By John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1
2. Hellinda led them up on the Riverside track here at his latest start and battled on well enough to finish fourth at his first run for a new stable. He was placed at Kembla Grange last January and has shown enough talent to be rated the one to beat in this line-up. 8. Petawawa is resuming from a spell and is having her first start for a new stable. She was placed on debut on the Kensington track and has the services of Nick Heywood. 1. I’m Unique is having his first start on the back of a number of trials and jump outs. He should be primed to run well. 3. Bodhi is also on debut after having contested a trial and two jump outs. He’s drawn wide but could run into the money.
Wagga Wagga hosts an eight-race card on Friday.Credit: Getty Images
How to play it: Hellinda WIN
Race 2
2. Holy Hell ran well on debut when finishing a close-up second at Nowra and then backed that up with a solid effort when fourth at Randwick behind Altair I Am. She was beaten less than two lengths in that event and should find this an easier assignment. 1. Riverbend Unicorn has been placed in five of his six starts and wasn’t beaten far as an odds-on favourite when second at Corowa at his latest start. He looks to be the main danger to Holy Hell. 5. Goodbye Stranger was placed at Queanbeyan when last produced and has minor claims again, while 11. It Is To Be wasn’t far away at Canberra last time out and isn’t the worst here.
How to play it: Holy Hell WIN
Race 3
5. Jukebox Flyer has only won one race from 18 starts, but she has six placings to her name, and she comes into this on the back of successive thirds at Gundagai and Canberra. She’s drawn to get a good run in this from gate two and gets her chance to break through again. 6. Keysborough showed a return to form when finishing second on the Riverside track here last time out and has claims on that performance. 8. Imabarbiegirl resumed with a strong win at Queanbeyan and can be in the finish with a repeat of that. 2. Chasing A Quid has been down on his best but can improve here.
How to play it: Jukebox Flyer WIN
Race 4
3. Marks Icon has looked good winning his latest two starts in a row at Canberra and Bathurst. He’s drawn to get a good run here and can go on with the job. 4. Zontawah won on the Riverside here on Christmas Eve and can go on with that now. 9. Saint Loft has been racing well and can show up again here without surprising, while 7. Brohm Lake won well at Goulburn last time out, and can show up again.
How to play it: Marks Icon WIN
Race 5
1. Bide Your Time had been good in his trials before debuting with a win on the Riverside track here on Christmas Eve when racing in a forward position and fighting on too well to score. He looks talented and can go on with the job here. 3. Taluk has a win and a placing from six starts and this looks well within her reach, while 2. Fire Your Guns is lightly raced with a good record and bears close watching. 11. Tycoon Artie wasn’t too far away last time out and is not out of this.
How to play it: Bide Your Time WIN
Race 6
5. Perigean is a former Queenslander that made his debut for the new stable when scoring a strong win as favourite at Canberra. He looks set to go on with the job in this. 3. Oh No Mikki loomed up to win on the Riverside track here last time out only to weaken late. He shouldn’t be underestimated here. 1. I Am Mamwaazel has been racing well without winning of late and warrants respect. 2. Brothers Of Antrim is resuming from a long spell but is talented at best and has claims.
How to play it: Perigean WIN
Race 7
1. Daly Heads has been down on his best form of late but has shown his share of ability at his best and has the benefit of an apprentice claim here. Expect a massive improvement. 3. Flying Flossy is a last-start Canberra winner that can show up in this without surprising. 6. Lord Finland ran second to Flying Flossy when they last met and is not out of this, while 9. Region Time comes out of the same race and wasn’t too far away in that.
How to play it: Daly Heads EACH WAY
Race 8
5. Jackpot Star is having his first start and has looked good on a trial leading into this debut. He looks to have the talent to give this a big shake. 6. Under The Hood has only had three starts and been placed in one of them and should show up on the strength of that form. 8. Miss Big Shot is a recent trial winner and has performed well enough in a short career. 4. Bengal resumes for a new stable and shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Jackpot Star WIN
Best Bets
Race 5 (1) Bide Your Time
Race 6 (5) Perigean
Best Value
Race 7 (1) Daly Heads
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
