Goulburn Racing Preview: Expert Analysis and Wild Card Showdown
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass delivers his comprehensive race-by-race assessment and top selections for Goulburn's Sunday meeting on March 22, 2026. The highlight of the program is undoubtedly the Southern Country Championships Wild Card, where several contenders are making their final bid for a spot in the prestigious $1 million final at Royal Randwick.
The Wild Card Contenders: Urafiki's Challenge and Xcessive Force's Home Advantage
Has there ever been a $151 shot in a Country Championships race with more X-Factor than Southern Wild Card hopeful Urafiki? The Danielle Seib-trained chestnut is a genuine Legend Of The South, having won the race of the same name in impressive fashion. This daughter of Written Tycoon has secured five victories from fifteen starts, including a notable TAB Highway win at Rosehill on Canonbury and Widden Stakes Day last year.
However, Urafiki's career has been consistently hampered by poor barrier draws. A review of her recent starting positions reveals a troubling pattern: 9 of 9, 10 of 11, 7 of 8, 8 of 9, 8 of 10, 11 of 12, 13 of 15, 14 of 14, 10 of 12, 10 of 10, and 12 of 16 at her last start in the SERA Qualifying Heat. Unfortunately, this bad luck has followed her from Bega to Goulburn, where she has drawn barrier 16 for the crucial Southern Wild Card over 1400 meters, with Shaun Guymer booked to ride.
"We saw at Moruya what she did against stablemate Associate in the Legend Of The South," trainer Danielle Seib explained. "She broke the course record, storming down the outside from back in the field, so she is a very classy mare when she puts her best foot forward. Track condition is the biggest thing with her. She needs to be on top of the ground. We have tried her a few times on rain-affected surfaces, and she just doesn't like that ground at all, so I am praying that it holds dry at Goulburn and we can get her back on top of the deck."
Seib described Urafiki as "a bit of an unusual mare" who can bounce back strongly after disappointing runs. The trainer remains optimistic about her chances if conditions suit, noting her good work at home and competitive potential in the Wild Card.
Urafiki was originally Lot 533 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where she fetched $270,000. She is the first foal of Foxy Housewife, who won seven races including the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong and placed second in the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich.
Seib also saddles a second, more fancied runner in Xcessive Force, currently priced at $9. This daughter of Doncaster Handicap winner Brutal has also received an undesirable draw but brings the advantage of being undefeated at Goulburn.
"She's undefeated at Goulburn, and that's a tick in her box, that's for sure," Seib emphasized. "We can see from the market that people are quick to dismiss, but to be only beaten five lengths at the Sapphire Coast in the Qualifier, given the run that she had, I thought it was a very, very good effort. I think she can bounce back and be right up there on Sunday."
Shayne O'Cass' Top Selections for Goulburn
BEST BET
Race 2 No. 7: ASTOUND BEAUTY
Has shown clear improvement in and after her two career starts. Shapes particularly well at the 1500-meter distance.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 4: SAMURAI
Defeated a handy horse and a deep field at Canberra last start. Enjoys the advantage of racing at her home track.
VALUE
Race 3 No. 9: LET'S BE HONEST
A very well-bred filly who was outstanding without winning during her first preparation. Shows significant promise.
QUADDIE
Race 6: 3, 7, 9
Race 7: 1, 4, 6, 10
Race 8: 7, 8, 9, 10
Race 9: 9, 12
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Alysha Collett is expected to have her share of admirers in the Jockeys Challenge and could be a strong betting proposition.
Inside Mail: Race-by-Race Analysis
RACE 1: Icu Security Cameras Country Boosted Showcase Maiden Handicap 1100m
MILLIE'S MEMORY (8) is a half-sister to Cavalier Charles and closely related to Happy Clapper and Thankgodyou'rehere. She races in the same colors as that notable trio and ran second to subsequent Highway winner Brave Xena between two less impressive performances. Take on trust. THE GLEN (4), a full sister to Ticklebellly, is not in the same class but could run well at her home track. STERN REMINDER (1) brings the best overall form into the race.
