By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 12:50PM EXCEEDANCE @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Global Empire did his best to lead all the way first-up at Kembla but came up just short as he was run down near the line. Fitter for that so the extra 100m should be of no concern and this doesn’t look to be any tougher. Good chance.
Canterbury hosts a seven-race meeting on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 3. Ausbred Mimosa has shown some promise in two starts to date and wasn’t disgraced at Kembla last time, where she loomed and just didn’t quite finish off. Back 100m may be a plus for her, and she’s well worth another look. 6. Canada Bay had some support first-up at Newcastle over 1200m and led but weakened late to miss a place. That was a handy maiden and she was off a six-month absence. Could be an improver. 4. Flying Birds closed off well at Hawkesbury to finish second before an even effort at Muswellbrook both at 1000m. On face value he needs to lift a bit on last time but has every hope from the inside alley.
How to play it: Global Emperor WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,4,6/3,4,6. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 2 – 1:25PM ROBRICK LODGE HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
2. Dazzle Legend had no excuses when just denied by Zouprince at Warwick Farm at his second start but will have his chance to turn the tables. A touch firmer ground might be the edge here and the gap to third in that race is encouraging. Go well.
Dangers: 1. Zouprince is only 0.5kg worse off at the weights for that clash with Dazzle Legend and given he’s drawn nicely in gate two will have his chance to back it up. No surprise to see them fighting it out again. 8. Kind Words had the flashing light on with her strong finish in second behind Tropical Squall over this course three weeks ago. Only query is whether she’s looking for further as she’s likely giving away a start from near the outside. 4. Caballus was a $1 million yearling and he’s worth keeping safe on debut on the back of a couple of solid trials, particularly the latest.
How to play it: Dazzle Legend WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:00PM BOWERMANS HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
1. Epicus is racing in top form and this isn’t a huge step in class on his easy win at Newcastle recently where he led all the way. He’ll have the option to lead if desired, and so long as the 1550m isn’t beyond him he should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 3. Boominartie is a bit of an unknown, coming off a maiden win on the synthetic at Ballarat. He led that race and ran out the 1500m strongly so that aspect isn’t a concern. Market probably tells the story late as to how that form measures up. 4. Nautical Miss looked to be coming along OK this preparation before a failure third-up at Newcastle. Freshened up from that and in the small field she will get her chance to find some form. 6. Silk Tie showed some improvement second-up with a determined finish when fourth behind Cream Rises at Kembla. First go at this sort of trip and could surprise.
How to play it: Epicus WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,4,6/3,4,6. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 2:35PM TAB HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
2. Saturn Star is now in the Maher/Eustace camp and looks to have come up OK with his trial win at Hawkesbury recently. Won on debut then was scratched a couple of times before his last run when $2.35 against Kovalica. Has to be respected.
Dangers: 8. Nostalgia was an easy maiden winner here before jumping in grade against older horses and disappointing behind Ottilie at Warwick Farm. Back to three-year-olds here and drawn to again have every chance. 6. Dakota Vroom impressed first-up scoring at Warwick Farm after sitting handy and finishing best. That was a BM64 so to win that as a maiden is a good sign. Definite chance. 9. Whinchat is back as a gelding having not raced since starting favourite in a BM68 at Rosehill back in November. Liked his latest trial behind Resonator and is worth keeping safe.
How to play it: Saturn Star WIN; Trifecta 2/6,8,9/6,8,9. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 5 – 3:10PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
4. King Of Naples looks well-placed third-up in a race with a bit less depth than last time, when he ran an even third over 1200m. Did have his chance in the run and was a bit wayward early in the straight but gets plenty of favours here.
Dangers: 5. Conceited won a similar race here back in May and since then his form has been a little mixed, but he wasn’t beaten far at Kembla last time. Blinkers go on and should enjoy a nice run so he’s one to throw into the mix at odds. 8. O’Tycoon should be just about ready to fire this prep after two runs back, and he did a good job running on from near last at Kembla last time after drawing wide. Tends to race best when on the speed so keep an eye out for any tactic notification. 1. Able Willie has been around the mark without winning of late and has to be thrown into the equation. Will get his chance again and it’s a matter of whether he can find the line.
How to play it: King Of Naples WIN; Trifecta 4/1,5,8/1,5,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 3:45PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
4. Miss Kojiki is an honest mare who usually races well fresh and has been competitive in this sort of grade previously, winning here in February. Rested after a rare failure at Hawkesbury, draws to get her chance and the claim is handy. Should run well.
Dangers: 6. Mr Kennedy is jumping straight from a Wyong maiden into this class, but he is consistent and puts himself in his races so will have the opportunity to measure up. Runner-up from Wyong has since won which is a positive sign. 5. Rights Of Man is new to the Kris Lees yard and is a big market watch first-up from a year’s absence after a couple of trials which haven’t really exposed him. 2. Toro Toro is a tough customer who tried hard under 64kg at Coonamble a month ago when third. Probably has to go back from the outside gate but could run into a placing.
How to play it: Miss Kojiki E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 4:20PM RACING FOR GOOD ON JULY 29 HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
10. Darlington County is getting close to a win after two runs for the Waller yard and she’s back a notch in class after running on from the back at Randwick. Up another 100m and draws ideally so if she can take some advantage this is a good chance for her to be in the finish.
Dangers: 2. New Republic strikes a similar sort of race to when he finished a nice second here three weeks ago over this course. Racing consistently enough and if he holds his form he can be a player again. 4. Fuller comes back from Saturday company where he’s been racing OK without winning. Every chance at Rosehill last time when a $5.50 hope, but he’s hard to ignore here from an ideal draw. 5. Sophia’s Magic ran a very nice third when resuming at Kensington then never in the hunt last time up to Saturday grade. Did win here back in February over this course so best to forgive last start and throw her in the mix.
How to play it: Darlington County E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Ramornie Handicap Preview
GRAFTON Race 7 – 3:59PM GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB RAMORNIE HCP (1200M)
5. Norwegian Bliss is a smart mare on her best and is a good each-way chance first-up since February where she had excuses in two runs. Started $6 in a G2 before a break and had only been beaten once prior to that. Trialling well and drawn to have her chance.
Dangers: 1. Far Too Easy will need luck from the outside barrier but he’s a classy performer who can overcome it around this track if he can find a back to follow. Unbeaten in three Grafton runs and game when runner-up in a G2 at Eagle Farm a month ago. Don’t underestimate. 8. Deepour is an up and comer who was too good at Ipswich in a Class 6 as favourite off the outside gate last time. One of the main chances. 2. Ranges won this race last year and seems to have found his form again with a couple of nice efforts in stakes company at Eagle Farm in June. Draws well and when in form is rarely too far away from them.
How to play it: Norwegian Bliss E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
