By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 2:20PM KIA ORA CAPTIVANT PLATE (1100 METRES)
4. Extreme Spirit is an interesting colt on debut with just one public trial and James McDonald booked. Liked the way he found the line in that trial over 821m and draws to get a nice run if he can hold a spot. Market a guide but good each-way chance as it stands.
Real Peace represents good value in race five.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 5. Los Padres has been freshened up since a close third at Warwick Farm just before Christmas, didn’t go around a horse there but did run on well. Also found the line OK in his trial a couple of weeks ago. Include in the chances. 13. Misty Legend started $9 on debut in the Golden Gift so obviously showed some talent leading into that race. His trials since then have been OK and could surprise if he gains a start. 8. Turbulent makes his debut after a couple of trials, the latest of them last week at Randwick. No surprise if he shows something.
How to play it: Extreme Spirit E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 2:55PM RANVET HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
2. Journalism will land on the speed here and prove hard to beat (is dual accepted for the final race). Too good when resuming at Wyong then sitting shot at Canterbury but kept fighting when challenged by the winner with a nice gap to third. Doesn’t look a lot of pressure and should get his chance.
Dangers: 4. Bon Vivant is going to appreciate the step up, albeit slight, in trip on a solid first-up third at Warwick Farm. Did some good work late to get into a placing and did improve to be a second-up winner last prep. If they can run on, he looks a threat. 5. Atlantic Ocean is fitter now for two runs back though he did seem to have every chance second-up when battling into fourth last week. The back-up and extra trip might suit so give one more shot. 6. Wategos led and tried hard up in class at Randwick beaten a couple of lengths by Lekvarte. Draws one so has options to lead or trail and has a show. All wins at 1000m is a concern.
How to play it: Journalism WIN; Trifecta 2/4,5,6/4,5,6. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 3 – 3:30PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Hollywood Hero started an odds-on favourite at his second start on the back of an eye-catching debut and while he had his chance to win there was merit in his run. Wobbled a bit on the turn but stuck to the task. Has gate one this time and good chance to go one better.
Dangers: 9. Mountain Guest is an interesting runner first-up since chasing home Bunker Hut at Kembla in September. Will excel over a bit further but fitter for two recent trials and the latest was nice work. Resumes in blinkers and one to watch. 5. Outsider has been around the double figure quote in both starts for close seconds and could have bumped into a handy one last time in Call Di over this course. Expect a win isn’t far off and is right in this. 8. Lalaguna ran third in the same race as Hollywood Hero at Canterbury after leading. Going well without winning and is in the mix.
How to play it: Hollywood Hero WIN; Trifecta 1/ 5,7,9/5,7,9. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 4 – 4:05PM VINERY YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
6. Headwall showed plenty of talent with impressive wins at Kembla and Newcastle back in the winter and faces his biggest test. Trialled well in a good quality heat at Randwick when cruised away from inferior opposition in his second hit out. Drawn to have options and is hard to beat.
Dangers: 7. Latenighttoughguy might not have run out the 1200m last week but he wasn’t disgraced beaten under two lengths. Unlucky prior to that and impressive first-up over 1000m. Must be given another chance. 4. Lascars has won only one from nine but it was an open three-year-old at Caulfield and he does have a second to Giga Kick further back in his form. Is trialling well and commands some respect. 8. Border Control has impressed in two provincial wins since coming from Hong Kong and while he’s up in class it’ll be interesting to see how he measures up.
How to play it: Headwall WIN; Trifecta 6/4,7,8/4,7,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 4:40PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
10. Real Peace is racing in super form at the moment and while the barrier does look sticky it is only a field limit of 10. Found the line strongly from last in a Midway at Randwick last time and 1800m is right in his sweet spot. He’ll be in the finish with even luck.
Dangers: 6. Kirkeby showed he might not be far off a win with a nice second-up effort over a mile then a bit flat at Canterbury when they sprinted a couple of weeks ago. Trip suits and draws soft. Entitled to run well. 2. High Court was a month between runs and up to this trip when a game third at Rosehill in a BM78. He was a $26 chance there and will be much shorter here with Jmac taking the ride. He was beaten by Knife’s Edge in the Coonabarabran Cup and that horse is a $21 chance in this. 1. Caesars Palace had his first run since the Big Dance and almost got away with it at Rosehill in a BM88. Down in class sharply, has a big weight but not out of it.
How to play it: Real Peace E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 – 5:15PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
6. Arranmore has struck form after a couple of disappointments early this prep. Swept home two back then possibly left in front a shade soon at Warwick Farm last time when run down late. This race sets up well for her and, with even luck from an inside draw, should go close.
Dangers: 3. Iconic Dame ran a handy race in a Highway before heading to Goulburn in a Class 4 and leading all the way as a short priced favourite. Imagine she will go forward again and could take some running down. 2. Flower Moon shapes as a big improver second-up after an even effort at Canterbury where she rallied after losing ground early in the straight. Draws one and expect she’ll be more prominent up in trip. 4. Powerful Peg is a filly in good form and she hit the line well late at Canterbury along the fence over 1250m into second. Placed in 72 grade prior and she can run into the finish somewhere here too.
How to play it: Arranmore WIN; Trifecta 6/2,3,4/2,3,4. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 5:50PM BLUE POINT FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
12. Journalism has to go on top if he runs in this race. As mentioned earlier, he was strong winning first-up over 1350m at Wyong then up to 1580m just found Mystic Mermaid a touch better late. May have some competition to get onto the speed but does look the horse to beat.
Dangers: 3. Jupitus showed some promise in Victoria last time in with a Sandown win from near last. Midfield as a $3,70 chance behind White Marlin before a spell. Trialled nicely enough and while he will likely get back he’ll be running on hard if they are overdoing it. 4. Ka Bling beat Cadetship two runs back at Warwick Farm, sitting on the pace, then weakened after a slightly tougher run behind the same horse on Australia Day. Won’t be far away from an inside gate and good chance on his recent win. 8. The Denzel showed a glimpse of his best when leading and holding on for second at Newcastle first-up. Only one win from 15 is the concern but if he produces his best he’s a hope.
How to play it: Journalism WIN; Trifecta 12/3,4,8/3,4,8. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
