By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 – 12:25PM COONABARABRAN BAKERY AND 2 DAVE’S HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
11. Missile Moove has been eye-catching in two runs back at Tamworth, suggesting a win isn’t too far away. Likely gets back again but sure to be hitting the line and has a good chance.
Coonamble will host a nine-race meeting on Sunday.Credit:Nick Cubbin
Dangers: 5. Bear’s Best started $21 and was beaten narrowly first-up on a good track at Tamworth. Expect he will roll forward from the wide gate and, if he handles the ground, should be in the finish. 2. Piccapeppa was a drifter in betting on debut but ran a handy race into third over 1000m. Likely improver on that and stays under notice. 7. Shamalie started favourite when runner-up to a stablemate at Tamworth over 1000m a couple of weeks ago. Keep in mind. How to play it: Missile Moove E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 2 – 1:00PM LOCAL BUSINESS HOUSE FOTF FASHIONISTAS PLATE (1100 METRES)
10. Thespius is a huge watch on debut on the back of an excellent trial win at Scone recently. In good hands, drawn well and the trial was on a soft 7 so should handle the going. Respect.
Dangers: 4. Star Of Kings was a beaten favourite on debut then had every chance when third at Dubbo with a month between runs. Will be popular again and has to be considered. 7. Hammoon Money hasn’t raced for 13 months since his debut third at Wellington on a heavy track. Trialled behind Banju recently at Mudgee and any support would be a pointer. 9. Ithicus is a stablemate to Thespius and trialled on the same day running a handy second with a big gap to third. Another worth keeping an eye on. How to play it: Thespius E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 – 1:35PM SHOWCASE PICNIC CHAMPIONSHIP (1400 METRES)
8. Linden Tree warmed up for the Picnic Champ with a strong third at Dubbo a few weeks ago, hitting the line nicely. At peak for third after three runs, drawn well and looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 9. Brooklyn Star won a couple at Cobar then a solid enough fourth in the same race as Linden Tree at Dubbo. If she runs up to that effort, she’s right in the finish here. 1. Billy Bent Ear ran second to Brooklyn Star at Cobar in August then down the track at Scone in a Benchmark 66. Won a 58 at Dubbo three runs back and is always around the mark at this sort of level. 2. Broo Boss returned from a break with an even effort at Narrandera over a mile a month ago. Has a handy draw and, while he hasn’t won below a mile, he’s an each-way chance. How to play it: Linden Tree E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 2:10PM BARRONS TYRE AND MECHANICAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
5. Metal Bar was a 17-start maiden before he broke through with a strong win at Dubbo a couple of weeks ago in a manner which says he could go on with it. If he does, he’s a big show here.
Dangers: 3. Silver Scissors drew wide when a close second at Dubbo at this trip fourth-up from a break. Well drawn here and entitled to be in the finish. 2. I Like Big Putts showed improvement second-up after an ordinary fresh effort to hold on for third at Dubbo over 1100m. Only win was at this trip and with any luck she’s in the mix. 4. Zachariah has been thereabouts and is a possible improve on his last start effort in the same race as Silver Scissors where he drew wide and went back to last before running into fifth. Each-way. How to play it: Metal Bar WIN; Trifecta 5/2,3,4/2,3,4. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 2:45PM BRAD EDWARDS AIRCONDITIONING / DAIKEN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Amicus Curiae led all the way to an easy win third-up against many of his opposition in this event and only rises 2kg. Expect he will press forward again and if he repeats that effort will take catching.
Dangers: 4. Toulon Factor impressed with successive wins to start his prep then just fair as favourite behind Amicus Curiae. Has drawn a lot better this time so entitled to another chance. 6. Petain is impossible to leave out, he’s racing in super form of late. Winner three runs back at Dubbo then placed twice including in the same race as the above. Go well. 9. Eva’s Deel hit the line strongly from well back when resuming at Dubbo beating all bar Amicus Curiae. Fitter for it and while likely looking for further now she’s not out of it. How to play it: Amicus Curiae WIN; Trifecta 2/4,6,9/4,6,9. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 – 3:20PM CJC LIFE MEMBERS CLASS 3 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
5. Mr Severino looks close to a win after seconds at his past couple, including the latest behind an in-form horse at this trip. Well suited here, drawn to get every chance and entitled to be in the finish.
Dangers: 2. Lord Of The Turf was runner-up in the Cowra Cup before a spell, then resumed in the same race as Mr Severino and ran a handy fourth. Will be fitter for that and looks a serious danger. 4. Nest In The Hills is in good form with two wins from five starts and was on speed all the way when scoring at Dubbo. No reason he couldn’t keep up the good work. 1. Wunambul won well first-up at Forbes then drifter in betting when beaten three lengths by Deel Street at Dubbo. One of the chances.
How to play it: Mr Severino WIN; Trifecta 5/1,2,4/1,2,4. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:00PM IMPERIAL HOTEL CUP DAY SHOWCASE SPRINT (1100 METRES)
8. Dubbo Wanderer is a real up-and-coming sprinter who revelled in the ground when scoring a runaway win at Tamworth six weeks ago. Gets in with a nice light weight and in top form and will take beating.
Dangers: 7. Larynx has a tricky gate to deal with but form is solid for a race like this. Tried hard behind Dalavin at Dubbo last time and with even luck in an each-way chance at least. 6. Cassy’s Sister is a capable sprinter on her day and fitter for one run back over 1000m at Tamworth two weeks ago. Has won here and drawn to get every chance. 4. Appalachian disappointed at Tamworth last time but he’s generally a consistent enough type at this level. Capable of bouncing back to form. How to play it: Dubbo Wanderer WIN; Trifecta 8/4,6,7/4,6,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 4:40PM COONABARABRAN BOWLING CLUB COONABARABRAN CUP (1600 METRES)
2. Point Counterpoint resumed from a nine-month break with a top win at Tamworth then backed it up scoring at Canterbury. Handles all conditions and looks well placed to keep up his good form.
Dangers: 1. A Magic Zariz continues to race well and if he repeats his third in the Coonamble Cup at Dubbo a couple of weeks ago he’ll be hard to beat. 5. Don’tforgetmonica hit the line well in the Panorama first-up into third then disappointed at Warwick Farm where she didn’t run on. Well worth forgiving that. 4. Beckford first-up but has won two trials leading into this. Placed in the Maclean Cup at Grafton before a spell and was the Armidale Cup winner last season. Keep safe. How to play it: Point Counterpoint WIN; Trifecta 2/1,4,5/1,4,5; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 9 – 5:15PM MARC HAWKINS ELECT. & TIM EVANS – MAX HAWKINS MEM. (1200M)
5. Ticket To Anywhere couldn’t have been more impressive scoring second-up for the new stable and it was an easy win at Dubbo two weeks ago. Even fitter and down in weight for no real class rise. Go well.
Dangers: 1. Brazen Impact improved second-up for a narrow defeat at Goulburn then placed there again a few weeks back. Up to 1200m again and that suits, just needs some luck to feature. 15. Starane has struck form at his last couple and wasn’t troubled in scoring a maiden win at Dubbo last time. Skips a grade but on the up and well worth some thought. 7. Titration has been a little disappointing in two runs back but he’s drawn nicely here and should be close to a peak now. Check betting for a pointer. How to play it: Ticket To Anywhere WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter
