With so much chat around The Kosciuszko up Goulburn way this year you'd be right in saying there's a 'mountain of stuff' going on during the spring.
That 'stuff' could be any one of Goulburn's four spring race meetings with Goulburn Cup Day (Sunday 5th November) the highlight, supporting Equimillion competitors as they head towards the long weekend event, or thinking about booking buses to Everest Day to support Goulburn's strong The Kosciuszko representation!
Let's start with Friday's eight-race card. Conditions look ideal with a cool, sunny day expected and a track currently at a the Soft 5.
Lots of local representation early on the program via a couple of country boosted races. Stables like Danielle Seib, Burleigh and the in-form Pat Murphy camp can be kind to punters early doors.
Those settling in to tackle the quaddie will also need to come to terms with a real mash up of form lines. TAB Fixed Odds affirms that with value on offer across the last three legs.
Race 5 on Friday is the Goulburn Race Club Supports Equimillion Maiden Plate over 1500m and the tablelands club has really got behind the Equimillion concept.
Goulburn's CEO Robyn Fife has highlighted the club's tangible support to the Equimillion event and those participating.
"It's a well targeted event that's creating extensive interest. We are supporting two participants in Isabella Tyson and Michael Christie, two aspirants chosen from a competitive pool of eighteen applications," Robyn said.
"The club is contributing a total of $2200 ($1100 each) to Isabella and Michael's efforts and we wish them all the best in the multi-disciplined event being held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre on the October long weekend."
Ms. Fife also took the opportunity to wish the club's "Kossie contingent" well as they head to base camp this Saturday at Rosehill for a hit out ahead of their main summit (The Kosciuszko) in three weeks' time.
Cavalier Charles (Matt Dale $11 on TAB) takes saddlecloth one in the final leg of Saturday's Rosehill quaddie, The TAB We're On Benchmark 78 Hcp over 1100m.
"Everyone at the club is pumped for Matt as well as those locals who secured winning Kosciuszko tickets. We expect there'll be a strong contingent of supporters from Goulburn at Royal Randwick to cheer them on come Everest Day so we'd better start booking the buses!" Ms. Fife enthused.
Dale told Racing NSW this week he's looking for his Kosciuszko charge to attack the line this Saturday with the 1200m of The Kosciuszko in mind second-up.
"He'll need to be ridden for luck and it sets up nicely for three weeks later," Dale commented.
This Friday's catch cry could easily be the "winning form is good form".
Scott Collings, who prepares Kosciuszko aspirant Mogo Magic who has been scratched from Rosehill on Saturday, has a better than average chance of keeping the winning feeling going on Friday (stable has produced three winners from its last four runners) with three acceptors, two of them last start winners.
The progressive Shelly's Ace ($3.10 favourite) graduates to class one company after beating off seven challengers, a Heavy 9 track and a 'Force 9' headwind to break her maiden at the most recent Goulburn meeting. Hobbsy ($9) has won two of his past three including a bold front running effort on his home track last time out. He tackles a tricky class two to curtain call the program.
Both horses have the productive 'Collings plus Collett (Alysha) equals Cash' combination in play.
Master Joe (Nick Heywood, $2 fav) also resumes on Friday, the talented gelding's most recent breakout campaign netting two wins. The gelding will look to add to a hot first-up record over 1000m in Race 5.
Goulburn's other go to Kosciuszko guy Matt Dale packs light but serious on his home track with one runner, Bellman ($5) in the closer. The recent stable acquisition looks suited stepping up in trip after chasing the clock hard and late first-up at Wagga. Nick Heywood sticks solid.
Goulburn Good Oil
Race 1 - No.4 Chaotic Beauty $4.40
Race 2 - No.1 Sheetice $1.65 fav
Race 3 - No.2 Masters $6.50
Race 4 - No.7 Wild Calm $5.50 each way
Race 5 - No.2 Master Joe $2 fav
Race 6 - No.4 Deep Fury $5 fav
Race 7 - No.10 Capabelle $13 each-way
Race 8 - No. 1 Bellman $5
Race 1 at Goulburn on Friday is timed to go at 12.50pm with the track currently rated a Soft 5.
