking the sit on the leaders, gaining the split at the right time, to win by 3/4 length from favourite Holy Sandgroper and leader Winehorse in a good finish. Jolanta Sky had a good run in transit and battled on fairly to finish fourth. Holy sandgroper was not disgraced and is looking for more ground

Race Three: Heavily supported Aliento misssed the start, and then faced an uphill task, missing the money and running fifth. Pwakkers Back had the run of the race and sat off the pace before finishing strongly and held out Dan The Fox late who ran on well. The Tax Man was doing his best work at the finish and ran third.

Race Four: Alchemic remained unbeaten in three starts at Albany with a slashing all the way win. She opened the field up on the corner and was eased down to win by 2 1/4 lengths from Noble Steed who ran on well from near last and Height Of Heights who was third in front of favourite Dante's Oak who never looked a winning chance.

Race Five: Favourite backers finally found a winner when smart mare lady Lavenham blitzed the field to win eased down by 5 1/4 lengths with her head on her chest in a smart 1.10.62, over All The Gold and King's Tribute who ran a nice race first up. With the mare setting a solid clip the backmarkers such as Midnight Touch had no chance.

Race Six: In a tight finish Striking Viking with a 6kg pull in the weights narrowly got over the top of a gallant Wolfe Dreams (62.5kg) with Megablitz running on well to just get third ahead of Eternal Advice who finished on strongly as well. There was some good runs just behind the plagetters from horses reuming such as Goldtown and Don't Tell Toby.

Race Seven: Well backed Rayo Veloz got to the lead easily and sprinted away in the straight to win nicely over King Point who battled away and I'm Called Earl who came from last at the 700m. Succesful Spin ran a nice race first up and Song For Stellar finished on well after been shuffled back before the corner.

To follow: Winehorse, Holy Sandgroper, Deset Oak, Noble Steed, Lady Lavenham, Megablitz, Rayo Veloz