Race 1 (1600m) Bm65
The local SWEET HONESTY (8) will be fitter and put the pen through the latest at Nowra. Did a big job to win first-up off the Maiden win here this distance. Relishes heavy conditions is weighted well, and Ward is back-on replacing the 4kg apprentice. BON FRANKIE (4) won that Nowra contest at 58 level and the one prior. The stack right up and he will be at top now. He also enjoys the wet and the lift to the mile shouldn't bother. ISLAND BAY BOY (1) comes into it with the 3kg claim. Has won third-up and his best figure came this trip in better class in town on a heavy surface. Should be ready to fire. PRIVATE DETECTIVE (3) has been freshened and has been kept up to the mark with a city trial placing. Competitive at best. DEPARTING BULLET (2) is on a 6-day return but needs to show more.
BET: Backing Sweet Honesty.
Race 2 (2000m) Bm60
Sticking with Matt Dale-trained AUTISSIER (7) who won the Maiden as expected on the Moruya soft, before working home okay here having her first start over this distance. Will be better for that and 26% stable striker Heywood sticks. SANDASTAN (1) led and missed a nose here this distance on the soft surface. An obvious chance drawn to advantage, but he may be a query if the track gets into the heavy range. CRAZY LADIES (9) has disappointed the last two but just missed prior this journey on the Wagga heavy and her best would win this. Suited sitting on the minimum. ALPINE KING (6) likes in wet and has been busting to win. The form stacks up.
BET: Autissier gets the nod in a competitive race. Boxed quinella/trifecta.
Race 3 (1000m) Cl2
NALABELLE (3) resumes for the Olive barn and after 249 days and two back won the Wagga Maiden fresh by 8L. Has had a trial warmer and the wet track shouldn't bother. Draws to advantage and is likely to have come on. REDHAIR'N'FRECKLES (4) won twice here on heavy surfaces and found the line okay after. Races at top now and is in the light with the 4kg claim. A winning hope. MISS HOFF (2) resumed here on the heavy and just came up short. She has trialled in town since and has more to give. Gets an awkward gate but fitter is a decent chance to go one better. SUPER KONTIKI (5) also likes it wet and was run-over late at Wagga looking to make it 3/3. Peaks now and she's also a hope on the bounce.
BET: Nalabelle if the race-day market suggests stable confidence.
Race 4 (1600m) Cl1 SW
The local OFFSPRING (10) won the Maiden here third-up on the slow and delivered it by a space heavily-bet. She's sure to come on and the promising filly can win again with average luck from the outside barrier. SPIRIT OF CHANEL (13) never got into it at Gosford over a middle distance but was beaten 1L prior this trip on the Moruya heavy behind Autissier, who we like earlier on the card. Gets Ward and some gear tweaks and an improved effort is on the cards. DANZETTE (4) likes wet tracks and got to within 1L last time at Nowra over the mile. Draws for the run of the race. MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN (1) is also in the mix.
BET: Offspring will be very short. The exotic bets look the way to go.
Race 5 (1000m) Mdn
Tricky. EPAULLO CREED (11) runs along and likes it wet. Resumed in good order at Goulburn and draws a low gate today. Fitter and the blinkers are on again. Rates best and will take plenty of catching. INVEST IN LOVE (3) resumes for a city barn and two back missed a whisker at Scone on debut on a heavy track. Brings two trial wins but the negative is the awkward barrier. That may matter less if the track come up heavy. On what we've seen she's a danger. BLUE GROTTO (1) resumes and raced favourite on debut on a heavy surface. He's quick and will have come on. Heywood is a key jockey booking and well keep onside. SEMANA (8) debuts owning city trial win and is in one of Australia's best barns. Has the blinkers applied, and a bold run is on the cards. PARRYING (2) is also Sydney-trained and debuts off a city trial win. Lime the above the rig also draws awkwardly but has to be kept safe.
BET: Epaullo Creed with the race fitness.
Race 6 (1300m) Cl1
LOCKUP THE KITTENS (2) will start the longer in the market than stablemate Vaaroom but presents as a decent each-way hope. He's well-seasoned and goes in the heavy. There was only 1L in it at Nowra the latest but needs a good Ward ride from the awkward gate. VAAROOM (4) was on-speed here first-up on the slow fading late when placing second to Geminids. He has plenty up the sleeve and Owen rides first time. Untried a heavy surface but fitter is sure to give a sight. YOU ARE KING (1) is up to this but has been away 414 days. The trials however have been sharp and high-stable striker Heywood sticks from those. It's an ask but the speedy finds easier and is in the right yard. Unknown a heavy surface but elevate if the big money comes. BLUE JAGER (3) resumed in good order on the Nowra heavy and has more to give. Sydney-trained and keep onside. BRACEWELL (8) would be a contender at best and will be much sharper second-up.
BET: Playing multiples around the Dryden-trained pair, 2 and 4.
Race 7 (1300m) Mdn SW
Tricky. TROOPER KNUCKLE (6) stalked the lead and was only beaten 1.4L here first-up (slow surface) when expected to need it. Fitter and draws handy again. Keeps Ward and can go one better. I'M NOT LEAVING (5) didn't have much luck as favourite at Dubbo and go on the nose defeat here first-up on the heavy as favourite. That stacks right up but he has to manage an outside gate. ASSOCIATE (7) debuts and has looked the goods at the trials (the latest in town). Has a small claim and is likely to use the rail. Has a big rap and profiles as a winning proposition. FINAL COMMENT (8) also draws awkwardly but is an improver in good hands. The longer sprint will suit and no surprise if he's around the mark.
BET: Trooper Knuckle on an each-way basis. Boxed quinella/trifecta.
Race 8 (1300m) Bm70 - Federal
PROPHET'S PRIDE (7) has raced in Listed and Group company and was heavily-bet first-up belting a CL3 field at Bathurst. She will use the rail and a heavy surface shouldn't bother. May need longer now but she will ride the speed from the rail and rates strongly. SHADDY (6) had won twice here on the heavy before a moderate effort behind Hard Core. Heywood replaces the apprentice and will give him the run of the race. A decent chance to bounce. HARD CORE (3) also has the figures to win. Missed a lip on the heavy and then delivered comfortably in the 66 at Nowra. The 4kg claim is handy but he needs luck from the awkward barrier. Relishes wet tracks. SECRETIVELY (5) is a likely improver from the Matt Dale barn. Comes back from Open grade and keep an eye on the race-day betting.
BET: Going with Shaddy to knock off the favourite.
Race 9 (1200m) Bm60
Competitive. POWER PUFF (13) had been threatening before delivering the Maiden win at Nowra on a heavy surface. Draws for a soft run and the lightly-raced filly will be presenting at top. Sits low in the weights and can take the next step for the Sydney barn. TIMPERLEY (12) made good improvement beaten a nose on the Nowra heavy. Hasn't won for a while but peaks and is a player with a repeat effort. ALMOST PERSUADED (3) belted the 58 graders at Goulburn from the speed (heavy track). Gets in well again with the 4kg claim and coming back 200m is probably an advantage. FANTINI (2) also has an awkward gate but is a local improver who returned in good order on the Goulburn heavy. Tipping she needs to find more but has won a CL2 here on a good track and fitter will have admirers. ANNUAL (4) goes in the multiples.
BET: Backing Power Puff and staking in quinellas with the other selection.
