By John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1 – 1.50pm: BEECHWOOD HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000m)
7. Lightscameraaction was placed at Bowraville and Kempsey at her first two runs back from a spell. She then had her first start for a new stable at this track when last produced and went straight to the front and raced clear to score a dominant win in maiden grade. She’s drawn well here and Courtney Bellamy sticks with her in this.
Racing heads to Port Macquarie on Thursday.
Dangers: 2. Head Case was a Grafton maiden winner in March then took on city grade on the Kensington track and was down the track. He had two runs in July without success and since resumed again with a third at Ballina when running well. He can show up here. 3. Kaiyu has hit her straps of late and won each of her latest two starts at this track when racing on the speed and fighting on well. There’s no reason she can’t make an impact again. 1. Poita drops in grade for this and has solid place claims if anywhere near his best.
How to play it: Lightscameraaction WIN
Race 2 – 2.25pm: HASTINGS HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2000m)
3. Dunaloce was placed at Newcastle when resuming from a spell and then followed that up with a close-up fifth at Hawkesbury before a last-start third at Newcastle when beaten just over two lengths. She has a good gate and should get the run of the race.
Dangers: 2. Stylebender has finished second in each of his latest two starts at Hawkesbury and Muswellbrook and while he has a poor winning record he looks set to figure prominently again if he can run up to those efforts. 4. The Young Years was midfield at Rosehill in Highway grade three starts ago and has since finished fourth at Taree and this track at her latest two starts. She is racing well enough to be a factor here. 1. Frosbie showed improvement when a last start fourth at Muswellbrook and has place claims in this.
How to play it: Dunaloce WIN
Race 3 – 3.05pm: FERNHILL TAVERN COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
6. Strassman is an All Too Hard gelding on debut in this, and he’s had three trials for a win at Muswellbrook before placings at Muswellbrook and Scone. He’s struck a nice enough race to kick off his career here and should be given plenty of thought.
Dangers: 3. King Soleil was midfield on debut at this track and followed that up with a third at Muswellbrook. He looks talented and has the ability to give cheek against these. 5. Punch One Out ran his best race yet when third at this track when second-up from a spell and warrants respect again. 7. Bold Bender has been placed in four of her five starts and should be prominent again.
How to play it: Strassman WIN
Race 4 – 3.40pm: FLOWER HOTELS CUP BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1500m)
2. Prancing With Fire had a good record when trained in Victoria with a couple of wins and six placings before debuting for the new stable with a second at Ballina. She since led them up when a close-up fourth at the Gold Coast and has the advantage of gate one on this.
Dangers: 8. Flyball ran third at this track three starts ago and then hasn’t been far away in two starts at Kempsey and this track when fifth in each of his latest two starts. He can figure in the finish here. 7. Dreseden won well at Coffs Harbour last time out and can go on with the job here. 6. Declutter won a couple on end at Taree and since then has finished seventh in his latest three runs.
How to play it: Prancing With Fire WIN
Race 5 – 4.20pm: SETTLERS INN MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500m)
3. Aroha Stone debuted in a good quality Listed race at Scone earlier in the year and wasn’t disgraced despite being down the track when ninth behind Lazzura. She was spelled after that and had two trials before resuming from a spell with a fourth at Hawkesbury and then another fourth at Newcastle when last produced. She looks to have the talent to break through against these.
Dangers: 4. Finca had a good grounding with a number of trials before debuting with a fourth placing at Scone when hitting the line well. The extra distance should suit here and she looks one of the leading contenders. 2. Wing Nut was placed at this track at his latest start over this distance and can be thereabouts again with a repeat. 6. Fighting Daughter has four placings from 12 starts and can be placed again here if anywhere near her best.
How to play it: Aroha Stone WIN
Race 6 – 4.55pm: LAKE CATHIE TAVERN MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)
5. Missile Charm is a Smart Missile filly making her debut here and she has had a number of trials in preparation. She ran well enough in two trials earlier in the year and has since had another two recent trials leading into this, having finished a close-up third in the latest of them at Newcastle.
Dangers: 2. Torn was placed in the Star Kingdom on debut then took on city grade a couple of times before a second at Scone and then a fourth at Grafton before being spelled. He’s had a solid trial leading into this resuming run and should run well. 1. Queen Calanthe has finished second in her latest two starts at Nowra and Bathurst and should run well at her first start for the new stable. 6. Mizella was placed at Newcastle at her second start and resumes here after two good trials.
How to play it: Missile Charm WIN
Race 7 – 5.35pm: TACKING POINT TAVERN CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100m)
6. Key Legend won a maiden at Grafton back in June then was spelled after a Lismore seventh. He will be improved by a recent resuming Coffs Harbour effort.
Dangers: 2. Exorealm won at Taree in June and then ran fourth at Grafton before being spelled. He resumed with a close-up fifth at this track and can run well again with a repeat of that. 1. Apache Breeze hit the line well to win at Muswellbrook on debut and has claims again. 5. Ardonaugh ran second at Moree last time out and can figure in the placings again with a repeat of that.
How to play it: Key Legend EACH WAY
Best Bets
Race 4 (2) Prancing With Fire.
Race 5 (3) Aroha Stone.
Best Value
Race 7 (6) Key Legend.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
