By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
6. Zo Frilling is a well-bred filly that has been placed in three of her four starts. She’s finished third in each of the past two at Gosford and Kembla Grange and looks set to break through here with Zac Lloyd taking the ride from a good gate. 5. Twinkling Star was placed at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury before starting an odds-on favourite at Wyong last time out and finishing sixth. She can bounce back here. 4. Faceoff is yet to be placed in seven starts, but wasn’t beaten too far at Canberra when last produced and can get into the money in this. 1. Lord Vettori ran well enough when second behind a handy one at Dubbo at his latest run and could be placed again.
How to play it: Zo Frilling to win.
Racing heads to Goulburn on Thursday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
1. Tact was second up from a spell when racing on the speed and fighting too well to account for Shangri La Impact at Kembla Grange. Tact since was midfield in a handy race at Wagga and Shangri La Impact has confirmed the form by winning at Hawkesbury after a Canterbury second. 5. Annoint scored a good win at Taree three starts ago and comes into this after a last-start second at this track. He’s racing well enough to be rated a leading chance. 2. Johnny Smash is a last-start Wyong winner that warrants respect, while 2. Tokyo Queen won at Newcastle at her second race start and is fresh for this.
How to play it: Tact to win.
Race 3
3. Signor Tortoni was beaten less than a length when fourth on the Kensington track on debut and then ran fourth in two Canterbury runs before being spelled. He resumes here after a recent Randwick trial win and is set to return a winner. 8. Yolo is also resuming and has taken on city races, including the Inglis Millennium, in which he was only beaten 5.5 lengths. 1. London Boy has had two starts and been placed in each of them here, while 2. Octa De Lago has performed well in three trials and is poised to make a strong debut.
How to play it: Signor Tortoni to win.
Race 4
4. Ready To Rocket won at Hawkesbury on debut in November and has finished third in two Kembla Grange runs since resuming. She’s drawn the rails here with Zac Lloyd to ride. 1. Yes Siree hit the line well to score on debut at Wyong and can go on with the job. 2. Vinniro resumed from a long spell with victory at Canberra and warrants thought, while 5. Estephania is first up from a long break and her two trials have been sound.
How to play it: Ready To Rocket to win.
Race 5
5. Shangri La Impact finished second in her first two starts at Kembla Grange and Canterbury before stepping up in trip to score a dominant victory at Hawkesbury. The extra 100m here should not pose a problem, and she should take plenty of running down. 1. Tajawal has been placed in three runs since scoring at Taree and has claims here, while 3. Dark Vador just held on to score at Wagga last time out over subsequent winner Gatchan. 6. Whisker To Whisker ran well enough when a last start third at Wyong and could get into the minor money again here.
How to play it: Shangri La Impact to win.
Race 6
1. Barbray has only had three starts but is showing potential and comes into this after a last-start fourth at Canterbury when beaten less than half a length. He is suited at this distance and is ready to win. 2. Dwayne has been placed in three of his four starts and should get a good run from an inside draw. 6. Ant finished third in the same race Barbray contested last time out and can get into the money again, while 7. Covert Thinking improved at her second start when finishing second.
How to play it: Barbray to win.
Race 7
8. Matete hit the line well when resuming from a spell with a fourth at Gosford and followed that up with a last-start fifth at Wyong. The bigger track here should suit, and he should be strong to the line. 2. Purple Haze ran well on debut when third at Wyong, while 3. Why Why Why has had two trials either side of a break and can run well on debut. 5. Jared is a stablemate of Matete that is first-up from a spell and he’s been placed in eight of 14 starts.
How to play it: Matete each way.
Race 8
2. Sacredarro was placed in his first two starts before scoring over 2200m at Sale and then being spelled. He resumes here for a new stable and has been fitted with two strong trials, the latest behind Sir Delius. 1. Superhero ran a good second at Kembla Grange when resuming and should be primed to run well again. 7. Miss Couver has shown talent in her career and is set to sprint well fresh despite the wide gate. 8. Durova ran well at Canterbury last time out and could get into the placings.
How to play it: Sacredarro to win.
Best bets
Race 1: (6) Zo Frilling
Race 6: (1) Barbray
Best value
Race 7: (8) Matete
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
