By Neil Evans
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 2YO HCP (1210m)
1. Golden Decade is one of three Matthew Dunn-trained runners accepted, and comes back a little in trip three weeks after a barrier-to-box win at Ipswich in his third start. Drawn nearer the outside here but proved in two runs prior that he can settle well off speed and still hit the line with gusto.
Dangers: Improving filly 3. Gerety can hit back hard third up on firmer ground in her first full prep for the Kris Lees yard after disappointing as a hot favourite at Murwillumbah. Stablemate filly 4. Infancy was untroubled winning a weak Maiden on the polytrack at the Gold Coast on debut. 2. Smart Recognition drops back from a much smarter race third up.
How to play it: Golden Decade to win; Odds and Evens: Odds
Today’s feature NSW meeting is at Lismore.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1410m)
Tricky affair but shapes nicely for underrated Coffs three-year-old 3. My Mate Cobber. Was consistently in the placings in handy country and provincial company last prep before spelling, and has picked up where he left off this campaign, working home OK in a deeper maiden at Scone on Cup day. Draws to get handy cover and extra 100m is a further plus.
Dangers: Must keep safe improving 1. Cenotes third up after charging home late in a handy country form maiden when well in the market. UK-sired three-year-old 2. Do It For You debuts as a gelding behind two easy trials. 6. Cuisenaire and 9. Kaytee Reinado are drawn wide but can run into the minor money.
How to play it: My Mate Cobber to win; Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (2110m)
Talented filly 3. Fireflies can pounce here with gear changes and coming back significantly in class. Won two straight around the region before unlucky when charging home late in a CL2 over the border. Finished back in the pack in much deeper BM 72 metro grade 23 days ago, and winkers coming off now for this longer journey and weaker class is a key move.
Dangers: Honest 1. Sheriff Cody peaks third up in a lesser grade over a longer trip. Over the odds is 4. I’mtimmyzou hard fit and getting much-needed weight relief. 2. Chief Command off a first-up win in a weaker race. 8. Rahaan rolls forward from a nice draw. 12. Paddy’s Van also draws to get a soft run.
How to play it: Fireflies to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1210m)
Like Sebring filly 14. Smooth Torque at the value second up. Made up plenty of ground from the back resuming over the border at Beaudesert. Again forced to settle back, but will appreciate a more spacious circuit.
Dangers: 9. Devils Where held her ground OK resuming in a handy maiden but didn’t react on the synthetic at the Gold Coast despite being well supported. Much better placed here back on turf, and settling quieter behind a stronger speed. Yet another lightly raced one and likely clear favourite 4. Mission To Win resumes for his third outing off two strong trials at Beaudesert. 10. Golden Shao draws off the track but capable of charging home second up if he can obtain some cover. 1. Brave Instinction and 6. Strategic Success at big odds go in wider exotic plays.
How to play it: Smooth Torque to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 FLYING HCP (1110m)
Smart and consistent four-year-old 3. Two Ya Got shapes to make it four wins from his last six, boasting a 50 per cent win record at this track from eight starts. Took on tough grade before hopping the border last start, and sweeping home from midfield to win a BM 75 at Ipswich. The nine-day back-up is a big pointer, and being well in at the weights after the 3kg claim from a soft draw makes him the one to beat.
Dangers: Progressive Eagle Farm five-year-old 8. Charlie Sphene can run the quinella off a dominant all-the-way win in weaker class second up off a long break. 1. Stampe drops back from three gallant runs in metro company. 5. Appalachian resumes with key gear changes and 11. Another Spirit can fight out the minor money.
How to play it: Two Ya Got to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1210m)
2. Cassia Lane maps to get plenty of cover back in distance off a nine-week freshen-up. Finished best to win a similar graded race three runs back before not far away in two deeper contests in March. Over the odds.
Dangers: Improving mare 13. Star Of Shalaa is also big value with blinkers coming off. 4. Fire Up Bruce progressing off a smart CL1 win third up. Don’t dismiss 1. Franklin Corners dropping in grade fourth up with a 2kg claimer off-setting the weight. Each-way chances belong to 5. Bad Boy Darby second up and stablemate 9. Reachover finally back on firmer ground fourth up.
How to play it: Cassia Lane each way; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BEEF WEEK CUP (1410m)
Progressive Coffs four-year-old 14. Gobbled who gets a significant weight drop for this tougher test third up. Kept working to the line in a country BM 66 18 days ago under 60kg, and draws to find a handy position on speed.
Dangers: 5. Macchina Volante reloads switching states off a two-month break. Disappointed in the Echuca Cup before working home better in the Bairnsdale Cup over a mile when backed from $5.50 into $4.40. Boasts a better than 25 per cent win rate from 27 starts. Talented four-year-old 8. Andy is another one over the mark third up coming back from CL6 metro company. 4. Dubai Tycoon, 13. Dark Euro who has beaten home all bar the winner in three runs this prep, go in exotics.
How to play it: Gobbled each way and trifecta 5,8,14/4,5,8,13,14/4,5,8,13,14; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 8 CLASS 3 HCP (1410m)
1. Snazz ‘N’ Charm finds a thinner race deep into the current prep. Has done his best work late in handy CL3 company at Ipswich last two, and the rise in distance now is timely.
Dangers: Underrated 3. Green Reign has also worked home well late in two runs this prep and can settle closer here from a low draw. Off a fast-finishing BM 58 win fourth up on the Gold Coast synthetic, 11. Metzarro shapes well over the odds on a big weight drop; while 2. Brave Warrior fourth up; and 15. Stoinka back up in class; head the rest.
How to play it: Snazz ‘N’ Charm to win; Odds and Evens: Odds
BEST BETS: Race 2 (3) MY MATE COBBER; Race 3: (3) FIREFLIES
BEST VALUE: Race 6 (2) CASSIA LANE
