By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
5. Al Flores is a former Ron Quinton-trained galloper out of group 1-winning mare Dixie Blossoms. She ran second at Goulburn last time out and looks set to break through in this event. 14. Tessarion debuted with a third when not beaten far and is not out of this. 10. Tippytay was midfield at Goulburn when last produced and has claims here from the inside gate. 7. Hardly Fortunate finished a close-up second at Wagga on debut and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out again.
How to play it: Al Flores WIN.
Racing returns to Wagga on Sunday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Race 2
2. Badhatharry had three trials before making his debut. He finished fourth at the Sapphire Coast at his first start and followed that up with a last-start fifth at the same track when beaten just over four lengths. He can find his best form here. 10. Miss Pepeha has been placed in each of her latest two starts. She is heading in the right direction and can show up here. 11. Pride Of Jezza finished second at Corowa two starts ago. He was safely held at the same track last time out but can improve here. 5. Riverine Waltz is on debut here from the inside gate. She’s had a trial and a jumpout and is poised to run well.
How to play it: Badhatharry WIN.
Race 3
1. Astern Torch has only won one race. That was at his latest start at this track when racing on the speed and fighting on well. He’s drawn well here and should get a good run in transit again. 9. Perfume River is a last-start Swan Hill winner that ran well at Corowa before that. She should run well here again. 10. Star Bling is a last start placegetter at the Sapphire Coast and she is set to perform well again here. 11. Doc March has been racing well with two seconds and two fourths from his last four starts. Another forward showing is on the cards here.
How to play it: Astern Torch EACH WAY.
Race 4
3. Elastane Miss is a local galloper that ran second on debut at Albury. She followed that up with an on-speed victory at Albury. She ran second at Albury after that and then finished second at this track last time out in another sound display. She can bounce back to winning form here. 2. Christmas Star has won two of her latest four starts, scoring at Gundagai and the Acton track at Canberra. She comes into this on the back of a last-start third at Canberra. 7. Loch Erin was a Goulburn winner last November and resumes here. 10. Imabarbiegirl is a winner of one of four starts and resumed from a spell at this track with a third earlier in the month.
How to play it: Elastane Miss WIN.
Race 5
8. Taumata was back to his best form when scoring a win at this track when hitting the line well from well back in the field on May 1. He had a trial after that and then ran third on the Acton track at Canberra. He looks primed to run well here. 1. Sea Strike ran well with a third at Sandown before scoring a dominant Wangaratta victory. He can improve on a last start Sandown effort here. 5. Due Calzini finished a solid second here three starts ago. He was midfield in a Highway at Scone after that and will find this easier than a last start Randwick effort. 7. Bellman has been racing well with a couple of recent second placings and warrants serious thought again in this line-up.
How to play it: Taumata WIN.
Race 6
3. Condor is a former Singapore-based galloper with a solid record. He’s a five-time winner with a further three placings from 17 starts. He won at Swan Hill in April and then ran second at Bendigo before winning two in a row at Mornington leading into this. 1. Rocket Tiger has a good record and will find this easier than a last-start effort at Sandown when beaten less than 2.5 lengths. 9. Commands Success hasn’t been far away in recent runs and is worth plenty of thought again leading into this. 11. Three Musketeers is a last-start Wangaratta winner with a solid record. He has a good record and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Condor WIN.
Race 7
1. Just Like Tilda looked good in a trial before debuting at Kembla Grange and hitting the line well to score a strong victory after being well backed late. She’s got plenty of potential and can go right on with the job here. 2. Miss Fennell has a win and four placings to her name from five starts. She resumed with a third at Corowa and looms as a leading chance here. 7. Darkley has finished third in each of his latest two starts at Albury and warrants plenty of thought again here. 12. Santolini is a last start winner at this track and she looms as a chance again from the inside gate.
How to play it: Just Like Tilda WIN.
Best Bets
Race 1: (5) Al Flores
Race 7: (1) Just Like Tilda
Best Value
Race 3: (1) Astern Torch
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
