By Neil Evans
Selections based on a good track
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
We start the Showcase Bega Cup day card with a small field of maiden sprinters. Canberra-based Bull Point three-year-old 1. Too Sharp debuts as a gelding off a smart trial win. Draws the fence, and the stable loves to attack this district.
Dangers: Another first starter, Nostradamus filly 4. Eight Of A Kind has reportedly been working well for some time. 5. Gypsy Romance first up since spring behind a quiet trial can complete the trifecta.
How to play it: Too Sharp to win; Odds and Evens: Split
The second day of the Sapphire Coast carnival is shaping up to be a cracker.Credit:Fairfax
Race 2 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (2200m)
Mainly older stayers do battle here in the Sapphire Coast Cup, and it shapes nicely for lightly raced five-year-old 3. Tavifern to go back to back. Powered home from the back to win a handy CL1 third up and well capable of making the sharp step up in distance here against better opposition carrying 1.5kg less. Importantly, drawn to get cover settling back in the field.
Dangers: 2. Diamond Class finished best to win a similar-graded race two starts ago before working home OK in provincial company. Also gets a cosy run inside just off the speed. 1. Island Bay Boy hasn’t won for a long time but capable of finding his best over further and dropping back in class. 8. Garratt Road drops sharply in weight fourth up across exotic bets.
How to play it: Tavifern to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
Wide open battle with plenty of chances. Improving South Coast-based three-year-old 7. Heir Jordan can peak third up after charging home to beat all bar the winner 17 days ago. Bit more depth here but settles a touch closer from a softer draw and hitting peak fitness now.
Dangers: 8. Spitfire Sun returns off a lengthy break for his fourth start and importantly first outing on firm ground. 6. Zedly resumes off two progressive provincial trials 2. Dodgeball first up for seven months off a forward trial and 4. Open Sky with winkers replacing blinkers for his second start can run into the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Heir Jordan to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
A weakened clash for the restricted sprinters shapes well for resuming five-year-old 1. My Bold Boy from a low draw. Won two straight up to country BM 66 level last prep. Hasn’t publicly trialled but bound to come to hand quickly and big weight has been offset by a 3kg claim.
Dangers: Improving Canberra five-year-old 9. Beau Rock is a threat second up after chasing home a promising sprinter at home off a near six-month break, and also gets right back into the race at the weights after the full claim. 5. Zelago resumes from a soft draw.
How to play it: My Bold Boy to win; Odds and Evens: Odds a special
Race 5 CLASS 2 HCP (1200m)
Very tough and tactical affair with a stack of hopes. Improving four-year-old 3. Rhythmboat is well-placed here second up at good odds. Worked home nicely resuming in a slightly weaker race but gets good weight relief and draws to get a nice trial just off the speed. Scratched from Saturday’s meeting to be saved for this.
Dangers: Speedy four-year-old 5. The Predictor bounced to the front and gave nothing else a look-in first up at Moruya but tougher here and a trickier gate to overcome. If honest four-year-old 1. Greek Tycoon gets over from the wider barrier OK he’ll be right there. Been in the money all three runs this prep and building a solid record over this trip. Watch the betting on resuming mare 2. Eberlee off a quiet trial. 10. Maresca third up and down sharply in weight is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Rhythmboat each way and trifecta 1,3,5/1,2,3,5,10/1,2,3,5,10; Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 6 BEGA SPRINT (1200m)
The main support battle is naturally wide open with several formlines in play. Keen at the value around lightly raced five-year-old 11. Who But Roo first up with a light weight for more than six months. Has been strong through the line in two trials nearly four weeks apart, comes to hand quickly, and has a 40 per cent win rate from 10 starts.
Dangers: Plenty to like about 8. Don Luigi. rates among the best-weighted runners dropping back down to the limit 55kg. Finished best off a nice trail to win a feature sprint over this trip before battling on well in a Midway BM 72 at Rosehill. Just needs to get across from a tricky gate, and will be a big factor. So too will be ex-Albury mare 2. Takissacod resuming for a new provincial yard off two trials with blinkers removed. Was good enough to win a BM 78 race at Caulfield this time last year. Include in exotics 3. Akeed deep into his prep; 7. Look Only dropping back from metro opposition; and 10. Flying Sultan which has placed in his last two.
How to play it: Who But Roo to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BEGA CUP (1600m)
Now the feature race over the mile, and there are plenty of chances. At the value not about to get off progressive and lightly raced Canberra five-year-old 16. Trooper Knuckle, which shoots for five wins from his last six starts. Progressed strongly though to a good closing effort in BM70 Federal grade two runs back before tracking the speed and going home best to claim a Highway at Rosehill. Hard fit and gets in beautifully on the limit 54kg.
Dangers: Smart four-year-old 12. Manderboss looks primed on the limit weight after hitting the line hard against BM 78 metro opposition in his last two. Underrated provincial mare 8. Divine Breath went close in a Midway BM 72 at Rosehill before having little or no luck from a tough draw in similar company eight days ago. Another one in the each-way mix is metro four-year-old 13. This’llbetheone. Trialled OK since a disappointing effort over this trip at Randwick and draws inside. Include in exotics 4. Tarn’s Prince second up, and 2. Five Kingdom can improve sharply second up at big odds.
How to play it: Trooper Knuckle each way; Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 8 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m)
Keen on tough and consistent mare 6. Lady Tabloid from a good trailing draw and deep into her prep. Found the line okay on consecutive Highways before Christmas, then hit the line in a handy CL2 at Nowra three weeks back. Stays at her best distance.
Dangers: Keep safe 2. The Herald first up off a 12-week spell and dominant CL1 win in heavy ground. 3. Last Quest can run into a place fourth up.
How to play it: Lady Tabloid to win; Odds and Evens: Evens
BEST BETS: Race 1 (1) TOO SHARP; Race 2 (3) TAVIFERN
BEST VALUE: R4 (1) MY BOLD BOY
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
