3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Country Championships meeting at Mudgee. Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 - 12:55PM DISTINCTIVE FINANCE COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN (1200 METRES)
14. Dale holds the key here coming back to a country maiden after debuting at Kensington a few weeks ago. He started in the market there but just couldn't go with them when the pressure went on. Much easier here and well worth another chance.
Dangers: 4. Hard Too Impress is a big watch on debut on the back of a couple of very nice trial performances at Dubbo and Scone. Market a good pointer but should show something based on the trials. 6. Thirteen Under has had a few chances but found the line nicely last time at Dubbo. Draws nicely and has a good chance to break through. 1. Nightwalker broke into the placings at Bathurst first-up then held form with a close fourth there two weeks ago. Definite chance here.
How to play it: Dale WIN ($1.55 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 2 - 1:35PM THE BYRNES JEWELLERS SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Tokyo Run contested the Victoria Derby before a spell, just missed when he resumed at 1100m two weeks ago and will only appreciate the longer trip. Fitter, shows plenty of promise and will be very hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Canadian Express has found one better in both career starts and only just failed when run down at Nowra. Will roll forward from a wide gate and isn't far off a win. 3. O'Explosive has been solid in the market at both starts this time in and stuck on well behind a handy one at Bathurst last time. One of the chances again. 4. Way To Divine has placed in three of her last four starts and all around this trip. Drawn well and expect she'll be around the mark again.
How to play it: Tokyo Run WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 3 - 2:10PM KEN SUTCLIFFE CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
4. Bit Of Banter was well supported on debut and ran right up to it with an easy maiden win at Bathurst. Can only be fitter here and while naturally coming up in class she'll be fancied to go on with the job. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 3. Chico Casino was a popular debut winner then on speed in a Class 1 and boxed on well for third on a heavy track. Bit firmer ground might assist him and he's one of the main chances. 2. Goonoo notched his maiden win at this track back in July. Far from disgraced on returning at Dubbo in a blanket finish to a Class 1. Has the inside and Bullock to ride and is a definite chance. 1. Externus was a Gosford maiden winner back in December and placed at Wyong after that. Freshened up since failing when in the market at Gosford a month ago. Could easily bounce back.
How to play it: Bit Of Banter WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 4 - 2:45PM MUDGEE FLORIST CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1850 METRES)
2. Ever Was has only won one from 20 but his string of provincial placings suggest he's well placed to go close back to country grade. Tried hard up to this trip when a close third at Newcastle last time and should be in the finish.
Dangers: 8. Omians ran right up to a nice first-up effort at Tamworth when runner-up at Walcha a few weeks back. Better for that run up in trip and looms as a major player. 1. Bulla Vinaka won at Dubbo two starts back before favourite at the same track on February 18 and he ran on but couldn't reel them in. Entitled to another look. 10. Farriage is lightly raced and was close up at Taree last time after a similar showing at Canberra prior. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Ever Was WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 5 - 3:25PM SHORE GOGGLES COUNTRY BOOSTED BM58 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
11. Dances With Hooves is an up and comer who was too strong from the back winning at his second start at Dubbo a month ago. Draws nicely and has more upside than most here. One of the main chances.
Dangers: 4. Medinah chased Dances With Hooves home before breaking through as a $1.28 chance at Tamworth. Trained here and racing well, logical danger. 2. Elson Boy won at Dubbo and Orange before tackling a couple of Highways in Sydney and wasn't disgraced in the first of them. Forgive latest. Defintie chance here. 9. Adelson has been battling a little but is back in class on her midfield finish at Tamworth fourth-up. Capable of improving off that here.
How to play it: Dances With Hooves WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 6 - 4:05PM ROBERT OATLEY BM58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
7. Time Bandit was a minor drifter first-up at Nowra and went down fighting after leading. Fitter for that and imagine she'll rush across from the wide gate onto the speed. Looks the one to beat if she can offset that gate without too much work.
Dangers: 14. Starane is a consistent type with three placings on end including a close up third at Tamworth just over a week ago. Finds Aaron Bullock to ride and is a big chance to break through. 1. Keep On Going went to the paddock after failing in a Highway at Rosehill in September but form before that was excellent for a race like this. Draw hurts his chances but if he has any luck he's right in this. 5. Pyromania has a good fresh record so far and placed only run this track. Fitter for a couple of trials and is worth keeping an eye on.
How to play it: Time Bandit WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 7 - 4:45PM NEWHAVEN PARK CDRA COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS (1400 METRES)
2. Lockdown Gamble seems to have come back in great form with a dominant first-up win then backed it up and was sound at Newcastle. Ran third in this race in 2022 and if he's back to his best then he's a major chance.
Dangers: 11. Life's A Party had run well in a couple of Highways before a dominant win in the Preview at Bathurst on a heavy track a couple of weeks ago. Yet to tick 1400m but big chance to do that here. 4. Aimpoint ran well in a couple of Highways to start off the prep before having a torrid run in a Rosehill Highway. Much better suited here and expect him to run well. 5. Scopics is another recent Highway runner who didn't have any luck last time but looked good winning first-up at Kembla Grange. Drawn nicely and ran fourth in this race last year. Must respect.
How to play it: Lockdown Gamble EACH-WAY ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 8 - 5:25PM GOOREE PARK BENCHMARK 74 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
16. Divine Sinner resumed in a Highway then placed at Tamworth when no match for the winner back to 1000m. Fitter for that and back up in trip now so he's worth another chance.
Dangers: 12. Brief Statement scored a nice win at Orange in January then a month between runs when a close third at Dubbo in this sort of grade. Needs a bit of luck but right in this. 1. Driving Force is racing well this time in and solid effort when runner-up at Newcastle in a BM68 a few weeks back. Each-way claims at least. 2. Deel Street made a handy return at Dubbo at big odds running on from well back into second. Up 100m a help and she's not out of it.
How to play it: Divine Sinner WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
