By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 11:45AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
Everything about the map says 1. Karmazone faces a task but kept coming back to him as he’s in super form with a couple of impressive wins this time in. Big drop in class here, claim helps as does the big track and he’ll be charging home.
Casino Kid is a strong chance in the Big Dance.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 11. Remus was placed in a Midway at Randwick in August and he hit the line nicely last time out from well back at Hawkesbury. Draws inside for a change and will run the trip out. Looks over the odds and has a case. 4. Loving Cilla boxed on OK on a heavy track at Canterbury last time but before that her run in a Midway behind Mahagoni had plenty of merit. Good chance for her to be in the finish. 5. Acceber jumps in distance after a couple of runs at 1400m and that might be what he’s looking for. Even effort at Eagle Farm last time. Previous starts were at Class 1 level and drawn awkwardly. Include but needs the breaks. How to play it: Karmazone WIN; Trifecta 1/ 4,5,11/4,5,11. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 2 – 12:25PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
19. Pretty Woman is smart on her day and she’s always been effective fresh. Won first-up last prep, perhaps 1200m was beyond her before a spell. No public trials but draws well and all three wins have been at the short course. Go well.
Dangers: 9. Miss Kirribilli is a lightly raced mare who converted her good country form into a Highway at Rosehill in June where she was game in running second. Has every chance from the inside alley. 8. Salire needs a little luck from the gate but he’s been getting closer to a win in this company. Strong late when third over this course on September 17 and has trialled since then. One of the main chances. 2. Limited Reality lost his unbeaten record in the same highway as Salire when an even fifth and he was a drifter in betting there. Also had a tick-over trial, bar plates come off and he’s open to improvement. How to play it: Pretty Woman E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 1:05PM NEW TAB APP HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
7. Quick Tempo sets up well to be in the finish behind what looks a solid tempo. He was close up over this course three runs back and subsequent efforts sound. He performs fresh and the claim gets him in with a weight he’s not used to.
Dangers: 12. Key Largo has a strong finish on him, which often comes too late, but he also has a good platform to run well fresh. Yet to win first-up but was narrowly beaten fresh at the start of last prep. He’ll be charging. 4. Queen Bellissimo ran well first-up then very game second-up before failing behind a smart one and spelled. Given a nice sharp trial and she’ll put herself in the race. How much pressure she receives will determine her fate. 1. The Bopper is more than capable of winning this if right and his latest trial suggests he’s in good order. Won over this track and distance back in December and can’t be left out. How to play it: Quick Tempo WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 1:40PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
8. Saturn Star showed plenty of talent leading all the way on debut at Rosehill a month ago, missed a run when a late scratching at Warwick Farm three weeks later but held Lost And Running and Buenos Noches nicely in a trial. Interesting to see how he measures up.
Dangers: 14. Vivid Flash has been a bit costly, she was excellent when resuming then every chance second-up. Again disappointed on a heavy at Warwick Farm but back on top of the ground and drawn well she has the chance to improver. 12. Amati has been thereabouts in three runs back and beaten under two lengths in a Listed race last time. Whether she wants a wet track we’ll find out here as she’s placed to run well. 4. Green Shadows was thrown in the deep end in the G2 Sires’ in Brisbane and ran a cheeky fifth before failing in the JJ Atkins. Comes through a strong trial and pay to keep him safe fresh. How to play it: Saturn Star WIN; Trifecta 8/4,12,14/4,12,14. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 5 – 2:20PM BIG DANCE (1600 METRES)
14. Casino Kid ran a huge race over this course last start in a race not run to suit a horse like him. His mile form is outstanding and drops to 52kg in a race that should have at least a reasonable tempo. Draw suits too, he’s good enough if the breaks go his way.
Dangers: 7. Sibaaq has run two excellent races this time in and you’d have to think Ellsberg form is pretty strong for this race. Draws to race in the first half and looks a good chance. 2. Surf Dancer won a very good form race first-up beating Old Flame and Ellsberg then had to chase a brutal tempo in the Craven Plate so can be forgiven. This sets up well for him to put himself on the speed and if he’s able to get a comfortable run is a big threat. 5. Hosier was able to dictate when winning here beating Casino Kid and you’d imagine won’t have that luxury this time around. Meets that horse 2.5kg worse as well. Still, can’t leave out. 3. Rustic Steel showed he’s getting back to form with an improved showing in the Five Diamonds Prelude. If he can find his Scone Cup and The Coast form he’s right in it. How to play it: Casino Kid E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 3:30PM LITTLE DANCE (1600 METRES)
10. Dream Runner had plenty of excuses for his unplaced effort in the Wild Card and while he weakened late it wasn’t a surprise given the wide run. He is good enough on his day, draws perfectly this time and is a good each-way chance.
