By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
2. Namaste fought on well on debut when finishing third at Wyong and then followed that up with a last-start game second after racing on the speed and being run down late. He’s drawn wide in this but has the tactical speed to go forward and take plenty of running down. 4. Barbarossa was heavily backed on debut at Wyong and finished a solid fourth after having his chance. He backed that up with a handy second at Canberra when last produced, and he looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 8. State Visit is having his first start in a race on the back of two trials and he finished third in the latest of them at Kembla Grange behind the smart Bel Merci. 11. Custom was only beaten two lengths here on debut and should have derived benefit from that effort.
How to play it: Namaste to win.
Racing returns to Canterbury on Friday.Credit: Fairfax Media
Race 2
8. Scalable was close up in her first two starts when finishing fifth and third at this track, then did the job well when breaking through with a win here last week as favourite. She has plenty of
upside and only needs to overcome a wide alley to go on with the job. 6. Pink Shalala has been
placed in five of her six starts and should be around the money again. 1. United Kingdom is resuming and should be primed to sprint well fresh, while 3. Mostro ran well when placed at Scone last time out and has place claims again.
How to play it: Scalable to win.
Race 3
8. Roses Imminente is lightly raced with two wins to her name from just three starts. She resumes here having won at Dubbo before the spell, and while this is her toughest test, she looks up to it. 9. She Within was a winner at Moruya before a close-up second at Goulburn. She was down the track at Randwick last time out and can improve on that. 6. Master Of Disguise has won her latest two starts at Albury and on the Riverside track at Wagga. She’s fresh for this on the back of a recent trial. 4. Kaihoko resumed with a third at Taree and is not out of this.
How to play it: Rose Imminente to win.
Race 4
1. Sweysive is racing in great form with wins at his latest three starts, the most recent at this track two weeks ago. He is suited by the apprentice claim and the small field suits. 3. Awash resumed with a midfield Randwick effort and looks a major player here. 5. All In The Mind was placed here last time out behind Sweysive and can be in the thick of things, while 2. Space Age is handy and isn’t out of this.
How to play it: Sweysive to win.
Race 5
8. Presley had no luck at all when finishing fourth at Canberra when resuming. He has the advantage of gate one here and step up in distance looks made to order. 4. Sting In The Tail has been racing well with a win and a second at her past two starts and is a leading chance again. 1. Piraeus ran home well when a last-start fourth at Randwick, while 2. Malabar has each-way claims.
How to play it: Presley to win.
Race 6
3. Wallenda has won two of 14 and has a further six placings to his name. He resumed from a spell with a sixth at Warwick Farm when not beaten far when hitting the line well. He was close up in a trial in preparation for this. 7. Theblade won well on debut on the Kensington track when scoring by a big margin last August. He resumed with a fourth behind Private Harry at Rosehill in December when having his chance. He is fresh for this and has won a trial leading in. 10. Koios won with ease at Scone when last produced and while this is harder, he warrants thought. 8. Darling Downs is a talented mare that ran well when a last-start second at Warwick Farm. She is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Wallenda to win.
Race 7
4. Iconic Treasure is building up a good record with three wins and as many placings from just the eight starts. He hasn’t raced since finishing fourth on the Kensington track in September and has had two trials in preparation for this. He’s drawn wide but has the talent to make a winning return. 8. Joyner justified favouritism to score an all-the-way win at this track in November and then ran second on the Kensington track in December before taking a break. She is a trial winner leading into this. 9. Yankee Rose is resuming from a spell and is having her first start for a new stable having finished third at Sandown last August before the break. She should be primed to run well fresh. 1. Anavinci has had three runs back from a long break and hasn’t been beaten far in any of them. She has the talent to win in this company.
How to play it: Iconic Treasure each way.
Best bets
Race 5: (8) Presley
Race 6: (3) Wallenda
Best value
Race 7: (4) Iconic Treasure
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
