3 minute read

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

Race 1 - 1:45PM STAINLESS FX MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

2. Discover showed a bit on debut before failing when in the market at his second start back in June. Returns with a nice quiet trial where he found the line well and kicking off at 1350m looks to suit. Likely looks to sweep home late and should run well.

Dangers: 6. Dunbelievin' returns as a gelding after three starts in the winter where he was okay without figuring in the placings. Latest trial was over 1200m and he was hard at it getting into second so that's a little query but he'll have his chance from an inside gate here to fire. 4. Preordain was a drifter in betting on debut but responded well to run third at Gosford on a heavy track. Like to see him on top of the ground and bred to appreciate the extra distance. 12. Spiacente worked to the line okay in a much improved second outing at Canberra a few weeks ago. Should also like the extra ground and drawn well so keep in mind.

How to play it: Discover WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 2 - 2:20PM PRIDE EXCAVATIONS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2100 METRES)

1. Scarlet Prince has a big chance to post an overdue win if he can handle the step up in trip on his game second-up second at Kensington. He sat handy there and was outsprinted when the winner took off early but he was pulling plenty of ground late to just miss. Up in weight but huge class drop and should go close.

Dangers: 4. Youthfull shapes as the big danger after having no luck at all when sixth at Hawkesbury third-up over 2000m. Was a well supported favourite there and it's one of those cases where it's impossible to know whether she would have won but she certainly would have finished much closer. Logical threat. 2. Aunt Roberta gets the blinkers on and will be fitter for a fading first-up fourth after leading at Hawkesbury. Drifter in the betting there so should take improvement and is proven over this course and distance. 7. Supertrail is lightly raced and seemed to have his chance in front at Newcastle last time when run down. Back 200m is handy and if he gets the right run can feature.

How to play it: Scarlet Prince WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 3 - 2:55PM GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 3-16 JAN BM64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

7. Silent Russian looks set to run a big race second-up after a pleasing return at Newcastle. Was no match for the winner there but chased hard and was getting away from the rest on the line. Step up to a mile suits, fitter and he's hard to beat.

Dangers: 6. Mistress also resumed at Newcastle and she wasn't disgraced running into third from the back of a six horse field over 1500m. Drops 2kg on that and is a likely improver. 2. Ritzytwenties was a popular winner at Goulburn before heading into the Bong Bong Cup where he was taken on all the way and only just failed to hold on. Sure to give a sight on the speed again. 1. Heika can be forgiven for failing at Gosford third-up on a heavy track, go on two solid wins to start the preparation that saw her start well in the market last time out.

How to play it: Silent Russian WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 4 - 3:30PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200 METRES)

6. Royal Merchant is the best placed horse you'll see all day and under the weight scale is entitled to be a short priced favourite as she is. She's a Group 1 winner and this is a huge drop on what she's tackled this spring. Favourite in the Hot Danish last time when fourth and has since trialled well. Blinkers on and with even luck she's entitled to win.

Dangers: 7. Semana is a talented mare resuming since being a beaten favourite in the Winter Challenge back in July. Raced consistently last time in with two city wins and draws well. She's capable but should be getting a lot of weight from her stablemate. 9. Fleetwood ran right up to his strong first-up performance to score an all the way win at Rosehill a month ago in a BM68. Up in grade and drops 4kg so that should help though only getting 1kg off a G1 winner. Should run well. 4. Hellavadancer is a bit hit and miss but she's more than capable of showing up if she's in her best form. Trial winner leading into this and drawn to do no work. Could surprise and can certainly run into a placing.

How to play it: Royal Merchant WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 5 - 4:05PM WYONG LEAGUES GROUP PROVINCIAL BM68 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

3. Annulus looked to go it very easily in scoring third-up at Newcastle and in an open race there's no reason he can't repeat. While that win was on a soft track he's performed well on all surfaces and with the claim only rises 2kg for staying in the same class. Good chance.

Dangers: 5. The Empire comes through the same race and is that 2kg better off against the winner. He sat handy there and boxed on well to run second. Draws a lot better so a softer run might assist. 2. Little Beginnings disappointed first-up at Canterbury, he seemed to have a nice run but there was nothing in the locker when asked to go. Will be fitter for it and his best form is good enough to win but you just have to take on trust that he's right. 4. Big Happiness was a beaten favourite when out to 1500m at Newcastle last time so prepared to be a little forgiving. Probably wants a soft track but is fairly reliable and worth including.

How to play it: Annulus WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 6: 4:40 4:40PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100 METRES)

4. Spywire looked the goods on debut with a strong win over this trip at Rosehill where he absorbed some pressure and kicked right away. Different set up from the outside draw but has natural speed and we'll find out how smart he is here. The one to beat.

Dangers: 6. Justice Please has only had the one trial and she looked to do it nicely scoring at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. Responded when asked and clocked off when the job was done. Keep safe. 8. Toque commands some respect from the Waterhouse/Bott stable on debut on the back of two trials. Runner-up in the latest didn't fire in the Inglis Nursery but expect she'll be right on the speed and hard to run down. 2. Highness had no luck on debut in the Breeders' Plate so overlook that, and he didn't run a bad race there beaten under two lengths. Trialled strongly and wouldn't surprise if he's competitive.

How to play it: Spywire WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds).

Race 7 - 5:15PM PBL LAW GROUP MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

3. Northumbria has really hit his straps since joining the Richard Litt yard with a Goulburn win backed up but a solid Warwick Farm success. Down in class here so up in weight but the draw offsets that a little and he'll relish an extra 100m. Should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Smiling Prophet ran very slick time in winning over this course a couple of weeks ago, sitting back and sweeping home late. It was a return to form for her so has to back it up but a repeat effort should see her make her presence felt. 8. Bojangles was a dominant winner of a maiden here at the same meeting as a $1.40 favourite though did run significantly slower time. That's the only major negative, even with the draw, he looks a promising type and it would be no shock if he measures up quickly. 7. The Extreme Cat had an easy time of it winning a maiden at Coffs Harbour at his first run for Nathan Doyle. Obviously a bit harder here but well worth keeping in mind.

How to play it: Northumbria WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).