John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
1. Omnic has one win from 16 starts but also has six minor placings. He ran fourth at Newcastle on November 1 and had two trials before resuming with a fifth at Goulburn. He should strip fitter for that run and take plenty of holding out here. 2. Walk The Pier has had one run back from a spell for a third at Canberra. He was a maiden winner at Moruya in July and has the talent to run well here. 3. Frankie’s Shout has been midfield in his most recent runs and can get into the placings here without surprising. 5. Proclivity wasn’t beaten far at Moree last time out and has the ability to run well.
How to play it: Omnic to win.
Race 2
6. Favour The Bold is lightly raced and has a good record of two wins and two seconds from seven starts. He has been midfield in his latest two starts at Muswellbrook and has the advantage of gate one. 7. Mrs Bull is a consistent performer that followed a second here with a fourth at Muswellbrook. 8. Extreme Merger has been racing well and shouldn’t be underestimated. 10. Sunday resumes and won a couple at Coonabarabran and this track last campaign before a last
on the Kensington track at Randwick.
How to play it: Favour The Bold to win.
Race 3
7. Cape Ex is a Capitalist gelding on debut and has had one trial for a third at Kembla Grange when beaten less than a length. He’s in a good stable and should take plenty of beating. 9. Just Joan has been racing well and was a last-start third at Mudgee. This looks within reach. 6. Step Quick hasn’t been too far away of late and can get into the money without surprising, while 4. Nightwalker was close-up when a last-start fourth at this track.
How to play it: Cape Ex to win.
Race 4
1. Flying Party has had two starts and has been placed in both at Goulburn and Nowra. He only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to hold out. 3. Six Kings resumed from a spell with a fourth at Nowra in the same race Flying Party contested last time out and has claims again. 2. Inyun has two placings from three starts and ran second in a Mudgee trial leading into this. 7. The Magnet has talent and a bold showing is likely in this company.
How to play it: Flying Party to win.
Race 5
3. Iowna Benz has been racing well with two straight wins at Wagga and Canberra. She has a good overall record and only needs to have maintained that form to be hard to hold out again. 1. Rumours Abound won a recent Wagga Riverside trial and his previous form was solid against good company. 2. Panic wasn’t beaten far when fifth at Canberra behind Iowna Benz when last produced. 5. Sutton Vella is a consistent performer resuming from a spell and from the inside gate a bold showing is on the cards.
How to play it: Iowna Benz to win.
Race 6
4. Railway Avenue was fresh at Cowra when last produced and ran an improved race to finish strongly in second placing. His previous form was below best but he’s handy at best and a repeat of the latest effort would have him hard to hold out. 2. Crown Legend is talented at best and hasn’t been too far away in his latest runs. 3. Feimazuo was midfield here when last produced and a forward showing is on the cards. 1. A Boy Named Soo has won two of his last three starts and trialled well here recently.
How to play it: Railway Avenue each way.
Race 7
2. Sarrismo is yet to miss a place from eight starts after four wins, two seconds and two thirds. He’s won at Warwick Farm and Doomben in his two starts since resuming and should get every chance from gate one. 1. Glint Of Silver ran well when fourth at Rosehill last time out. 4. Tenderize comes out of the same race as Glint Of Silver and can improve here, while 3. Canadian Ruler ran 10 th in the Country Championships and will find this easier.
How to play it: Sarrismo to win.
Race 8
3. Written By Lucy resumed from a spell with a second at Canberra and backed that up with
a solid victory at Nowra. She can push forward from an awkward alley here and take plenty of running down. 5. Brogans Creek has had two runs back from a spell and has finished third at this track and Wellington. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 9. La Pelago has been down the track in her most recent runs and can improve in this. 8. Eilrahc won here at the end of December and is fresh for this after a third on January 6 at this track.
How to play it: Written By Lucy to win.
Best bets
Race 2: (6) Favour The Bold
Race 7: (2) Sarrismo
Best value
Race 6: (4) Railway Avenue.
