John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
6. Cape Douglas looks to be in the improve after three starts back from a spell and looks ready to peak. She resumed with a ninth at Canterbury then a sixth at this track before her latest third here when beaten less than a length. She gets her chance to break through. 3. Copartner Pegasus has been placed in four of 10 starts and comes into this on the back of a last start second at this track. He can be thereabouts again. 1. Coral Cove has finished third in two of three starts and only needs to maintain that form to be a factor. 4. Fletcher looks to be an improver that is suited by the step-up in distance.
How to play it: Cape Douglas WIN.
Race 2
1. Isawyou ran a good race on debut when finishing second at Canterbury and followed that up with a narrow victory at Illawarra Grange when getting through late to score. He looks to have the talent to go on with the job. 6. Parthenon led and found plenty when challenged to score on debut at Gosford. Another bold showing is in the cards. 3. Turf Fever is resuming and has a win and a second from three starts. 5. Master Zous resumes after two trials and could figure fresh.
How to play it: Isawyou WIN.
Race 3
2. My Charm won a couple on end at Ipswich last December and January and resumed from a spell at Canterbury earlier this month with a fifth of six. She should be better for that run and can bounce back. 3. Highborn Harry has been racing well with three straight placings and should figure prominently again. 4. Ivy Legend has failed in two runs since scoring at Gosford and can lift again. 1. The Stars Align was a Moruya winner three starts ago and has place claims with an improvement on the two most recent performances.
How to play it: My Charm WIN.
Race 4
8. Esquire had a solid grounding with a number of trials before debuting with a second behind Steel Will at Wyong and that horse has subsequently won a city Saturday race. That form looks strong for this. 9. Kiviska is on debut after recent trials and has James McDonald to ride. 1. Sparkling Fire has two seconds from two starts either side of a spell. 12. Roebuck Plane looks the best of the rest after a recent debut effort when not disgraced.
How to play it: Esquire WIN.
Race 5
3. Yenisei debuts after trialling well with a couple of recent seconds at Warwick Farm. He’s drawn to get a good run here and looks set to run a bold race. 6. Ignition Code debuts after a number of trials and has shown talent. 7. Kiowa also debuts after a number of trials and shouldn’t be overlooked. 4. Lava Flow can improve on a Canterbury debut effort with a better run in transit after copping pressure last time out and weakening out of contention.
How to play it: Yenisei WIN.
Race 6
3. Tempestuous is resuming from a long spell after two trials and showed ability when a debut second in the 2024 Breeders’ Plate. He ran fourth in two subsequent starts at the end of that year and hasn’t raced since. He should be primed to run well. 8. Harrybegood also resumes after two rials and has shown the talent in his three starts to be rated a factor. 1. Pharland ran second on debut at Gosford before a sixth on the Kensington track and has had a trial leading into this. 10. Quaver is on debut after two recent trials and beats close watching.
How to play it: Tempestuous WIN.
Race 7
2. Punch Lane has a wide draw to contend with but boasts a good record and has the tactical speed to overcome that if his barrier manners are good. He finished a last start fourth in the Winter Challenge and has had a trial since then to be kept up to the mark. 10. Elliptical hit the line well when a last start fourth at Randwick and could easily show up with a repeat. 12. Narbold is struggling to win but has three straight placings and warrants respect. 1. Soul Of Spain hasn’t raced since finishing second in the Sydney Cup in the autumn and bears close watching fresh. He is classy and a forward showing wouldn’t surprise.
How to play it: Punch Lane WIN.
Race 8
5. Serpico is resuming from a spell on the back of a fruitful latest campaign. He won a couple at Wyong and Gosford last campaign and was second at Scone before being spelled. He resumes here after one trial. 7. Ausbred Hed’n’tail resumed with a solid second at Newcastle and should have derived benefit from that run. 3. Gus The Great resumed with an easy win at Gosford and looms as a leading contender. 11. Oui Flourish is first-up from a spell and a bold showing wouldn’t surprise after showing enough talent in the career so far.
How to play it: Serpico EACH WAY.
Best Bets: Race 3 (2) My Charm.
Race 5 (3) Yenisei.
Best Value: Race 8 (5) Serpico.
Supplied by Racing NSW