Bet: Millie's Memory each-way
RACE 2: Kirks Bridge Farm Showcase Maiden Plate 1500m
ASTOUND BEAUTY (7) ran to her $10 out to $21 fluctuations on debut when eighth in a 1300-meter Canberra Maiden. She then ran to her specking of $18 into $13 at her follow-up start at Goulburn, where she was beaten six lengths into second, but the winner Buckeye had placed twice in town. She wants 1500 meters significantly. Similar comments apply to ANGEL CITY (6), who has placed at four of her six starts, including one at this exact track and distance.
Bet: Astound Beauty to win, quinella 6, 7
RACE 3: Jcf Contracting Super Maiden Showcase Handicap 1300m
LET'S BE HONEST (9) is trained by John Thompson, who also housed her dam Honesta, whose showreel includes seconds in a Flight, Tea Rose, Ethereal, and VRC Oaks. By Brutal, 1600 meters and beyond is her ideal distance, but 1300 meters fresh is easily within her capabilities. BAQUEIRA (8) sent out positive signals with a closing third in an 1150-meter maiden at Beaumont on February 16. This longer trip and track should suit her better.
Bet: Let's Be Honest to win, exacta 9, 8, trifecta 2, 6, 8, 9
RACE 4: Southern Highlands Equine Centre Showcase Class 1 Handicap 1300m
HAZEL JEAN (5) races in the same colors as her father, Castelvecchio. She has one win from fourteen starts and five placings, but it's important to note she has often competed in strong races and has been giving away decent starts while consistently finding the line with purpose. OMNIC (1) appears to have more talent than his record of one win from fifteen starts suggests, having finished second five times.
Bet: Hazel Jean to win, quinella 1,5
RACE 5: Goulburn Produce Showcase Fred Cooper Cup Benchmark 74 Handicap 1600m
SAMURAI (4) put his rivals to the sword when winning a mile Benchmark 75 at Canberra on March 8. He didn't win by a large margin but defeated some handy horses on the day. He has previously placed at Canterbury and finished fourth of fifteen at Flemington behind Navy King. ROCCO LINI (5) has won three of his last six starts and four from eleven overall, making him both consistent and in-form. Jake Hull's grey gelding SIX FOOT SONG (3) was unmissable when rushing up the fence second-up.
Bet: Samurai each-way
RACE 6: Abernethy Gore Solicitors Showcase Benchmark 58 Handicap 1100m
MOLTEUNO (9) is a blueblood of considerable proportions; her dam was Group-placed five times, and her grand-dam is Dizelle, the AJC Oaks winner and mother of VRC Oaks winner Pinot. This Tash Burleigh-trained mare has done more good than bad in her six starts. Her current personal best is an easy, on-pace win here at home last preparation. RIPANNA (7) is third-up off a second-up third placing here, with Keagan Latham retaining the ride. ABSTRUSE (3) defeated her by a length when they met at Bega.
Bet: Molteuno each-way
RACE 7: D One Accounting Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap 1300m
TJAKA (10) is a mercurial horse. Just when you think he's a good thing, something happens—sometimes of his own doing, sometimes not. Sure, he's back from 2140 meters to 1300 meters today, but he's at home (despite a record of four starts for zero wins here) and undoubtedly fresh. Stablemate ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (1) was runner-up in the SERA Heat in 2024. BRUTAL EYES (4) is as consistent as they come, noting he was beaten by Washington last start at Corowa.
Bet: Tjaka each-way, Daily Double 1st Leg 10, 2nd Leg 9
RACE 8: Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card 1400m
AUTUMN BREAK (9) won his first three starts and holds massive excuses for losing the next two. Those losses were a third in a Highway (where he was held up) and a third in the SDRA Heat (where he hit his head before jumping and raced wide throughout). If he makes the Final, he might win it. BENGAL (10) has the form profile of a worthy winner. Doubt there is a horse with a bigger finish than the $151 shot URAFIKI (8).
Bet: Autumn Break to win, Urafiki to place, trifecta 7, 8, 9, 10 (boxed)
RACE 9: Goulburn Soldiers Club Showcase Benchmark 66 Handicap 1400m
WILD SENSATION (9) will, if it hasn't happened already, seal the deal for Alysha Collett to win the Jockeys Challenge. She's probably the best bet of the day, provided all her eight rides show up. As for Wild Sensation, she ran on very well at Beaumont—a track notoriously unfriendly to backmarkers. She is expected to race much handier here.
Bet: Wild Sensation to win, Alysha Collett to win Jockeys Challenge
