Ray Hickson
Race 1: 11:00AM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1200M)
7. Uncertain Glory couldn’t have done much more in winning on debut at Warwick Farm, she wound up in a trailing spot and sprinted at the right time before holding off some late challengers. No doubt better for it, the sting was out of the ground there and she should have every chance to back it up. 9. Thyme To Go showed promise in her first preparation running a big race on debut over the same course in January and spelled after disappointing on a soft 7 at Rosehill. That might be the niggle if the track is seriously wet but he’s trialled well and have to respect. 1. Keen To Exceed found the line strongly on debut behind what looks to be a handy one in Bangkok Hottie. He’s been back to trials, draws soft and couldn’t ignore his chances. 3. Lady Catalina is on the back up after a game effort in stakes company at Scone last weekend where she did plenty of work.
How to play it: Uncertain Glory to win.
Race 2: 11:35AM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400M)
12. Phyxius was hard to miss as he stormed into second when resuming behind the promising Probability Theory. Big drifter in betting there and settled last after being a shade slow early. That was his first run for seven months, give in the ground suits and he could race closer if needed. Solid each-way chance. 1. Flying Embers is well-placed back to Midway grade after an even effort in Brisbane three weeks ago. On her Championships Qualifier run she’s hard to beat. 2. Audrey’s Lane is a model of consistency and boxed on well after leading when third at Hawkesbury behind her stablemate. Puts herself right up there, handles the ground and will be competitive. 16. Callistemon is more than capable fresh and at this trip with soft ground she could be the knockout horse if there is one. She’ll be in the second half and will run on well first-up.
How to play it: Phyxius each-way.
Race 3: 12:10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200M)
1. Exit Fee faces a big field but you’d think he won’t get a better chance to notch an overdue win at this level. Just found the 1000m around Gosford too sharp chasing a short course specialist but he did get very close and isn’t bothered by sting out of the track. No excuses from the draw and he’s entitled to go close. 8. Speedy Henry is racing consistently without winning and bumped into a handy one when runner-up at Kensington in Highway grade a few weeks ago. Only has to hold his form to be an each-way chance. 15. She Within will need luck from the wide gate but the 1200m start isn’t too tough on them. She was sound when resuming but if she runs up to her last Highway attempt, where she split Fingers Hunter and Autumn Break she’s right in this. 9. Wayburn was an all the way winner at Ipswich second-up from a spell as a short priced favourite.
How to play it: Exit Fee to win.
Race 4: 12:45PM SPORTING CHANCE CANCER FOUNDATION HANDICAP (2400M)
5. Thebudgiesmugla is a horse ready to win and 2400m on a soft track is right up his alley third-up. His fresh run, while only beating two home, was superb and he was better again staying on when they sprinted a long way out at Gosford. He was still there at the 100m. This race will be run differently. Should be hard to beat. 1. Thrice comes through the same race at Gosford second-up where he was left flat-footed but also boxed on okay at the finish. Blinkers on and he has the chance to strike form. 3. Cap Saint Martin was in the market at Gosford but didn’t get into the race after settling last. He was good winning at Canterbury before that and worth another chance back onto a soft track. 10. De Louviere finished midfield in that Gosford race. Last win was over this trip on a soft track, he’s an each-way hope.
How to play it: Thebudgiesmugla to win.
Race 5: 1:20PM PF CIVIL HANDICAP (1800M)
10. Donatello was expected to run well at his local debut and he did just that, not helped by being trapped wide for a good part of the trip at Kensington last month. He’s been back to the trials where he worked home well, looks suited up to this distance and in softer ground and he shapes as a big chance. 2. Bird Whistle will be hard to beat on the back-up from winning at Scone last Friday, leading all the way over the mile. She’d been racing well in stakes company before that, no issue with some softness and can give a sight again. 3. Boomeroo brings different form with a Group 3 placing in Adelaide on Anzac Day over 2000m. Winner at Sale on a soft 7, albeit a maiden, and she could measure up. 9. Eynesbury was scratched from an easier race on Thursday to run here. The form from his last start fourth at Kembla held up during the week. Each-way chance.
How To Play It: Donatello to win.
