3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Wyong meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

2. The Poacher gave a good sight on debut at Kensington, leading until the closing stages and held a good margin on the third placed horse. Fitter for that and should hold the lead from the inside alley. Take catching.

Dangers: 3. Hold On Honey also found one better on debut and he too had a nice gap to third behind him. Bumped into a smart one at Hawkesbury in that race so no disgrace but also wasn't fancied in betting. Good chance. 5. Podium was scratched from Kensington on Wednesday to run here and finds James McDonald. Trials have been okay without screaming 'back me' and betting will be a good pointer. 4. Ka Bling debuted in the same race as Hold On Honey and finished in third place. Had some support there so worth including from a more favourable draw.

How to play it: The Poacher WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Bella Rouge has been right in the market at both starts and she definitely wasn't disgraced first-up at Hawkesbury closing off when the race was all over at 1100m. Runs here in preference to Kensington Wednesday which is a good pointer. Go well.

Dangers: 6. Mystic Mermaid showed nice improvement into her second trial where she finished well to win at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. If she's solid in betting expect her to run well. 1. Poignant was beaten at $1.45 before a spell at Newcastle but her two trials this time in have been impressive, particularly the latest. If she brings her trial form to the races she will be hard to beat. 2. Riduna drew the outside when resuming and wasn't disgraced in running third at Hawkesbury in the same race as Bella Rouge. Drawn out again but smaller field suits and fitter. Capable of showing up.

How to play it: Bella Rouge WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Garmish showed some promise in his first two starts on heavy tracks in the winter and has found a winnable race to resume in. Not extended following them home in his only public trial recently, drawn well and has every chance.

Dangers: 9. Myeyesadoreyou was a drifter in betting on debut and endured a tough run but kept coming into a close fourth at Newcastle. Has the inside alley this time and bears close watching, particularly if there's support. 3. Danzette wasn't beaten far last start at Newcastle behind Yearning but on her close second at the same track prior to that would be a major player in this field. 4. Our Lancette comes through the same race and she made ground without threatening into fourth. Close to peak now and is one of the chances.

How to play it: Garmish WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

7. The Denzel is going to start the sort of price reserved for the likes of Winx in this maiden and does look the winner. Beaten half a length or less in his three runs back from spell including the latest over this course last week.

Dangers: 1. Almost Reset is yet to place in nine starts but showed something last time at Taree running on from the back into a midfield finish on a heavy 10. Could fill a place with a soft run from the inside. 3. Blackall seemed to have his chance at Kembla second-up but just battled late. Had some support there and this is definitely easier. Capable of featuring in the placings. 4. Company Line hasn't done a lot lately but his career best effort was at this track first-up this preparation. Draws soft and has minor claims.

How to play it: Trifecta 7/1,3,4,5,8/1,3,4,5,8; Odds & Evens: ODDS.

4. New World Tapestry hasn't fired yet in two Australian starts but plummets in class and will get his chance to show up. Has drawn wide in both local runs at BM78 level and if he can find his best form can be in the finish. Each-way.

Dangers: 7. Silhouette is up in distance now after three runs back for two placings, while she had her chance at Newcastle last start she's ready for the trip and comes back in class. Hard to beat. 5. Zudin has been around the mark of late and tried hard over this trip at Gosford last time, a month ago. Will need some early luck from the barrier and if he gets it he's a contender. 1. Believe So is on the way up and while his Nowra maiden win was a narrow one it was expected and he can only be better for it. Worth including in the chances.

How to play it: New World Tapestry E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: S

1. Tinka's Lad gets the blinkers on first time after a fair effort at Goulburn a few weeks ago and can improve sharply back onto his home track. Should hold a forward spot from the inside alley and this race is within his reach without being super confident.

Dangers: 6. Lucky To Win broke his maiden status at this track and distance in June and will be fitter for a first-up run under 62kg at Nowra where he couldn't get near the early speed. Fitter for that and should be competitive. 2. Camp Rifle was placed in a BM62 at Eagle Farm before winning the Bowraville Cup. Consistent type, drawn well and this isn't a lot harder so has to be considered. 3. Writing Unexpected hasn't raced since May and his best is over a little more ground but is capable of showing up at this trip when fresh. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Tinka's Lad WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

10. Marshall Dillon did have his chance in front when resuming at Hawkesbury as favourite but perhaps his condition gave out. From a soft draw in a race with a bit of speed he should be able to tuck in behind and have last shot. Go well.

Dangers: 3. Russbuss was outclassed in stakes company before a spell but form before that was largely strong. Kept running when winning a Warwick Farm trial by a big space earlier this month and should give a good sight fresh. 4. Longbottom was narrowly beaten here second-up at 1000m then never in it when midfield at Kensington. Has a wide gate but a solid tempo would give her every chance to run on. 9. Little Steiny has found form this time in with wins at Muswellbrook and Gosford, the latest five weeks ago. Likes the sting out of the ground and if he can find a spot on pace he could give cheek at odds. Read trainer Louise Munce's comments here.

How to play it: Marshall Dillon E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

2. Jesse James comes off a maiden win Goulburn a few weeks ago but he's always shown talent and that runaway win is a sign he's on the up this prep. Will roll forward from the gate and should take some beating with even luck.

Dangers: 5. Dom Tycoon is racing well and handles all conditions. Just got there to score at Kembla two weeks ago. Stays in the same grade so rises 2kg but he looks a danger. 8. Miss Scalini is on the up this time in and sat handy before surging away late to win at Port Macquarie third-up. Again draws well and capable of handling the step to provincial level. 9. Sian led them up and disappointed at Taree on a heavy 10 and might be worth overlooking that effort. Consistent before that, will be in the first few in running and has each-way hopes.

How to play it: Jesse James WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.