By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft to heavy track.
Race 1 – 2:00PM FUJITSU GENERAL PLATE (1300 METRES)
6. Kazou has been trialling nicely for a while now and she again looked handy in a close second in her latest hitout last Friday. May want an improving track but no evidence to suggest she won’t handle it soft or worse. Respect.
There’s an action-packed six-race card at HQ on Wednesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 7. Maritma finished third in a couple of handy fillies maiden races on wet tracks in June and is fitter for a couple of trials. Might have to go back from the wide gate but on form she has to be included. 14. Lichester was a drifter in betting on debut at Newcastle but she found the line okay late there. Likely improver and could surprise. 8. Salaasel was placed behind Giga Kick on debut in July. First-up she was only fair at Rosehill when midfield. Back onto a forgiving track she could rebound. How to play it: Kazou WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 2:35PM NEW TAB APP HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Picarones didn’t have a whole lot of luck at Warwick Farm last week, so no surprise she’s on the back-up here. Didn’t get a look at them at all when favourite in stronger grade and while up in weight she has the chance to atone.
Dangers: 7. Vivid Flash looked in for a good prep with a narrow first-up defeat but her two runs since have been fair at best. Giving her one more chance to show something. 6. Typhoon Taavi improved nicely off a first-up failure to place at Warwick Farm two weeks ago in similar company. Will go forward and sit on speed and if she can hold her form now she should be in the finish somewhere. 4. Our Belle Fille is the up and comer, she led all the way as an odds-on favourite in a Class 1 at Newcastle last time out. Could be ready to measure up. How to play it: Picarones WIN; Trifecta 1/ 4,6,7/4,6,7. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 3:10PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
2. Money From The Sky scored a strong second-up win over a mile before running into third from well off the speed at Warwick Farm last week. Backs up and won’t want to lose sight of them in the smaller field but hard to beat if he’s on song.
Dangers: 1. Galaxy Belle resumed over 1500m at Port Macquarie and worked home well to be beaten a couple of lengths in a handy open class race. She’ll relish the extra ground and her second-up form is solid. Go well. 3. Hollywood North was an eye-catcher first-up then seemed to have his chance when a beaten favourite at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Even fitter here and entitled to another chance. 4. Left Reeling disappointed last time out at the Farm over 2200m, perhaps coming back in trip will be a plus as she looked good winning at Scone and Newcastle prior. Include in the main hopes. How to play it: Money From The Sky WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:50PM VICTOR LUDORUM @ DARLEY HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
3. Iowa is an import who is getting better with each run and he was never troubled in an all the way win at Newcastle over a similar trip third-up in Australia. He’ll roll forward again here and in a very winnable race is a good chance.
Dangers: 6. Essential Sky will be popular again after she swept home from last to score over 2400m at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Another horse on the up and she has to be considered a danger here. 4. Inuwashi sat on the speed and couldn’t go with King Frankel last week but held on OK to run third. Might be better off with a smother and gets that opportunity here. Keep in mind. 7. Legend Has It gets back and runs on and he’ll do that again here from the outside gate. Shade disappointing behind Essential Sky last time, on his earlier efforts this prep he’s in the mix. How to play it: Iowa WIN; trifecta 3/ 4,6,7/4,6,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 4:30PM VINERY STALLIONS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
5. Ripped is a very interesting runner first-up from New Zealand. Has a consistent record and the trip appears to suit him fresh. Given a quiet time in his trial about a month ago and in a wide open race any support will be significant.
Dangers: 3. Above And Beyond is more than capable of showing up in a race like this. Not seen since June and while his first-up form is patchy he tends to like the sting out at kicking off at 1400m is interesting. Keep safe. 4. Pandano showed a return to form second-up with a close second at Muswellbrook and while he did have his chance there it was encouraging. Has a handy claim, drawn well and handles the ground. Good chance. 1. Dhakuri is a big market watch. Ex-Godolphin and first-up for Nathan Doyle, his form is solid including a win over Niffler in December so any market moves are worth noting. How to play it: Ripped E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 5:10PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
11. Comrade Rosa is unbeaten first-up and took on some strong mares races after her first-up win last prep finishing close up. Fresh and with a couple of trials under her belt, she’s a big watch here and an improving track would be huge for her chances, too.
Dangers: 1. Impulse Control is racing in great form and while run down by Samoot at Canterbury last time that horse has since run very well in Saturday company. Gap to third there. On pacer who will be competitive again. 10. Camino Real had an easy time of it in a small field first-up then drifting favourite and didn’t feature at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Much better than that and no surprise to see her lift sharply. 3. Too Much Caviar is a consistent type resuming with a couple of placings in trials under the belt. He is usually a go forward horse so the barrier should be no issue. Definite chance. How to play it: Comrade Rosa WIN; Trifecta 11/1,3,10/1,3,10. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter
