Neil Evans
Track Soft 6 and rail out 3m.
RACE 1
1. Lope De Luna is a five-year-old by Odyssey Moon finally having his first start for the local Rodney Northam stable after a series of setbacks. Liked the way he trucked through the line under a hold in a recent trial, and while he’s bred to perform over much further, this is a nice starting point, with the leading jockey booked to ride. Stablemate 2. Yeah Buddy is a tough ex-Qld four-year-old who did everything but win last prep. Has also trialled well enough leading until the last couple of strides on that same day as the top selection ahead of his first outing since mid-March. Has only missed a place once in eight starts. Watch the betting on 10. Summer Force, another home track first starter by Cosmic Force who won her trial on that same program. 4. Highland Dancer who disappointed first-up as a hot favourite at Quirindi can improve from a soft draw and getting on to a bigger track.
How to play it: Lope De Luna to win
RACE 2
9. Sir Boom A Lot was fancied on debut here before giving a big sight on speed when only edged out late. A little less depth in this, and staying over the short course, he can open his account. 4. Excels is a big watch second-up off a six-month break for a smart provincial stable after letting punters down as a short-priced favourite in that same race as the top selection. The market will be a solid indicator too around 8. Rallet, a colt by Russian Revolution on debut at home behind a provincial trial win. Rival home track first starter 11. Dorset Lass draws wide, but trialled OK and gear additions have since been applied; while 1. Long Live second-up and five weeks between runs goes in all trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Sir Boom A Lot to win
RACE 3
2. Magic Merlin is a progressive home tracker who can make it two straight wins on an eight-day back-up well into the campaign. Had been in and around the money before sweeping home best at Muswellbrook to finally land the maiden, and the extra furlong here is a plus. 1. Feazabeel is very fit and trained on the course, with two wins from his last three when coming from off speed and up to deeper BM 66 grade. Is fairly treated at the weights back at this level, but not convinced at the short price the inside draw does him any favours. Both 3. Astrogazer third-up with a significant jockey change, and 5. Aurora Effect fourth-up are over the odds; while 7. Caledonian was scratched from Friday’s home Taree meeting to be saved for this.
How to play it: Magic Merlin to win
RACE 4
6. By The Way is an exciting mare chasing back-to-back wins third-up, and may be one of the better gallopers to come out of the Armidale region in a few seasons. Ex-Queenslander who charged clear to win the maiden by nearly three lengths in only her second start for the new stable. Clocked a smart time for the 1200m that day, and should be even better suited getting to the outside on a bigger track. 7. Vittozzi is a clear threat third-up from a soft trailing draw and coming back from provincial company. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Excessor resuming for a second prep for the Kris Lees stable behind two trials. Stablemate 1. Iron Fury is consistent enough, tackled provincial opposition in his last three, and was scratched from Wyong on Sunday to run here. 4. Panta Rhei third-up can figure in the minor money.
How to play it: By The Way to win
RACE 5
2. Oakfield Iowa is an emerging provincial mare who can open her account third-up in her first full prep. Failed to attack the line at Wyong before reloading off a month’s break and driving late to miss narrowly at Newcastle after being backed from $2.30 into $1.85. Blinkers go on, and top jockey sticks solid. 14. Switch On is a big market watch, resuming 19 weeks after failing on debut at Warwick Farm as a two-year-old when well in the market. Impressed winning the second of two lead-up trials, and she’s primed to unlock her potential. 1. Sparkling Fire is a lightly raced metro four-year-old who can give a big sight second-up despite the weight. Big gap to the rest headed by 16. Life’s Turns down sharply in weight deep into the prep.
How to play it: Oakfield Iowa to win
RACE 6
4. Ready And Lucky is an honest local mare returning off a seven week freshen and tidy trial. Was twice placed and never far away when campaigning in tougher races last time, the latest only a couple of lengths from the winner in a deeper CL3 Highway. Drawn to get cover, and just needs a clear crack at them from the 350m. 6. Varuni draws the fence coming off a dominant first-up win in weaker grade. Trained on the course, and still with plenty of upside. 7. Zousanity is a progressive mare with good tactical speed, and shooting for a third win on the bounce, although drawn out and this is tougher. 10. Think Back is a big market watch first-up at home off a nice trial. Include both 3. Savoca re-loading 13 days after a third-up win in a weaker BM 66, and 8. Erina, improving second-up off a lengthy break, in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Ready And Lucky to win
RACE 7
3. Nova Centauri is a smart mare on her day, and resumes at home in an open race where she’s won both starts. Was strong through the line in claiming a recent trial, and all three wins from 10 starts have come in soft going. Was a Highway winner last spring, but failed to recapture that form in the New Year. Further boosted with the early favourite being preferred in Saturday’s feature Listed Rosebud at Rosehill. Stablemate 4. Star Whisperer gets blinkers on fourth-up after charging home to miss narrowly in a CL3 at Quirindi when heavily backed. Drawn out, but far superior jockey takes over and she’ll relish being back on the bigger circuit. 1. Beaumista is trained here and drops down from a tougher CL3 Highway third-up, but also under the odds carrying a big weight. Stablemate 5. Nevermista follows the same path being well beaten in that Highway, but hasn’t missed a place in four starts here. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Nova Centauri to win
BEST BETS: R5 2. OAKFIELD IOWA
R6 4. READY AND LUCKY
BEST VALUE: R1 1. LOPE DE LUNA
Supplied by Racing NSW