Race 1 (1:15pm) SKY RACING 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300m)
Going with the half-brother to mighty grey Chautauqua, 2. I Say Boom ($9.50 on TAB). In the strong Snowden camp and had a sprinkling of support when resuming at Gosford, hitting the line hard for a close-up fourth. Will improve with that run under his belt and should relish the additional 100m here.
Dangers: 1. PEACE OFFICER ($2.70) has undergone arthroscopic surgery on both front fetlocks since his last race start in August but trialled impressively at Warwick Farm for his return with an easy win. Looks the logical danger although 6. RUSSIAN ROSE ($6.50) did well on debut when runner-up at Kembla Grange after being trapped wide in the small field. 5. MOONFLOWER ($2.40 favourite) was narrowly edged out at Wyong and continues to improve.
How to play it: Stand-out quinella – 2/1-6-5
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 (1:50pm) TAB.COM.AU CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)
5. Tragara ($3.30) led and held on well for third at Canterbury Park then sizzled away from Pennypacker (winner of his last two starts) to score by a widening three lengths at Newcastle prior to a let-up. Has trialled twice and both were good without being knocked around. Will take running down fresh.
Dangers: Topweight 1. HIGH PLATEAU ($3.20 fav) appears a big danger after finishing powerfully to score on debut at Kembla Grange. He sat back last until straightening then unwound a big burst to score. If they overcook it in the lead, he will be bearing down on them. 3. JUKEBOX FLYER ($6.50) ran out of steam first-up and will be fitter here while 4. SCREAM ($8.50) won well at Nowra but then pulled hard and was trapped wide at Canberra and the run best be overlooked.
How to play it: Tragara for the win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 (2:25pm) BLAKES MARINE 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
2. Barmera ($1.45 fav) has been runner-up three times from his past four starts and looks head and shoulders above this lot. Grabbed near the post at this course two runs back with the winner Sequestered scoring again. Last start was again nabbed in the shadows of the post. Has beaten a couple of his rivals here pointlessly – is short in the market but bet up with confidence.
Dangers: 6. SPANISH WAY ($5.50) has only raced twice and caught the eye last start when he came from 11th for fifth at Orange (1290m). The extra distance here should be more suitable and open to further improvement. Looks the only danger. 1. ABUSE OF POWER ($13) has raced twice and done little but resuming from a spell here. Sat wide yet stuck to his guns when placed in a recent trial and could be the surprise packet in a race with few chances.
How to play it: Barmera to win clearly
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 4 (3:05pm) ST JOHNS PARK BOWLING CLUB MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1500m)
Locally trained 7. I'm A Shaker ($5.50) was nosed out at Port Macquarie but made amends with an authoritative win at that course last time. He sat outside the leader then put pay to them quickly scoring with ease from Fine Example who went on to win at Taree at her next start. Will be on the pace and sure to take running down.
Dangers: Favourite 2. CLEAR CHOICE ($2.25) finished fourth at Warwick Farm on debut then led and kicked away to win convincingly at Newcastle. Smart but prepared to take the better value with the top pick who gets a 2.5kg weight advantage on the favourite. Scratched from Canberra (Monday) for this. 1. BY NINE ($9) won at Hawkesbury last May and has had a let-up since a couple of ordinary efforts. Not let go when last in a trial so keep a watch on the betting. 6. GORSHIN ($9) is an honest fellow but has won one race from 23 starts.
How to play it: I'm A Shaker to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 (3:40pm) RICHMOND CLUB PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)
Kembla-trained 2. Candlelit ($6) was a drifter on debut around his home course and tired late. The gelding sat outside the leader and keep whacking away down the straight to gain the minor placing. Sure to be more tuned up for this and makes each-way appeal with an in-form Brock Ryan (four winners at Kembla last Friday) aboard.
Dangers: 3. JEDIBEEL ($3.90 fav) is making his debut but has trialled on four occasions and is from the strong Brad Widdup stable. Won a Hawkesbury trial then Brett Prebble seemed to have a lapful of horse when fourth in a Randwick trial. Sure to perform well first-up. 5. RUBYDAHLIA ($13) is from the Kim Waugh camp and is also facing the started for the first time. Showed pace and only knocked up late when runner-up in a Wyong trial and bears watching. 6. SEPARATIST ($4.80) gave a good sight at Kembla (1400m) and only tired late so coming back to the 1100m looks an advantage.
How to play it: Candlelit each-way
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 (4:20pm) PIONEER SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE (1800m)
Going with 11. Mountain Guest ($7) who should have plenty of upside after two runs from a spell. The filly was shunted back to last on the home bend and had to switch across heels when a closing third (beaten less than a length) at Gosford with 3. SILVINCIBLE ($10) running second. Meets that horse 4.5kg better and the additional 200m looks tailor made.
Dangers: 9. GORGEOUS ZARA ($2.30 fav) hit the line strongly when placed at Kembla on debut before flashing home when runner-up at Warwick Farm. Takes a while to wind up so she will relish the step up to 1800m. 4. AIR BENTLEY ($10) can be forgiven for his last-start failure after dislodging a tooth at the barriers and finishing down the track. Beaten in the last hop at Canterbury previously so could bounce back. 6. WHATADILEMMA ($7.50) and 8. EPISODIC ($7), who copped buffeting last time out, also have claims.
How to play it: Box the first 4 - 11-9-3-4-6-8
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 7 (4:55pm) LANDER TOYOTA BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2000m)
Banking on a race-to-race double for the John Sargent stable. 3. Casual Connection ($4.40) belted down the outside to score impressively at Newcastle then beaten less than three lengths in a handy Midway at Randwick. The step up from 1600m to 2000m should suit and he'll be rattling home late with Keagan Latham the pilot.
Dangers: 5. ZAMBRERO ($9) finished well when runner-up at Newcastle then found the right lane and zoomed over the top of his rivals there to win pulling away last start. Going great guns and looms as a definite danger here. 8. WHETU ($7) is another that found the right spot down the straight when an easy winner at Canberra then doing his best work late at Kembla. Keep safe. The favourite 7. FIELD MARSHAL ($3.60) won his first two starts before changing stables and his two runs back have been sound so must be kept in the mix.
How to play it: Stand-out quinella – 3/5-8-7
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 8 (5:30pm) CLARENDON TAVERN BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1300m)
Tough race to finish up on with chances galore. The topweight 1. Anythink Goes ($8) showed enough last year to compete in the Qld Derby. Has had one run back and it was an eye-catcher. Was certainly allowed to find his feet when resuming at Gosford, being three lengths from the second last horse approaching the bend. Cramped for room down the stretch and went to the line untested when beaten just 1.7 lens. Well drawn and appeals as value here.
Dangers: 9. TRANSPLANT ($8.50) has been supported (in from $15) and after winning easily at Dubbo, held on gamely when runner-up to a horse that has won his last two. 11. MISS HELLFIRE ($6.50) is only lightly raced and held her ground nicely when resuming at Warwick Farm. She's drawn out but can be expected to improve further for this. 6. TOKEN CAPITALIST ($5 fav) hasn't raced since November, but his two trials have been good. Is one from one at Hawkesbury and should be ready to go for the Neasham stable. 3. CONCOCTED ($17) could bob up fresh but has drawn poorly.
How to play it: Box a quinella 1-9-11-6
Odds and Evens: Odds