Race 6: 1:55PM TAYLOR CONSTRUCTION HANDICAP (1400M)
9. Just Glamourous has been solid in two runs back and at very least maps well in an open race. Good strong on pace win fresh then tried hard behind a progressive one at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Can’t be super confident but she can run well. 4. Jellicious was run down by a fitter horse first-up then a shade disappointing on Anzac Day. Back onto a soft track is in her favour, she’ll roll forward and no surprise if she bounces back. 12. Surf’s Up has a wide alley to negotiate but she’s consistent and is on the fresh side since running second to Just Glamourous six weeks ago. If they’re running on and she can find a back she can be in the finish. 10. Scintilla has been below expectation in her two runs back from a long spell but she’s better than what she’s shown. If she finds form she’s in the finish.
How To Play It: Just Glamourous each-way.
Race 7: 2:30PM GENERAL AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (2000M)
7. Starzintheireyes ran up to his promising trial efforts when making his local debut at Hawkesbury with a close second over 1800m. Form overseas says a soft track would be ideal and he can only be better for that first outing. Trip suits, draws well, drops in weight. 11. King Of The Sea is a major threat. Both runs in Australia have been eye-catching and he was charging when the race was all over at Gosford two weeks ago. If there’s a negative it’s coming back that 100m but may be offset by the softer ground. 10. Tazima was about six weeks between runs when placed at Hawkesbury as an easing favourite. He’s been back to the trials, significant weight drop after the claim, and looks a good chance too. 3. Rotagilla was coming back in distance when he ran a handy fourth in the Coast at Gosford. He won nicely over 1800m on Anzac Day and gets his chance at this trip from the inside.
How To Play It: Starzintheireyes to win.
Race 8: 3:05PM ACADEMY BRAND HANDICAP (1600M)
18. Spione hasn’t drawn the best but it is the Randwick mile and you’d imagine there’ll be a few scratchings to help him out. There should be a little pressure early in this race and if he finds a reasonable spot with the light weight he should be hard to hold out. First go at the mile but how he finished off at Hawkesbury from last says it’ll be no issue. 12. Asgarda won that race and while she has also drawn out we know she goes forward and we know she loves a wet track. The fact she was able to win on good ground last time says she’s in top form. 4. God’s Window might be one run away from a win but he was excellent when resuming at 1400m a month ago. Goes back from the barrier and look for him late. 13. Glad You Think So has been freshened up since winning at Kensington on a soft track two months ago so the mile on suits. One of the chances.
How To Play It: Spione to win.
Race 9: 3:45PM UPHIRE HANDICAP (1000M)
1. Lyles is building an excellent record and resumes after completing a hat-trick at Rosehill at the end of November. He’s up 3kg on that but doesn’t meet anything tougher on face value and draws to be effective at the 1000m fresh. If there’s a worry it’d be a seriously heavy track but in the soft range he shouldn’t have a worry. He’ll be hard to beat. 3. Snack Bar does meet Lyles 1.5kg better for running second to him last preparation but he is a horse that’s had a few chances. Can’t be too hard on him though as he’s been top three in 12 of his 16 starts and will get the chance to add to that. 2. Amazing Eagle is the wild card, if there’s one still with good upside it could be him. First run for the Baker yard, he’s been gelding and was a Listed winner a couple of springs ago. Just the one run last preparation, trialling okay and a big market watch. 9. Prima Bella is a stablemate to the top weight and she would be advantaged if the track is wetter. She has won four from nine.
How To Play It: Lyles to win.
Race 10: 4:25PM WILSON ASSET MANAGEMENT HANDICAP (1400M)
6. Mawjood is tracking nicely toward a win after three runs back. Improved on his second-up effort where he led and weakened late when sticking on for third behind Hillier at Gosford. He doesn’t mind a soft track, will go forward in a race that doesn’t look to have high speed and should be around the mark. 17. Invader Zim loves it soft and he has a handy second-up record as well so to run into third on a good track when resuming at Warwick Farm says he’s in good order. 3. Sergeant Major is back to 1400m which he tends to appreciate so expecting him to improve on a fair effort on Anzac Day behind Midnight Dynamite. Has a bit of a rap on him and has the chance to stand up. 10. Iceman can’t be left out, he beat Invader Zim at Warwick Farm and he’s another who doesn’t mind getting the toe into the ground. He’s been racing consistently and is an each-way hope.
How To Play It: Mawjood EACH-WAY.
Supplied by Racing NSW
