By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 – 1:15PM JEREMY BOOTH CONSTRUCTIONS HUGH BOWMAN CUP MAIDEN (1400M)
12. Wandjina Spirit is a short priced favourite and the horse to beat but does have some competition in this maiden. Improved on a placing here on debut to be run down late at Dubbo two weeks ago.
Dangers: 4. Set The Scene showed plenty of improvement off a freshen-up when a closing third at Dubbo at 1300m. On the way up and a repeat of that effort would make things interesting. 9. Puja is a 15-start maiden but is very consistent of late. Solid enough in those last few over slightly more ground and has to be included in the chances. 13. Zoisite is another that’s had a few chances but sat handy and held on well forsecond at Dubbo, draws soft and handles all ground. Each-way.
How to play it: Wandjina Spirit WIN; Trifecta 12/4,9,13/4,9,13. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 2 – 1:50PM AGRIWEST TULLOCH CUP CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
1. Sky Ace won easily first up at Nowra then up to this trip he led again and was run down in the last 200m. That should be the right form and he will take some beating.
Dangers: 3. Brave Boy looks close to a win and seems well-placed on the back of a nice third at Hawkesbury on a soft 7 just a few days ago and if he backs up he should be right in the finish. 4. Mangoola was a popular maiden winner at Muswellbrook at his second start then might not have relished the heavy 10 at Dubbo when a battling fifth. Slightly better ground should assist and in the mix. 9. On the Eighthday wasn’t fancied in betting first up at Port Macquarie but was a very handy second and is bred to appreciate a bit more ground. If he can back that effort up he could be in the finish here too.
How to play it: Sky Ace WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,4,9/3,4,9; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Tampering brings solid city form for the Bathurst Cup.Credit:Getty
Race 3 – 2:25PM MBA WEALTH SOLUTIONS “THE BARB” IDA TRAILL CUP MAIDEN (1200M)
3. Glowing Gold is another favourite that does look hard to tip against. Debuted in a listed race and was in the market but failed back in May. Plenty to like about her two trials leading into this race and if she handles the ground is clearly the one.
Dangers: 5. Loud is surely an improver on her debut effort at Hawkesbury where she finished midfield but did get stopped in her tracks in the straight. Wouldn’t have won but adds merit to the effort. Keep safe. 4. Kimura held her ground OK when returning at Kembla Grange a couple of weeks ago. Was a drifter in betting there so expect her to be fitter and has blinkers on first time. 1. Jessandi showed some promise in her first preparation earlier this year and resumes since a Moruya placing in May. Fitter for a recent trial and while 1200m might be short she’s another worth keeping an eye on.
How to play it: Glowing Gold WIN; Trifecta 3/1,4,5/1,4,5; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 3:03PM MCINTOSH MCPHILLAMY & CO RISING PRINCE CUP MAIDEN (1200M)
7. Motion Legend was OK on debut in a handy maiden at Hawkesbury but did look to have taken a step forward with a runaway trial win since then. Fitter for those runs and can be expected to run very well here.
Dangers: 2. Ruby Flyer should have finished closer when fifth at Kembla at his second starts. Huge drifter in betting there too which is interesting. Might need a touch of luck but looks a good chance. 1. Tillman has missed a place just once in eight starts and that was in provincial company. Extended out to 1700m last time in and no public trials so may need the run but rarely runs poorly. 10. Iknowastar had specking at big odds at Hawkesbury second up and was only beaten three lengths. Not sure where he fits in at the moment but well drawn and could be an improver.
How to play it: Motion Legend WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:39PM COMPLETE INDUSTRIAL & WELDING SUPPLIES GOLD CIRCLE CUP (1100 METRES)
4. Jacenza couldn’t have been more impressive winning on debut at Tamworth, he sat outside the lead and powered away when let go. Natural step up in class, drawn to effect and should be the one to catch.
Dangers: 1. Ticket To Anywhere is a very interesting runner, ex-Annabel Neasham and now with Brett Robb. Given a stern test in a recent Gilgandra trial coming from well back to win. Draw doesn’t help but must respect. 2. Fox Valley backed up a solid debut at Canberra to score a strong maiden win at Goulburn a couple of weeks ago. On the way up and also drawn wide but another to keep safe. 6. Movin’ Denman has been a little disappointing at his last couple, well-supported last time at Muswellbrook and was only fair but is capable of being in the finish here.
How to play it: Jacenza WIN; Trifecta 4/1,2,6/1,2,6 Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:13PM GRAINFORCE BILL ASPROS CUP BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE (1200 METRES)
14. Izfallingdown produced an eye-catcher first up at Hawkesbury charging into fourth over 1100m. Will relish the extra distance and handles wet tracks well. Chance he could find it short but has to be an each-way hope.
Dangers: 12. Tough Case has been freshened up since a second-up failure at Muswellbrook at the end of July. Go on his excellent first-up effort at Gosford on a heavy track. Doesn’t win out of turn but one of the chances. 4. Power Bank has hit his straps with wins at Gilgandra and Forbes and while there’s a bit more depth here his resolve can’t be faulted lately. Each-way claims. 2. Deshawn defied a betting drift to win here back in August then favourite and had his chance at Gilgandra. Pretty consistent type who is hard to leave out of the chances.
How to play it: Izfallingdown E/W; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 4:48PM THE DAFFODIL COTTAGE BATHURST CUP (1800 METRES)
12. Deel With Me was shaping up well with placings in two runs back at 1400m then stepped to this trip and was only getting warm from well back at the finish. Ready to fire and should be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 1. Tampering has the big weight to carry but brings some solid city form into the race with a last start third to Waterford, who looks very smart. Will likely roll forward to a degree and is a threat. 3. Cognac broke through a tough win at Kensington two starts ago then tried hard in the Dubbo Cup beaten just under two lengths. Honest on-pacer who is capable of giving a sight. 11. Fanmalia can be forgiven for his failure at Warwick Farm in a race dominated on pace. Always well back and didn’t make an impression there. Form prior good enough to put him in the mix.
How to play it: Deel With Me E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 5:25PM RAY WHITE EMMS MOONEY THE PANORAMA (1300 METRES)
15. Participator was huge when resuming in a Highway at 1100m then complete forgive run at Randwick last time where you needed to be on pace and near the rail and was back last from a wide gate. Trip suits and looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Commando Hunt is warming up for The Kosciuszko and produced a nice return when placed behind Dalavin at Dubbo two weeks ago. Much fitter and while he has the big weight he should be right in the finish somewhere. 7. Don’tforgetmonica won a Highway first up then forgive Rosehill failure. Back tom her best with a fast finishing second at Muswellbrook at the end of July. Trialled since and is a major player. 9. Super Helpful led all the way for an easy first-up win at Canberra on a heavy track. Fitter and gets a nice 3kg weight drop, draws to be right on the speed and could measure up.
How to play it: Participator WIN; Trifecta 15/2,7,9/2,7,9; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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