By Nick Berney
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 12:55PM MERIMBULA JEWELLERS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1208 METRES)
6. Ice Skater was specked $13-$11 first-up at Nowra but had too much to do. The mare got too far back in the run, was checked in transit and lost momentum at a key stage, but to her credit she closed off well. Further, she clocked one of the fastest final 400m-200m splits of the meeting but peaked on her run late. She receives a significant barrier change, allowing her to settle closer, and the bigger track is ideal. Additionally, her peak figure came second-up last prep on dry ground, which lines up well against her opposition. Each-way.
The Sapphire Coast will stage a seven-race card on Monday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 7. Noble Serenade brings strong provincial form lines from early in her prep and last start; she had factors against in a high-rating race. She has a much more positive race setup with barrier one and expect an improved effort. 9. Miss Patrika comes through the same race and more ground suits. Forget 4. Flying Shalaa’s debut run and 5. Angel Academy has a race fitness edge.
How to play it: Ice Skater E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 1:35PM LIQUOR LEGENDS MERIMBULA COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1008 METRES)
3. Forty Four Cubits is still learning, but she won dominantly on debut at Wagga 22 days ago after being well-backed late in the trade. The three-year-old had every chance stalking the pace but showed a sharp turn of foot, clocking one of the meeting’s fastest final 400m splits. She now has to step in grade, but all key indicators suggest she’ll improve off her last-start effort and benefit from the race experience.
Dangers: Forgiving of 1. Puerto Rico’s last start at Canberra in a stronger grade, where he raced wide. Before that start, he was honest in defeat and repeating that figure will put him in the finish. 5. Gorgeous Prophet led and put her rivals away with ease last start at Moruya. This is harder, but she is in career-best form. 7. Giddy Up Gidleigh can bounce on a dry surface and maps well.
How to play it: Forty Four Cubits WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 2:10PM FEB 3, & 4, 2024 BEGA CUP CARNIVAL COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1008 METRES)
7. Stella Siren profiles well for this event, with a much more positive race setup. After hitting the line hard and clocking the meeting’s fastest final 600m/400m splits, the five-year-old first-up run was full of merit. She will be fitter for that effort and finally returns to a dry surface where she has produced her peak performances/figures. Each-way.
Dangers: Debutant 5. Where Is Ken had a quiet trial recently at Canberra where he went through the line not extended. He is a key late-market watch. 3. Lord Remy was solid last campaign and races well fresh. 6. Flying Cathay resumes for her new trainer Kevin Cassidy but hasn’t had an official public trial. The blinkers go on for the first time, which shows real intent here. 10. Steamed Hams is first-up off a 224-day break but has past figures that can put her in the finish.
How to play it: Stella Siren E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 2:45PM WE WILL REMEMBER THEM MAIDEN HANDICAP (1408 METRES)
3. Must Be Magic has progressed well each run throughout her career from a figures perspective and gets her chance to peak third-up in this event. She was honest in a time race at Kembla last start, and her ratings/sectional profile suggests she can improve again. In addition, the step up in distance onto a dry track is ideal.
Dangers: 7. Miss Stalwart is coming out of time/sectional merit races this prep and is well-placed here with a positive map. The mare was run to suit last start at Canberra, but she got too far back and had to make her run through the inferior ground. To her credit she closed off well, and if she can reproduce that effort/figure expect her to be hard to beat in a much easier assignment. Market Watch on 2. Eltoroson, who failed last start, but his debut run had merit and that lines up well for this. 4. Threethumbsup can improve with key gear changes and add 6. Inspired Dream to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Must Be Magic WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3:20PM INDEPENDENT LIQUOR GROUP BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1208 METRES)
3. Lockup The Kittens has returned improved this prep, and produced a career peak figure when winning last start at Canberra. He savaged the line, and his late visual strength was backed up by the clock running one of the meeting’s fastest final 200m splits. He has a positive race setup, maps to have all favours and can improve again third-up.
Dangers: 7. Starliv drops sharply in grade and was honest last start at Canberra. She is suited back to dry ground and will be running on strongly. 2. Headstock was solid in defeat at this track/distance last start and is rock-hard fit. Forget 1. Celestial Doll’s last start at Kembla, and she can bounce back here.
How to play it: Lockup The Kittens WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 3:57PM MERIMBULA RSL CLUB CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1608 METRES)
4. Temple Garden, who was only narrowly beaten first-up, was brave in defeat. The gelding was slightly outpaced when the sprint went on, but once he balanced up and built momentum, he hit the line hard. He will be fitter, the extra ground suits and a senior rider sticks.
Dangers: 1. Go Gazza drops significantly in grade and is rock-hard fit. He hasn’t won in a long-time but has a solid starting price profile for this grade. Forget 5. Lonhro Lily’s last start where she was found to be lame post-race. Prior to that, she won well at this track/distance, and repeating that effort can put her in the finish. 6. Never Lose Faith is the only last start winner, and add 3. Belleistic Kids to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Temple Garden WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:35PM GREENWAY TURF SOLUTIONS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1408 METRES)
1. Victory At Omaha led at a genuine tempo first-up at Kembla Grange in a stronger grade but tired over the concluding stages. Further, that race rated highly relative to the day, with solid margins throughout to confirm the quality. He will be fitter for that effort, drops sharply in class and second-up last prep he won over this track/distance.
Dangers: 4. Eberlee is the stablemate to Victory At Omaha, bringing strong form lines to this event. She has a tricky map but is a key late-market watch. 5. Sucrose has had 450 days off the scene but has recently won a trial well under a tight hold. Expect her to sprint fresh.
How to play it: Victory At Omaha WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best Bets: Race 2 # 3 – Forty Four Cubits, Race 4 # 3 – Must Be Magic
Best Value: Race 6 # 4 – Temple Garden
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
