By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
7. Shangri La Impact is a debutant filly which has had four trials in preparation. She
had two trials this time last year and has been placed in a further two trials last month leading into
this first start. Expect her to race in a prominent position and take plenty of beating. 3. Ant had three starts late last year with a ninth at Pakenham being followed by a couple of unplaced efforts on the Kensington track and then at Randwick. He’s had two trials to prepare for this return to racing and looms as a leading contender. 1. Banxi is also resuming after two recent trials, and was placed at Hawkesbury before a solid fourth at Canterbury before the spell. 6. Feisty Legend is a well-bred filly on debut, and she’s had two barrier trials to be readied for this.
How to play it: Shangri La Impact to win.
Race 2
1. Beadman is a Snitzel colt having his first race start and he’s had two trials for a second and
a win. He’s drawn wide but has shown enough talent to be rated a leading chance. 5. Hidden Motive finished fourth in the Breeders’ Plate at his first start and was then spelled. He’s won his latest two trials and looks primed for a bold showing. 4. Hayek won two trials last November and has had another two trials leading into this debut, easily winning the latest of them at Hawkesbury. 2.
Cenotaph took on stronger grade at Randwick on debut and has had two strong trials to prepare for this resuming run.
How to play it: Beadman to win.
Racing returns to Kembla Grange on Tuesday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 3
2. Correon resumes here having won at this track when resuming last campaign before being placed in his next two starts. He performed well enough in a recent trial and is set to sprint well fresh again. 1. Manwe is resuming after a quiet trial and his latest run before a spell was sound. 3. Moonlight Gambler looked good breaking his maiden at Newcastle and can figure prominently again, while 5. Ready To Rocket won her only start at Hawkesbury and resumes here.
How to play it: Correon to win.
Race 4
3. Imperial State justified favouritism to score a last-start maiden win at Gosford when hitting the line well and he should get every chance to go on with the job here from the inside gate. 8. Mercantilist debuted with a strong win as favourite at Gosford and bears close watching again. 1.
Iron Hawk wasn’t beaten far despite finishing 10th on the Kensington track last time out. 7. Ace’s In Bloom is resuming and has shown ability in her eight starts.
How to play it: Imperial State to win.
Race 5
1. Cathedral Cove resumed from a spell with a solid second at Nowra and then backed that up with another good effort when finishing second at Goulburn. He’s drawn to get the run of the race from barrier one here and gets his chance to break through. 4. Calstar is having his first start and has won both of his trials leading into this. He’s drawn well in gate three and a bold showing is on the cards. 12. Turning Circle hit the line well when resuming with a third at Gosford and can make an impact again despite the wide alley. 9. Me Me resumes here and has been placed in one of three starts and ran well in a recent trial.
How to play it: Cathedral Cove to win.
Race 6
2. New Business is a UK import having his first start for the Neasham and Archibald stable. He won one from five and has been prepared for this Australian debut with two recent trials. Anna Roper’s apprentice allowance will assist his chances here. 5. Colophon was narrowly defeated when finishing second at this track two starts ago and then was midfield on the Kensington track when beaten just over two lengths. This looks a nice race for him. 3. Satness won at this track before finishing fourth in Midway grade at Rosehill last time out. 9. Bend The Knee has been racing well and while he doesn’t win often, he can get into the placings.
How to play it: New Business each way.
Race 7
6. Sass ‘N’ Cheek had been racing consistently before finishing third in the SERA Country Championships at Nowra and then securing a start in the Country Championships Final at Randwick in which she ran a creditable midfield eighth behind Know Thyself. She will find this an easier assignment and should be right in the finish again. 3. California Sunrise has only missed a place once from eight starts and she resumed with a close-up third at Warwick Farm when beaten less than a length. 8. Mamushka started favourite when winning her first two starts at Goulburn and Gosford and comes into this after a last start fifth at Wyong when not beaten far. 10.
Fast Track won well as favourite on debut at this track and followed that up with a seventh at
Newcastle. She can bounce back here.
How to play it: Sass ‘N’ Cheek to win.
Best bets: Race 1 (7) Shangri La Impact. Race 5 (1) Cathedral Cove
Best value: Race 6 (2) New Business
