By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:35PM COOTAMUNDRA EX-SERVICES CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)
1. Besson has been racing well of late with a fourth at Wangaratta before a second at Corowa and then a last-start win at Leeton. He drops in distance for this but has the advantage of an apprentice allowance and another bold showing is on the cards.
Racing returns to Murwillumbah on Friday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Dangers: 3. Clearedhot was placed at Albury before being spelled and has had two runs back from the break and been down the track in each of them. She has the ability to improve. 2. The Right Rein was a winner at Queanbeyan two starts ago and then finished sixth at Nowra when beaten three lengths. He has solid enough form for a race like this. 5. Downtown’s Abbey hasn’t been disgraced in her latest two starts and bears close watching here.
How to play it: Besson WIN.
Race 2 – 2:10PM SOUTH WEST SLOPES VETERINARY COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)
6. K’Gari has been placed in each of her latest two starts. She’s an on-pace runner that should push forward again in this from a wide alley.
Dangers: 2. Maktabi has been safely held in his most recent runs but has shown the ability in his career to be considered a major factor here. 3. Metloaf is yet to be placed in five starts but this looks a nice race for him to be competitive in. 5. Impending Harmony has shown glimpses of ability in her career and could be placed here without surprising.
How to play it: K’Gari WIN.
Race 3 – 2:45PM AUSTRALIAN MEAT GROUP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
3. Whiskey George is on debut here and has had three trials in total leading into this. He wasn’t beaten far in the latest of them at Warwick Farm and has drawn a good gate here which should give him every chance to show his best.
Dangers: 6. Preordain resumed from a spell with a midfield effort at Newcastle when big odds. That was on the back of a solid trial and he can show enough improvement here to figure in the finish. 8. Bubble Tea has been placed in each of her four starts and was beaten less than a length when third at Moruya last time out. 9. Christmas Star has two placings from four starts to her name.
How to play it: Whiskey George WIN.
Race 4 – 3:20PM CENTRAL HOTEL ANDERSON MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Miss Mikki Isle has only had three starts and has a win and two placings with each of them being at Wagga. She won her second start by a big margin when leading throughout.
Dangers: 4. Flycatcher won on debut at Bendigo when in the Godolphin stable then was just behind the placings in a couple of city runs. He resumed from a long spell for a new stable when a last-start third at Leeton and can figure here with a repeat of that. 7. Mooshaka has been racing well of late without winning and warrants respect. 3. Sussu was placed at Moruya two starts ago and comes into this on the back of a recent trial.
How to play it: Miss Mikki Isle WIN.
Race 5 – 3:55PM SOUTH WEST SLOPES BANK COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
5. Lunar Shoes has a handy record with two wins and three placings from 12 starts. He’s been placed in each of his latest two starts at Wagga when finishing third in each of them. He’s drawn ideally in this and has plenty of upside.
Dangers: 4. Hobbsy led and fought on well to finish second at Nowra when last produced. He failed to fire at the start prior but has shown enough ability in his career to be a factor here. 1. Almost Persuaded is a last start Queanbeyan winner that warrants plenty of thought here. 9. Washington is fitter for a first-up Wagga run and has Nick Heywood to ride.
How to play it: Lunar Shoes WIN.
Race 6 – 4:35PM WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. Ellessthree was a winner at Wodonga at her second start in a race when leading throughout to score by a big margin. She since stepped up to city grade and ran well enough when finishing sixth at Moonee Valley. She’s had two trials leading into this and looks to have ability.
Dangers: 2. Champ De Mars won with ease at Tuncurry three starts ago then led and fought on well when second at Gundagai. She since led and battled on well again when a last start third at Nowra. She should race on the pace here and take plenty of running down. 8. Pretty Sassy won on debut at Nowra as favourite, then was down the track at Gosford and Kembla Grange before being spelled. She’s had two trials leading into this return to racing and is worth including among the main chances. 13. Xceptional Fella has only had two starts for a win on debut at Canberra and then a second at the same track. He looks to have the ability to make an impact against these.
How to play it: Ellessthree WIN.
Race 7 – 5:10PM TWIN HILLS COOTAMUNDRA CUP (1600 METRES)
8. County Kilkenny has a solid record with four wins and as many placings to his name from just 15 starts. He was a winner on the Kensington track in August and then had a trial before a near last effort at Canterbury when not beaten far. This looks a nice race for him.
Dangers: 4. Prince Aurelius ran an improved race when only claimed late when finishing second at Kembla Grange last time out. He should race in a forward position here and take plenty of running down. 5. Nic’s Hero was a winner at Wagga on a heavy 10 in July and has since been just behind the placings in two runs since. He has the talent to give this a shake. 11. Louie’s Legacy is a last start Canberra winner when leading throughout and warrants respect in this.
How to play it: County Kilkenny WIN.
Race 8 – 5:45PM HERITAGE MOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
1. Calmer Karma finished last at huge odds last time out and his previous form in stronger grade was solid. The apprentice claim should help here and he should take plenty of running down.
Dangers: 4. Snippety Star broke his maiden at Orange in April and since then finished fourth at Wellington and seventh at Queanbeyan either side of a spell. She’s talented at best and is worth plenty of thought. 2. Hellbetta comes into this on the back of a last start Leeton win. He’s drawn wide here but has the talent to overcome that. 8. Forbidden Gemstone went down narrowly when second at Canberra last time out and is worth including among the main chances again in this.
How to play it: Calmer Karma EACH WAY.
Best Bets: Race 5 (5) Lunar Shoes. Race 7 (8) County Kilkenny.
Best Value: Race 8 (1) Calmer Karma.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
