By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:45PM MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF/SPA RESORT WYONG MDN (1350M)
2. Delrico hasn’t raced since hitting the line in good style at this track back in July at his second start and has been gelded in the interim. Two trials back have been quiet ones but with gate one and a reasonable surface to kick off he should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 4. West Head started $15 on debut at Canterbury and acquitted himself pretty well beaten under a length to Raikkonen who has won again since. Extra 100m would be in his favour and open to improvement so has to be a threat. 3. Sethnique is on debut for the Waterhouse/Bott stable and while his trials have been fair to the eye we’ve learned once again recently from the stable that trials only mean so much. Any support would be significant. 6. Swift Gun is racing well without winning with successive seconds on his home track. Has to be included in the chances.
How to play it: Delrico WIN.
Racing heads back to Wyong on Wednesday.
Race 2 – 2:20PM MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE BM64 (1600 METRES)
1.Happy Saturday is fitter for two runs back from a spell over shorter trips and should be ready for the step up to the mile. Hasn’t been disgraced in those efforts and the blinkers go on which suggests he’s ready to fire. Good chance in this field.
Dangers: 4. More Mischief was an all the way winner at Nowra three runs back and stayed on okay at Hawkesbury a few weeks back for third over the mile. Same weight after the claim and can give a sight. 2. Fiorsum Fred was runner-up in the Grafton Guineas back in July and two runs back have been in Highways. Can forgive the second at Kembla where he was back and wide for the most part. 6. Ellenmac is back in grade after a fair effort at Warwick Farm last week. Capable of a placing here.
How to play it: Happy Saturday WIN.
Race 3 – 2:55PM COWYN BUILDING GROUP CLASSIC BM64 HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
1.Mannerheim made some good late ground second-up at Hawkesbury over the mile when in the market. This is no harder and should appreciate getting out in distance but from a good draw you’d expect him to not give away too much start.
Dangers: 5. Hunter Bred led and was only beaten just over a length at Kensington last week and steps up in distance on the quick back up. Might get some control up front here with a lighter weight and has a show. 4. Montgomery comes through the same race as Mannerheim where he finished about half a length behind and will also relish more ground. Best form has been on wet tracks so elevate him if he strikes favourable ground. 7. Threw sat on pace and proved a bit too strong winning over this distance at Orange. Ran well in a similar race to this prior to that win so not without some claims.
How to play it: Mannerheim WIN.
Race 4 – 3:30PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200 METRES)
9. Bauhinia was thrown in the deep end after her maiden win and ran a super race to be beaten 1.4 lengths in the Silver Shadow in August at Group 2 level. Found the line okay late in her trial and looks to get the last shot at them in what should be a genuinely run race.
Dangers: 7. Zealously has been dominant from the front winning both starts this preparation over the 1000m. Has a bit of work to do to offset the gate and run out the 1200m but otherwise hard to fault. 1. The Novelist led all the way and showed a lot of fight to win at Kembla Grange a few weeks ago. Will also press forward from the outside gate and has to be respected on that win. 5. Queen Of The Mile is another all the way last start winner and she fought off a few challengers to score at Canterbury first-up. Second-up form is good and stays in the mix.
How to play it: Bauhinia WIN.
Race 5 – 4:05PM VANDERPOEL SMASH REPAIRS MIDWAY BM64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. Welcome Gypsy found Zealously too speedy here when resuming last month but did stick on well to run second after a wide passage. Draws to get the stalking role in a small field and with the run under the belt should be dangerous.
Dangers: 3. Zoukerino has had a few chances but was a shade unlucky once or twice last prep and strikes favourable conditions this time around. He’s a take on trust proposition but entitled to show something in this field. 7. Leave Me Some tends to run well here and wasn’t far away in stronger company at Canterbury last time out. Will be giving away a start but sure to be running on again. 5. Bodgie was safely held second-up by Private Harry but there’s a lot less depth here and open to improvement.
How to play it: Welcome Gypsy WIN.
Race 6 – 4:40PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100 METRES)
6. Tempestuous made his run with the winner in the Breeders’ Plate and just failed with a subsequent Group 3 winner just behind. Freshened and looked quite sharp winning his trial at Randwick recently. Ideally drawn and looks the one they have to topple.
Dangers: 8. Memo was excellent on debut in the Gimcrack as she got back from a wide gate and charged home into third. Nice trial winner since and while drawn wide again she’s sure to be hitting the line strongly. 4. Offenbach was sent out favourite at debut at Newcastle and found the 900m a touch sharp when just failing to run down Blitzburg who is a rival again here. Blinkers on and gate one are pluses. 9. O’ Ole gave a good account in the Gimcrack to run second then even effort in the Golden Gift beaten a couple of lengths. Has to stay in the discussion.
How to play it: Tempestuous WIN; Trifecta 6/4,8,9/4,8,9.
Race 7 – 5:15PM SKY RACING PROVINCIAL BM68 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1.Angara plummets in grade after resuming with an even sort of run at Kembla Grange where the 1000m was a bit sharp for him. Sure to have come on from the run and did run third in a Provincial Midway Championships heat here back in March at this sort of trip. Find a nice race to hit form.
Dangers: 5. Monty Be Quick wound up his preparation with a runaway win at Kembla Grange over 1500m back in July. Fitter for the two recent trials, drawn well and while he will have improvement he’s a major player. 3. Miss Checkoni will find this a bit easier than the Four Pillars from barrier 17 and she’d be an each-way chance on her previous effort when fourth in this grade at Hawkesbury. 2. Epicus is an interesting runner resuming since May where he didn’t really fire in two runs. Has the ability when right and wouldn’t surprise to see him running on late.
How to play it: Angara WIN.
BEST BETS
Race 3: (1) Mannerheim
Race 6: (6) Tempestuous
Best value: Race 4: (9) Bauhinia
Supplied by Racing NSW
