3 minute read
Track likely improving to Soft 5 and rail out 3m from 800m to WP and True the remainder
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1600m):
Competitive opener over the mile. Lightly raced metro three-year-old 4. Satirical Glory did his best work late in a deeper provincial race first-up off a six month spell. Draws to get a soft run back in the field, with subtle gear changes, and should relish the long run home here being bred to get over further.
Dangers: Emerging local four-year-old 1. Andorra La Vella is fifth-up in his first prep, and kept improving as the distances have risen. Draws to get a plumb run on speed. Progressive provincial mare 2. Decadent Tale has been close-up in three runs to start her career. Can peak getting up to this trip, and was preferred here to Port Macquarie on Monday in a race she had a big chance. Keep safe improving colt 3. The Dance who is also looking for this journey second-up off a seven week break.
How to play it: Satirical Glory to win and box trifecta 1,2,4. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 CLASS 2 HCP (1600m):
Exciting four-year-old 3. Freckle Rock rates a good thing after taking care of a similar field at Muswellbrook, resuming off a nine month absence. Has a tonne of progression and will be aimed at much bigger races.
Dangers: Provincial five-year-old 2. Underboss didn't measure up third-up at Taree after stalking the speed, but previous form was sound and gets weight relief from a handy draw. Big gap to the rest headed by four-year-old 4. Four Egos who drew the inside, and was right behind Underboss in that same race deep into his prep.
How to play it: Quinella 2 and 3 and trifecta (in order) 3-2-4. Odds and Evens: Split a special
Race 3 COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1200m):
Not much depth in this, and that augurs well for Northern Hemisphere-bred Shalaa three-year-old 9. Montari who is trained on the track, and debuts off a couple of sharp trials up to 1000m.
Dangers: Progressive filly 12. She's Contrary is knocking on the door after being narrowly beaten here a fortnight ago. Included in exotics 7. Tucson Valley who can improve sharply at her second start; Exosphere mare 6. Sharkosphere who drew well for her debut behind two mixed trials; and Shamus Award four-year-old 1. Dramatist who has also trialled okay.
How to play it: Montari to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2200m):
Out to the staying trip for a moderate and very open battle. Provincial mare 6. Endorphins has had more bad luck in one prep than most endure in a year. Should have won her last two at Taree when held up and losing her spot before finishing hard, and again draws to get a handy trail just off the speed.
Dangers: Metro mare 11. Essential Sky was beaten a long way in a tougher race at Newcastle, and would need to improve sharply fourth-up, although draws to get a better run. Local mare 8. Southern Cloud and five-year-old 2. Rusty Hawk both go in wider exotics at bigger prices.
How to play it: Endorphins to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 CLASS 3 HCP (1400m):
amworth four-year-old 3. Sole Heir has far more ability than his modest record suggests. Swept home to miss narrowly second-up at home as a heavily backed favorite, and looks well placed after a 3kg claim on a track that's right up his alley.
Dangers: Smart five-year-old 2. Chasing Comets hit a career high here three runs back exploding home to beat a weaker field by nearly six lengths. Has continued to attack the line in his next two, and from a soft draw will again be charging home. Promising four-year-old mare 7. Daralina Belle can keep her unbeaten record intact at her third start. Has motored home from well back twice, although this is a decent step up in grade. Improving five-year-old 5. Dollareuro worked home well enough second-up, and another one who should improve further on the bigger track.
How to play it: Sole Heir each way and box exacta 2,3,7. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 CLASS 2 HCP (1100m):
Two runners from very different formlines can gap the rest. Exciting four-year-old 2. Street Power resumes off a dominant trial win, and with a pivotal 3kg claim. Comes to hand quickly, and blinkers have been added.
Dangers: Progressive metro mare 9. Salute To The Sun charged home from a mile back to win a strong Class 1 first-up at Nowra, and that form has been heavily franked with second-placed Jerry then winning Saturday's Highway Randwick despite sitting wide for much of the trip. Keep safe too five-year-old mare 5. Dancing Dollar who drops down from a deeper Highway second-up.
How to play it: Street Power to win and quinella 2 and 9. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1000m):
Plenty of chances in the closer. Keen on consistent Tamworth mare 11. Satin Ruby who resumes without publicly trialling, but boasts a smart fresh record. Will settle back with plenty of cover from the inside draw, and be strong late.
Dangers: Local six-year-old 7. Joey's Chance picked up where he left off last prep, hitting the line here a fortnight back, and drew to get a nice trail. The betting will prove a crucial guide for one time smart youngster 1. My Benalla who resumes off a very long break, but has looked sharp in two trials. Wears front bandages. Home track mare 9. Bit Of A Beauty is always competitive around this distance. Has tactical speed and blinkers are back on.
How to play it: Satin Ruby each way and box trifecta 1,7,9,11. Odds and Evens: Odds a special
BEST BETS:
R1 4. SATIRICAL GLORY
R6 2. STREET POWER
BEST VALUE:
R4 6. ENDORPHINS