Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Wyong
By Nick Berney
Selections based on a soft to good track. Monitor for bias/pattern.
Race 1 - 12:10pm: THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000 METRES)
3. Launch Attack had no luck at this track 14 days ago and stuck on OK to finish fifth. The four-year-old mare lost his spot/momentum after being checked at the 800m mark and then struggled to get into the race after that interference. Prior to that start, he got too far back in a big field and ran on well at Dubbo.
Further, Punter’s Intelligence recorded he ran a strong final 200m split relative to all runners on the day in 12.40. The Damien Lane-trained galloper receives blinkers for the first time, is rock-hard fit and gets onto a dry track for the first time.
Dangers: 2. Battenburg has raced in stronger grade all preparation and gets his chance to break through here. The five-year-old raced keenly throughout his last start at Hawkesbury 16 days ago, and although well beaten, he reeled off the race fastest 400m-200m split in 11.97. The gelding can feature in the finish if he improves his manners. 4. Aussie Lindbergh got too far back in a big field and had slight excuses but ran on well over the concluding stages. He is ready to step up in distance and will be hitting the line hard. 1. Alloway is 44 days between runs but is a key late market watch and add 7. Mr Luke to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Launch Attack WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Racing returns to Wyong on Thursday.
Race 2 - 12:45pm: MINGARA RECREATION CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1350 METRES)
3. Feirme Prince, who represents value, wasn’t suited after getting too far back and ran on well at Hawkesbury 16 days ago. Further, the gelding ran one of the quickest 400m-200m splits of the entire meeting in 11.00 and maintained a strong finishing speed to the line. The three-year-old’s sectional profile suggests he’s ready to peak third-up, maps to get all favours, dry ground suits, and receives a senior metropolitan jockey in Sam Clipperton. Each-way.
Dangers: 12. Twelve Hours got a good run through the field last start at Canterbury 22 days ago and made considerable ground. Moreover, he hit the line hard and ran the fastest final 400m/200m sectionals of the day in 26.71/13.65. The filly has only raced on heavy tracks but expect her to settle closer from the kinder draw and look the winner at some stage. 7. The Replicant resumes and has trialled well enough in preparation for this assignment. He was honest in both of his starts last campaign, and those races rated highly. First-starter 1. Bullet Wing is a market watch with a drier surface suiting.
How to play it: Feirme Prince E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 - 1:20pm: AINSWORTH LEISURE GROUP 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
2. Pokerjack has come back improved this preparation and beat the rest easily last start at Hawkesbury in a fast-time race. Further, that race rated the highest overall relative to the meeting when historically comparing time, class and additional factors. The four-year-old gelding did it on both ends leading at a fast pace, and he accelerated away from most of his rivals, running the second-fastest final 600m sectional of the entire meeting in 34.20. Additionally, the winner Yankees has since run honestly at the metropolitan level and was well fancied in the market. Some query surrounding him running a strong 1100m, but he may get track pattern to suit and brings the clear best last start figure.
Dangers: 9. Oakfield Blossom sat wide without cover first-up at Tamworth 16 days ago and started a solid $2.20 favourite battling on to hold onto fifth. The four-year-old mare will be fitter, and her starting price profile must be respected. Some query on 1. Harapan who is back in distance, but he brings strong form lines and is set to peak third-up. 8. Ma’s Dream comes out of the same race as Pokerjack and tried hard after chasing the fast tempo. Market watch 5. Dona Antonia who is 52 days between runs but looks an improver on a drier surface.
How to play it: Pokerjack WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 1:55pm: GOSFORD RSL CLUB 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Fielding’s last-start effort at Wyong 14 days ago was full of merit, and he was extremely brave in defeat. Further, that race rated highly relative to the day, and a subsequent winner has confirmed the form. The three-year-old raced wide without cover throughout transit and sprinted hard, running the race’s fastest 400m-200m split in 11.32. In addition, the other on-pace runners faded, and he just got left in front a long way from home before being swamped right on the line. The gelding is coming out of time/sectional merit races throughout his career, maps to receive a much more economical run with a significant barrier change and is ready to break through for his maiden win.
