3 minute read
Track Good 4 and rail out 3m from 900m to 400m & true the remainder:
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m):
Lightly raced mare 7. Himorher resumes for a second prep off a dominant trial win. Hasn't started since early last winter when disappointing in a three-run prep, constantly doing her best work late from well back in the run. Has been given plenty of time to mature, and stretched out nicely to thrash her rivals in a recent Muswellbrook trial. Gets in with a light weight after the jockey's claim.
Dangers: Emerging 1. Carbrook is the clear threat three weeks after a bold front-running effort first-up off a seven month spell. Keep safe both 10. Sardonyx who resumes for only her second start off an eye-catching trial win here; and at bigger odds improving 2. Dao Sun second-up from the inside draw.
How to play it: Himorher to win
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1200m):
This shapes nicely for the improving and hard-fit filly 6. The Git Up fifth-up after a tough effort at Cowra where she kept closing from just off the speed. Right at her peak now, and much better placed from this softer draw, and getting back on a more spacious track.
Dangers: Naturally early short-priced favourite 4. Plonka will be hard to hold out on debut for a smart country stable off a nice trial; while still trying to break through at her 62nd start, 7. Camp Cove can run into the minor money.
How to play it: The Git Up to win and quinella 4 and 6
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m):
Tough and improving 1. Bulla Vinaka is primed here fourth-up, and on a nine day turnaround. Charged home from near last to be beaten under a length in a handy maiden before again doing his best work late when pushed out to the mile. Will likely drift back from this gate again, but the drop in distance is very much off-set by returning to a more suitable and bigger course, with a longer run home. Only needs to slot in for some sort of cover before producing a superior closing 450m sectional
Dangers: Honest 8. Mrs Bull is trained on the track, and couldn't be fitter after four runs back. Ran home hard from a long way back over the mile just nine days ago on a course that didn't really suit her pattern. Include in wider exotics, locally-trained 6. Graeme's Shout fifth-up; 12. Sheza Rainbird also well into her prep; and 13. Way To Divine reloading off an eight week freshen-up.
How to play it: Bulla Vinaka to win
Race 4 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1600m):
Progressive and consistent 5. Leica Storm rates on top fourth-up in a tricky and tactical race over the mile. Tracked the speed and went home best to win a handy BM 58 two starts ago before missing by a head in similar company early last month when asked to lump a big weight. Steps up in grade and trip here, but drops 3kg, and gets a superior rider back aboard
Dangers: Naturally, 2. Titration is right in the race, having only missed a place once in his last four. Backs up quickly from a tough on-speed effort in heavy ground at Armidale. Plenty of respect for home tracker 6. Weave That Web at good odds who hasn't missed a place all prep, and gets a significant weight drop for a rise in grade. Another local 7. Zounile drops in weight from a softer draw, and is well over the odds.
How to play it: Leica Storm to win
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m):
This presents nicely for underrated filly 11. Kelilah peaking third-up at the long-priced value. Was just even through the line resuming off a five month spell in similar company before tracking the speed inside runners & holding her ground in a handy BM 58 formline. Finally gets back on a bigger tracker where she can be ridden a little quieter with cover, and the eight day back-up is a sure sign she's trained on well. Bred to get further.
Dangers: Of course, exciting four-year-old 4. Palazzo Prince only has to reproduce something near his slashing debut win at Scone to be very hard to beat. Was backed as if unbeatable that day, and despite the obvious inexperience, looks headed for better races, and is well in at the weights after the jockey's claim. Big watch on home tracker 9. Wasted Days who ran home well from the back fourth-up in similar company. Expect sharp improvement second-up from 5. Plenitude who had a luckless run when resuming here; while 3. Goonoo resuming behind two trials; and 10. Canny Prospect off a dominant and effortless maiden win at this track; head the rest.
How to play it: Kelilah each way
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1300m):
An open Heat of the Rising Star fits the bill for progressive Canberra mare 12. Rhumbadu deep into her prep. Went home best off a break to win a similar graded race two starts ago before again hitting the line from just off the speed to miss by a half length. Bit more depth here, but hard fit from a softer draw and gets on to a suitably bigger track.
Dangers: Plenty of them starting with 7. Interventionist who resumes without publicly trialing for one of the better fresh stables in country NSW. Won two straight at Class 1 level last spring before spelling. Bred to get much further. Talented local mare 4. Rubi Air has enough ability and versatility to overcome the outside barrier, coming off a tough win in a similar grade last start; while 5. Mrs Reeves who draws the fence third-up; and at bigger odds 11. Tough Case; head the rest.
How to play it: Rhumbadu to win
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m):
The feature second Heat of the Summer Sprint Series shapes ideally for well bred & lightly raced 6. Compelling Truth resuming off a long break and two trials. Was beaten as a hot favourite here when fresh last prep over a year ago before bolting in his maiden next start with plenty in hand. Was quickly spelled after failing third-up & suffering a setback, not returning until an easy trial at this track in late December. Has plenty of ability, enough tactical speed, and this looks a strong starting point.
Dangers: Expecting sharp second-up improvement from lightly-raced 7. Devine Chops who was afforded no favours here in the run three weeks back. Tough 1. That's Better shoots for a third consecutive win, but more depth in this race, and he climbs even greater in the weights. Watch the betting on locally-trained 2. Keep On Going who hasn't started since early last spring, but looked forward, winning a recent trial; while 8. D'Arpano goes into wider exotic plays.
How to play it: Compelling Truth to win
Race 8 BENCHMARK 74 HCP (1100m):
Sparingly raced and trained on the track, 8. Raging Rush can take his winning strike rate to an impressive 40 percent at his 13th start. Won comfortably at CL3 level last autumn before spelling, then competitive enough in a shorter and deeper provincial campaign. Was only beaten a long head when resuming in the Gilgandra Town Plate at BM 74 level, and this rates as an ideal follow-up.
Dangers: Keep safe 11. Brief Statement who scored first-up off a lengthy break in weaker company; while 4. Super Extreme resuming off a trial; and 15. Keikoku first-up off a long break; are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Raging Rush to win
BEST BETS:
R3 1. BULLA VINAKA
R8 8. RAGING RUSH
BEST VALUE:
R6 12. RHUMBADU
