By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:10PM ARMIDALE ROOF TILERS/ TONY WILLIAMS MACHINERY PLATE (1900M)
6. Willinga Tyson is the up and comer of the field and despite being a drifter in betting was dominant in his maiden win at Muswellbrook. Led there and the extra trip should hold no fears. Sure to run well.
Racing heads to Armidale for an eight-race card.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 3. Brunel Kingdom just failed to lead all the way at Grafton over 2200m a couple of weeks ago. It was an improved performance on his previous few. If he can repeat the effort he has a good chance. 1. Bartender Blues did some work and held on OK into third at Tamworth last time in his first placing this time in. One win from 32 is the concern but has a show here. 4. Dream Lad is one from 39 but he is racing well of late with a couple of placings last month. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Willinga Tyson WIN; Trifecta 6/1,2,4/1,2,4. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 1:45PM ARMIDALE SERVIES CLUB COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
10. Prince Carlos showed something at his first run back at Gunnedah and for the new stable, he had his chance and may have hit the lead before finishing fourth, but it was encouraging. Fitter and blinkers on and down in weight. Each-way.
Dangers: 5. Hoku was a big drifter in betting last time at Tamworth and held his ground OK there to run fourth. Placed at his only start at this track, drawn a bit awkwardly but worth including. 9. Oodles started favourite in the same race and ran fifth, getting back and running on fairly. Also drawn out but is racing well enough to entertain. 11. Sportspak disappointed last time at Grafton but previous few efforts were handy and wouldn’t surprise if he improves sharply in a wide open race.
How to play it: Prince Carlos E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:20PM LAING & SIMMONS ARMIDALE MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
1. Cyber Attack is an interesting runner, ex-John O’Shea, having first run for top local stable. Not seen in public since beaten two lengths at Warwick Farm in January. Market a good pointer but it’d be surprise if he’s not competitive.
Dangers: 3. Toomuchinformation has only missed a place once in seven starts and is also first-up without a public trial. Draws well and should get every chance. Logical danger. 10. Lago’s Daughter isn’t far off a win with placings here and at Tamworth at her past couple, her first runs for Jeremy Sylvester. Can’t be overlooked. 12. Tikitiboo is also going well without winning with minors at Quirindi and Gunnedah of late. Wide alley a minus but has a place show again.
How to play it: Cyber Attack WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,10,12/3,10,12. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 2:55PM JOCK MCPHEE AM CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1. Aytobe doesn’t win out of turn but aside from his Highway run, which wasn’t a flop, his form shows he’s close to a win at this level. Beaten by a smart one at Tamworth three back and last time tried hard when again runner-up. Chance to break through.
Dangers: 7. Arliebel is an up-and-comer who backed up a maiden win here with a Class 1 victory at Quirindi then drifter in the betting but hit the line well into second at Tamworth. Down 3.5kg and should run well again. 9. Nicator was a beaten favourite first-up but ran well for third at Muswellbrook then fair effort at Newcastle. Entitled to another chance here. 4. Madagascar Miss led all the way for an overdue win at Coffs Harbour at this trip just under two weeks ago. Imagine she will roll forward again and could give a sight.
How to play it: Aytobe WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:35PM MARIA RIVER CATTLE CO BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
5. Tough Case is a consistent type and he did a good job to win at Tamworth a couple of weeks ago, his first this prep. Has to back it up but down in weight, drawn well and should be around the mark again.
Dangers: 10. Indian Thunder has a tricky gate to overcome but he followed an Inverell win with a game second behind Tough Case, so has to be considered among the chances. 2. Ah Well comes back from a couple of runs at the mile and she can do better than last time at Tamworth in a much stronger grade than this. Capable of bouncing back. 1. Buffet Buster showed improvement on his first-up effort to be beaten into fourth in a blanket finish at Grafton last time. Will need luck from the gate but down significantly in class and can’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Tough Case E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:15PM DEBORTOLI WINES ARMIDALE NEWMARKET (1100 METRES)
6. Cassy’s Sister is an honest on pacer who hasn’t won for a little while but she showed she’s in form with a game second at Wyong third-up. Should be at her top now, drawn to be right up there and capable of going close.
Dangers: 7. Ezekeil had his chance in a Highway last time but wasn’t beaten by far. Close second to Bugalugs reads well for this and he seems to be reacting well to having his runs spaced. Hard to beat. 3. Superior Witness was first-up when leading and boxing on for third at Muswellbrook a couple of weeks ago. Fitter for that, has a good second-up record and sure to be around the mark again. 2. Jerle is yet to miss a place at this trip and might find this a bit more suitable than the feature sprint at Mudgee. Draws well and one of the chances.
How to play it: Cassy’s Sister E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:55PM TOOHEYS ARMIDALE CUP (1900 METRES)
2. Beckford is the weight horse here with a major turnaround on his major danger for their clash in this race last year and at Rosehill last start, where he charged into third in an eye-catching effort. Unbeaten this track and should take beating.
Dangers: 1. Point Counterpoint ran a gallant fourth in the Little Dance then just a bit flat in the Country Classic at Rosehill but still beaten under a length. If he gets the breaks with the top weight he’s more than good enough to win. 7. Casirina appreciated the step up to the mile when rounding them up to score at Taree a few weeks back. Has placed at 2100m and will be strong at the finish again. 4. Kingstar Bullet peaks fourth-up after a handy second at Tamworth over a mile where she found the line with purpose. Likes her home track and is in the mix.
How to play it: Beckford WIN; Trifecta 2/1,4,7/1,4,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 5:35PM ROBERTS & MORROW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS HCP (1100 METRES)
3. Koondeeman showed a return to form when he resumed with a close third at Grafton over this trip. Fitter for it, drawn the inside and if he can lift from that effort he’s a good chance to win.
Dangers: 9. Timely Bel had some support at each-way odds third-up at Tamworth and worked home OK beaten three lengths. Won here first-up and is one of the chances. 7. Aurora Charm ran well at big odds at Scone two back then justified some support when scoring an upset win at Inverell almost a month ago. Has a show if he continues his good form. 4. Lady Mofeed led and gave a sight when fourth at Tamworth in a similar race two weeks ago. Back 100m might be in her favour and she could give cheek if she finds the front from a wide gate.
How to play it: Koondeeman WIN; Trifecta 3/ 4,7,9/4,7,9. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
