By Nick Berney
Selections based on a good track
Race 1 – 1:15PM STITCHING SISTERS NAROOMA COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1650 METRES)
2. Funky Little Shack had too much to do on debut at the Sapphire Coast 20 days ago in a high-rating race and ran on well into third. Further, he clocked one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting, and the step up in distance is ideal. Additionally, he can settle closer and expect him to be in the finish.
Dangers: 9. Les Goh wasn’t suited to settling at the rear of the field in a slow tempo and got too far back. The mare ran on well, and all indicators suggest she will improve significantly second up. 3. Guard had no luck last start in stronger grade and can rate to win. 8. Jauhera is a consistent type and rock-hard fit.
How to play it: Funky Little Shack WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Racing returns to Moruya on Sunday with an eight-race card.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 1:50PM RAPLEY AND SON’S BUTCHERY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1010 METRES)
2. Iron Will resumes without an official public trial but won well on debut at Goulburn last prep and ran slick time. Moreover, the gelding was immediately spelled after that effort, and all indicators suggested he would return an improved horse. He will have to transfer his wet track form to a dry surface, but a repeat of his first-up performance from last campaign will put him in the finish.
Dangers: 1. Parrying broke through for his maiden win at this track last start and did it on both ends. The Matthew Smith galloper led at a fast pace and then still accelerated away from his rivals in style. He jumps in grade but has the figure to make the step. 3. Vella Fox resumes without an official public trial but went out a solid winner and is a key late market watch. Add 7. Miss Lamar to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Iron Will WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:25PM MITRE 10 NAROOMA COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1650 METRES)
5. You Are King had every chance seven days ago but was honest running second in a stronger grade. The gelding has been solid all prep and brings a competitive ratings profile. Moreover, he maps to have all favours and can control the pace stepping out to 1650m for the first time.
Dangers: 9. Last Quest ran on well in a strong time race first-up and will be fitter for that effort. The extra distance suits him, and he can settle closer from the soft draw. Add 8. Garratt Road, who will make his own luck up on the speed and 4. Tavifern to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: You Are King WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 3:00PM WHACKER’S PHOTO AND PICTURE FRAMING MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
13. So You Pence was well fancied on debut at Wagga Riverside and started the $3.80 favourite. The three-year-old sat outside the leader at an even tempo, sprinted hard, and went down in a duel to run second. Further, the time was solid, and the margins throughout confirmed the quality of the race. She maps to have all favours and repeating her last start effort/figure will make her hard to beat.
Dangers: 5. Up To Me resumes for his new trainer Garry Kirkup and has trialled well enough in preparation for this assignment. The gelding raced well last prep and receives barrier one here. 7. Diamond Flyer has been a consistent galloper on the provincial circuit and maps to have all favours. Add 8. Avid Diva and 6. Woodbraid Lad to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: So You Pence WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:40PM HARCOURTS BATEMANS BAY CHRISTMAS CUP BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1425 METRES)
7. Budderoo Blitz was second-up at Canberra last start but had excuses and ran on well into fourth. The six-year-old will be fitter for that effort, and his sectional/ratings profile suggests he is ready to peak. In addition, he produced a career peak figure when winning third-up last prep, and a repeat of that effort will put him in the finish.
Dangers: 1. Mookareena led at a solid pace last start and was run down over the concluding stages. The seven-year-old is a consistent type and has a positive map. 9. Alqaab has strong form lines for this event and can rate to win. Add 5. Aidenabet and 3. Westgrove to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Budderoo Blitz WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 4:15PM DALMENY IGA AND LIQUOR NAROOMA TOWN PLATE (1010 METRES)
5. Kattegat raced well first-up at Kembla in a high-rating race and ran on well into second, beating the rest easily. The six-year-old will be fitter, and his sectional/ratings profile suggests he will improve from that effort. In addition, the anticipated genuine tempo will suit and expect him to be savaging the line.
Dangers: 2. Major Time started $2.60 favourite last start in a similar grade race, and he won with ease. The seven-year-old is a consistent type and will roll forward. 4. Akeed comes through the same race and receives a 2kg weight swing to his advantage. 7. Delightful Dream is racing well; add 6. Look Only to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Kattegat WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:51PM CLUB NAROOMA AND CLUB DALMENY NAROOMA CUP (1300 METRES)
8. River Mac has had no luck this prep, and his runs have had merit. The six-year-old was blocked last start at a critical stage at Kembla, but to his credit, once clear, he ran on well. He has a tricky map but has multiple winning figures and can be in the finish with luck.
Dangers: 1. King Gutho has been a model of consistency this prep and won with ease last start. He brings the clear best last start figure but will have to step out to the 1300m. Market watch 3. Devil’s Triangle, who undoubtedly can win but failed last start. Add 10. Mr Aloysius and 6. Propose A Toast to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: River Mac WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 5:29PM CAMERON’S HARDWARE CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
4. Slickman was solid when resuming at Kensington 16 days ago in a stronger grade, and he ran on well into third. Further, that race rated highly relative to the day, and he hit the line hard, clocking one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting. The four-year-old maps to have all favours, drops in grade and has a strong ratings profile for this event. Any improvement on his first-up figure will make him hard to beat.
Dangers: 9. Patrika Mist resumes and was ridden out in a recent trial at Kembla Grange. First-up last prep, she ran slick closing splits and the 1300m suits here. Forget 5. Geminids last start, and she can bounce back with a soft draw. 3. Eastern Glow must carry a hefty weight but has a fantastic record.
How to play it: Slickman WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best Bet: Race 8 (4) Slickman
Next Best: Race 4 (13) So You Pence
Best Value: Race 7 (8) River Mac
Supplied by Racing NSW. Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
