By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
1. Gemologist had a number of trials before making his debut in a small field at Muswellbrook and coming with a strong finishing burst to score a strong win. He’s drawn the rails in this and should get the run of the race and take plenty of beating again. 3. Forging Ahead is on debut for Kris Lees and has had two trials in preparation. He looks set to run well. 9. Josephine has had two trials to be readied for this debut, and she has looked good in each of them. 2. Cornerback is a stablemate of Forging Ahead and also having his first start. He shouldn’t be taken lightly after a couple of trials.
How to play it: Gemologist WIN.
Racing returns to Gunnedah on Sunday.Credit: Jessica Shapiro
Race 2
1. Currumbin Alley is on debut from a good gate and finished third in a trial leading into this. He is poised to run well. 4. Miss You So has been placed in one of her three starts and can show up fresh in this. 14. Injair was placed at Quirindi before being spelled and is a recent trial winner at this track. 6. Gettin’ Tipsy was midfield on debut at Dubbo and could get into the placings.
How to play it: Currumbin Alley WIN.
Race 3
8. Instead has been racing well with a Coonabarabran win four starts ago and a couple of recent second placings at Dubbo and Wellington. She is up in distance but looks capable of handling it. 11. Hideyo ran home well when second at Mudgee last time out and has claims on that effort. 5. She’s Got Teeth ran second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle two starts ago and can figure on that effort. 4. Maui has been racing well and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Instead EACH WAY.
Race 4
13. Stolen Summer debuted with a third at this track and should have derived benefit from that performance. She is drawn well and will take beating in this line-up. 14. Trounce ran fourth at Newcastle at her only start and has had a trial since then to be kept up to the mark. 9. Krulisa is on debut after a number of trials and has the grounding under her belt to perform well, while 10. Not My Problem has been placed in three of four starts and resumes here after two solid trials.
How to play it: Stolen Summer WIN.
Race 5
5. Oakfield Mercury was on debut when scoring a win at this track when well in the market. He only needs to run up to that effort to be hard to hold out again. 6. Willinga Karisma has been racing well with two second placings at her latest two starts and she should be thereabouts again. 12. Bellini Spritz was a winner at Quirindi at her second start and resumes here from a wide gate, while 8. Chillcuz ran second here last time out and gets a chance again from the inside barrier.
How to play it: Oakfield Mercury WIN.
Race 6
1. Oakfield Duke is fresh for this having finished fourth at Randwick and Warwick Farm earlier in the year and then fifth at Wyong last time out. He ran second in a recent trial to be kept up to the mark for this. 4. Outishka is a talented mare at best and has the ability to give this a shake. 2. Two Ya Got will find this easier than a last start Scone effort, while 6. Iron Hat drops in grade after a last start Randwick run.
How to play it: Oakfield Duke WIN.
Race 7
4. Oakfield Prince is racing in great form with two wins from his past three starts. He scored at Wyong before finishing third in the Wellington Cup and then hit the line well to win at Newcastle last time out. He only needs to have maintained that form to be hard to hold out again. 2. Russian Roni has finished second at Eagle Farm and Ipswich in two of his last three starts and can be thereabouts again if the breaks go his way. 1. Osman is handy at best and while he needs to lift on recent form, he can give cheek from on pace. 8. Fiorsum Fred is a last start Highway winner at Scone that can show up despite the rise in grade.
How to play it: Oakfield Prince WIN.
Race 8
2. Eighty Eight Stars was a winner at this track back in December and then was midfield at Inverell before being spelled. He resumed with a fourth at this track when hitting the line well enough and can give a good sight here despite the wide barrier. 10. Atenta raced on the speed on debut at Muswellbrook and fought on too well to score a strong victory. She’s a daughter of Streama and can go on with the job here. 3. Insightful Award was a Scone winner four starts ago and ran well at Quirindi two starts back when running second. 1. Nyali Sands won at Taree in February and then resumed with a down the track effort at Gosford. She can improve here.
How to play it: Eighty Eight Stars WIN.
Best Bets: Race 1 (1) Gemologist.
Race 2 (1) Currumbin Alley.
Best Value: Race 3 (8) Instead.
