Canberra galloper Il Bandito heads to Goulburn on Monday hoping to carry off more loot after a scintillating seven and a quarter length win on debut at Wagga on guineas day.
Trained by Matthew Dale, Il Bandito did what few do by winning on debut and looking a cut above his rivals. Dale is excited about the potential of the gelding after his track torching maiden win.
“We are quietly confident and have drawn a barrier to suit after winning impressively at Wagga recently. This looks a nice race to progress to,” Dale said.
Il Bandito takes a step up in grade to class one level, however, he may not have it all his own way with five other last start winners also accepted in the race.
On a strong card of May Monday racing at Goulburn, home trainers also hold a strong hand with a number of in-form gallopers keen to defend their home patch.
In the Divalls Earthmoving Benchmark 55 Handicap the strong Danny Williams team saddles up the improving Volpe. The seven-start galloper scored a strong maiden win last start and the stable is confident he is suited stepping up in distance.
“Most undoubtedly! We are extremely happy with the horse and the mile races appears to be ideally suited to this horse,” Williams said.
The Williams camp will also launch promising filly Mackellar into a long awaited second campaign after a lengthy lay-off following a debut win back in February last year.
“We have always had high hopes for this filly. She hasn’t raced for 16 months after having a throat operation. She is in good condition now and we are pleased to have her back in training. She is a filly with a lot of upside.”
Former jockey turned trainer Tash Burleigh is quietly confident she can also keep the prizemoney local in the Carpet Court Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1200m with her gelding Hectic. The galloper is having a consistent campaign with a win and two top four results in the Southern Districts since resuming.
“He’s been up and racing for us since January and we are feeling positive about the horse’s preparation so far,” Ms Burleigh said. “He certainly has trained on well since his last run and we are excited about the rest of his campaign.”
Former Guy Walter foreman John Bateman will be hoping to go one better and find the blue ribbon stall with Common Purpose in the Jewel Builders 3yo Maiden Handicap. The son of I Am Invincible has been runner-up in both starts to date on his home track and the gelding strips fitter after chasing gamely over a shorter trip at the last Goulburn meeting.
Despite predicted rain for NSW in the next few days, Goulburn Secretary-Manager, Robyn Fife, said the latest forecast indicates more favourable conditions on the tablelands for Sunday and Monday.
“With drier conditions expected for Sunday and Monday we are confident of providing a racing surface that should give all horses their chance come raceday,” Ms Fife said. “We welcome owners and trainers to join us for some great hospitality, a warm fire and some very competitive May Monday racing.”
The first of eight races at Goulburn on Monday commences at 11.35am.
– Racing NSW