Dangers: 4. Solar Apex comes through the same race, he was well back in the field and held up for runs at a vital stage before he got going late. Runner-up to Surf Dancer in the South Grafton Cup and if he can stay in touch this time he’s a good chance. 2. Steely might be a shade under the odds but he is now fitter for two runs back and while he appeared to have his chance in the Wild Card he’s open to improvement. 11. Two Big Fari is racing so consistently without winning at the moment and just has to be included. Sat on the speed last time and fought on bravely. Will be up there again from a soft gate and is right in this. How to play it: Dream Runner E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 4:10PM FUJITSU GENERAL CHOISIR HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. Dragonstone might have been on the wrong leg and in the wrong spot first-up in Melbourne so best to overlook that run. He won the Bob Charley AO Stakes in similar conditions here before a break and he’ll relish what should be a genuine speed.
Dangers: 10. Clemenceau has found one better in two runs back when favourite and seemed to have his chance chasing Zethus home at Moonee Valley. Drops 9.5kg for the class rise and the claim so is well placed to feature. 5. Handle The Truth blew the start in the Kosciuszko and that put paid to his chances there. We know he’s good enough and he’d only have to run to his third behind Eduardo first-up to be competitive. 8. Surreal Step raced well last time in without a whole lot of luck but did win here on a heavy track third-up. Honest type and wouldn’t shock if he’s somewhere in the finish fresh. How to play it: Dragonstone WIN; Trifecta 6/5,8,10/5,8,10. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 – 4:50PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1. Far Too Easy was huge running into second in the Kosciuszko and is clearly the best horse in the race. He rises 2kg, and meets a few worse at the weights, plus jumps from an outside alley so will need some luck in running but he’s impossible to knock
Dangers: 9. Cavalier Charles is the weight horse here out of the Kosciuszko where he ran a solid fourth after a three wide with cover run. Drops 5kg and his Country Champs Wild Card win last prep says he’s more than good enough. Big chance. 2. Fender ran third in the Kosciuszko after tracking Cavalier Charles into the race. Meets that horse 6kg worse at the weights and again drawn out but is a definite chance. 8. Banju is the fresh horse on the scene and shouldn’t be underestimated. He ran third behind Cavalier Charles in the Wild Card in March, he’s an honest on pacer drawn well and is a good each-way hope. How to play it: Far Too Easy WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,8,9/2,8,9. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 9 – 5:30PM SHARP EXTENSIVE IT HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
3. Zoushack did a super job under 64.5kg to win comfortably at Warwick Farm third-up and this doesn’t look any harder. Should get a nice run somewhere on speed, drops 3kg and while yet to win at this trip won’t get a better chance.
Dangers: 12. Tamerlane disappointed on a heavy track here a month ago but his effort behind Waterford reads well for this race. Been back to the trials and a firmer track suits him. Entitled to another chance. 6. Military Mission is a handy stayer resuming at a suitable trip to give him some hope. Fitter for two trials and drawn the inside so imagine he can be near the speed and that can put him in the finish. 7. Wonderful Riri ran well behind Hosier two starts back in a race not run to suit then solid again behind Hope In Your Heart in the Angst. Needs some luck from the barrier and with tempo but one to throw into the mix. How to play it: Zoushack WIN; Trifecta 3/6,7,12/6,7,12. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 10 – 6:05PM CLEANAWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
2. Norwegian Bliss is yet to be beaten after six starts and while she’s again up in class first-up she’s going to get a nice run in a very winnable race. You have to like her recent trial win and she’s clearly the horse to beat.
Dangers: 8. Grande Rumore has an 8kg turnaround on Norwegian Bliss for when they met at Newcastle last year when she was resuming. Given a couple of quiet trials, drawn soft and has to be kept under notice. 9. Liberty Sun started $26 when he toughed it out to win a Midway here last time to break through for an overdue success. Drops 2.5kg on that, races on the pace and can give a sight. 11. Bullet Rider has won three races and all of them when fresh so it’ll be interesting to see if he can back up his first-up win at Warwick Farm. Runner-up has since run well and third horse won at Rosehill on Saturday. Keep in mind. How to play it: Norwegian Bliss WIN; Trifecta 2/8,9,11/8,9,11. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
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
