By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 – 12.50PM: TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Godzilla has the form on the board through his group 3 placing on debut and solid fifth to Shinzo in the Pago Pago. That was two months ago and he’s trialled leading into this. Trip should suit, drawn well and chance to break through.
Form around impressive Golden Slipper winner Shinzo is hard to past in the opener on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 1. Californian has found Zardozi just a little strong in two clashes at Hawkesbury but did get within half a length in the Clarendon last time. Draw probably sees a conservative ride again and he’s a major threat. 5. Alsonfire has had a couple of quiet trials and did find the line OK late in the latest of them at Randwick. One to keep an eye on. 3. Ravello started $19 on debut and got the job done at Warwick Farm in mid-March. Has another soft draw and ticked over in a trial just over a week ago. Has a show.
How to play it: Godzilla to win and trifecta 2/1,3,5/1,3,5.
Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 2 – 1.25PM: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
2. Plundering was solid in betting first-up over 1000m here on Anzac Day, had his chance but ran on well into third. Fourth horse has since won. Fitter for the run back and the extra ground doesn’t look an issue. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 5. Iron Man comes off a Kembla maiden win but it was a dominant one and he’ll learn from it having run around a bit in the straight. Obviously a bit harder here but lightly raced and could easily go on with it. 3. Cappelletti has been in great form at the provincials this time in with two wins and a couple of placings from four runs back. Races on the pace and has earned his way to town. Go well. 10. Silent Raindrops is another last-start maiden winner and she did it quite strongly at Wyong a couple of weeks ago. Only had the five starts so there’s still upside there and has a case.
How to play it: Plundering to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 3 – 2PM: BOWERMANS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Rogue Bear has been solid in two recent runs and led them up when fourth behind Palmetto at Hawkesbury, and the form has obviously held up there. Closer to peak now and might get some control on speed here. Can run well again.
Dangers: 6. King Of The Castle is also better for two runs back and boxed on well in a similar race here on Anzac Day. Draws wide once again so will need some luck in running but not far off a win when the breaks go his way. 2. Sailor sat handy first-up at this trip and went close then went back at Warwick Farm up to a mile and found the line into fourth. Back to 1400m again and that’s the major concern but can’t leave him out. 5. Phearson hasn’t raced since the Provincial-Midway Final at Randwick a month ago and he was never in the race. Have to be forgiving, hadn’t missed a place previously and wouldn’t surprise if he bounced back.
How to play it: Rogue Bear to win and trifecta 1/ 2,5,6/2,5,6.
Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 4 – 2.35PM: FURPHY HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
4. Elettrica threatened to win a race a few times last prep and resumes in a new yard. Fitter for two trials, draws to get cover and if she has a clear shot at them she’s more than capable of being in the finish fresh.
Dangers: 3. Amathuba hasn’t raced since January and, like her new stablemate, was around the mark more often than not. A couple of nice trials and she does have a handy fresh record. Each-way claims. 2. Kazou led all the way to win at Canterbury two starts back, slipped down to Sandown a month ago and was a beaten favourite in an open fillies race. Drawn the outside here and up 5.5kg on last start for the drop to midweek. One of the chances. 9. Principessa has only won once in 13 starts but placed another 10 times so she is always competitive. Ran on well when resuming behind Cappelletti and should be included in the mix.
How to play it: Elettrica each-way.
Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 5 – 3.10PM: THE AUTUMN SUN @ ARROWFIELD HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
7. Look Only rarely runs a bad race and she was particularly good scoring at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. Drops in weight for stepping out of mares company and has struck a winnable race. Sure to be around the mark again.
Dangers: 1. Super Effort is a smart type on his day but he hasn’t raced since January last year. Good fresh record, fitter for two trials and if he’s right he should run well. Check the market for a late pointer. 4. Son Of Sampson was a drifter in betting first-up and ran on from last over 1000m to be beaten just over a length. Competitive in this grade last time in and tends to improve with racing. Can show up. 2. Awesome Lad is probably at his best over 1400m to a mile but can produce a nice run fresh. Best form is on good tracks so any improvement in the track is in his favour.
How to play it: Look Only to win.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
Race 6 – 3.45PM: PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
3. Master Copy will relish getting up in distance after his eye-catching fifth when resuming at 1400m here. Drew wide and went right back there so up in trip and drawn favourably he should be handier and harder to beat.
Dangers: 1. Naval College was bred by the Queen and made his local debut with a narrow defeat over the course on Anzac Day. Can only be fitter for that and down in class, hence the 63kg before the claim, and if he’s not looking for further now he’ll go close. 13. Pacific Warrior is consistent without winning and the form around his third here on Anzac Day has held up well. Will be in the first four or so in running and has each-way claims again. 4. Queenmaker had a confidence-boosting class 1 win at Wyong a couple of weeks ago and has been placed in this class previously. Could go on with it.
How to play it: Master Copy to win and trifecta 3/1,4,13/1,4,13.
Odds and Evens: Odds.
Race 7 – 4.20PM: PAULELE @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
10. Semana had a great run and hit the lead before being run down by Rediener over this course on Anzac Day. Fair to say she had her shot but the time was good and the winner ran well at Gosford last weekend. Every chance to go one better.
Dangers: 8. Strombus ran down King Of The Castle to win here at the same meeting to post an overdue win. He’s been racing well and that was a deserved salute; there’s no reason he couldn’t go on with it. 4. Cadetship disappointed before a spell at Flemington but his form prior was that of a horse on the way up. Quiet trial but performs well when fresh and can be expected to do that again. 7. This’llbetheone had a good prep over the summer winding up with a Bega Cup placing. The 1400m might suit him fresh and he’s sure to be competitive.
How to play it: Semana to win and trifecta 10/4,7,8/4,7,8.
Odds and Evens: Evens.
BEST BETS
Race 1: (2) GODZILLA
Race 7: (10) SEMANA
BEST VALUE
Race 4: (4) ELETTRICA
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
