By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 – 2:00PM MARK BLOOMER TRANSPORT CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1115 METRES)
4. Noble Missile drew wide and settled in the second half when resuming here before charging home into second. May be looking for a touch further but much fitter and drawn nicely here and has a good chance to go one better.
Dangers: 5. Seaczar comes through the same race where he started favourite and boxed on to run fourth. Had his chance but fitter for the run and is open to improvement. 6. Sportspak hasn’t raced since April and not seen at any trials leading into this. On face value he’ll probably find it short of his best trip but could run a cheeky race fresh. 7. Magic Prophet was in the market first-up and while a late drifter he did make some late ground there. Extra 100m or so looks a plus and in a race that lacks depth he could be placed.
How to play it: Noble Missile WIN; Trifecta 4/5,6,7/5,6,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Racing heads to Grafton for an eight-race card.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 2:35PM HERB BLANCHARD HAULAGE JACARANDA CROWN (1620 METRES)
4. Princess Zeddy is hovering around a win and while she’s only won one from 22she might be looking for a mile and finds an average race to get her chance. She settles back and runs on and is hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Beef Week Princess has been battling for form but did close off OK to be beaten a couple of lengths at Ipswich fourth-up. Entitled to another chance here. 5. She’s Rewarding broke through for a maiden win two starts back then fair effort at Lismore. Drawn awkwardly again but is honest and should be around the mark. 6. Cliffsinger has had a few chances of late, just fair last time but previous couple of efforts would have him in the mix for a placing.
How to play it: Princess Zeddy WIN; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 – 3:10PM CRJC CHRISTMAS EVE BIG BASH JACARANDA HANDICAP (1720 METRES)
4. Mahomes has the hoof right on the till for a win with a couple of solid placings on end including an eye-catcher here behind a handy type who has won again since. Drawn ideally and gets his chance to break through.
Dangers: 1. Consensio led them up in the same race and boxed on to hold second in his best effort this prep. Likely leader again and could be harder to run down. 2. Cherokee Cherry disappointed last time out at Newcastle last weekend after leading but previous two efforts would be good enough to put her in the finish. Keep in mind. 7. Press Freedom ran a much improved race over 1400m here two weeks ago. Record says he’s hit and miss so an each-way chance best.
How to play it: Mahomes WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:50PM BOOK A CHRISTMAS RACE DAY MARQUEE C1 & MAIDEN (2220 METRES)
10. Solarosa has found a nice race to attempt a breakthrough at start 12. Narrowly beaten two back then ran on into second at Ipswich over a similar trip. Doesn’t need to improve much to go close.
Dangers: 8. Enolaba had her chance in the same race running third but it was her best showing to date and first try at the trip. Could be an improver on that. 1. I’mtimmyzou won a maiden at Taree four starts back and has been close up in his three runs since. First go at a middle distance and is one of the chances. 5. Seething Chuck was prominent all the way and boxed on okay when third on a heavy track at Port Macquarie. Had a few chances but draws well and the claim helps. Each-way.
How to play it: Solarosa WIN; Trifecta 10/1,5,8/1,5,8 Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 5 – 4:30PM LAWRENCE TAVERN CHRISTMAS RACE DAY 27/11 PLATE (1115 METRES)
5. Northuldra might hold the key to this race. She’s been outclassed in Sydney though did run a handy race on debut in a Widden Stakes. Quiet trial leading in, drawn well and if there’s support she could be the one.
Dangers: 8. Maroon Magic was an impressive trial winner at Beaudesert leading into this. Awkward gate but in good hands and must be respected. 10. Pointillism is an interesting runner who has trialled only once at Tamworth a few weeks back and found the line well into second in a small field. Also drawn out but keep safe. 6. Discreet Lady ran a much better race at her fifth start when placed over this course two weeks ago. If she can repeat that effort she’s a good chance.
How to play it: Northuldra WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 5:05PM GRAFTONTICKETS.COM.AU BM58 – HEAT OF THE RISING STAR (1190 METRES)
6. Franklin Corners has been thereabouts in four runs back and found the line nicely at Lismore into second over 1310m last time. Shade kinder draw helps and should be strong late. Go well.
Dangers: 2. Peregrination didn’t measure up in a Highway before a spell in June but comes into this with a trial under his belt and fresh. Claim a plus for him and expecting him to run a handy race. 5. Trogir resumed with a second at Inverell a couple of weeks ago and will be fitter for it. Usually around the placings and from gate one will enjoy a nice run. Capable of showing up. 7. Taikun Tommy has been a shade disappointing at his last few but on a narrow defeat here back in July would be a genuine hope. Each-way.
How to play it: Franklin Corners E/W; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 5:45PM XXXX JACARANDA CUP (1115 METRES)
3. Leave Me Some is a consistent mare and she was well supported when beaten in a close finish at Port Macquarie last time out. Gate one is huge for her and she only has to hold form to be in the finish.
Dangers: 2. Aheadofhistime was a narrow winner of the same race at Port Macquarie, making a late dive to score. Not badly off at the weights after the claim and should run well again. 1. Exclusive is unbeaten at this track and distance and finished strongly to score off a two-month break here. Wide gate and big weight but he will be hitting the line as usual. 8. Swamp Nation hasn’t raced since the Country Championships Final and while she hasn’t trialled that’s not unusual for her. Tends to improve with a run but wouldn’t be leaving her out.
How to play it: Leave Me Some WIN; Trifecta 3/1,2,8/1,2,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 6:20PM CRJC LIFE MEMBERS BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1420 METRES)
2. Gobbled is racing in career best form and while the draw will make it tougher for him he’s the one to beat. Goes forward and if he finds a good spot there’s no reason he can’t achieve a hat-trick.
Dangers: 6. Full Press has been racing in excellent form at a mile of late and while back slightly in trip he’s a major player. Too good as favourite in a tight finish here last time and is a threat. 7. Emmy Regina resumed with a solid effort at Lismore a couple of weeks ago and can only be fitter. Each-way claims. 9. Scatman found the line well from a long way back last time and has form around Full Press so he’s one of the chances again.
How to play it: Gobbled WIN; Trifecta 2/6,7,9/6,7,9; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
