By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1: 5. Madecci is unplaced in all four starts, but he resumed with a midfield effort at Tuncurry when safely held. He’s drawn well here and if the breaks go his way, he can break through in this. 2. Partly Cloudy is a stablemate of Madecci and is on debut after two trials. He ran fourth in the latest of them at this track and is not out of this. 3. Star Of Lullar was midfield at Taree on debut and can show up here without surprising, while 9. Helpisonitsway disappointed at Orange last time out but can improve sharply in this.
How to play it: Madecci to win.
Race 2: 1. Taipan Legend has been placed in a couple of recent runs and has been knocking on the door to win a race. This looks like a race that he can break through in. 2. Kuroshinzo has six second placings from 19 starts and looks set to be placed again here. 5. Apache Jack has been placed in four of 12 starts and must be considered again here, while 9. Mosca Luna was placed at Wellington last time out and can be placed again.
How to play it: Taipan Legend to win.
Race 3: 3. Ain’t She Swell won over 1600m at Dubbo in November. Her form since has been solid and if she can run up to her best, she should take plenty of beating again. 1. Don Quixote is a last-start Quirindi winner that has claims here again despite the slight drop in distance. 4. Flying Dubawi has been racing well with a win at Warren before a second on the Riverside track at Wagga. 2. Ellenmac rarely wins but has place claims here on her best form.
How to play it: Ain’t She Swell to win.
Racing returns to Gilgandra on Sunday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 4: 10. Great Southernland was huge odds when a last-start second at Mudgee behind Torn. If he can repeat that effort, he’ll be hard to hold out against this company. 11. Injair hasn’t been beaten far in two of his most recent three starts and has claims, while 8. Brandywine has been placed in her latest two starts and is not out of this. 3. Rebel Flyer resumed with a Warren placing and can show up again with a repeat of that.
How to play it: Great Southernland to win.
Race 5: 4. Charlie Magic has won two of five starts and did the job well to win at Dubbo at his latest start. He’s drawn wide but has the talent to overcome that. 2. Stratified is a consistent performer that wasn’t beaten far at Bathurst when last stepping out. His previous form was solid. 1. Wandering Jack won a couple on end before following a fifth at Mudgee with a third at Bathurst. That form looks strong. 3. Grins is a handy on-pace mare that shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Charlie Magic to win.
Race 6: 2. Deep Rouge has seven wins and six placings from 26 starts. He won at Tamworth two starts ago and was midfield at the Gold Coast before being spelled. He’s a three-time winner when resuming and should be hard to hold out here. 3. Driving Force won at Tamworth when resuming from a spell and then was just out of the placings in three subsequent runs. He is fresh for this on the back of a trial win and should be primed to run well. 5. Sisters Pick led throughout to win at Warren two starts ago and since then was placed at Canberra. 4. Dubbo Wanderer looks to have solid place claims.
How to play it: Deep Rouge to win.
Race 7: 1. Just Go Bang won the Queanbeyan Cup two starts ago when he held on well to score a strong win. He followed that up with a seventh in the Nowra Cup when not beaten too far. Kody Nestor takes the ride here and he looks to get a good run and can bounce back to winning form. 4. Sea Of Flames is a talented performer at best, and he hasn’t been too far away in his latest two starts at Orange. 5. Sonic Tycoon has been racing in great heart with wins in his last two starts at Gunnedah and Taree. 7. Epic Poem won at Orange at his latest start and another bold showing here would not surprise.
How to play it: Just Go Bang to win.
Race 8: 3. Rubi Air is a talented mare with a handy record. She won at Dubbo two starts ago when she raced on the speed and held on well to score a solid win. 1. Wild Flash won at Armidale two starts ago before finishing down the track at the same track when last produced. This looks more suitable, and this is within his reach. 4. Rockin’ Edition hasn’t been too far away in his most recent starts and can show up against these if anywhere near his best. 10. Pee Dee failed to beat a runner home at Scone last time out but this looks a better race for him.
How to play it: Rubi Air each way.
BEST BETS
Race 5: (4) Charlie Magic.
Race 6: (2) Deep Rouge.
BEST VALUE
Race 8: (3) Rubi Air.
