By Neil Evans
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
We start over the sprint trip, with some rain forecast. Russian Revolution three-year-old 3. Augusta Revolution will be hard to stop here on debut. Was gelded before a quiet trial and draws well for a leading country stable.
Dangers: Big watch on four-year-old 1. Rockin’ Edition who only went down narrowly on debut and wouldn’t need to improve much. 11. Suomenlinna draws the inside second up with a 3kg weight claim. 4. Ithacus and 5. Mr Dupridge are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Augusta Revolution to win; Odds and Evens: Odds
A soft track is likely at Wellingtonon Sunday.Credit:Fairfax
Race 2 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
More open affair in the girls’ edition, although 8. Hubie Dubie is well placed second up. Chased home a handy quality winner when resuming at Muswellbrook, and this looks a shade weaker.
Dangers: 4. In The Air Tonight led for a long way on debut but threatens to go around under the odds from a wide barrier. One who is over the odds, 2. Charm Factor did her best work late first up, and can park a bit closer here from a soft draw. 6 Wedding Tent and 12. Spiritual Gal can both run into the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Hubie Dubie to win; Odds and Evens: Evens a special
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
This shapes ideally for three-year-old Flying Artie debutant 6. Thespius behind two smart trial wins on rain-affected ground. Has been recently gelded and draws to get the right run with key gear additions including winkers.
Dangers: Honest 4. The Drafter is a serious threat fifth up with winkers applied. 3. Set The Scene has missed narrowly in his last two, although likely to settle further back from this draw fifth up. Include 8. Battle Award third up in exotic bets.
How to play it: Thespius to win; Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 4 CLASS 3 HCP (1400m)
Keen here on Outreach five-year-old 2. Hurn Court who can break a lengthy winless run from the inside draw fifth up and on a seven-day turnaround. Did his best work late in tougher Highway grade two starts ago before again finishing hard in a similar graded race at Warren, and crucially will park a bit closer to the speed here.
Dangers: Expecting big improvement from 5. Cheptegei second up over significantly more ground. 6. Linden Tree is deep into the prep and also comes through that same Warren form line. 1. Sea Of Flames resumes without publicly trialling and is drawn wide but won three straight convincingly last prep before tackling Highway opposition.
How to play it: Hurn Court to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1000m)
From the same Dubbo stable as the previous on top selection, talented mare 2. Hammoon Star can bounce back hard second up from a softer draw. Did some work to get across when resuming before running home only fairly, but she has superior room for progression.
Dangers: Tough as old boots, 3. The Neon Knight draws to get a nice smother just off the speed and will be strong late. 5. Praline is second up and staying at the distance. 1. Deshawn and 6. Titan Star both go in trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Hammoon Star to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m)
Strong and wide race for this grade, with handy depth and naturally several chances. Proven weight carrier 1. Toulon Factor is well over the odds fifth up getting back out to a more suitable trip. Charged home late in a similar grade race at Dubbo, and drawn to find a good trail back in the field.
Dangers: Evergreen 2. Hemsted has won his last three powering home from midfield but faces a task up in weight from a wide draw. Another one representing value, 12. Merdeka is on the seven-day back-up after missing by a whisker in a CL2. Must respect tough mare 4. Lady Riz who is hard fit and has only missed narrowly in her last couple after tracking the speed. Include 6. Honeywine fourth up dropping back from the BM 84 Cotton Cup and 10. Fusaichi Family also fourth up off a long break in wider exotics.
How to play it: Toulon Factor each way and box trifecta 1,2,4,12; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 CLASS 1 HCP (1100m)
Like super consistent mare 3. Kora Magic to finally shed the bridesmaid tag fourth up. Incredibly has beaten all bar the winner in her last five, either side of a six-month spell, and from this low draw can either lead or sit right behind. The one to beat.
Dangers: Resuming three-year-old 2. Sizzle Minizzle hasn’t started since his maiden win in May, but can come to hand quickly; while 4. Rupertson resuming for a new country yard; 5. Timmy fourth up; and 8. Foxstorm who has only missed a place once from his last five; all go into exotics.
How to play it: Kora Magic to win; Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
Race 3 (6) THESPIUSR; Race 4 (2) HURN COURT
BEST VALUE:
Race7 (3) KORA MAGIC
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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