By John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1
4. Humphree Bear had looked OK in trials before debuting with a fourth at Coffs Harbour after leading last month. He since has had another trial, which he won, to be kept up to the mark for this. He’s drawn well here and should push forward and take running down. 5. Battle Reign is on debut for a good stable and has had two recent trials in preparation, running fourth in the latest of them on the Beaumont track. He has the advantage of barrier one. 1. Craig’s One has performed well enough in two starts to suggest he can make an impact here. 2. El Beatle struggles to win but can be placed.
Racing heads to Port Macquarie on Friday.Credit: Fairfax
How to play it: Humphree Bear WIN
Race 2
8. Jamacri has only had two starts for a third and a fourth. She resumes from a long spell in this but has had two recent city trials and been placed in both. She should be primed to run well. 11. The Eyes Have It has been placed in four of five starts and another bold showing is on the cards. 2. Firework resumes with a solid second at Wyong and can figure again, while 1. Gigaton was placed here last time out and has place claims.
How to play it: Jamacri WIN
Race 3
8. Sweet Patriot was resuming from a spell when finishing a solid second at Nowra after leading. She strips fitter for this and can take beating again. 4. New Frontier is on debut and has had four trials in total to prepare. 3. Formal was placed here as favourite at his latest start. 2. Battle Hymn is having his first start and has had two strong recent trials.
How to play it: Sweet Patriot WIN
Race 4
2. Dark Vador won well at Orange two starts ago then finished second at the same track last time out. His form is solid, and he looks a leading contender again. 4. Wing Nut raced on the speed and battled on well to score a tough win here last weekend. Another forward showing is expected. 7. Raised By Wolves fought on well to score narrowly at Coffs Harbour when last produced and can show up again. 3. Need A Miracle is capable of improving on his recent efforts.
How to play it: Dark Vador WIN
Race 5
3. Pony Soprano was a Coffs Harbour winner on debut and then ran second here and fifth at Taree before being spelled. He ran second in a recent trial to be readied for this. 5. Calido Magic was a Taree winner three starts ago and wasn’t beaten far here last time out. 4. Cool Man resumed with a solid second at this track and can figure again with a repeat. 9. Lucilago has had two recent trials since finishing fifth at Goulburn at her latest start.
How to play it: Pony Soprano WIN
Race 6
6. Bodhi Boy was a heavily backed favourite when maintaining his unbeaten record with a win at this track earlier in the month. Ben Looker sticks with the galloper here and from barrier one he should get every chance to win again. 5. Tsunoda is a winner of two of his eight starts and resumes here after two recent trials. 1. King Larry won his first two starts then failed in Highway grade before being spelled. He can run well here fresh. 3. Laizabout won well on debut then failed at Tuncurry. He bears close watching first-up.
How to play it: Bodhi Boy WIN
Race 7
4. Invasive Dreams was resuming from a spell when hitting the line well from back in the field to score a strong Muswellbrook victory when last produced. She has shown plenty of talent in her career and was placed in a Highway at Rosehill three starts before being spelled. She’s drawn the rails here and should get her chance to win again. 7. Floss’s One was a Kempsey winner before being spelled then resumed with a down-the-track effort in Highway company before bouncing back with a last-start Taree victory when finishing well. She should run well again. 1. Wannawinwin was in good form last campaign with a strong of wins over longer distances. She resumes here and can sprint well fresh. 8. Artiebett has had three starts back from a spell and wasn’t too far away last time out. She could figure without surprising.
How to play it: Invasive Dreams WIN
Race 8
3. Dis Is Heaven is resuming from a spell here and, although yet to win first-up, he has been placed in two of three. He’s won two from four at this track and been placed in the other two. He won here over this trip two starts ago. He’s had a recent trial to be kept up to the mark for this and only needs to overcome a wide alley to take plenty of beating. 7. Sumo Fish has been racing well with wins at his latest two starts at Taree and Kempsey and another bold showing is on the cards. 9. Magnucat is resuming after two trials and is a two-time winner from six starts. 8. Toomuchinformation has a solid record and shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Dis Is Heaven EACH WAY
Best Bets
Race 2 (8) Jamacri
Race 6 (6) Bodhi Boy
Best Value
8 (3) Dis Is Heaven
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
