By John Schell
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1
1. Spinosaurus was down on his best form at the end of his last preparation, but he was taking on much tougher races than this. His previous form was solid, including a couple of second placings at Kembla Grange and Wagga. He resumes here, has a great first-up record and he is also adept on wet tracks. 6. Princess Halo hasn’t been disgraced when midfield in each of her past two starts, and she was a Moruya winner in January. 3. Abstruse has been failing to fire recently, but she has shown enough talent in her career to be a factor in this grade. 2. Cholante resumes from a spell and has had two good trials at Goulburn leading up to this.
How to play it: Spinosaurus to win.
Racing returns to the Sapphire Coast on Friday.Credit: Daniel O’Brien
Race 2
10. Wonderful Mistake had her first start when finishing second at Canberra last week, and she ran home well. She looks talented and can go one better this time. 9. Wauchope is on debut and comes into this after one trial at Canberra. She bears close watching. 7. Capital Babe was safely held when fourth on debut at Canberra and resumes here with an improved showing on the cards. 5. Alottosay has been placed in both her starts, and another minor finish is on the cards.
How to play it: Wonderful Mistake to win.
Race 3
3. Rippana ran well when fourth to Weeping Woman on debut in July and since resuming has been unbeaten in two runs at Wagga. She has been racing on the speed and fighting on too strongly and there’s no reason she can’t make it three in a row. 2. Ischyros is a model of consistency and won at Bathurst by a big margin when last produced. He should be thereabouts again. 6. Serial Offender resumed with a seventh at Goulburn and should strip fitter for that, while 7. Kickamushu wasn’t disgraced at Taree last time out and is worth thought.
How to play it: Rippana to win.
Race 4
2. Snowy is unbeaten in two starts at this track and Gundagai last October and November. She resumes here and has shown versatility in her races. She’s drawn to advantage in this and can maintain her unbeaten record. 1. Vegas Dream hasn’t been beaten too far in both runs back from a spell and can run into the finish here without surprising. 4. Beau Rock did the job well to score at this track last time out and warrants respect. 5. Sassy Missile wasn’t beaten far in Beau Rock’s race and can be close-up again.
How to play it: Snowy to win.
Race 5
1. Burrowa was placed at Kembla Grange when resuming and has since been just behind the placings in two runs at Wyong and Kembla. He is having his first run for a new stable here and has shown the talent to be able to give this a shake. 6. Sacred Mistress has been racing well with three straight wins, albeit in much easier grade. She shouldn’t be taken lightly. 2. Flashy Icon ran well enough at Wellington last time out to be rated a chance in this, while 3. Sherman wasn’t beaten far when fourth here at his last start.
How to play it: Burrowa to win.
Race 6
8. Lysander has been racing in good form of late with minor placings either side of a victory at Orange. He has the benefit of an apprentice allowance here and can take beating if he’s maintained that form. 9. Artist was placed at Corowa before a safely held Albury effort, but he is capable of improving against these. 2. Extravagant Choice has been racing well and gave a great sight when a close-up second at Cowra when last produced. He has a wide gate to overcome. 6. Sir Lunchalots has shown talent, but needs all the breaks to go his way.
How to play it: Lysander to win.
Race 7
12. Win The Day had been placed in both runs back from a spell before breaking through in a small field at Canberra last time out. She’s on the up and is suited here with the apprentice allowance. 3. Final Comment resumes after two trials, having been in solid form at the end of his last campaign. He’s had two recent trials. 1. Trooper Knuckle is rarely too far from the action and should be thereabouts, while 5. Tidal Rush has been racing well since resuming and has claims.
How to play it: Win The Day to win.
Race 8
2. Conjoin has been placed in five of his nine starts and comes into this having finished second at Wagga and Corowa at his past two runs. He’s drawn to advantage here. 1. Weird Goodbyes had three trials before making his debut at Canberra and finishing third last week when battling on well enough. He should be better for that experience. 3. Glitterscript is resuming from a spell and did finish third at Queanbeyan before the break. He’s had a trial at Kembla Grange in preparation for this. 5. Tommy Flyer was midfield at Warwick in February when favourite and has since won a trial after returning to his former stable.
How to play it: Conjoin to win.
Best bets
Race 1: (1) Spinosaurus
Race 7: (12) Win The Day
Best value
Race 6: (8) Lysander
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
