3 minute read
Track likely Heavy 9 and rail True.
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m):
We start on a rain-hit and tricky track with an open maiden at set weights. Lightly raced six-year-old mare 9. Krissy Krystyna has been up for a while this prep, but hit the line hard in a handy maiden at Narromine. Draws the widest but superior rider takes over for this step up in distance, and has been placed in heavy ground.
Dangers: Improving four-year-old 4. High Handed has had a stable change since getting too far back and running on late at the Sunshine Coast six weeks back. Trialled okay since, and this is a significant drop in class. Also improving, 7. Winter Moon comes through some weaker formlines, but draws to get a soft run with a claim. Included in exotics 3. Camo's Dream third-up with gear changes; and 8. Candy Pants who finished hard from a mile back at Tamworth, and blinkers go on for her 29th start.
How to play it: Krissy Krystyna to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m):
Take two here, and it's very weak in depth. Progressive filly 12. Press Sydney missed narrowly in soft going at only her second start, and gets out to this journey at the right time. Bred to handle wet tracks.
Dangers: Honest mare 10. Neon Moon gets back out to her best distance second-up, and draws to get an economical run on speed. Improving mares 8. Confined Thoughts and 9. Merdeka; are best of the rest.
How to play it: Press Sydney to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (900m):
Back to the short course, and that augurs well for improving five-year-old 1. Cheval De Frise third-up. Led for a long way when heavily backed last start, and can roll forward effectively again over a shorter distance.
Dangers: Tamworth mare 4. Lipstick Lil did a terrific job to be beaten under a length first-up for 11 weeks in a better maiden after being posted wide. Likely to be ridden quieter from the very wide gate here, and rush home late. Improving mare 8. Serene Shadow stuck on okay after leading on debut; while 9. Spiritual Boom has been freshened up after failing first-up from a long break when heavily backed, and blinkers come off.
How to play it: Cheval De Frise each way. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 MAIDEN HCP (1100m):
Another big and very testing field. Keen on progressive mare 4. Vascotto who went forward and finished right behind a promising one first-up from a near seven month spell. Fitter here carrying 1kg less, and took on much smarter maiden company earlier in the year.
Dangers: Big watch on four-year-old Excelebration mare 3. Anthropica who debuts off a forward trial, with winkers on. Keep safe too ex-Victorian four-year-old 1. Quick Floss who resumes with blinkers applied. Watch the betting on 11. Lucky Crumpet who resumes off a handy trial, and bred to handle the conditions; and Stratum Star filly 10. Hammoon Money who debuts off two trials.
How to play it: Vascotto to win and quinella 3 and 4. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1100m):
The run of six-year-old 6. Niccolon third-up at Narromine when rock solid in the market was much better than it looked. He was stuck in the worst part of a deteriorating track, but still battled on okay. Better placed here over further, and has built a handy record on rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Tough nine-year-old 1. I Am Capitan has a poor strike rate, but he'll give a big sight here over this distance from the inside draw; while 8. Red Marauder won a weaker grade convincingly two starts back, and is down in weight.
How to play it: Niccolon to win and quinella 1 and 6. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1700m):
Under-rated four-year-old 2. Reach Beyond worked home nicely under the same hefty weight at Gunnedah after a strong closing effort in a much tougher Highway. Has a touch of class against this lot, and only needs to find cover from the outside barrier to be charging home. Bolted in last time out on a heavy track.
Dangers: Got plenty of time for tough mare 6. Cthonia who finished off okay in that same race as the top selection. Hard fit and drawn to get an ideal trail. Honest 1. Risk And Reward like many in the race is an outside hope drawn well after sticking on okay last time in a similar affair.
How to play it: Reach Beyond to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m):
Stack of chances in this one too headed by tough five-year-old 2. Deshawn who is shooting for three wins from his last four after finishing best in a similar race at Narromine. Drawn to find a nice position on or near the speed, but this is the most weight he's carried in a long time.
Dangers: Consistent 6. Jin Chi Phantom seems to always find one or two better, but draws the inside and has a handy wet track record. Included in exotics, big-finishing 5. Harley Fat Boy who drops in class, but will need some luck up in weight from a tough draw.
How to play it: Deshawn to win and box exacta 2,5,6. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 8 CLASS 3 HCP (900m):
Very testing closer over the short course, but 5. Expect A Hero comes off an easy win in weaker grade and gets in light after the claim. Wider barrier likely no disadvantage late in the meeting, and has a superior record on rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Capable mare 3. Denace returns off a quiet trial from the inside draw, with blinkers back on; while improving four-year-old 7. G'day Poopsie is on the next line.
How to play it: Expect A Hero to win. Odds and Evens: Odds
BEST BETS:
R5: 6 NICCOLON
R6 2. REACH BEYOND
BEST VALUE:
R7 2. DESHAWN
