By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 – 12:40PM CAMPBELL’S FUEL SERVICE MAIDEN SHOWCASE (950 METRES)
Racing returns to Moree on Sunday with an eight-race card featuring the cup over 1400m.Credit:Jenny Evans
4. A Bit Bazarre is one of two first starters who look to hold the key to this race. Blew the start completely in his only trial back in March and not pressured thereafter. Locally trained, drawn well and any support would be a significant pointer.
Dangers: 1. Mr Dupridge trialled in blinkers at Gilgandra a couple of weeks ago and was kept hard held, carrying his head fairly low. Draws the inside and market also a good guide to confidence. 11. Star Diamond is the best at odds here. Completely forgive her two Grafton runs, the first wasn’t bad, off wide gates and go on her first-up second at Inverell where she chased very hard in second place. 2. Keep Me Loyal has been going OK without winning one, boxed on well into third at Muswellbrook last time out. Has another tricky gate but worth including in the main chances.
How to play it: A Bit Bazarre WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 1:15PM 2VM NOWFM CLASS 3 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (950 METRES)
1. Comonic is a dual acceptor whose two runs back in provincial and Highway company have been below his best but this is much easier. Dominant winner at Hawkesbury back in May and would only need to replicate that to take beating.
Dangers: 5. Small Town is racing well and was just picked up in the shadows of the post when runner-up at Tamworth a month ago. On pacer who can take catching if he finds the front. 3. Dubbo Wanderer beat Small Town at Coonabarabran two starts ago then didn’t measure up to Highway company up sharply to 1300m. Blinkers go back on and is entitled to another chance. 7. Riccardo was a well supported winner in this grade back in July, not disgraced in only run since when fourth at Quirindi. Has to be considered back on his home track.
How to play it: Comonic & Small Town WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 1:50PM NORTH WEST EVENTS MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1300 METRES)
11. Hello Monday produced an eye-catching debut for the new stable charging home from the back into fourth at Muswellbrook over 1000m. Fitter for that and the extra ground is likely to suit her. Any improvement would see her in the finish.
Dangers: 3. Honour The Crown was unwanted in betting when making his debut at Scone but gave a huge sight leading and staying on for second. Expect up 200m he’ll lead again and a repeat performance makes him hard to beat. 13. Sunchaser is a newcomer to the Stirling Osland camp and she showed a bit of promise with placings at her first two starts on wet tracks before failing at Newcastle in April. No public trials so pay to keep her safe. 8. Thunder Fox will find this a little easier than his last attempt, best effort to date was over this course three runs back when runner-up and if he can reproduce that he’s an each-way hope.
How to play it: Hello Monday E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 2:25PM THE PETER GOUGH MEMORIAL C1 & MAIDEN SHOWCASE (1600 METRES)
2. Bill Petyo looks close to a win and form aside from his Highway run, where he ran OK, is pretty consistent. Worked home strongly at Scone last time from well back and if he can take any advantage of gate one has a good chance.
Dangers: 7. Mr Eighty Eight has a tricky barrier but does tend to go forward. Ultra consistent type who was nailed in the last stride at Wyong last time after breaking through at Forbes. With even luck will be right in the finish. 10. Gold Lunar is another consistent type who doesn’t win out of turn and was beaten by a handy type when runner-up at Scone, in the same race as Bill Peyto, after racing on pace. Definite chance. 6. Hyland Bay did quite a good job first up under 63kg finishing on from well back into third at Inverell. Has a good record at this track and is worthy of some respect.
How to play it: Bill Petyo E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:00PM ORICA MOREE TOWN PLATE (950 METRES)
4. Comonic is racing out of his grade but if he can find his best form this looks an easier assignment than the Class 3 earlier in the day. Led in the Highway last time before folding up late but back to the short course and with gate one should take catching.
Dangers: 3. Baikya won well first up at Grafton and two runs since have been honest including a close up fifth at Wyong almost three weeks ago. Down 3kg on that and all five wins have been at 1000m so the short course suits. 6. Star Of Harada was narrowly beaten here three runs back, latest effort a close third at Toowoomba as a $20 chance. Each-way hopes. 2. Appalchian hasn’t raced since late July when unplaced at Tamworth. Drops 5kg and draws well and in a race lacking some depth has the chance to improve.
How to play it: Comonic WIN; Trifecta 4/2,3,6/2,3,6. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 3:35PM RDO EQUIPMENT CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
1. Roussos was a drifter in betting first up at Quirindi and took off well before the turn only to be reeled in late when a game second. Fitter for that and did win at 1440m so the extra 100m is a plus. Has strong claims.
Dangers: 5. Ogrim scored easily at Forbes two starts back then disappointed on a heavy track at Bathurst but that could probably be put down to the jump to 1400m. If that’s the case then he’s well worth another chance. 4. Individualist was an impressive maiden winner at Dubbo back in April and ran up to some good support. Resumed at the picnics at Cobar and won easily so treating that like a barrier trial so if he can run up to his maiden win then he’s a hope. 2. A Guinea has the wide gate to worry about but on his first-up effort behind a handy one in The Poacher at Hawkesbury he has to be strongly considered. Just needs luck.
How to play it: Roussos WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 – 4:15PM SOS PHONE REPAIRS & LOCAL APPLICANCE RENTALS MOREE CUP (1400 METRES)
11. Moetta is flying this time in and just has to get the 1400m strongly to go very close. Big run at Forbes three back then last time just touched out at Gilgandra at 1280m. Nicely drawn, handles all ground and senior rider on. Good chance.
Dangers: 6. Acoustix bounced back to form with an all the way win at Taree last time and you have to respect the fact he’s making the long trip from the coast to Moree to run here. Can give a sight. 9. Ah Well probably ran out of condition first up at Scone after leading but she held on OK for a close third at the 1300m. Fitter for it and while yet to win second up she’s very honest and is sure to give a good account. 4. Point Counterpoint earned eligibility for the Big Dance with his last start second in the Armidale Cup and resumes without a trial. Form suggests he’ll improve with the run but his only recent poor effort was in a Benchmark race at Rosehill. Keep safe.
How to play it: Moetta WIN; Trifecta 11/4,6,9/4,6,9. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 8 – 4:55PM MCGREGOR GOURLAY BM58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
11. Ringside has won three of his last six and been competitive in between and comes into this fresh since his win here back in mid-July. Had a tickover trial, drawn well and likes this track. Capable of featuring in an open race.
Dangers: 6. Lady Mofeed has been thereabouts without winning and is down a notch in class on her close up fourth at Muswellbrook two weeks ago. Races handy and should have her chance. 4. Calgary King probably should have won here three starts back when narrowly beaten. Two runs since fair but forgiving his last run at Scone when a drifter in betting. This race suits better and he can improve. 2. Pyrmont beat Calgary King to win that race back in July, placed in two runs since the latest at the picnics. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Ringside E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
