By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:00PM HENRY “OLD TOMMY” PASTERFIELD MEMORIAL CLASS 1 (1000 METRES)
3. Nomara has to take the step out of maiden company but her first win at Kembla back in June was on of a horse that should win more races. Plenty to like about her trial win a couple of weeks ago and from gate one will have every chance.
Dangers: 6. Artieos was a bit green but still able to win on debut back in August before failing when jumping straight to Class 3. Both starts have been in the wet so interesting to see how she goes on top of the ground. No public trials but that’s not unusual for the stable. Go well. 5. Miss Lamar is an on pacer who has put a couple of nice efforts together for seconds at Gundagai and Canberra in November. Capable of being in the finish somewhere again. 8. Fleur De Rose finished on from last to be narrowly beaten into third at Wagga first up since May. She’s fitter for that and sure to be hitting the line strongly again.
How to play it: Nomara WIN; Trifecta 3/5,6,8/5,6,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
French Bonnet is a danger in the Nowra Cup.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 1:36PM HQ INSURANCE CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
2. Crowned By Aces has found a nice race coming back in class from a very handy fourth in a Midway at Kembla. Drawn to get a much nicer run and that last run suggests he can handle a mile at this level. Should run well.
Dangers: 1. Sea Treasures will find this a lot easier than his first-up assignment at Rosehill in a BM72. On his best form he’d probably be entitled to be a short priced favourite, was a little concerned about his last 200m fresh but fitter could easily bounce back. 3. Portnoy hasn’t done lot wrong in eight starts to date and probably found 2000m on a heavy beyond him before a break. Is trialling stylishly and must be kept safe. 5. Iverson was a solid favourite when placed at Sapphie Coast last time out but going on his run in the same Midway as Crowned By Aces, running seventh, he’s not without a case here.
How to play it: Crowned By Aces WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:11PM MURPHY FAMILY FUNERALS COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)
2. Cider Bite might be ready to break through after a top effort second up at Sapphire Coast on Monday where he made a long run after going back from a wide gate to finish second. That was over a mile so comes back 200m but draws well and should be competitive.
Dangers: 3. Sky Warrior didn’t have the best of luck when a close third at Wagga when resuming over 1200m. Was a drifter there so should be fitter and given he ran so well he is a likely improver. Definite chance. 4. Woodbraid Lad is another that’s had a few chances and might be worth another after he was fourth as favourite at Queanbeyan last time. Sat outside the lead there and attacked on the turn before weakening late. Everything points to a solid showing. 6. Avid Diva improved nicely second up at Bathurst to be narrowly beaten when jumping from 1000m to 1300m. Better for that run and should race forward up to this trip. Worth including.
How to play it: Cider Bite WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 2:46PM HANLON WINDOWS BELLE OF THE SOUTH – F&M BM66 (1200M)
1. Celestial Doll hasn’t raced since an eye-catching third at Kembla in early September where she motored from near the tail to beaten under a length. That sort of effort would see her go close here in a race that is right up for grabs.
Dangers: 3. Sifu was probably not suited with the drop from 1300m to 1000m at Queanbeyan last time and she wasn’t really able to get into the race at any stage after going back. Placed five of eight at the 1200m and is well worth another chance. 4. Wilful Spirit found her best form for an easy on pace win at Gundagai when getting away from wet tracks for the first time in a while. Likely to be on speed again and could take catching. 7. The Gift is still a Class 1 horse but she’s consistent enough to be considered a chance. Narrowly beaten at Kembla two starts back before a fair effort there last time.
How to play it: Celestial Doll E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:25PM WASTON BLINDS & AWNINGS CG&E MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
5. Parrying will relish the extra 200m after a very promising return over the 900m scamper at Newcastle. Looked to be slightly outsped as they turned but flattened out well late. Was a drifting favourite so will have upside and this is a big chance for him to post an early win.
Dangers: 2. Disoney is an interesting runner. First two starts were very handy including a Canterbury placing then had cardiac arrhythmia when running last at Newcastle in June. Two quiet trials since. He’s one to keep a close eye on. 4. Nonshaalant was placed in four of his first five starts and resumes as a gelding. Tricky gate but has some speed and if there’s support to say he’s come back better it might be worth following. 8. Sweetpea Moochi found the line well in his latest trial so could show up.
How to play it: Parrying WIN; Trifecta 5/2,4,8/2,4,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:01PM RICHARD BUTLER RACING COUNTRY BOOSTED BM58 HANDICAP (1400M)
8. Chaotic Beauty was racing well at this sort of level before being thrown into a Highway at Kembla two weeks ago and she wasn’t a factor. Forgive that. Impressive Wagga winner prior, draws well and has the chance to regain her form.
Dangers: 2. Buzz ‘N’ Joe might not have loved Gundagai as he looked to be struggling midrace before finishing on well into third when resuming. Fitter for it and is well placed here. The only concern is his second-up record and he did regress last prep after a fresh win, albeit on a heavy track. 3. Important Product has been thereabouts without winning recently and ran an honest race at Newcastle in this class last time out. On his second in a BM66 three back he should be in the finish though will need some luck. 10. Spritely Emily was narrowly beaten here three runs back after racing on speed,. Disappointing in two subsequent efforts but could improve back onto her home circuit.
How to play it: Chaotic Beauty E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 4:38PM TAB BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY NOWRA SHOWCASE CUP (1600 METRES)
5. Redwood Shadow has really found his groove as the tracks have firmed up and chases a hat-trick after strong wins at Warwick Farm and Newcastle over the mile. It appears there’s good speed here and that will afford him the chance to round them up again.
Dangers: 3. French Bonnet is so honest and will give her usual big sight up on the speed. Tried to lead all the way at Newcastle second up and was only denied in the shadows. Only had one attempt at a mile and was unplaced but sets up well for another shot. 4. Ma And Pa will definitely appreciate getting up to a mile after two runs for Clarry Conners. His first-up effort was excellent at 1200m then not disgraced at Kembla. Ready to fire. 7. Too Much Caviar has been disappointing in two runs back but on his best is right in it and 6. Savoury charged home from last at Kembla two weeks ago and is capable of taking this out on his best.
How to play it: Redwood Shadow WIN; Trifecta 5/3,4,6,7/3,4,6,7. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 8 – 5:17PM GO STEEL BUILDING PRODUCTS F&M MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Rotorua was rested after one start at Kensington back in June where she drew wide and went back and was never a factor. Trialling strongly leading into this return, drawn okay and expect her to be very competitive at this level.
Dangers: 8. Lookatourstar is a massive market watch. On debut for Annabel Neasham, she’s trialled a couple of times and while they haven’t been eye-catching to a huge degree she’s put them down well. Drawn nicely and commands respect. 5. Little Baia launched late to just miss at her first outing at Bathurst a couple of weeks ago over this trip. Wide gate a concern but has to be included in the chances after such a promising debut. 4. Clovelly showed improvement into her second start when a solid third at Newcastle over 1200m. Draws well and no reason she couldn’t be in the finish here.
How to play it: Rotorua WIN; Trifecta 9/4,5,8/4,5,8. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
