By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True
Race 1
1. Mr Chips will appreciate coming back to a thinner maiden on firmer ground at just his second start. Led up on debut before weakening late behind a smart winner, and ready to strike from an ideal draw. 2. Nation Changing is a big watch on debut in blinkers for the Melanie O’Gorman stable, having won the second of two progressive trials by a big margin. 3. Iknowyou is drawn to be right in the finish coming back a furlong in trip, and likely parking right behind the speed. 5. Territory Day well into the prep with gear changes; and 8. Quiet Approach resuming off a safe trial, both go through trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Mr Chips to win
Racing returns to Moree on Thursday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
3. Navy Steel is a progressive three-year-old by Merchant Navy who can strike fresh in only his second prep. Wasn’t far off the winner in two handy maidens late last year, and returns off a smart trial win to a race with much less depth. 1. Enniroc has plenty of early speed, and suited dropping back to the short course second-up off a long break. 4. Wanavan is another lightly raced Scone galloper resuming off a long break and handy trial. 7. Immortal Lass is clear best of the rest first-up since early September.
How to play it: Navy Steel to win
Race 3
8. Sirius Flyer is a progressive Scone mare who looks to have a weak race at her mercy. Did her best work late into a place when resuming before chasing hard as a well backed favorite at Mudgee. Peaks now in a race with limited chances. 5. Tainui is an improving three-year-old who has beaten all bar the winner in two runs to launch his career. Boasts enough tactical speed, and carries a kilo less for this. 4. Ropewalker can improve sharply into his third start in this company. 6. Lagoon deep into the prep and back in trip; and 9. Curcuma with a gear change head the rest.
How to play it: Sirius Flyer to win
Race 4
2. Winged is an improving four-year-old who gets his chance to bounce back after a luckless run at Armidale when held up and shuffled back at vital stage. That was his first outing in five weeks, and with a significant jockey change and winkers back on, looms as the one to beat. 1. Snatchreilly was hard in the market when chasing home the winner first-up at Walcha, and second-up form is solid enough for this. 3. Bright Legend is a big market watch resuming off a 31-week break and steady trial, with a key gear change. 5. Marine Girl is an emerging filly who snuck under the market radar to score narrowly on debut at big odds; while 4. Dipierdomenico heads the rest third-up.
How to play it: Winged to win
Race 5
2. Kimberley Moon is a capable and still progressing mare who can bounce back from a fair closing run in a CL3 Highway at Canterbury 13 days ago. That came after consecutive wins up to provincial BM 58 level, and from a nice cover draw, she looks well-placed under 58kg after the claim. 3. Key Legend is a serious threat, hard fit and on a 10 day back-up from a fast-finishing BM 58 win at Grafton, although asked to carry 2kg more. 4. Toulon Factor is a veteran whose wins are few and far between, but stuck on well behind the winner in BM 66 company at Armidale only eight days ago, and is drawn to find a handy trail. 6. Dune And Dusted went under narrowly in a weaker race as a short-priced favourite second-up; while 7. Gerety drew the inside fourth-up; and 9. Flying Banjo who has been in and around the money all prep; are both capable of figuring in the minor money.
How to play it: Kimberley Moon to win
Race 6
2. Lizzie’s Gem drops back a shade in distance and to a weaker grade third-up. Only rises 1.5kg in weight after the jockey’s claim, and from an ideal on-speed draw, she will take plenty of stopping. 4. Super Sioux is a progressive and versatile mare returning for her first run since early last spring. Comes to hand quickly and winkers go on. 3. Stillwell draws the inside with winkers back on third-up. 8. Arafura Sea is a big market watch, resuming off a 33 week spell and no official trials, although likely to need the run. 5. Cabral down in weight fourth-up, and last start winner in very weak grade 6. Dozen Kilpatrick both add value into wider exoxtic plays.
How to play it: Lizzie’s Gem to win
Race 7
2. Waitapu is a tough and durable six-year-old shaping to peak third-up from a softer draw over a furlong further. Two of his five career wins have come over the mile, and this is a very moderate affair. 3. Kalahari Heart draws low, and is looking for this longer trip now well into her prep. 5. Manor Road steps up from a fourth-up win in weaker grade, although has to overcome a tricky draw. 7. Prophet Of Boom is a Toowoomba-based mare who reloads off a four week freshen-up after running home okay in two runs back at Gatton. Gear change in play and leading NSW country jockey goes on. 8. Kaiwi improves with blinkers added and back in distance 20 days between runs.
How to play it: Waitapu to win
BEST BETS
Race 2: 3. Navy Steel
Race 3: 8. Sirius Flyer
BEST VALUE:
Race 7: 2. Waitapu
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
