By John Schell
Selections based on a good track
Race 1 – 1:50PM YARRAMAN PARK BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
4. Heika was down the track at Gosford at his latest start but he looked good winning two in a row before that. He’s a handy horse on his day and looks hard to hold out in this. He looks well-placed here and should figure prominently.
Racing returns to Scone on Tuesday.
Dangers: 6. Chocolatier led and battled on well when finishing second at Grafton last time out and can figure prominently if he runs up to that. 5. Kingstar Bullet ran well when fourth in the Armidale Cup and can be thereabouts in this grade. 2. Flambeur has been tackling city grade and will find this much easier.
How to play it: Heika WIN.
Race 2 – 2:25PM BUY AN ARROWFIELD GRADUATE 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (900 METRES)
2. Madame Fiocca has looked good in a barrier trial. She ran well when finishing second behind Amazing Eagle, and he ran well on debut at Randwick on Saturday. She only needs to run up to that to be rated a leading chance in this.
Dangers: 7. Too Darn Lovely performed well in a recent trial and should run well on debut here. 6. Star Venture has drawn wide but a bold showing is expected on the back of a good trial. 3. Miss Piera was an easy Hawkesbury trial winner last week and should run well based on that effort.
How to play it: Madame Fiocca WIN.
Race 3 – 3:05PM SCONE RSL COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
7. Image Of The Sun has had four barrier trials leading into this debut run. He hasn’t been knocked around in any of those trials and warrants respect here. If he runs up to the trials he will be hard to hold out in this.
Dangers: 1. Medinah was well in the market at Mudgee last time out and wasn’t beaten far despite missing a place. 2. Fiorsum Fred debuted with a second at Gosford and should run well here. 4. Takemine debuts here on the back of a quiet trial and bears close watching.
How to play it: Image Of The Sun EACH WAY.
Race 4 – 3:40PM DARLEY MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
2. Don’t Call Me Honey had two trials earlier in the year and has since had another two recent trials at this track and Tamworth and has won the latest two. He’s drawn wide on debut here but has the advantage of Aaron Bullock in the saddle. Expect him to give a great sight.
Dangers: 3. Tarabeau will find this easier than his resuming run at Warwick Farm and he only needs to overcome a wide draw to be a leading contender here. 7. Belyaev is rarely far away and has bright place prospects. 9. Dances With Hooves is on debut and has some solid trial form.
How to play it: Don’t Call Me Honey WIN.
Race 5 – 4:15PM OLE KIRK FIRST YEARLINGS COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
5. Hot Bandit looked good in a Muswellbrook trial before debuting with a second at the same track. He since won well at Scone and another bold showing is on the cards in this. Hot Bandit is in a good stable and only needs to have maintained his most recent form to be rated a leading chance against these.
Dangers: 2. King Rupert did the job well to score here two starts ago, then ran well in highway grade at Rosehill last time out when finishing third. 3. Talons comes out of the same highway as King Rupert and while unplaced in that he was far from disgraced. 8. Dancedes justified favouritism to score at this track in January and another bold run is on the cards.
How to play it: Hot Bandit WIN.
Race 6 – 4:50PM EMIRATES PARK CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
3. Invincible Red has only had a couple of starts and he has plenty of talent. He debuted with a third at Quirindi then scored a strong Tamworth win against a subsequent winner. He looks the one to beat again in this.
Dangers: 6. Bangetta resumed from a spell with a win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle then finished second here last time out. She can be thereabouts against these. 12. Brok Café was a winner at Newcastle at her only start and warrants respect. 1. Taborca is a handy performer resuming from a long spell. He can show up here on his best form.
How to play it: Invincible Red WIN.
Race 7 – 5:30PM PRYDE’S EASIFEED STAMINA BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
11. Leopardi looked good winning at Qurindi two starts ago then was close up at Mudgee when finishing second last time out. He has a solid overall record and should be in the thick of things again against these. Leopardi is well bred and has a good record. Ashley Morgan sticks with him in this event and if repeats his most recent form he will be hard to hold out again against these.
Dangers: 2. Indicative finished third at Mudgee at his latest run and has had a tick over trial leading into this. 3. Limited Reality is a three-time winner from 11 starts and can show up here on his best form. 1. Crystal Chief was a winner at Muswellbrook two starts ago and has tackled city grade either side of that. He has strong claims in this company.
How to play it: Leopardi EACH WAY.
Best Bets
Race 2 (2) Madame Fiocca
Race 5 (5) Hot Bandit
Best Value
Race 3 (7) Image Of The Sun
