John Schell
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1
5. My Cartouche has had plenty of chances with only two placings to her name from 18 starts, but she hasn’t been too far away in each of her latest four starts including two runs back from a spell including a last-start fifth of 11 at Goulburn. This isn’t a strong race, and she gets a chance to break through. 1. Royal And Ready ran sixth at Nowra on debut and has finished third at Newcastle and Gosford in two runs since then. This looks well within reach. 3. Kumbaya disappointed at this track when resuming but can improve sharply without surprising. 4. Kowloon Magnate is a last-start Muswellbrook runner-up that can show up again with a repeat of that.
How to play it: My Cartouche WIN.
Race 2
4. Mind Ya Bizz is a consistent filly that has only missed a place twice from seven starts and has a win and four placings. She won at Gosford when second-up from a spell and then ran a last-start third at Hawkesbury. This looks made to order. 1. Gravel Road didn’t have the best run in transit but battled on well for a last-start third at Scone and can show up again. 2. Iron Fury has been racing well and was a last-start second placegetter, while 6. The Warrior ran home well when a last-start third at Scone.
How to play it: Mind Ya Bizz WIN.
Race 3
1. Don’s Party has only had three starts and finished third in the latest two at Kembla Grange before being spelled. He resumes here after two trials including a Warwic Farm win in the latest and looks set to run well here fresh. 3. Classic Two has been safely held in recent runs back can lift sharply on those efforts in this. 5. Kuwait was placed at Gosford two starts ago and has minor claims here, while 8. What A Gent is rarely too far away.
How to play it: Don’s Party WIN.
Race 4
6. Concrete Storm had two starts earlier in the year and wasn’t disgraced in either of them. He resumes from a spell here and has had two barrier trials leading into this first-up effort including a second at Rosehill in the latest. 4. Sardar debuted with a solid third at Newcastle and can be in the thick of things with a repeat. 2. Dux Proximus debuts after two trials and bears close watching, while 5. St Peters Basilica is also on debut after a number of trials and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
How to play it: Concrete Storm WIN.
Race 5
4. Capdiva has two placings from four starts and resumes from a spell here on the back of a Warwick Farm trial win. She’s been placed at this track and Canterbury and wasn’t far away at Canterbury on January 1 before her break. 7. Rising Revolution has been placed in three of four starts and looms as a chance here despite the wide gate. 8. Anthropoid is resuming from a spell and bears close watching, while 6. Majestic Legend has been placed in both runs back from a spell and can be thereabouts again.
How to play it: Capdiva WIN.
Race 6
4. Federal Reserve is a two-time winner from eight starts with a further three minor placings. He resumes from a spell here on the back of two barrier trials and has drawn to get a good run from an inside barrier. 9. Sponars has been placed in four straight starts since winning a maiden at Queanbeyan in May and looms as a danger. 7. Totoka was a winner here two starts ago and then ran second here last time out. 10. Purple Rose has been placed in her last two starts and isn’t out of this.
How to play it: Federal Reserve EACH WAY.
Race 7
6. Waerea has a good record with a win and three seconds from just the five starts. He’s had two trials leading into this resuming performance and won the latest of them at Rosehill. He’s drawn ideally here in barrier two and looks hard to hold out. 13. Tigroni broke her maiden in good style at Gosford when last produced and has strong claims again on that effort. 1. Condone was close-up at Muswellbrook when having his first start for a new stable and only has to overcome the bad gate to make an impact, while 3. Cool Lad is handy at best and has claims.
How to play it: Waerea WIN.
Race 8
1. Dubai Warrior won two on end at this track in July last year when in good form and was subsequently spelled. He resumed after two trials with a third at Gosford and followed that up with a last-start third at Hawkesbury behind Satono Jasmine, which has since won in city company. 2. Whack Attack was close-up when a resuming second at Gosford and was then down the track at Canterbury, but this is more suitable. 5. Inception has been up and down this preparation but has claims on his best form. 4. Bombelleistic is a last-start Acton track winner at Canberra with a chance.
How to play it: Dubai Warrior WIN.
Best Bets: Race 7 (6) Waerea.
Race 8 (1) Dubai Warrior.
Best Value: Race 6 (4) Federal Reserve.
Supplied by Racing NSW
