By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 1:45PM MAINSTREAM FINANCE SERVICES PTY LTD BM64 HCP (2100 METRES)
4. Jack Duggan was far too good in this grade two starts back then might have overdone it up in class at Rosehill, running to the front and stringing them out before weakening. Should get some control here and is entitled to another chance.
Racing returns to Wyong on Wednesday for the Magic Millions day.Credit:Getty
Dangers: 3. Kypreos is fitter for three runs back and he did make a little late ground at Canterbury last time when up to the 1900m. That run will bring him on and expect him to run well. 5. Youthfull proved a bit too strong in a competitive finish at Gosford two weeks ago to make it two wins from four starts this time in. Has been right in the market all preparation and is one of the main chances again. 7. Chappelli comes through the same race where he made a sweeping run from last but couldn’t sustain it and battled into fourth. Only won one from 13 but is usually around the top four.
How to play it: Jack Duggan WIN; Trifecta 4/3,5,7/3,5,7. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 – 2:20PM WYONG LEAGUES GROUP CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
1. Master Copy looks a promising type and wound up strongly late to score at 1400m at Kembla second-up. The tighter Wyong might not be his track but he’s going to love the mile and is clearly the one they have to beat.
Dangers: 4. Oakfield Redgum sat outside the leader at Newcastle and was a bit one-paced late, though not beaten far, when fourth. Solid from the back behind a handy one previously and is sure to be competitive here. 2. Portnoy will be fitter for one run back at 1500m at Hawkesbury where he led and knocked up to run fourth of five. Expect improvement on that, may need one more but can’t be overlooked. 5. Isla struck her best form third-up to score over this course last month, sitting on speed and holding off a short priced favourite. Up in class obviously but could keep up the good work.
How to play it: Master Copy WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,4,5/2,4,5. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 2:55PM GOLD COAST YEARLING SALE 10-16 JAN MAIDEN (1350 METRES)
2. Mr Wallace has the hoof right on the till after three runs back for two seconds. Did have his chance at Gosford third-up, sitting behind the speed and just failing to run down the winner. The step up in trip looks ideal and he has his chance.
Dangers: 13. Nullify is a 16-start maiden but placed in eight of them and tried hard when third behind Master Copy at Kembla. Blinkers go on, she should be very competitive again. 6. Wild Irish Rover went under as a $1.55 favourite at Newcastle first-up. Found a nice spot from a wide gate there and hit the lead only to be run down. Fitter, gate is trickier for him here but is in the mix. 11. Galactic Angel is another that’s had a few chances and her form this time in has been mixed. Handy third to Picarones second-up would see her in the finish of this, though just fair last time over this course.
How to play it: Mr Wallace WIN; Trifecta 2/6,11,13/6,11,13. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 3:30PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 3YO & 4YO STAKES (1200 METRES)
7. Hell I Am started to live up to his potential in the winter and early spring with three wins from four starts, all on wet tracks. Has to convert that to the dry and overcome a wide alley but he looked good in his trial win and should be hard to beat.
Dangers: 4. Sneaky Paige led from a wide alley in the Starlight and just weakened at the finish to run fifth in what is a good form race so far. Is a winner at this track, drawn a kinder gate and she’s going to give a good sight. 9. Resonator won twice on heavy tracks earlier in the year then started hard in the market in the G2 Sires’ in Brisbane. Fitter for a couple of trials and while he shapes as though further will suit he’s one to keep safe. 5. Rupertaar ran a handy race when resuming with a close third at Rosehill recently and would have to be a bit fitter for it. Barrier might be an issue but she’s capable on her best.
How to play it: Hell I Am WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 4:05PM EBH BUILDING GROUP MIDWAY BM64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. Oakfield Mahogany might need some early favours from the gate but will strip fitter for a solid third when resuming behind a subsequent city winner over this course. In a wide open race he’s a good each-way chance.
Dangers: 1. I’ll Tell You Now has winning form on his side and he did a good job to score at Gosford in this class two weeks ago. Up in weight but this is certainly no harder and he should run well again. 8. Send Me A Legend won on debut but didn’t come up in two runs in the middle of the year and was spelled again. Handy enough recent trial and gets every chance to fire from the inside alley fresh. 10. Deep Opinions had support when up in class after a dead heat Scone win and just held ground to finish midfield at Canterbury. Back a notch here and could rebound.
How to play it: Oakfield Mahogany E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 4:40PM MAGIC MILLIONS WYONG 2YO CLASSIC (1100 METRES)
12. Summer Loving produced a huge effort to run third on debut in the Golden Gift after being slightly slow out and giving away a big start. Better for it and has trialled since. If she can take advantage of gate one she should go close.
Dangers: 4. Mach Ten showed speed to lead the Breeders’ Plate on a heavy track before being run down by Empire Of Japan. Looked slick enough in winning a Canterbury trial two weeks ago and is a big threat. 9. Infatuation also comes through the Golden Gift and she looked the winner there until Barber claimed her right on the line. Gets plenty of favours here and has to be a strong chance. 7. Sovereign Fund is a big watch on debut with James McDonald riding. Chased a smart one in his latest trial, draws well and no surprise if he’s right in the finish.
How to play it: Summer Loving WIN; Trifecta 12/4,7,9/4,7,9. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 7 – 5:15PM PBL LAW GROUP PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
9. Mr Rock It is racing in super form this time in. Broke the maiden second-up and has been narrowly beaten twice since including last start in a Midway. Up in weight but right back in class here and drawn the inside. Sure to be somewhere in the finish.
Dangers: 10. Ottilie hasn’t been far away in two runs back though has led both and been overhauled. Gains James McDonald here and drawn to probably lead again. Give another chance. 3. Irish Kisses scored an easy win at Newcastle two runs back, latest an even effort at Kensington. Back to her right class here and she’s more than capable of featuring. 8. Mobstar won here back in June on a heavy track then didn’t fire twice in town before a spell. Has performed when fresh previously and is one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Mr Rock It WIN; Trifecta 9/3,8,10/3,8,10. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best Bets: Race 3 (2) Mr Wallace; Race 7 (9) Mr Rock It
Best Value: Race 5 (6) Oakfield Mahogany
