By John Schell
Selections based on a good track
Race 1 – 12:35PM GET YOUR KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1000 METRES)
12. Bob’s Last One is on debut here for trainer Glen Milligan and has had the benefit of one barrier trial to prepare. Bob’s Last One was beaten just on half a length in the trial and has drawn to get the run of the race here.
Dangers: 13. Chester Le Street is a stablemate of Bob’s Last One and is also on debut and comes out of the same trial, in which he finished fourth. 6. Star Emblem ran well last time out at Lismore and is drawn to get a soft run in this, while 2. Lockdown Lad was a solid second at this track at his latest start and can give cheek again.
How to play it: Bob’s Last One EACH WAY.
Racing returns to Taree with an eight-race card.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2 – 1:10PM PORT MACQUARIE CUP DAY 6TH OCTOBER CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
3. Don’tcha Think narrowly won a Tamworth maiden when resuming from a spell on a soft track, then struck a heavy 10 when midfield at the same track second up. He was back on a good 4 surface at Muswellbrook last time out when finishing a close second. This race looks well within his reach.
Dangers: 5. Manhattan Baby has contested better races than this and comes here on the back of a last-start maiden victory at Bathurst. She is drawn to get all the favours from barrier four. 1. Calamity Fox was outpaced early at Newcastle last time out and battled on well enough in the straight to be considered a chance here. 9. Justadude resumes from a spell here and went well enough in a recent trial to be given some thought in this.
How to play it: Don’tcha Think WIN.
Race 3 – 1:50PM AARON BULLOCK 2022/23 LEADING JOCKEY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
2. Miss Cartel debuted in March and ran well at Hawkesbury when finishing fourth behind Shadows Of Love. She was spelled following that run and has since had two trials to prepare for her return, the latest resulting in a Gosford victory. Andrew Gibbons takes the ride for trainer Angela Davies, and Miss Cartel looks to have plenty of upside.
Dangers: 3. Monopoly Girl is lightly raced and comes into this off a resuming second at Newcastle. She strips fitter for this and looks the danger to Miss Cartel. 5. Ballistic Therapy has been given two trials in preparation for her return to racing and is primed for a bold showing, while 12. Montagliari has the advantage of the rails alley which should give her every chance to figure prominently.
How to play it: Miss Cartel WIN.
Race 4 – 2:25PM POTTSY’S BAKEHOUSE COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Echoes Of My Mind is first up from a spell here over 1400m and has been fitted for the return with two barrier trials. Echoes Of My Mind is a first-up winner and has also scored over this distance. He also has the key jockey booking of Aaron Bullock.
Dangers: 3. Stratum Chief has hit form at his last three starts, with two wins at this track being followed by a second placing behind Herne Hill. 4. Bellzen hasn’t been disgraced in his recent runs and can figure here, as is also the case with 7. Ronny Rock Art.
How to play it: Echoes Of My Mind WIN.
Race 5 – 3:05PM UPBOUND BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
2. Fay’s Angels finished second at Newcastle two starts ago then backed that up with a solid fourth in TAB Highway grade at Rosehill behind Holstein. Fay’s Angels will find this easier and can break through for a second win.
Dangers: 1. Binkou comes here having contested the same race as Fay’s Angels last time out when finishing 10th. Binkou wasn’t far behind Fay’s Angels in that race so there doesn’t appear to be much between them again. 3. Piccinni has been just behind the placings in two recent Dubbo starts and has place claims here, while 4. Croatian Madame ran well when second at Tamworth when resuming and can be prominent again.
How to play it: Fay’s Angels WIN.
Race 6 – 3:40PM KRIS LEES 2022/23 LEADING TRAINER CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)
12. Tauty has had two runs back from a long spell and has finished midfield each time. She is having her first start for a new stable in this and is primed for a forward showing.
Dangers: 8. Miss Shalaa was just behind the placings last time out and has the talent to figure here, and 10. Pair Of Hearts is a last-start Tuncurry winner in the form stable of Paul Perry. 2. Devocean has place prospects.
How to play it: Tauty EACH WAY.
Race 7 – 4:20PM HOPKINS LIVERMORE CUP (1400 METRES)
2. Miss Einstein has been racing in city grade with mixed results of late and while this is an open handicap, she will find this an easier assignment. She’s drawn well and should get the run of the race.
Dangers: 3. Royal Charge won in good style at Muswellbrook last time out and a repeat performance would have him figuring prominently again. 5. Agirlsbestfriend won well at Coffs Harbour before finishing fifth in a TAB Highway. 8. Gobbled could sneak into the placings.
How to play it: Miss Einstein EACH WAY.
Race 8 – 4:55PM RODNEY BARTLEY LOWES PETROLEUM BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
3. Fire And Ice had been racing well before breaking through with a strong Wyong victory two starts ago. He since stepped up to Saturday city grade when beaten just on five lengths behind Brudenell at Rosehill. He’ll find this an easier task.
Dangers: 1. Omar has been placed in his latest two starts at Newcastle and can be thereabouts if he puts his best foot forward. 2. Austeja races well at this track and will find this much easier than her resuming run at Grafton. 7. Lucky Sham can run into the placings without surprising.
How to play it: Fire And Ice WIN.
Best bets: Race 5 (2) Fay’s Angels; Race 8 (3) Fire And Ice.
