2026 begins with the annual Longford Cup meeting on New Year’s Day, the only program at the track for the year.

The rail is always in true for this program, and the weather forecast looks ideal for a great day of racing.

Best bet

Race 7 – 2. Wineglass Bay

It’s not often you’d see horses with the credentials of Wineglass Bay and Distrustful Award in a Longford Cup, but it speaks to how keen the locals are to win this race. I’m siding with John Blacker and Wineglass Bay, who put the writing on the wall for this race with how strongly he finished the Sheffield Cup. Jabez Johnstone is a positive booking, clearly one of the best riders at the meeting.

Next best

Race 3 – 2. Rubble ‘N’ Fudd

Rubble ‘N’ Fudd hasn’t been the same horse this prep as he was earlier in his career, hence he finds himself in a lowly Longford BM68. His recent form around the likes of Sh’bourne Midnight and Skin in the Game reads very well for this. He’s one of a number of very good rides that Lauren Burke has on the day.

Best value

Race 1 – 3. Raging Waters

Only a five-horse field to start the day, but I think Raging Waters is decent overs. His form can be tied in directly with the favourite Lord Hear Us, and I don’t think their recent efforts have been much different, yet at the time of writing, one is $2.30 and the other $7. I have them much tighter in the market.

Selections

• Race 1: 3-1-4-5
• Race 2: 1-7-8-4
• Race 3: 2-6-3-5
• Race 4: 8-2-4-1
• Race 5: 5-2-7-4
• Race 6: 5-1-9-4
• Race 7: 2-1-3-4
• Race 8: 3-6-1-2

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