Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
8. Alabama Fox is a filly having her first race start here, and she has had two trials in preparation. She was down the track in the first of them and then looked good winning the second at Rosehill. She’s drawn wide in this but looks to have the talent to make a winning impact on debut. 4. Flying Argyle has finished second in four of seven starts and comes into this on the back of a last-start fourth at this track. He’s knocking on the door for a win and warrants plenty of thought. 3. Denuto is a gelding on debut here for trainer Kris Lees, and he has had two trials, running second in the latest of them at Wyong. A forward showing is on the cards here. 9. Rose Of Dubai has had three trials leading into this first start, and she’s performed well in each of the barrier trials. She bears close watching.
How to play it: Alabama Fox to win.
Racing heads to Newcastle on Tuesday.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2
9. Thursain has only had the four starts and the daughter of Zousain has finished fourth in all of them. She should appreciate the step up to the 1400m in this event and should be suited by the bigger track. 10. Tokyo Queen is a filly on debut and she has had two trials leading into this. She hasn’t been beaten far in each of them and bears close watching on debut here. 5. Oh Deer has finished fourth in each of her two starts since resuming from a spell and she should run well again here if she can maintain that form. 6. Share The Joy has had 17 starts but has been placed in five of
them, including the latest two. She can show up without surprising.
How to play it: Thursain each way.
Race 3
7. Ollie’s Secret was a winner at Armidale four starts ago and then was placed at Tamworth before a fifth at this track. He was since back in winning form when doing the job well to score a last-start Tamworth victory when racing on the speed and fighting on strongly. He only needs to have maintained that form to be hard to hold out again in this. 5. Divine Vicky has finished fourth in each of two runs back from a spell and wasn’t beaten far in the latest of them at Warwick Farm when beaten less than a length. She has the talent to be in the finish. 6. Medinah was close up at Coonabarabran when finishing fourth before being spelled and resumes here after a recent trial. 9. Announcing was midfield in a handy Highway when last produced and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Ollie’s Secret to win.
Race 4
1. Oakfield Prince is handy at best and ran well enough when a last-start fourth at this track. He can be a major factor here with a repeat of that. 4. Don’tcha Think has a solid record and is rarely far from the action. He was a close-up fourth here last time out. 9. Mon Amore ran second when beating home Oakfield Prince here when they last clashed and warrants respect, while 11. Bertie can sneak into the placings.
How to play it: Oakfield Prince to win.
Race 5
1. City Gold Banner had looked good in trials before making his debut and hitting the line well to score a narrow but decisive victory at Warwick Farm. He since started favourite at Kembla Grange when safely held when finishing near last. That run can be forgiven and he gets a chance to bounce back to winning form here. 3. Zounaka was a winner at Kembla Grange three starts ago and has finished second in each of her latest two runs at this track. She only needs to overcome a wide alley to be hard to hold out. 4. My Phar Lady resumed from a spell and toughed it out well to score a win when resuming at this track, and she can go on with the job. 2. Artifactx won well at Kembla Grange two starts ago and followed that up with a solid third at Bathurst.
How to play it: City Gold Banner to win.
Race 6
4. Rubi’s Serve has been racing well of late, having scored a victory at this track at the end of November before following a second here with another win on the Beaumont track. She was midfield here before a last-start third at this track and gets her chance to break through again from the good gate. 2. Jaex is a consistent performer that was placed at Mudgee and then Randwick in December. She had a trial before a solid fourth at Warwick Farm when last produced and should be primed to run well in this. 1. Touch Of Navy had solid form before failing in the Dubbo Cup at the end of September. He had two trials before resuming with a fourth at Muswellbrook as favourite and should benefit from that hitout. 5. Uncle Harry hasn’t been too far away in his most recent runs and shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to play it: Rubi’s Serve to win.
Best bets
Race 3: (7) Ollie’s Secret
Race 5: (1) Gold City Banner
Best value
Race 2: (9) Thursain
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
