By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
RACE 1 – 2PM: FURPHY PLATE (1400m)
7. Stylised did more than enough on debut when a closing fifth at Warwick Farm to say improvement is on the cards. Draws a lot softer and has James McDonald taking over. Expect he’ll be able to be that little closer in the run and is hard to beat.
Willinga Rufio won first-up at Rosehill in June and heads back to the same track on Wednesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 5. Ring Ahoy is bursting to win a race after two handy efforts this time in and only just missed in the same race as Stylised. Barriers switched around here which may be against him but will take beating with luck. 3. Kazalark has trialled up OK on a couple of occasions and will be a big market watch here. Drawn to get a nice enough run and must be considered. 8. Surf On Turf also comes through the Warwick Farm race mentioned above, finishing a close third when right in the market. Will be prominent here and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Stylised to win and trifecta 7/3,5,8/3,5,8.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 2 – 2.35PM: FUJITSU GENERAL HANDICAP (1200m)
2. Tribeca Star was a drifter in betting on debut but was excellent running on into a close second at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Looked strong on the line there so the extra 100m suits and has to be a good each-way chance.
Dangers: 5. Pereille started favourite in the same race and made his run at the same time which seemed to end about 50m out. Fitter for it and blinkers go on so well worth another chance. 11. Pungo is a nicely bred colt on debut for Chris Waller on the back of two trial wins this month. Showed speed in both and from gate one imagine he’ll be prominent throughout. Definite chance. 15. Call Di is another well-bred one being by Frankel out of Samantha Miss. Latest trial was an improvement over 900m and while she’ll likely get back she was strong late in the trial so should be running on.
How to play it: Tribeca Star each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 3 – 3.10PM: EARTHLIGHT @ DARLEY HANDICAP (2400m)
6. Just A Jedi jumped sharply in distance into his close second at Warwick Farm fourth-up from a spell. That will stand him in good stead for the rise in trip again here and he doesn’t need to improve a lot to go close.
Dangers: 5. Boyszee has had a tickover trial since he was runner-up over this trip at Warwick Farm four weeks ago. Tough winner at Kensington prior to that, handles all conditions and should be in the finish again. 2. Father’s Day has the blinkers on as he chases four straight wins. Held off Just A Jedi last time out but meets that horse 3.5kg worse at the weights. Still, he’s hard to knock. 9. Legend Has It has a habit of being slowly out but he always runs on and he did that behind Father’s Day two weeks ago. His chances hinge on how the race is run as he’ll give away a start. 8. Inuwashi disappointed last week when a drifting favourite at Canterbury at 1900m. Extra trip might be what he’s looking for so has to be included again.
How to play it: Just A Jedi each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 4 – 3.45PM: VALE CECILY BACKHOUSE HANDICAP (1800m)
1. Willinga Rufio faces a bigger challenge than in his easy first-up win with a 3kg rise but he’s a promising type who can park in the lead or take a sit if required. Smashed them fresh and is a winner over this course. The one to beat.
Dangers: 13. Owen County showed significant improvement second-up at Canterbury running on from the back behind a horse that controlled the race and has won again since. Barrier is a blow but trip ideal and he’ll be finishing strongly again. 15. Manzoice was always well back in the Ming Dynasty off a month between runs and that should be overlooked. Draws nicely and shapes as though the distance will help. Keep safe. 5. Jupitus is lightly raced and comes off a near-last to first performance to win at Sandown two weeks ago. Pluses are inside gate and James McDonald, negative is whether the form is good enough. Can’t dismiss.
How to play it: Willinga Rufio to win and trifecta 1/ 5,13,15/5,13,15.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 5 – 4.20PM: ACING HQ ON SKY SPORTS RADIO SPRINT (1300m)
15. Vivid Flash did have her chance after a perfect run when narrowly beaten first-up at Warwick Farm but sets up well to go close again. Fitter for the gallop, draws well, similar weight and winkers go on. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 12. Amati started favourite in the same race and was only beaten two lengths in fourth though also had her chance. Lightly raced and open to improvement so could easily lift. 14. Typhoon Taavi enjoyed a good preparation in the autumn and resumes with a couple of trials under her belt including a solid win in the latest. Will be somewhere on the pace and capable of being in the finish. 1. Arbitration comes back in class after an even effort on a heavy 10 at Randwick a few weeks ago. Form prior was solid and with any luck from the barrier can be competitive.
How to play it: Vivid Flash to win and trifecta 15/1,12,14/1,12,14.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 6 – 4.55PM: VINERY STALLIONS HANDICAP (1400m)
14. Stray was enormous first-up at Randwick coming from last and going under a length behind Ita over this trip. Has the more favourable gate this time, fitter and down in class and she looks very well placed.
Dangers: 15. Alberich won well on debut on a heavy track before a narrow defeat to Flag Of Honour at Rosehill in July. Has trialled and he does appear to have plenty of talent. Must be respected. 11. Narito looked smart winning his first two starts at the provincials before beaten favourite at Warwick Farm. Jury’s out on that run, seemed to not be in the right spot to wind up but didn’t really pick up any ground either. Rather include than dismiss, though. 8. Stick To Your Guns won impressively at Kembla first-up then even effort at Warwick Farm when favourite over this trip. Draws well and entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Stray to win and trifecta 14/8,11,15/8,11,15.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 7 – 5.30PM: BIG SPORTS BREAKFAST SPRINT (1200m)
5. Omni Man won his first two starts last prep before being thrown in the deep end. Resumed with a dominant display over 1000m at Kembla when favourite and draws to put himself right in this. Will have his chance to measure up. Each-way.
Dangers: 10. Shadow Devil caught the eye with a big finish to run second behind Democracy Manifest at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Probably has to concede a start again from the gate but if they are able to run on he’s a major player. 6. Mars Mission has been gelded since failing in the Bendigo Guineas back in April. Won both trials leading in and did show some promise earlier in the year. Might be under the odds but bears close watching. 15. Robusto has also been gelded going into this campaign. He won well at Warwick Farm in February then three runs in stakes company were fair. Worth keeping safe.
How to play it: Omni Man each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
BEST BETS
Race 4: (1) WILLINGA RUFIO
Race 6: (14) STRAY
BEST VALUE
Race 7: (5) OMNI MAN
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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