By Neil Evans
Track Soft 7 and rail True
RACE 1
2. Hyperbolic is a progressive filly resuming off two trials, winning the latest in nice time. Swept home to win two straight at the provincials before the break, and has always shown an ability to come to hand quickly. Drawn to get a nice trail just off the speed, and right at home on soft going. The one to beat. 1. Tehina has a little edge in race fitness third-up and won her only previous start on soft ground. Draws inside, but still needs to find a length. 3. Moonlight Grace improves further second-up back in fillies and mares company and over a bit more ground. 5. Get Some Fun third-up with gear changes, and 4. Media Frenzy resuming off two trials and trained on the course, are both capable of figuring in the minor money.
Racing heads to Wyong on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
How to play it: Hyperbolic to win
RACE 2
10. Extreme Diva is another promising filly resuming off two trials, winning the latest, having her first outing for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable. Has enough tactical speed, and is bred to relish the conditions being by Extreme Choice out of a Fastnet Rock mare who was a soft track winner. 11. Mia Ballerina has finished in the placings all three runs back from a spell. Drawn to stalk the speed, and also capable on rain-affected ground. 5. Alpine Ski is a well-bred three-year-old and market watch for Godolphin, resuming behind two trials. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Extreme Diva to win
RACE 3
6. Empusa is an improving filly by Hellbent primed to strike second-up in just her second prep. Missed out by a long head when fresh in a blanket finish at Hawkesbury, and parks in the right spot behind the speed. 5. Piperita is a home track filly returning for her first run since last spring and third career start. Given two easy trials, and also suited to the conditions. 1. Dare To Fly has failed to finish off in her last couple, but more at home on a soft surface, and this shapes as a fourth-up peak in her first prep, importantly over a furlong further. 9. Slam Dunk is each-way value out in distance third-up; while home tracker 4. Kerala heads the rest, improving into her third start.
How to play it: Empusa to win
RACE 4
9. Ella Hazel is a progressive filly by Dundeel ready to break through second-up. Did her best work late coming from last first-up at Kembla. Fitter now, rising to the mile and bred to be right at home in the ground. 3. Mission Giant is lightly raced and stuck on strong here when resuming in a handy Super Maiden a fortnight ago. 4. San Gabriel can improve sharply second-up back from metropolitan opposition, although the dominant winner that day Deal ‘N’ Dash then ran a shocker as a hot favourite at Canberra last Sunday. 5. Stormbringer is knocking on the door after two runs to start his career. Rolls forward again from an ideal draw and can give a big sight. 7. Phazed jumps up from country level, with a leading metro jockey taking over, and is the best of the roughies.
How to play it: Ella Hazel to win
RACE 5
7. Kenmare Bay is well-suited getting out to an ideal distance second-up after chasing home smart winner Lugarno here a fortnight back. Drops 2kg from that effort, drawn to park in a similar spot, and handles soft ground. 5. Irish Bliss has been in and around the money all prep, without winning. Blinkers are back on, and so too a senior jockey, although likely to be ridden a bit quieter from this draw. 6. Fifth Force did enough second-up over this trip in deeper grade to suggest he can be right in the finish, with blinkers added. At much bigger odds 3. Oakfield Prince trained on the track, peaking fourth-up, and 9. Luconi back in trip fourth-up 19 days between runs; both go in wider exotic plays.
How to play it: Kenmare Bay to win
RACE 6
4. Invasive Dreams can bounce straight back to winning ways after running home late via a tough run in the Mudgee Cup. Had previously charged home to win two straight up to BM 74 country level, and she thrives on soft ground. Jockey change is significant, and she’s drawn to settle back off the fence before being taken to the middle of the track at the top of the straight. 2. Prince Of Sorts is a consistent local who ran home fairly through traffic first-up in a very competitive Provincial Championship Qualifier. Will find this more to his liking, and best form is second-up. Well treated at the weights after the claim. 3. Invade And Conquer will need to tuck in from a wide barrier, but suited up in distance second-up. 7. Bend The Knee gets blinkers back on third-up from a low draw and down in weight.
How to play it: Invasive Dreams to win
RACE 7
1. Oakfield Badger is a home-track five-year-old who can upset this field at very big odds, resuming off a smart provincial trial win in soft going. Competitive enough through last spring, including a BM 74 win at Scone, and has a tidy fresh record. 9. Triple Tempo is the clear and natural threat, drawn inside, and resuming behind two runaway trial wins by a combined 17 lengths. The latest was only nine days ago when she clocked a flying 32.66 seconds for her final 600m. By an Everest winner in Yes Yes Yes, she looks ready to rock likely as a hot favourite, but wouldn’t be diving into too short a price first time on rain-affected ground. 2. Gogmagog is tough, and shoots for a third straight win over this flying trip, but taking on a few smart ones here. 8. First Person is sparingly raced and a big market watch resuming off two spaced trials, having been competitive in Qld metropolitan races last prep. Keep safe 5. Iron Hat who made up plenty of late ground behind the former second-up.
How to play it: Oakfield Badger each way
RACE 8
2. Colophon is a very capable three-year-old who only has to get over from the wide draw to take a power of stopping. Led until the final stride at Kembla first-up, and winkers have been added. Only success so far came second-up against metro opposition, and the pattern may well be off the fence late in the day anyway. 5. Ramones is a tough frontrunner who has stuck on okay in three runs this prep, the latest when beaten under two lengths in a CL3 Highway. 9. Burrowa chased home an exciting sprinter first-up at Kembla, and does handle soft going. 10. Edge Of Midnight fourth-up, and 11. Wealthy Investor (also accepted for R6) trained on the track and deep into the prep; can both add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Colophon to win
BEST BETS:
R1 2. HYPERBOLIC
R6 4. INVASIVE DREAMS
BEST VALUE:
R4 9. ELLA HAZEL
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