Dangers: 8. The Halo comes out of the same race as Fielding and started $3 favourite ahead of him but must be forgiven after having no luck. Further, she was checked at the start losing substantial ground and had too much to do. The three-year-old filly must be forgiven and can bounce back. Key market watch 2. Vengeful was well fancied on debut at Gosford but had cardiac arrhythmia. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou training partnership is renowned for having their runners wound up when resuming, and he has trialled well. 5. All Too Scottish is a knockout chance.
How to play it: Fielding WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 2:35pm: STAR FM 104.5 MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Open middle-distance maiden and lightly raced three-year-old 10. South brings a profile that suggests he is ready to run a career peak performance. The gelding was unsuited last start at Newcastle 33 days ago after getting too far back in a farcical tempo and ran on well. After adjusting for age, class and additional factors, that race produced a high rating last sectional figure. Further, there has been a subsequent winner and three placegetters to confirm the form. The Sam Kavanagh-trained galloper finally gets a race with an anticipated genuine tempo, and he has improved each run throughout his career.
Dangers: 6. Sulmaher, who represents value, is another progressive type and was specked $13-$9 last start at Hawkesbury 16 days ago. The Chris Waller-trained galloper ran hidden sectionals relative to his rivals and expect him to settle closer. 1. The Milkybar Kid cost himself winning at Gosford last start when starting a rock-solid $1.40 favourite but raced erratically over the final stages. He has since returned to the trials and will be much more suited on the drier ground with his action. 5. Count On Me who can’t be disregarded; gets Hugh Bowman on for the first time, and all his peak performances have come on dry surfaces. Add 8. Citric to all exotics.
How to play it: South WIN & Sulmaher WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 6 - 3:10pm: THE ROOS FOUNDATION BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
5. Denarau was well ridden last start at this track/distance, but she still did it and won easily. The three-year-old filly was hammered late in the trade $3.30-$2.60 and never looked in danger. Further, that race produced a high last sectional rating, and she went through the line full of energy running her final 200m split in 12.25. The John O’Shea-trained galloper gets key factors in her favour, is on an upwards ratings spiral and has a similar race setup to her last start.
Dangers: 3. Writing Unexpected was outpaced throughout when resuming at an unsuitable distance at this track 14 days ago. Further, he can improve over a more suitable distance and is coming out of a fast time race. Add the consistent 2. Oakfield Duke and 7. Salsa Man to trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Denarau WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 - 3:45pm: THE BELLA GROUP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
13. Adios Steve, who resumed at Gosford 21 days ago, was well backed throughout the day and just missed in a photo finish. Further, the gelding raced wide throughout and ran one of the fastest final 200m sectionals of the entire meeting in 11.92. The four-year-old was luckless last preparation as well but gets his chance here with a significant barrier change and maps to get all favours. Each-way.
Dangers: 5. Harlem Groove was solid at this track/distance 14 days ago in a high-rating race and got too far back after being restrained from a wide draw. The three-year-old gelding is set to peak third-up and has multiple winning figures. 12. Ready’s Girl returned a winner at this track/distance 14 days ago and went to a new level for her new trainer Kristen Buchanan. The five-year-old mare is proven on dry ground as well and draws kindly. 10. Running Bear sat outside the leader at an even tempo and battled on OK last start in a TAB Highway (1400m). Expect her to roll forward and the step back in distance suits.
How to play it: Adios Steve E/W. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 8 - 4:20pm: DOYALSON RSL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. Divine Okay was 30 days between runs last start at Gosford and was honest in defeat in a high rating race relative to the day. The three-year-old gelding began awkwardly and then had to be ridden up to take a forward position. Moreover, he didn’t particularly handle Gosford but still tried hard, and his sectional profile suggests he can improve off that run. The Bjorn Baker trained galloper will need some luck from the draw but is on an upwards rating spiral, 1100m suits and expect him to appreciate the drier ground.
Dangers: 9. Thunder Rose has disappointed this preparation but can jump out of the ground, returning to a drier surface. Further, she produces her peak figures on good ground and can rate to win. Forgiving of 5. Siyata, who is an import, just got stirred up pre-race and then proceeded to race keenly at Scone 43 days ago. Additionally, she has since trialled well and is a definite chance. 3. Tocomah was solid first-up after a long break and is a key late market watch.
How to play it: Divine Okay WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best Bet: Race 3, No.2 – Pokerjack
Next Best: Race 4, No.1 – Fielding
Best Value: Race 5, No.10 – South & No.6 - Sulmaher
Tips supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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