By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:35PM DRINKWISE PLATE (1600 METRES)
11. Maritima has another chance to break through if she can get away anywhere with them this time. Excuses two back then found a tricky position last time but solid enough running into second. Draws nicely, bigger track a plus and while she’s short enough she should go close.
Dangers: 7. Skylon shapes as though he will appreciate stepping up to a mile. Was detached from the main bunch at Wyong off a two-month break and made some ground. Interesting to see what he can do with the step up in trip and a soft gate. 10. Pioneer Lass wasn’t disgraced first up in a race that was too short for her at Scone. She’s placed in six of nine starts and with the 5kg drop on last time she could run into a place at least. 3. Amor Victorious has been runner-up as favourite in both starts and led in the latest before being cut down late. Likely to roll forward from the wide alley and can give a sight.
How to play it: Maritima WIN; Trifecta 11/3,7,10/3,7,10. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Lion’s Roar is getting back to his best and is the top selelction in the Summer Cup.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 2:10PM VINERY YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
10. Preferral is worth a look at good each-way odds in a race that suits much better than his second start where he came back in trip before working home when it was all over. Placed at Warwick Farm on debut. Seems over the odds.
Dangers: 7. Asva is ready for the step up in trip after two runs at 1250m at Canterbury and while he only beat two home second-up he was warming up nicely late. Expect him to be competitive. 9. Marelle had every chance in a slowly run race first up as an odds-on favourite at Kensington three weeks ago. She did fight on OK and will be fitter so goes into the mix. 4. The Englishman raced handy and while no match for the winner Zou Tiger on debut he did hold everything else at bay. Trialled well enough and kicking off at 1400m suits for a horse bred to stay.
How to play it: Preferral E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:45PM RANVET PLATE (1200 METRES)
8. Ramones was expected to win first-up at Wyong but it just didn’t work out for him being trapped wide while the winner controlled in front. Trialled very well prior. Goes to 1200m and showed more than enough in his first preparation to be forgiving.
Dangers: 13. Graceful Force struck a heavy 10 on debut and didn’t fire but given some time and with a nice trial under her belt she may jump out of the ground on a good track. Draws to have her chance to perform. 10. Aurinko is a big watch on debut for Chris Waller, certainly wasn’t asked to do anything in her trial a couple of weeks ago. Market a guide but no surprise if she features. 11. Coriolis comes through the same race as Ramones first up. She was a drifter in betting and ran on strongly from the back into second. Extra trip and bigger track are pluses, barrier a negative.
How to play it: Ramones E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:20PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Delexo has been a bit out of sorts this time in but he certainly had excuses at Rosehill last time when back and wide. Easy tick-over trial since and from gate one he is more than capable of putting himself in the race. Entitled to run well despite top weight.
Dangers: 2. Van Giz stormed home from well back first up over this course in a BM78 beaten just over a length. In foal so nearing the end of her racing career and if she finds the race run to suit she’s found a winnable one. 4. Zain’s Girl won first up last prep and raced reasonably consistently through the winter. Latest trial didn’t look that great to the eye but first one was sound. Keep in mind. 3. Suprina was too quick over 1000m at Wyong second up but hasn’t measured up in two city class races since. Might find the front here and take some catching.
How to play it: Delexo E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 4:00PM MICROPHONE YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Royal Merchant is a promising filly who backed up an impressive maiden win scoring again at Kensington a few weeks ago. Up another notch here but draws to get a perfect run again and she’s clearly the one they have to beat.
Dangers: 9. Arale put a couple of nice wins together last prep and while beaten in both runs so far this time she had excuses second up. If she can hold a position from the inside gate, which she didn’t at Hawkesbury, she can lift. 6. Black On Beauty has been a shade disappointing since an easy first-up win and couldn’t find an excuse at Canterbury last time. Goes forward and happy to throw her into the contenders. 11. Zelady Luck has been freshened up since an all the way win at Kensington over Lekvarte who has since confirmed the form. Trialled since and being an on-pacer if she gets any control is hard to run down.
How to play it: Royal Merchant WIN; Trifecta 2/6,9,11/6,9,11; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:40PM CHANDON SUMMER CUP (2000 METRES)
1. Lion’s Roar signalled he’s back somewhere near his best with a narrow defeat in The Ingham over the mile third-up from a long break. Loves Randwick, seems to be looking for the trip and draws soft. If he can back up that latest run he is a big chance.
Dangers: 2. Sky Lab was hitting the line hard in The Ingham to run fifth, a length behind Lion’s Roar. Is 1kg better off and this is his best chance to win a race for a while. Just has that pattern of leaving it too late. 4. Diamil might have had excuses in that race and respecting his $8 price. His run in the Five Diamonds prior was excellent and well worth another go. 10. Aleas might have hit the front a bit too soon in the ATC Cup a month ago when a close third. Blinkers go on and, athough the draw isn’t kind, he’s capable of being thereabouts.
How to play it: Lion’s Roar E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 5:20PM KIA ORA STUD HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
8. Field Legend is a big query first up as a gelding at a suitable trip with a kind barrier. Wasn’t far off Lekvarte fresh last prep and only failure was in a G3. Appears to be trialling OK and any support is significant.
Dangers: 9. Baranof is flying at the moment and had plenty on them when scoring easily at Hawkesbury. Should get a nice off pace run and while this is a step up he’s fit and racing too well to ignore. 11. Nickelback might appreciate the extra trip after warming up late into second at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Down 5.5kg for the class rise but gate one gives him every hope. 4. Estreet won at this trip when resuming last time in and his effort before a break was sound behind Willinga Rufio. Worth including. 1. The Milky Bar Kid came through the grades quickly last time in but did have a couple of tough runs on heavy tracks. Wide gate might not be so bad for him but still a challenge fresh.
How to play it: Field Legend E/W; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 6:00PM ARROWFIELD GROUP 1 GRADUATES HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
7. Richon was far from disgraced when narrowly beaten at Canterbury stepping up from a runaway maiden win. Has the pace to go forward here and has more upside than most in a wide open race. If he gets the right run he will be competitive.
Dangers: 3. Kahawaty is in super form at the provincials with three provincial wins including a very easy all the way victory at Kembla Grange as an odds-on favourite. Will put herself in the race and has to be considered. 16. Arranmore blew the start second-up at Canterbury and that put paid to her chances. Fresh effort was promising and if she steps away with them this time she could surprise. 20. Beer Palace is tricky to line up. Beat three rivals on debut on a heavy track then fair in a Class 1 before a break. Warmed up well behind King Of Sparta in latest trial. Check betting. Want to include 5. Vientiane who is down in class and 6. Carartie coming off a very soft first-up win.
How to play it: Richon E/W; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
