By Neil Evans
Track likely Soft 6 and rail True.
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
Testing maiden sprint to get us underway. Like improving four-year-old 2. Olimba to break through at his third start. Worked home late as a hot favourite just eight days ago, but gets a much softer run here on the map with the top jockey sticking, and the country stable is underrated.
Taree hosts a seven-race card, including the Gloucester Cup, on Monday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: Watch the betting on Sizzling filly 10. Sizzle Nickel who resumes for a renowned fresh yard behind a trial win, while local Stratum Star two-year-old 4. Bear’s A Star on debut with a 2kg claim, and home tracker 13. Twin Seas deep into the prep, can both add value into exotic plays.
How to play it: Olimba to win. Odds and Evens: Evens.
Race 2 CLASS 1 HCP (1000m)
This sets up a treat for Headwater colt and likely clear favourite 3. Remember Jack resuming for a second prep from the inside draw. Thrashed a handy country maiden field at second start last spring, and tuned up for this with a tidy open class trial win. The one to beat.
Dangers: Doubt there are any dangers if the top selection jumps cleanly, but consistent home track three-year-old 1. Uncertain Terms off a dominant last start maiden win can run the quinella. 4. Sacred Field behind a smart fresh maiden win at the provincials, 5. Cavente first-up, and 7. Leopardi down in weight at his third start, are all worthy players in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Remember Jack to win and quinella 1 and 3. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 3 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Still over the five furlong journey, and another one drawn inside and by Headwater, five-year-old 1. Poita can put this field to the sword fifth-up. Has been finding the line from well off the speed all prep, placed in two of his last three carrying big weights, and with a much-needed 3kg claim here and settling a bit closer in the run, he can break a long drought out of the winner’s circle.
Dangers: Keep safe 5. Robarge who hit the line late second-up off a nine-week break, and draws to find a cosy trail. Provincial-based fillies 3. Jukebox Flyer, down in class fourth-up, and 8. Mrs Ed, who has won two of her last three at big odds, are both each-way chances.
How to play it: Poita to win. Odds and Evens: Odds.
Race 4 MAIDEN HCP (1600m)
Out to the mile now, and it shapes nicely for improving provincial-based filly 1. Yamba’s Award despite disappointing in tougher company third-up. Failed to run home on a very heavy track at Wyong, but firmer ground here and stepping out to the mile now are big pluses. Draws to get cover around midfield.
Dangers: Watch for any money around home track mare 4. Flute Of Brut who can peak fourth-up out significantly in distance. Another one rising in trip at his fourth start, 3. A Dime Approach also comes in over the odds, while including home trackers 6. His First Lady fourth-up from the inside draw and 12. Suncraft third-up in exotic bets.
How to play it: Yamba’s Award to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 5 CLASS 3 HCP (1250m)
All aboard very capable mare 1. Darci Diva here deep into the prep, and dropping back from a strong CL3 Highway at Randwick. Had previously cruised home to win a country CL2 after tracking the speed, and is right at home in soft ground. Naturally back up in weight, but draws to get the right run and has a touch of quality in this field.
Dangers: Progressive five-year-old 4. Swift Charm is a clear threat second-up after sweeping home to win a BM 58 before again solid to the line in a handy CL2 13 days ago. Gap to the rest headed by 6. She’s Rewarding third-up and behind a fast-finishing CL1 win, while 3. Korubela Miss heads the rest also back from that same Highway after winning two straight up to country BM 66 level.
How to play it: Darci Diva to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 6 GLOUCESTER CUP BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1400m)
Now for the feature race of the day, and keen on local four-year-old mare 8. That’s Molly rising in grade fourth-up. Disappointing when failing to attack the line in weaker class a fortnight ago, but was $3.10 into $2.60 that day, and much more effective back on rain-affected ground here. Gets good weight relief after the claim.
Dangers: Tough provincial mare 3. She’s Independent is on the cusp of another win fifth-up after only being collared in the last few strides at Wyong on a bog surface. Will roll forward from a handy gate, although just a query on her running out a strong seven furlongs. Honest mare 7. Inspiration is hard fit, and finished well to claim a BM 58, although tackling a better field here. Expecting sharp improvement fourth-up from 4. Foolish from a softer draw. Home track mare and last start BM 58 winner 9. Wokenwithakiss who draws to get plenty of cover, and 2. Buzz ‘N’ Joe with a superior jockey taking over, head the rest.
How to play it: That’s Molly to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 7 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
We finish with a very tricky maiden. Like improving provincial three-year-old 4. Vardon to score an overdue and much-deserved third-up win. Has charged home into a place in his last two, and draws to settle a bit closer here from a handier gate. Boasts a 50 percent place rate from 10 starts.
Dangers: Watch the betting on Contributer mare 12. Snapoutofit who debuts behind two quiet trials for the leading provincial stable. At bigger odds 1. Best Of Maher at third start with winkers added, 3. Gold Something down in class with a key gear change, 11. Romantic Rock back from deeper provincial company, and 14. World Atlas third-up with blinkers off, all go in exotic plays.
How to play it: Vardon to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Best bets: R1 2. Olimba; R4 1. Yamba’s Award.
Best value: R5 1. Darci Diva.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
