By Neil Evans
Track good 4 and rail true.
RACE 1
5. Guinevere’s Spirit is a lightly raced and well bred imported mare by Camelot, which is drawn to strike second up, dropping back from metro opposition. Didn’t get the breaks at her Australian debut on the Kensington circuit when suffering from heart stress, but maps to get a better time here, and naturally the step up a furlong in trip is a big plus. 3. Search Warrant draws the inside coming off a good closing effort in the country second up. 8. Ciao Bella Mia has beaten all bar the winner in her past two. 7. Sunday, at much bigger odds and improving into her third start, is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Guinevere’s Spirit to win.
Racing returns to Wyong on Thursday.Credit: Phil Carrick
RACE 2
3. War Ribbon is an ultra-tough three-year-old, also bred on UK and Irish lines, which is well placed resuming behind a very quiet metro trial. Never out of the placings in two sparingly run campaigns last year, including a dominant barrier-to-box maiden win at Newcastle over a longer trip. 5. Montgomery has found the line well over further in his last couple and blinkers are back on. 8. Nyota is working towards another win and will also roll forward from this draw. Gap to the rest headed by 1. Tenniel, back a shade in trip fourth up, and 4. Laspirit Deeler, progressing off a third-up class 1 win here.
How to play it: War Ribbon to win.
RACE 3
3. Battle Hymn is a promising three-year-old from a hot metro yard primed to make it two from two. Gave nothing else a chance from the front on debut at Bathurst a fortnight ago and reportedly has come on well since. 1. Tehina hasn’t raced since tackling listed company last winter and returns for a second prep behind two trials. 2. Turf Fever is trained on the track and clear best of the rest. 4. Bent As Hell, reloading off a fresh Midway maiden win, adds value into wider exotic plays.
How to play it: Battle Hymn to win.
RACE 4
4. Written Gold, a three-year-old by Written By on debut for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable, is the one to beat, especially with the main market rival being preferred at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Was given plenty of time after three progressive trials through last winter before a smart trial win over 1030m. 3. Sum Invictus improves sharply off a moderate city debut. 9. Take Achance On Me can also improve third up back from a deeper metro affair, and both those latter two were scratched from Hawkesbury to be saved for this.
How to play it: Written Gold to win,
RACE 5
2. California Command chased OK on debut in a handy super maiden at Kembla and drew to get a charmed run here right behind the speed. Another one bypassing Hawkesbury on Wednesday to race here on a firmer track. 6. Shirvington resumes as a gelding off a long break for only his second start. 7. Azucar can fill the minors. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: California Command to win.
RACE 6
3. Written Scandal can launch first up since last winter at just her second start. Like the way she got through the line on debut at Hawkesbury back then, and tuned up for this with a smart city trial win. 2. Mia Ballerina is a progressive filly that hit the line hard for a place second up at Warwick Farm. 1. Dare To Fly is back from metro opposition at her third start heads the rest.
How to play it: Written Scandal to win.
RACE 7
6. Horizons is a promising filly by superstar The Autumn Sun returning for her first run since late October. Comes to hand quickly and fitted with two progressive trials up to 1030m. Drawn to settle well back and be taken to the outside past 450m. 7. Verona Rose is also first up since late spring. Drawn to get a cosy run back inside and has trialled quietly. 2. King’s Duty came off a six-week break with an impressive and fast-finishing win here in similar company, but his second-up record is poor. 3. Norton Road improves sharply having dropped right out behind King’s Duty last start. 1. Chevron is a hard fit type and can improve into a place.
How to play it: Horizons to win.
RACE 8
3. Rip Off is a smart Godolphin mare primed to strike fresh behind two steady and improving trials. Very competitive up to provincial and BM72 city grade last prep and has a real liking for this trip and track. 1. Mogul Monarch is trained on the course and resumes with important gear changes off a smart trial win. 6. Pride To Follow has to overcome a tricky and wide draw, but carried 59kg in winning a weaker race first up in the country. 5. Threatening was always in the money last prep and resumes for a strong metro stable without blinkers behind two steady trials. 7. Deep Finesse has tactical speed and is also first up off two handy trials.
How to play it: Rip Off to win.
Best bets
Race 2: (3) War Ribbon
Race 3: (3) Battle Hymn
Best value
Race 8: (3) Rip Off
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
