3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Friday’s Murwillumbah meeting. Selections based on a good track. Monitor for bias/pattern.
Race 1 - 12:45PM MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1100 METRES)
2. September Girl arguably should've won last start in a solid time race over the Grafton Carnival. Further, that was in a stronger grade, and she was checked/blocked for majority of the straight. The six-year-old mare has multiple winning figures for this event and will run on hard with an anticipated genuine tempo. Each-way.
Dangers: 1. In Fiore is in career best form and won well at Lismore last start after accelerating away from his rivals. Moreover, he sprinted one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the entire meeting in 11.80. The gelding is racing consistently and brings the best last start figure. 7. Tattletale is a speedy type and won on debut at Ipswich over 800m. She must stretch out to the 1100m here but will give a sight. 8. Top Bird has raced in stronger grades for most of his career and must go in all exotics.
How to play it: September Girl E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 - 1:20PM TAB EVA SMITH MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1550 METRES)
7. Whyteepee's run was full of merit last start at Casino 13 days ago, and he was outstanding in defeat, beating the rest easily in a high-rating race. The four-year-old got too far back in the run and sprinted through the inferior ground. Further, he clocked the fastest final 200m split of the meeting in 12.80 and hit the line hard. He gets key factors in his favour here with a favourable map where he can settle closer and looks set to peak third-up over a further distance. Expect a bold showing.
Dangers: 5. Lucky Rascal comes out of the same race as Whyteepee and brings a knockout chances profile. The gelding is coming out of time/sectional merit races and receives a gear change. Additionally, he represents value and will be running on strongly. 2. Feirme Prince struck an extremely testing track and was 29 days between runs last start at Lismore. Moreover, he was heavily backed into $1.50 and looked like the winner but was just worn down late in a tight finish. Expect improvement going back to a drier surface where he produces his peak figures and races at his home track. 10. Gadidae brings metropolitan form lines and has been honest this prep. She is a key late market watch. Add 11. Marlou Millie to all exotics after having not much luck last start and is a consistent type.
How to play it: Whyteepee WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds) & Lucky Rascal WIN ($41 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 - 1:55PM TAKE IT EZY MEAT CO. CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
3. Greek Star has been solid this prep in a similar grade and was honest last start at Ipswich. After the claim, the five-year-old gets in well at the weights and is rock-hard fit. Further, the gelding is a real trier, will roll forward and give a sight. Each-way.
Dangers: 4. Magic Mikey had every chance last start at Doomben and started $4.80 in the market. He is suited to dropping back in distance and will be running well. Forgive 2. Rose Bouquet's last start, and she can bounce back here from a soft draw. Add 1. Think High and 9. Hypertension to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Greek Star E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 2:30PM XXXX GOLD MAIDEN SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. I Am Good At This resumes and won a recent trial at Beaudesert in strong closing sectionals. Further, the gelding wasn't extended and went through the line full of energy. The four-year-old is coming out of time/sectional merit races from last prep and brings strong form lines to this event. Further, he has a string of winning ratings and will undoubtedly be hitting the line hard.
Dangers: 12. Mrs Patmore had every chance last start at Goulburn but ran on well in a high-rating race. The three-year-old filly is rock-hard fit, and her sectional profile suggests she is ready to peak over 1200m. 17. Look A'Like has predominately 1000m form but is a consistent type and can rate to win. 4. Dempsey Rae is ticking over ok after having not much luck with this prep and add 7. Kermantic to trifectas/first fours.
How to play it: I Am Good At This WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 3:05PM WHOLESALE SAND AND RECYCLING TYGALGAH CUP (2020 METRES)
Expecting improvement from 2. Stuck With You who gets key factors in his favour here. The gelding is reaching optimal fitness, receives the blinkers back on and goes back onto a dry track where he produces his peak figures. He will need some luck from the draw but finds a winnable race. Each-way.
Dangers: 4. One For Betty and 5. Honour Me who both come out of the same race at Coffs Harbour were unsuited. Further, they are proven at the trip and will be running on. Key late market watch on 7. Noble Cat who has been honest at the metropolitan level but now must step out to the 2020m. Add 10. That'Lldotoo to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Stuck With You E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 - 3:40PM BOUTIQUE THOROUGHBREDS TWEED NEWMARKET HCP (1200 METRES)
7. Parksville hit the front too early last start at Coffs Harbour and was swamped late in a solid time race. Further, the gelding sprinted a strong 400m-200m split in 11.80 before he peaked on his run. The five-year-old gelding produced one of his career peak figures third-up last prep and finds a winnable race.
Dangers: 6. V J Day had the bias against first-up at the Sunshine Coast and battled on ok. The eight-year-old can bounce back and has a fantastic record, albeit in lesser grades. 11. In Awe Of Me hit the line hard at Doomben last start and the rise to 1200m is ideal. Moreover, with an anticipated genuine tempo, expect the mare to savage the line. 9. Hidden Hail has raced below expectations this prep but can rate to win. Add 5. Wudang Blade who is a big improver back to dry ground to all exotics.
How to play it: Parksville WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 - 4:20PM RIVERVIEW HOTEL *BIG DANCE ELIG* MURWILLUMBAH CUP (1550 M)
10. Morethannumberone had multiple factors against him last start at Eagle Farm but still raced well. The six-year-old had too much to do settling at the rear of the field in a very slow tempo and then was checked/blocked at critical stages in the final straight. Further, once a gap appeared, he sprinted through it and ran his final 400m/200m splits in 22.61/11.73, which were some of the fastest closing sectionals of the meeting. The Annabel Neasham trained galloper brings the best last start figure, a strong starting price profile and races well off a freshen. In addition, he will appreciate the anticipated genuine tempo where he produces his peak figures. Expect him to be savaging the line.
Dangers: 6. The Ritz was brave in defeat in the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) last start, which was won by a smart type in Hosier. The gelding raced wide throughout, sprinted hard into second place, and ran one of the fastest final 400m sectionals of the entire meeting in 23.37. He is in career-best form, has an impressive record and maps to have all favours with a significant barrier change. Profiles well for this event and a definite chance. 1. Giannis has elite form lines from previous preparations around subsequent Group 1 winner's Anamoe, Converge and In The Congo. He ran on well first-up at Doomben in the inferior ground and will be fitter for that effort. Add 12. Spanish Point and 11. Tara Jasmine to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Morethannumberone WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 - 5:00PM WILLIAMS GROUP AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 HCP (1200 METRES)
9. Squeeze Dis led at a strong tempo last start and battled on ok in a high-rating race over the Grafton Carnival. The mare has won a trial between runs and receives key gear changes here. Additionally, she has form lines around the likes of city glass gallopers Frumos/Kokoro, returns to her home track and has figures that can put her in the finish. Each-way.
Dangers: 12. Pretty Devine tried hard in defeat first-up and has the best last start figure. Although drawn wide, she can cross them with her early speed and give a sight. 5. I'm Gunna Cashew produced her peak performance at this track/distance and 3. Ascot Express is set to improve second-up. Add 1. Debussy to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Squeeze Dis E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best Bet: Race 4 # 3 – I Am Good At This
Next Best: Race 7 # 10 - Morethannumberone
Best Value: Race 2 # 7 – Whyteepee & # 5 – Lucky Rascal
