By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
RACE 1 – 2PM: KIA ORA STUD HANDICAP (1400m)
1. Oriental Tycoon has another chance here with the opportunity to be right on the speed in a race that looks to lack obvious tempo. He was solid first-up then odds-on and couldn’t quite pick them up at Hawkesbury. Entitled to go close with the make-up of this race.
Pandano scores at Randwick last February. The gelding looks a danger in the sixth at Rosehill on Wednesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 7. Gelsey made a handy debut at Hawkesbury a few weeks ago, looking strong late as she ran into third. Fitter for it, extra 100m looks to suit. It’ll be interesting to see if she’s able to get up on speed here from the outside. 2. High Blue Sea has hit the line from well back in both starts to date and seems to be crying out for this sort of trip. No disgrace going under first-up as favourite
with the leader winning and it’s just where he can get to from the gate that will dictate how much
ground he has to concede here. 4. Personal Best wasn’t overly fancied at his first starts at Kembla but ran a promising race to be beaten less than a length over 1200m. Likely to have some upside and is a market watch.
How to play it: Oriental Tycoon to win and trifecta 1/ 2,4,7/2,4,7.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 2 – 2.35PM: MICROPHONE YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1200m)
1. Forecaster returned in a great fashion winning a 900m event at Newcastle off the back of no trials. Treating that run as his trial for this and he proved right up to it last prep winning a Canterbury maiden and beaten half-a-length in a Randwick two-year-old handicap. Nicely drawn and claim assists. Go well.
Dangers: 7. Tashi looked good winning at her only start back in June, sprinting sharply from worse than midfield over 1100m at Kensington. That was on a good track, sting out here shouldn’t worry and she’s trialled quietly. Keep safe. 6. Tango Fame had some mixed form last time in but his Warwick Farm win in May from on speed was dominant. Draws well and could be a good each-way hope. 10. Operative is sure to have admirers with James McDonald riding after an easy second-up maiden win at Newcastle a month ago. This race is no pushover but he’s one of the main chances.
How to play it: Forecaster each-way.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 3 – 3.10PM: FURPHY HANDICAP (1300m)
6. Airman has shown a stack of talent. That’s going to be tested from the outside gate here, but he has to go on top. Dominant from the back on debut then ridden handier first-up at Kembla and got the job done after taking a while to reel in the leader. Extra 100m in his favour and is hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Banju is a big threat if something goes awry with the favourite. His first-up run in a very strong country-only race at Randwick won by Fender was excellent and he’ll be a lot fitter. He was consistent last time in and a bit unfortunate not to make the Country Championships Final. Good chance. 2. Stick To Your Guns was back to his best at Hawkesbury last time when ridden on the speed and imagine he pushes forward from the wide gate. If he lands in a good spot he can play a part in the finish. 3. Rebel County has an unbeaten second-up record, so he might be one to watch out of this first-up run. Ran well fresh last time in and comes into this with gate one and a trial. No surprise to see him placed but he’ll improve on whatever he shows.
How to play it: Airman to win and trifecta 6/1,2,3/1,2,3.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 4 – 3.45PM: VINERY STALLIONS HANDICAP (1300m)
6. Deep Snow looks ready to peak third-up after two solid seconds this time in. Sat handy and hit the lead at Randwick last time only to be rounded up late by Robusto, who has run well in group company since. Drawn to have every chance to go one better in a similar race.
Dangers: 3. Baltic Coast is a very interesting runner resuming. He showed talent with a couple of wins in easier grade in the late autumn before failing at Warwick Farm and spelled. Fitter for two trials and just has that X-factor about him. 4. Revivalist is now with Nathan Doyle and is one to keep an eye on first-up. He won fresh at Newcastle last time in and is fitter for two trials. Market will be a good pointer. 8. Green Shadows resumed in the same race as Deep Snow and held his ground fairly to run fifth. Better off at the weights and fitter but drawn wide. Keep in mind.
How to play it: Deep Snow to win and trifecta 6/3,4,8/3,4,8.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 5 – 4.20PM: BOWERMANS HANDICAP (1500m)
5. Typhoon Taavi goes on top in a race that looks anyone’s for the taking. Fair to say she’s had her chance in her past couple but there’s been steady improvement from each run to the next so she could be set to peak. Probable leader here and has to be respected.
Dangers: 1. Deel Street is flying as she comes through the grades with four wins from her last five starts. She does have a negative racing pattern but she did a good job to pick them up at Kembla Grange a few weeks ago and deserves her shot in town. 7. Newley Wed resumed as favourite on a heavy 10 at Hawkesbury and wasn’t disgraced in running second after settling near the tail. Fitter for that and she’ll likely run well here. 6. La Jolie Fille is starting to run into some form and she’s more than capable on her best of featuring. Solid effort at Wyong last time out and has each-way claims.
How to play it: Typhoon Taavi to win.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 6 – 4.55PM: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1500m)
This race revolves around the import 10. Estadio Mestalla. Only raced once in the UK for a win over a mile on a synthetic track a year ago. He trialled strongly on the synthetic leading into this and if he’s above average at all this is a winnable race. Big market watch.
Dangers: 2. Pandano is the logical threat now he’s found his form again. Hit the line hard to win third-up at Kensington and the third horse has since won to confirm the form. Well drawn and the only negative is his ordinary Rosehill record. 3. Akahata appreciated a class drop to bounce back to his best at Kembla two weeks ago at a mile. That slight distance drop might be the key for him and from the 1500m start there’s plenty of time to offset the wide gate. 8. Tidal Rush was a comfortable winner as favourite at Muswellbrook and has now put three nice runs together. Worth a shot here and could easily be a factor.
How to play it: Estadio Mestalla to win and trifecta 10/2,3,8/2,3,8.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
RACE 7 – 5.30PM: NEW TAB APP HANDICAP (1800m)
6. Socrates has put three strong wins together and raced himself out of Highway grade with his latest success over a similar trip at Randwick. He’s an on-pacer who can go forward from the tricky gate and only has to hold his form to be in the finish.
Dangers: 10. Awesome Wonder ran an even race first-up at Hawkesbury over 1500m and is suited here with the extra ground and blinkers on. Expect an improved showing. 2. Olympic Theatre was runner-up in the Port Macquarie Cup three starts back and didn’t disgrace in the Little Dance last time at Randwick finishing midfield. Has gate one and a good chance to be in the finish. 7. Travelling Kate might have found leading over 2100m at Hawkesbury last time a bit beyond her but she boxed on OK there beaten three lengths. Game over a mile prior to that and is entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Socrates to win.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
Best Bets:
Race 3 (6) Airman
Race 4 (6) Deep Snow
Best Value:
Race 2 (1) Forecaster
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
