By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 – 1:25PM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
3. Thunder Fox has been a revelation in recent weeks with a dominant maiden win on a heavy track then last weekend fought hard to win here over the same course. Stays down in the weights and will give a sight again.
Dangers: 4. Hard To Dismiss has one win from 15 starts but she’s threatening to win another one and probably comes through the stronger race with her third at Muswellbrook a few weeks back. 2. Mr Severino improved second up when fourth at Tamworth two weeks ago. Best form is around the mile so expect further improvement at this distance. 5. Razzle Dazzle was solid in the market at Tamworth second up and ran on OK late beaten a couple of lengths. Also should be aided by the trip and stays under notice.
How to play it: Thunder Fox WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Racing returns to Armidale on Sunday with a seven-race card.Credit:Phil Carrick
Race 2 – 2:00PM DADS FOR CHINESE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1900 METRES)
2. Hombre Grande is an honest gelding who won nicely first up before a solid effort on a heavy 10 at Tuncurry. Draws nicely here for what looks a very winnable race and he should be near his top now too. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 3. Hyland Bay has a string of placings to his name and was well backed when third at Tamworth two weeks ago. No harder here and just needs luck from the barrier to be competitive. 4. Ponte Pietra got a long way back in a Benchmark 50 here last week and did a good job to finish a close third. A repeat of that would be good enough to place again. 7. Street Baby showed a return to form with a closing third at Grafton over 1700m. Still only one win in 27 starts so that’s a concern but otherwise has each-way claims.
How to play it: Hombre Grande WIN; Trifecta 2/3,4,7/3,4,7; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:35PM IMPACT AG PARTNERS COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
8. Fiery Panz is getting close to a win with placings at Scone and Tamworth in succession. Was a beaten favourite last time but back to 1100m is a plus and with even luck from the barrier she has a good chance.
Dangers: 4. Roman Rebel is a very interesting first starter who trialled strongly at Port Macquarie back in April in his only public appearance. No recent trials but keep very safe. 13. Milo Man has performed well in two of his last three starts and handled heavy at Grafton two weeks ago. Drawn well and has each-way claims. 6. Star Diamond has the wide gate to contend with but comes off a much improved second at Tamworth last time over 1000m when well supported. Has a case with any luck.
How to play it: Fiery Panz WIN; Quinella 4 & 8; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 4 – 3:10PM ALBIES FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
3. Hello Monday has been handy in two runs for the new stable and while she had her chance at Tamworth last start this also sets up quite well for her. Draws to race handy and should be in the finish.
Dangers: 8. Sunchaser is new to local trainer Stirling Osland and is first up without a trial. Placed at her first two starts on wet tracks earlier in the year and bears close watching. 4. Little Bit Yours has been thereabouts of late and this race looks to have less depth than her last couple of assignments. Each-way. 6. Slick Heels showed some improvement last time at Tuncurry, from a soft draw she might be able to break into the placings here.
How to play it: Hello Monday WIN; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:47PM JACKSONS QUALITY MEAT CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
3. Eezee Boomer has shown glimpses and this suits better than last time at Scone where he drew wide and was never in it. Previous effort at Gilgandra was OK and from gate one won’t get a better chance to feature.
Dangers: 12. A Bit Bazarre started right in the market on debut at Tamworth and disappointed running last. Slight gear change and has struck a race lacking depth so might be worth another chance. 2. Cutandshut made his debut at Bingara in August and finished third in a seven horse field. Hard to line that up but has less convictions than most and could measure up. 9. Reacquaint also has a Bingara placing then never in it at Tamworth earlier this week. Does draw well and wouldn’t surprise if he shows something in this company.
How to play it: Eezee Boomer E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:29PM BRANCOURT’S DAIRY COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Lady Rupert hasn’t done a lot wrong in four starts and resumes after a solid second here back in May. Trialled OK in a strong heat, draws pretty well and everything points to her being very competitive fresh.
Dangers: 1. Unpredicted resumed with a dominant all the way win at Muswellbrook and that should translate well here. Carries 2kg less after the 4kg claim and with any luck early could take catching. 11. Sussu is showing promise breaking through with a maiden win at start two. She’ll roll forward and while up in class has all the upside in her favour. 4. Riccardo was safely held in third on a heavy track at Tamworth last time but is generally not too far away and handles the wet so has a show.
How to play it: Lady Rupert WIN; Trifecta 9/1,4,11/1,4,11; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 – 5:04PM ST ALBERTS COLLEGE RUGBY UNION CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
7. Quatre Zip will be fitter for one run back when a fair fifth at Scone two weeks ago. Drew wide and went forward there before weakening. Nice gate here, handles the wet and entitled to show something.
Dangers: 5. Timerox has a wide gate to contend with but will relish the extra distance after a sound return over 1000m. One to keep an eye on. 8. Ballybrack broke through for an all the way win here last week in a Benchmark 50. Up in class but still down in the weights and expect him to go forward again. Definite chance. 6. Tough Case would be hard to beat on his second to Best Side at Gosford back in July. Freshened up since last run and has trialled recently. Each-way hopes.
How to play it: Quatre Zip WIN; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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