By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
RACE 1 – 1.25PM: ACROBAT @ COOLMORE HANDICAP (1580m)
6. Ring Ahoy is ready to win and all things being equal this race is ideal for him. Huge effort at Rosehill last week coming from an impossible position on the turn, charging into fourth. Smaller field, soft draw and should take beating.
Ten Bells is set up for the best race of her prep at Canterbury on Wednesday.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 3. Ignacio was a beaten favourite second-up at Hawkesbury, missing a place after leading. Sound effort here first-up and is the probable leader so well worth another chance. 1. Ruinart is very honest but so far has a habit of finding one or two better. She had every chance at Kembla Grange when runner-up there a couple of weeks ago. Still, hard to leave her out. 2. Condrieu made a handy debut at Newcastle and likely strips a lot fitter. Was a big drifter in betting there so improvement wouldn’t surprise.
How to play it: Ring Ahoy to win and trifecta 6/1,2,3/1,2,3.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 2 – 2PM: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1250m)
3. Cool Kaap is a very interesting runner, he was a debut winner at Eagle Farm back in June in good style. Trialled at Beaudesert a few weeks ago and was kept under a hold, gate one and James McDonald to ride says he should be respected.
Dangers: 4. Cinderella Days led all the way first-up at Warwick Farm then favourite when an even third here two weeks ago. She tracked the speed and wasn’t unlucky so much but didn’t get a gap when she needed it. Wouldn’t be surprised if she leads and is hard to run down. 1. Shalailed resumed in a strong midweek race and held his own running a close fourth at Warwick Farm. Honest type who has drawn well and can’t be overlooked. 6. Surfers Royale defied a betting drift to lead all the way first-up in a maiden then up to class 1 and led to the final strides. Could measure up if he finds the front.
How to play it: Cool Kaap to win and trifecta 3/1,4,6/1,4,6.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 3 – 2.35PM: CITY TATTERSALLS GROUP HANDICAP (1580m)
5. Starstruck Barbie has found form at her last couple and the form around her looks pretty good for a race like this. Run down by a smart one here two weeks ago, drops a notch in grade and is set to give a big sight on the speed.
Dangers: 2. Always On Show had her chance to win second-up at Newcastle but was outgunned late. Nice weight drop into this, fitter and has gate one which should be a plus. Tends to improve through a prep so should be close to a peak shortly. 4. Thousand Years hasn’t raced since easily dispatching of three rivals at Hawkesbury in May. Just the one recent trial, barrier might be sticky but hasn’t done a lot wrong and is in the mix. 1. Modern Millie has run well in both starts this time in for fourths at Warwick Farm and Newcastle. Strike rate is a worry but well in with the claim and no surprise if she finds herself in the finish somewhere.
How to play it: Starstruck Barbie each-way ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 4 – 3.10PM: BOWERMANS HANDICAP (1250m)
5. Impulse Control toughed it out nicely to win here two starts back then led and softened up before weakening late in a strong BM78 two weeks ago. Shade easier here, she’ll be on speed and should be very competitive.
Dangers: 7. Game Theory hasn’t raced since May and is yet to win first-up but expecting a forward showing fresh. Nice trial winner leading into this and from the draw should position himself handy. Check betting for a push. 3. Samoot wasn’t beaten far first-up behind Loch Eagle here and will likely be much fitter for the outing. Her best is good enough to be in the finish and with the soft gate and claim is entitled to another chance. 8. Overlord bobs up now and then, he was never in the hunt here last time, but that was back in mid-August so he’s freshened up for this and his best form is good enough. Respecting JMac taking the ride too.
How to play it: Impulse Control each-way.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
RACE 5 – 3.45PM: VINERY STALLIONS HANDICAP (1580m)
2. Silent Impact has been a little disappointing in two runs back from a spell but we’ll find out how well he’s going here in a race he could get control of. Only beaten a couple of lengths second-up and the key could be an improving surface. Best form is good enough and has the chance to show it.
Dangers: 5. Colour Sergeant resumes at a trip that should see him competitive first-up from a handy late autumn/early winter campaign. Not paying attention to his two trials, he should be closing the race off well. 6. Pretty Amazing didn’t get into the contest first-up at Warwick Farm on a good track though she did make some ground to be beaten four lengths. Back onto a soft track suits, as does the extra trip and she’s a likely improver. 4. Blesk didn’t fire in the Dubbo Cup on a heavy track but his efforts prior were solid. More than capable of bouncing back to form.
How to play it: Silent Impact to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 6 – 4.20PM: PALACE PIER @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1900m)
4. Little Mix ran a very nice race at her first run for the Neasham yard and the rise is distance appeals. Closed the race off well behind Roots two weeks ago, draws to get a nice run just off the pace and is a good chance.
Dangers: 5. Akahata has found one better at all three starts this time in and probably has some work to do from the wide gate. But he’ll only need the breaks going his way to be more than competitive with that run over 1900m under the belt now. 1. Ting Tong wasn’t disgraced chasing home a promising three-year-old giving the winner 4.5kg and will be fitter. Drops in weight here and the rise in distance is ideal. Definite chance. 6. Carbonetti has won one from 10 and been around the mark in Victoria of late. Even effort at Mornington last time when third of seven over 2000m but stays under notice with McDonald and gate two on his side.
How to play it: Little Mix each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
RACE 7 – 4.55PM: DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY HANDICAP (1200m)
4. Ten Bells shapes as a big improver after two runs back on heavy tracks and she didn’t disgrace in a stronger mares race last time out. Nicely drawn here and she should run the best race of her preparation. Each-way chance.
Dangers: 6. Hoover Lucy comes through the same race, she was first-up and held her ground midfield throughout. Fitter and a track in the soft range would be much better for her. Keep in mind. 10. Shohei is the up-and-comer who knocked over a maiden two weeks ago after sitting outside the lead over this course. Will have to step up but drawn to effect and wouldn’t be leaving her out. 7. Super Bright has been solid in two runs back and while a $20 chance found the line OK behind the placings here last time. One to include in the chances.
How to play it: Ten Bells each-way.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
RACE 8 – 5.30PM: FURPHY HANDICAP (1100m)
2. Mars Mission has been gelded since an average effort in the Bendigo Guineas back in April but his two trials have been smart. Won his first two starts last prep and with the claim looks well placed here. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Cruel Summer enjoyed a very good preparation in the winter and resumes with a couple of trial wins under the belt. Trip might be a touch short of his best but loves the sting out of the ground and can run well fresh. 14. Shalailed is a dual acceptor who is a chance if he run here. Sound first-up behind Democracy Manifest at Warwick Farm, drawn well and James McDonald rides. Keep in mind. 7. Way To The Stars is another resuming as a gelding with two trial wins to his name. Showed ability last time in and while drawn out he is worth a look if there’s support for him.
How to play it: Mars Mission to win and trifecta 2/1,7,14/1,7,14.
Odds and Evens: Split.
BEST BETS:
Race 1: (6) Ring Ahoy. Race 8: (2) Mars Mission
BEST VALUE:
Race 7: (4) Ten Bells
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
