John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
6. Prophetโs Lass was on debut after a change of stable when she finished second earlier in the month. She is drawn ideally to get a great run in this and with the benefit of race experience she can go one better. 5. Mitaka was resuming from a spell when second at Bathurst on Anzac Day and only needs to run up to that performance to be hard to hold out again. 2. Erion has had plenty of chances but has been placed in six of 22 starts and a bold showing here wouldnโt surprise. 1. Entirely Oak led when weakening to be midfield at
Goulburn when last produced but is well worth another chance.
How to play it: Prophetโs Lass to win.
Race 2
4. Lady Lonsdale has had three runs back from a spell for a close-up fifth in city grade in Melbourne before a safely held sixth at Rosehill and a last-start fifth at Newcastle. This should an easier assignment for her and a better showing looks to be on the cards. 5. Heard Of Him is on debut and has performed well in each of two trials to date. He looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 6. Heatstroke is a stablemate of Heard Of Him and is also on debut after two trials. He can run a forward race here as well without surprising. 8. Magic Anderson wasnโt too far away when fourth at Goulburn when second-up from a spell and he can get into the finish of this.
How to play it: Lady Lonsdale to win.
Race 3
7. Six Kings is yet to place in six starts but has shown enough ability to indicate he is suited against this opposition. He ran fourth at Nowra and Orange in his first two starts back from a spell and then was fifth at Goulburn last time out. He is worth another chance. 4. Blue Poles was midfield at Muswellbrook on debut and warrants thought. 6. Piroulette debuted with a fourth at Queanbeyan and isnโt out of this. 8. Miss Firestar looks to be the best of the rest.
How to play it: Six Kings to win.
Race 4
5. Treasure Hunter won a maiden at Queanbeyan in November and was then spelled. Heโs had three starts since resuming and wasnโt beaten far at Wagga when last produced. The step up in distance should suit. 7. Aerostern Bro ran second here over this distance when last produced and should be thereabouts again. 10. Reel Crystal has been racing well enough at Wagga to suggest she can figure. 12. Heligan is knocking on the door for a win.
How to play it: Treasure Hunter each way.
Race 5
1. Bivacco won at Canberra in February and hasnโt been far away in each of three starts since then. Heโs drawn well in gate two here and should be hard to hold out if anywhere near his best. 2. Penciller ran second in three straight runs before breaking through with a resuming victory at Wellington. A repeat of that would have him in the finish of this. 11. Just Joan is a last-start winner at Orange. 4. Invincible Salex won at Muswellbrook in October and while unplaced in four starts since he hasnโt been too far away in any of them.
How to play it: Bivacco to win.
Race 6
5. Kelilah won a trial at Orange before resuming from a spell with a sixth at Mudgee. She followed that up with a third at Narromine when beaten less than a length and only needs to overcome the awkward alley to be hard to hold out here. 6. Cheap Shot ran second in the same race Kelilah contested at Narromine and a repeat of that effort would have him in the thick of things again. 8. Tillman was placed at Queanbeyan when last produced and can be in the mix again. 4. Green Pineapple has been thereabouts since resuming from a spell and could make an impact without surprising.
How to play it: Kelilah each way.
Race 7
3. Scopics won at Bathurst in October, then ran second at Kembla Grange and had another two down-the-track efforts before being spelled. He resumed with a second at this track on Anzac Day when racing well and can go one better in this with the benefit of that run under his belt. 4. Tommy Flyer has a consistent record with three wins and five placings from 11 starts and is fresh for this having finished third of four at Orange in December before the spell. A bold first-up showing is on the cards. 9. Interventionist is resuming from a spell in this and was racing in great heart last campaign with a win and three seconds before the break. He comes into this after a recent Dubbo trial. 10. Zahdi resumed with a 10th at Narromine but can lift sharply on that without surprising.
How to play it: Scopics to win.
Best bets
Race 1: (6) Prophetโs Kiss
Race 5: (1) Bivacco
Best value
Race 6: (5) Kelilah
