By Neil Evans
Track Soft 6 and rail True
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)
The maiden sprinters get us under way on a track that will continue to dry out and may even reach a Soft 5. Plenty of chances, but no better value than home-track Sebring filly 11. Seamefly who debuts from a handy draw behind two progressive open class trials, strong through the line and right on the heels of the winner in the latest.
Racing heads to Armidale for a seven-race card.Credit: Getty
Dangers: Honest and ex-Qld five-year-old 3. Master Tyler reloads off a 10-week break for the new NSW country yard with blinkers back on, and has been placed six times from 11 starts. Keep safe debutant Nicconi gelding 5. Green Run who draws to get a soft run behind a forward trial; while 6. Jukebox Edition fourth-up; and 10. Fruit Tingle second-up in a thinner race; head the rest.
How to play it: Seamefly to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1900m)
The type of race where they take it in turns, but after three runs back in better company, tough four-year-old 2. Brave Boy is ready to break a long drought at good odds. Hasn’t really attacked the line this prep, but yearning for the longer journey now, and this is weak in quality.
Dangers: No doubting 6. Rasay Factor has more than enough ability to win this fourth-up, but threatens to go around a shade under the odds from the wide barrier. Keep safe 7. Ocean Flyer peaking third-up from the inside gate; while 4. Italian Tune with a 3kg claim; and 10. House Wins dropping sharply in class; both go into the exotics.
How to play it: Brave Boy each way. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 3 MAIDEN HCP (1300m)
A stack of chances here. Keen at the value around improving mare 9. Miss Chapeau second-up, with blinkers going on. Made up plenty of late ground resuming her behind a smart winner, and the extra furlong is a giant plus.
Dangers: Watch the betting closely on Divine Prophet three-year-old 1. Invincible Red who debuts as a gelding off two progressive trials; while 13. Bear’s Best can improve sharply third-up, with blinkers replacing winkers. Lightly raced 2. Whoforgotspud at his second start; 5. Vis I Do resuming with gear changes; and 11. Backlash second-up; are all capable of finishing in the minor money.
How to play it: Miss Chapeau each way. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1100m)
Thin line-up for this grade augurs well for consistent mare 2. Zalini, who is ready to win again deep into the prep. Has been fair to the line in her last three at deeper Class 1 levels, and the top country jockey takes over at the right time.
Dangers: Tough 4. The Lion is hard fit, and should have nearly won last start but for the rider losing her compass at a vital stage; while 1. Pull The Tail dropping back from a deeper Class 2; and 8. Sportsman resuming; head the rest.
How to play it: Zalini to win. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1100m)
Staying at the distance is music to the ears of tough on-speed four-year-old 1. Scarzel on the nine day back-up. Was close-up in a handy Class 1 two starts back before kept finding and only edged out last time by one in far superior ground. The one to beat.
Dangers: Home tracker 2. Bean Rocking is still progressing. After hitting the line in two runs, broke through for a deserved and dominant fourth-up maiden win here, going home best from just off the speed. Keep safe too 3. Cool Amigo who has also caught the eye late in his last two; while 4. Lord Of The Sun is on track to peak third-up.
How to play it: Scarzel to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1300m)
The most open battle of the day where the late market will have a big say. Like four-year-old 6. Pendleton at the value fourth-up and getting back on slightly firmer ground from a better draw. Has had three mixed efforts so far this prep, but this is a drop in quality, and he should find a handy trail just behind the speed.
Dangers: Capable 10. Turnaway resumes off an 11-week break and solid open class trial, although will need the early breaks from a wide draw. Watch the betting on 5. Kalahari Heart who finds a weaker race third-up with a key jockey change, although also drawn in the carpark. Include 8. The Orphan resuming off a nice trial; 13. Flying Banjo dropping sharply in class; and 14. Allande off a last start heavy track maiden win; in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Pendleton each way. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 7 CLASS 2 HCP (1400m)
Confident local four-year-old 4. Windabull can take the next step second-up after defying a betting drift to sweep home from midfield for a narrow Class 1 win here 16 days ago.
Dangers: Tough mare 1. Indy Rose Warrior put two wins together in good style, but hasn’t started for five weeks, and is drawn wide. From a handy trailing draw, 6. Holly Road is a threat second-up; while 3. Bill Peyto and 11. Jade; head the rest.
How to play it: Windabull to win. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
Race 4: (2) ZALINI
Race 5: (1) SCARZEL
BEST VALUE
Race 1: (11) SEAMEFLY
Supplied by Racing NSW. Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
