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By Neil Evans

An underrated Riverina mare can put the brakes on a rival's promising emergence when they clash in an intriguing battle at today's feature Albury meeting.

On a day when Victorian raiders have never had a stronger hand across the Riverina, it's a Wagga-based four-year-old who is set to steal the headlines from several well fancied visitors.

Divron ($15 on TAB) from the Gary Colvin stable at Wagga looms as one of the big value bets on the program, tackling the Under 30s Membership Available Class 1 over 1175m.

Wagga trainer Gary Colvin - has four runners at Albury today. Image by Bradley Photographers

Despite being a model of consistency over a long prep, including a Super Maiden win on Christmas Eve and two luckless second placings either side, Divron opened around a whopping $15 in early betting.

The daughter of Divine Prophet still only has one win from 10 starts, but has placed a further six times around the region.

Yet the market took an instant dislike to her, a long way back from promising filly and second favourite Luna Jet ($3) after an impressive debut win at Nowra on the last day of 2024.

Part of another healthy invasion south from both Goulburn and Canberra, Luna Jet will be aimed at some feature country carnival sprints next month and through March if she wins this.

The other big fancy is Victorian-based Hellberg ($2.80 favourite) who is reloading after a dominant maiden win at Corowa 24 days ago.

Meanwhile, progressive Canberra five-year-old Lord Finland ($5.50) is out to take the next step when he tackles a wide open Carlton Dry Mid BM58 Handicap over 1400m.

The tough son of Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard recaptured his best last start in a similar grade at Wagga leading comfortably all the way.

That was just his second run in the new prep since trainer Luke Pepper returned to Canberra after being based in the Upper Hunter.

Lord Finland is on the fourth line of betting behind an early three-way battle for favouritism with Victorian country mares Choice Witness ($3.50 fav), Maid In Dubai ($4.60) and the improving Urafiki ($5).

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Albury here