By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
4. Nielsen Park is a nicely bred colt who cost $650,000 and debuts having hit the line nicely at the end of 740m in his latest trial about a month ago. Drawn nicely and should be able to make some use of it up to the 1100m now. Should run well. 3. Farnicle from the Waterhouse/Bott yard led all the way to a comfortable trial win over 1045m two weeks ago. Imagine he looks to lead this field and with that grounding, he’ll be giving a good account. 2. Grand Prairie warmed up at the end of the 1000m on this track two weeks ago to finish a close second. Better for that.
Sydney’s midweek meeting is on the Kensington surface at Randwick on Wednesday.Credit: Jenny Evans
How to play it: Nielsen Park WIN
Race 2
4. Ernaux was a $3 million purchase and steps out for her debut after two trials, and she’s been competitive in both. Followed the leader in the latest then hooked across heels before going down narrowly. 2. Scrumptious was a drifter in betting first-up and did a good job after having to check at a vital stage when running second two weeks ago. Better for it and has to be included. 1. Pleasure Queen was the winner of that race and ran right up to some good support to get the job done. Tricky gate this time but hard to knock.
How to play it: Ernaux WIN
Race 3
5. Marais is bursting to win a race having placed in eight of his nine starts and gets another chance here from a soft gate with J-Mac up. Hit the front at Canberra second-up and was cut down late, the third horse has since won. 6. Monte Veebee has bumped into some smart ones in his six starts to date and resumes since the spring with a couple of trials under his belt and is now a gelding. Has the talent and looks a major threat. 9. Fleeting Spirit has found one better at her past two including last time when bumping into the promising Meridiana two weeks ago.
How to play it: Marais WIN
Race 4
6. Campaldino found the 1400m too short when resuming two weeks ago, but he did a great job to run second. Fitter for that and gets a nice weight drop and rises to a more suitable trip so expecting him to be much harder to beat. 2. Inquiring Minds had about six weeks between runs when running into a close second at Canterbury almost four weeks ago. Should be around the mark again. 3. Don Pedro won twice at 1400m at Warwick Farm before stepping to 1550m here two weeks ago and running on without threatening into fourth. In the mix.
How to play it: Campaldino WIN
Race 5
1. Seascape was solid in betting when she resumed with a third here two weeks ago, where she led and probably just didn’t settle well enough before kicking clear and being run down late. Has to be fitter and gets the chance to own this from a wider gate. 11. To The Extreme resumed with a promising third at Warwick Farm before a fair effort in a Midway at Randwick a few weeks ago. Inclined to give her another chance. 6. Useapin got the job done when resuming at Gosford, finishing off well late to score a narrow win. Draws well and could go on with it.
How to play it: Seascape WIN
Race 6
2. Ballroom Bella was group 2 placed this time last year and is right back in grade on what she contested in the spring. Plenty to like about her latest trial effort where she scored in good style, gets in okay with the claim and would be surprised if she doesn’t show up. 6. Althoff is back as a gelding after some fair efforts in stakes company last time in. Not tested in his trial a few weeks ago and bears close watching first-up. 8. Midnight Dynamite wasn’t a factor first-up at Flemington but have to forgive that as he was quite consistent last time in including a placing behind Private Harry.
How to play it: Ballroom Bella WIN
Race 7
3. Peace Officer doesn’t often get the breaks, but he looks well-placed to make an impact after a nice second-up effort at Warwick Farm and a tick-over trial since. Sure to be hard to hold out. 10. Mickey’s Medal tried hard when resuming with a close-up third over the 1400m two weeks ago. Drawn ideally and any improvement would see him pose a big threat second-up. 1. Roma Avenue did a good job to box on and run third at Kensington two weeks ago over this trip and with two runs back he should be at his peak.
How to play it: Peace Officer WIN
Race 8
8. Brutal Bowler didn’t have the best of luck when resuming at Hawkesbury and found the line in great style late when he did get a chance to wind up. Is a second-up winner and can only be improved for the extra 100m of this. 4. Climb The Ladder led at Warwick Farm a month ago and while reeled in to run fourth wasn’t disgraced. No surprise if he’s better for that first run in Sydney and is worth another chance. 1. Mogul Monarch hasn’t done a lot wrong and followed a narrow Midway defeat with a game second at Gosford in a Provincial-Midway Championships heat.
How to play it: Brutal Bowler WIN
Best Bets
Race 5 (1) Seascape
Race 7 (3) Peace Officer
Best Value
Race 8 (8) Brutal Bowler
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
