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Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Narrandera meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 - 12:10PM ELDERS COLEAMBALLY & NARRANDERA MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
10. La Valkyrie has had a few chances but she looks close to a win after a couple of placings at Albury and Wagga on heavy ground of late. If the breaks go her way she has an opportunity to break through.
Dangers: 4. Trade Statement was well supported first-up at Gundagai and wasn't disgraced finishing a close fourth. Will be fitter for that and no surprise to see sharp improvement. 11. Little Wand has been solid in two placings at Sapphire Coast in June on heavy tracks and she'd only have to hold form to be thereabouts again. 1. Raphael was a big drifter in betting at his first run for the new stable and didn't really cover himself in glory. Victorian form was okay and he could be an improver too.
How to play it: La Valkyrie E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 2 - 12:50PM AUSWALD & BROAD HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
1. Vallauris hasn't raced for a month and is untried at the trip but he's proven in the wet and rarely runs a bad race without good reason. Sure to run well and if he's strong at the journey he should be in the finish.
Dangers: 2. Nothing Compares has 4.5kg less than her stablemate and was city placed at 1900m two starts ago, failed in Melbourne last time but back in this company she's a major player. 6. Earl Of Kendal has performed well without winning on wet tracks across the border of late and backs up after being beaten as favourite at Wodonga. Worth including in the chances. 4. Mohahna kept coming when he scored a narrow win at Nowra over a mile two weeks ago. Has won up to 2000m and handled the heavy well last time. Has a case.
How to play it: Vallauris WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 - 1:30PM LEETON TOYOTA MAIDEN PLATE (1000 METRES)
9. Lipstick Swing only had her first trial a week ago and she looked to be doing it very easily as she won at Cowra in a 950m heat. Market a good guide but she looks a professional and looks a good chance.
Dangers: 10. Miss Manzanilla has also only trialled once and she wasn't asked for any effort in a close up fifth at Gundagai a couple of weeks ago. In good stable and should be kept safe. 16. Gallant Run was a beaten favourite at Gundagai last start after leading. Previous two efforts were sound enough so prepared to forgive that latest. Each-way claims. 13. Carnival Miss was a shade disappointing first-up from a spell at Wagga when in the market. That was her first heavy track attempt and her form last prep was honest so she's worth another look.
How to play it: Lipstick Swing WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 2:10PM NARRANDERA BAKERY & CLOSE PHARMACY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
11. Sestina is an honest mare who went back to the picnics to win before backing it up on a heavy track at Gundagai. Senior jockey takes over, she's always an each-way chance in this sort of race.
Dangers: 12. Mouse Almighty found herself on the wrong part of the track when finishing a close up fifth at Wagga two weeks ago. She's racing very well at the moment and is a good chance. 1. Logan River broke back into the winner's circle at Wagga a month ago over this trip at BM77 level. Right back in class hence the big weight, which has been offset by a 4kg claim. He can't be overlooked. 9. Underwood has been thereabouts of late without winning. Tried hard at Wagga last time, leading jockey takes over here and that keeps him in the picture.
How to play it: Sestina E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 2:50PM FARRELL GOODE & HUTCHINS BROS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
4. Boho Chick was a popular winner at Wagga two starts back then settled further back and ran on late up to this trip at Moruya. Lightly raced and in good form at present. Looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Opoho Dreaming has her first run for Donna Scott having placed at Geelong a couple of weeks ago. Victorian form is a bit patchy but worth keeping an eye on. 9. War Blues had support at odds when scoring at this track two starts ago then hit the line late at Wagga at 1300m on a heavy track. Hard to leave out while in good form. 7. Beau Belle has only won once in 12 starts but she was consistent last time in and will only improve with racing this prep. Kicking off at 1400m suits and she can show up.
How to play it: Boho Chick WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 - 3:30PM NARRANDERA JEWELLERS & PROCESS PRINTERS HCP (1400 METRES)
5. Jin Chi Phantom is consistent at the moment with three placings on end and is sure to give another big sight up on the speed. Reeled in late when runner-up at Nowra on a heavy track last time and has a chance again.
Dangers: 8. Bonvalante burst back to form with two big effort at Wagga recently including a dominant maiden win over this trip on a heavy track. Up in class but lightly raced and could easily go on with it. 2. Delivered is rarely too far away and boxed on well under a big weight at Wagga two weeks ago. Leading rider goes on this time and he's an each-way chance at least. 4. Submission was a drifter in betting but got the job done on a heavy track at Echuca. Has been pretty competitive on the whole and could be in the finish here too.
How to play it: Jin Chi Phantom WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 - 4:06PM LEETON TOYOTA NARRANDERA CUP (1600 METRES)
4. Roman is a very good wet tracker coming into this race after a strong win at Moruya over a similar trip a few weeks back. Ignore Highway failure prior. Still gets in well at the weights and he should be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 8. Power Me Up was outclassed in a Benchmark race in Sydney last time but strung three solid wins together prior to that. Drops 5.5kg on Wagga win two runs ago and he'll give a good account on the speed. 3. Necessary romped in at Albury in open company three starts back but failed in city company in subsequent attempts. Much better suited here and expect her to be competitive. 5. Toulon Brook found his best form to win fourth-up at Dubbo on a soft 7. If he can hold that form he's in the mix. 9. Boogie Woogie was safely held by Necessary a month ago but was in a blanket finish for second and third. Honest type who has claims.
How to play it: Roman WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 - 4:45PM CHARLES STURT HOTEL & BENDIGO BANK HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. Claptone couldn't have been more impressive at his first run for the new stable as he charged away at Albury on a heavy track on Tuesday. Had good form in the state's north and a repeat of that last effort would see him hard to beat.
Dangers: 7. Last War has only had the three starts and led all the way for a solid win at Wagga over this trip on a heavy track. Up in class of course but likely to lead again and could take running down. 10. Vinnie's Girl ran a nice third at Albury two starts back then tried hard on another heavy track at Gundagai. Hasn't done a lot wrong and is an each-way chance again. 5. Nic's Hero has struck winning form with successive Wagga victories since a spell. Just got there with 62kg last time so weight drop will be welcome. One of the chances.
How to play it: Claptone WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
