Track: Soft 5. Rail: Out 6m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 4 – TONSOR
Race 1: 3YO Maiden Handicap 1550m
HOME SCENE (7) has placed at 4 of 5 this time in, admittedly he has had his chances as he makes his own luck up on the speed, but I love the jockey change here. JMac goes on for the first time, from the inside gate he will have the Exceed and Excel gelding up on the pace early and trying to lead all the way.
Dangers:
KING OF SEAS (3) has only been to the races once previously, he was slowly away and held-up a a vital stage and no doubt should have finished closer. REXX (4) finished in front of him in that same race on debut, but the appeared to have every chance. TACTICAL FORMATION (2) was good resuming, after making a wide run he hit the line well and will be better for the run. He has had enough chances though so don’t be taking single figures with him.
Race 2: Mares BM70 Handicap 1100m
KOONUNGA (1) resumed after more than a year in the paddock at Gosford last start in 64 grade, she was forced to do it the tradie’s way outside the leader but was still too strong in the run to the line. She takes on the girls here and actually carries less weight than that win with the claim, just a little concerning if she can hold the top off the inside gate here.
Dangers:
SOPHIELLA (2) looks the obvious danger with the winkers on for the first time, she has versatility but looks as though she will be either outside the top pick in the run or giving her a start, with either scenario she looks a good lay. SECOND ISLAND (4) has placed at 2 of 3 when resuming as she is tonight, she will get home well but has a habit of missing the start. OUR REVENUE (7) travels up the highway after a nice effort at Canberra last time, this is harder and the draw doesn’t help.
Race 3: BM70 Handicap 1550m
JUDGE JUDI (5) is perfectly drawn in gate two, she may have been favoured the way the race was run last time when jumping well and leading all the way, but this track can sometimes play that way when the rail is out. If she lands on the bunny again she will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
NAVIGATOR (6) gets the blinkers on for the first time, he may be the one that will be also gunning for the top spot early. With that gear change, expect that he will be prominent early. CARLUCA (3) had a change of tactics last start and was ridden closer to the speed, with the map showing a stack of speed drawn all around him, expect him to take a sit today. CASCATA ROSSA (4) was good in an open grade country affair last time at Taree, he should be camped on the leaders and if they do go too hard, look for him late.
Race 4: Nightsprint BM72 Handicap Heat 3 1100m
TONSOR (3) is a lightly raced 5YO that is resuming off a long break, he has not missed a place at four career starts and has trialed well for this. A little worrying that he is drawn out but from the 1100m start here you get a fair run to the first and only turn, watch for the late money, if it comes, he looks the best on the card.
Dangers:
DON’T LEAVE ME OUT (4) resumed at Gosford last time after having six months on the sidelines, he had the perfect run in transit and although he didn’t sprint quickly, he kept coming and was too good. VINCERO (5) ran on well in a heat of this series last time when the pattern of the race didn’t really suit and EVER SO NATURAL (1) drops in class, he was ok last time and does get the good claim.
Race 5: 5YO and Up BM70 Handicap 1250m
CHOICE LARGA (1) has shown that he can carry a big weight to victory, he lugged 60.5kg in his last start win at Canberra when leading all the way. This is a little harder but he should land on the speed again and if able to control the tempo, looks hard to run down in what is an even race.
Dangers:
CRAFTY TYCOON (3) has the wide draw but that plays little part as he will get back in the run, see if the track is playing fairly across the board and if so, look for him running on hard from the back. KAWAIKINI (4) over-raced here las time in a similar race, he chased hard to get close and did come through a hot form race prior to that. ALART (2) was a little flat last time against the girls, go on her impressive victory when leading all the way here the start prior. She will have all the options off the inside gate.
Race 6: Shooting Star BM72 Handicap 1250m
SAFADO (2) will start the shortest priced favourite of the night and deservedly so, he is a lightly raced 4YO that has only been to the races three times, for two wins. He resumed off a very long break at Gosford last time at class two level, settled mid-field before showing a devastating turn-of-foot to run over the top of them and away for an impressive win.
Dangers:
CHARLAYNE (3) notified the steward’s of a change of tactics last start to ride her back in the field, she had no luck when held-up at a vital stage and ran through the line well when the run did come. Look for her late. SPENCER (7) will be big odds but is a must for all exotic bets, he has run on well at both starts this campaign and maps to be a little closer in the run. BALLISTICA (9) was unwanted in the betting when near the top of the market here last time in a similar race, she didn’t have much luck when runner-up and looks over the odds here.
Race 7: BM70 Handicap 1900m
VIA VENETO (9) looks a clear one-out option for Quaddie players, she was a real eye-catcher when running on hard to narrowly miss here a fortnight ago. Although she probably needs everything to go right with her style of racing, she has shown a liking for his track and will be running on hard.
Dangers:
If you don’t fancy going one-out in the Quad you may have to play very wide. ZEPPELIN (6) is very consistent and usually races up on the speed, just a matter of if he can get across and get cover from the wide gate before the first turn. SAZAVEE (11) looks the leader, she is better than what she showed last time here when having her first go out of maiden grade. She didn’t handle the class rise on that occasion, hard to run down if she gets some easy sectionals through the mid-stages as she did when getting her first win. INHERIT (12) changed the tactics las time and was ridden closer to the speed, he hit the line well in that easier race and draws to get a soft run in behind the speed. He looks a great place chance.