By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:15PM NUFLOW MID NORTH COAST 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (808 METRES)
5. Gerety has had the benefit of two barrier trials, looked under a good hold in the first at Wyong then sat handy before a smart one went by at the Gold Coast. In top stable and on what she’s done has to be respected.
Dangers: 8. Steaming Sun narrowly won the Wyong trial mentioned and that was also her second hitout though two months after the first. Looks a good chance. 4. Talma I Love Her won a trial over this track and distance on December 29 and pretty much the whole field weren’t asked for anything serious. 1. Invincible Alf ran third in that trial and no knock on what he produced either.
How to play it: Gerety WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Kris Lees has a strong hand in race four.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 1:50PM KEY EMPLOYMENT 3YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1010 METRES)
10. Mumma Sue did enough in her recent trial against a smart one in Parksville to keep a close eye on her on debut in a maiden. Worked to the line nicely there, while drawn wide it might not be a big deal. Just like to see her solid in betting.
Dangers: 3. Mallee Boy Express is an interesting runner first up for Aiden St Vincent. Though he ran last in his trial it was a very nice last, just striding out under his leisure and his record is quite competitive without winning. Keep safe. 11. Pretty Shamrock is ex-John O’Shea and hasn’t raced since an even fourth at Newcastle in mid-September. Could find the 1010m a touch sharp but she’s another to keep safe. 5. Bellzen debuted on the Gold Coast in September on a heavy track and ran an even third, drifting noticeably in the betting. No public trial but trained here so should also be watched.
How to play it: Mumma Sue WIN; Trifecta 10/3,5,11/3,5,11; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:25PM INSURANCE ADVISERNET AUSTRALIA COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1313 METRES)
7. Lady Wardell has been hitting the line with plenty of purpose this time in and gets a slight increase in trip on her second at Ballina a few weeks ago. Sure to get a nice run from the inside and if she gets the breaks should be in the finish.
Dangers: 6. My Mate Cobber was terribly unsuited dropping to the 808m here last start but he charged late into fifth so he’ll love the return to a bit over six furlongs. Barrier might see him concede a start but has to be considered. 10. I’m Madeline was a beaten favourite here two starts back then held her ground OK at Port Macquarie at 1108m. Extra ground might suit her and she’s in the mix. 14. Teejay’s Arch was well supported when just failing here a month ago then ran on well from the back at Murwillumbah into third. If he can hold that form he’s a chance again.
How to play it: Lady Wardell WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:00PM J&K JARVIS RACING PINK SILKS – F&M BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1313 METRES)
Kris Lees has a strong hand here. 6. Extessive is a filly on the way up and she backed up her maiden win with a game effort at Scone in a Class 1, going under less than half a length running on from midfield. Go well
Dangers: 1. Exolay can do a lot better than her second-up failure at Scone. She was a drifter there so perhaps was in need of it. Her form last time in was consistent and this is a good chance for her to bounce back. 10. Qukes has been thereabouts without winning of late. Beaten in a blanket finish at Ballina on Boxing Day and was just behind them over this course prior. Each-way. 5. Cotton Caper races well on her home track and hit the line nicely over 1010m here just over a week ago. Extra trip a plus and she’s one of the chances.
How to play it: Extessive WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:40PM THE BAYRANGE GROUP CG&E BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1313 METRES)
5. Swift Charm is a five-year-old having his third start and shows some promise with a debut win here then he hit the line hard from well back into fourth, both over the 1000m. Based on that last run he’s wanting more ground and should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 6. Ilovethegame might not have run out the mile strongly last start but he was very strong at the 1413m before that so coming back in trip is in his favour. Well worth another chance. 8. Pontoon Pete is improving with each run this prep and stuck on for third from on the pace in a similar race to this last week. Each-way hopes. 4. War Memorial has had two runs from over a year’s absence both at the provicials so there’s a case for him to be ready to show something back to country level. Gate one give him every hope.
How to play it: Swift Charm WIN; Trifecta 5/4,6,8/4,6,8; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:16PM KOMATSU WAYNE GLENN PINK SILKS CUP (1213 METRES)
9. Debussy backed up a solid first-up win at Newcastle with a handy third behind a smart one at Gosford, giving the indication the 1200m or so will suit. Drawn awkwardly but with even luck he has the upside to go a bit further than this. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 6. Swamp Nation wasn’t suited at Randwick last time but efforts at Grafton and Wyong before that showed she’s on target for the Country Championships. Expect her to run well here. 8. Boncassie is another on the Country Championships trail and she’ll improve on whatever she does here first up. Placed three of four fresh and won two from three at this track so she should show up somewhere. 7. Into The Fire comes through the same race as Debussy last start where he sat on speed and weakened. Can do better.
How to play it: Debussy WIN; Trifecta 9/6,7,8/6,7,8; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:50PM THE GLENN FAMILY COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1613 METRES)
2. Beef Week Princess has a consistent record and her last two runs in this class were a Grafton win and her flashing third at Murwillimbah two weeks ago. Draw is with her this time and she should be hard to hold out.
Dangers: 12. Humanitarian was runner-up in the same race after settling midfield in the seven horse affair. Strike rate is the worry with him but on latest effort has to be respected. 8. Kennysing is another racing well though just the one win in 12 starts. Beaten two lengths at the 1313m here last time so the extra ground third up is in his favour. Respect. 1. I Shot The Sheriff won narrowly but nicely at a mile at Ballina then up in distance and drifted alarmingly before battling into sixth. Well worth another look back to the mile.
How to play it: Beef Week Princess WIN; Trifecta 2/1,8,12/1,8,12; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
