By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True
Race 1 – 1.45pm: CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
We start over the mile in an open and testing race on a track that could well firm up further to a Good 3. At the value, keen on honest home track five-year-old 3. Linden Tree who aims up for his sixth start in 38 days if he backs up in three days. Has run home well from just off the speed and much further back in his last two, and steps up now significantly in distance. Drawn to get a soft run with cover around midfield.
Racing heads to Dubbo on Monday.Credit:Jenny Evans
Dangers: Capable four-year-old 13. Turnaway was weak late third-up after being well-backed and enjoying a comfortable lead, and is threatening to go around under the odds from a wide draw. Watch the betting on 14. Miss Teak, who is deep into the prep, having won her maiden at this track two starts back. Include in all exotics, 1. Dream Lad who claims 3kg again and hasn’t missed a place in his last five; 5. Cranky Creed suited by the rise in trip; and 8. Press Estate who is also deep into her prep.
How to play it: Linden Tree each way. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 2 – 2.20pm: FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)
Back to the sprint trip for the girls in one of the most open races on the card. Expecting sharp improvement at her second start from local three-year-old 11. Keep Ya Promise after doing it tough from the wide draw on debut 11 days ago. Well-supported at a big price that day, and reloads now back at home with a light weight in a race where most could be maidens for a long time.
Dangers: Big market watch on Odyssey Moon filly 12. Omians who makes her debut behind a quiet Tamworth trial for a stable with a smart first-time record, and draws to get an economical run. Improving seven-year-old 2. Alison Princess has done little in four runs back from a spell but saves her best form for this course. Keep safe home tracker 7. She’s Just A Dream who gets winkers applied deep into her first full prep; while 10. Forbidden Gemstone heads the rest at her second start from a more favourable draw.
How to play it: Keep Ya Promise each way. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 – 2.55pm: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES’ MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)
Now the boys’ edition, and it doesn’t get a whole lot easier, although well-bred and progressive home three-year-old 9. Compelling Truth is the clear one to beat second up. Let punters down as a hot favourite when failing to run down the winner first-up, but that was his first run in 34 weeks, and this shapes as an ideal follow-up assignment drawn to park right behind the speed again.
Dangers: Talented 10. Devilicious was edged in a three-way finish second-up and just needs an early break to get in from the wide draw. Must respect provincial three-year-old 12. Olivia’s Spirit resuming behind two trials; while 4. He’s Purring and 7. Ballet Pride with multiple gear changes; head the rest.
How to play it: Compelling Truth to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 – 3.30pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Can’t go past resuming local mare 6. Angie Emm who comes to hand quickly, loves dry ground and maps to get a nice trail just off the speed. Capable of producing a superior closing 400m dash, and top country jockey taking over for the new prep is a further plus.
Dangers: Big watch on 1. Cloud Factory who can threaten first-up off a long break behind two quiet trials. Tough mare 4. Tango Stepz hasn’t won since last June, but her best would put her right in the finish despite drawing wide. Included in trifectas and first fours, local mare 5. Brooklyn Star who is hard fit; and 7. In The Road who draws to get a soft run.
How to play it: Angie Emm to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 – 4.10pm: MAIDEN HCP (1400m)
Confident enough progressive Spieth three-year-old 2. Call Me Louis can upset the early hot favorite second-up. Like the way he found the line in his first start for more than 10 months in a very handy maiden. Better suited, drawn out in the middle here where he can settle a few lengths off the speed.
Dangers: Highly touted Churchill three-year-old 1. British Statesman is the logical threat on debut for a leading country yard. Blitzed his trial opposition here three weeks ago, and has recently been gelded. Gap to the rest headed by honest 10. Missile Moove; while 14. St Rose placed in her last two can pump some value into exotic returns.
How to play it: Call Me Louis to win and quinella 1 and 2. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 – 4.50pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m)
Another moderate and wide-open affair with a stack of chances. Underrated mare 11. Miandelle resumes off a lengthy break behind a very quiet trial. Her only win from 11 starts so far came when fresh, and she will be fitted by the stable to run this trip out strongly first-up. Has been placed a further five times, and drawn to find cover back in the field, she will relish the long and spacious run home here.
Dangers: Keep safe last start barrier-to-box BM 50 winner 6. Ringside who has tactical speed, and hasn’t been out of the money in his last four. Included in exotic bets 7. Electric Storm fifth-up; 10. Double Award resuming with gear changes off a quiet trial; and 14. Entrez Boo.
How to play it: Miandelle each way. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 – 5.30pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1100m)
Keen to be aboard progressive and lightly raced local eight-year-old 3. Listen To The Band third-up. Swept home for the easiest of maiden wins fresh before hitting the line late in a BM 58 at Orange 11 days ago. Drawn to get to the outside, and will take plenty of holding out.
Dangers: Keep a close watch on 4. Boss Shelby who can peak third-up after flashing home at Scone. Another one trained on the track, 6. Silver Scissors has been mixing her form but saves the best for here; while both 9. Rubi Air and at big odds 16. Latest News if he gets a run; are capable of running into the minor money.
How to play it: Listen To The Band to win. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
R3 9. COMPELLING TRUTH
R7 3. LISTEN TO THE BAND
BEST VALUE
R6 11. MIANDELLE
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
