Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail true from 400m to WP and out 2m the remainder
Race 1
3. In Circles is a lightly raced metropolitan mare who finds a very winnable race second-up over more ground. Was close up in two provincial runs to kick off his career earlier in the year before a spell. Then ran home to miss by under a length in a smarter race at Gosford when resuming. Again drawn to settle back and get to the outside, and even better suited with the track likely to slip back into soft range. 12. Private Liaison gets first use of the inside, and a clear threat coming back from a fair debut run in much tougher company at Canterbury when specked in the market at double figure odds. 11. Latest Flame held her ground into a place on debut at Hawkesbury. 4. Odin’s Eye is lightly raced, and over the odds second-up; while 8. Our Turbo, a colt by Pinatubo on debut in blinkers for the Archibald stable at Warwick Farm behind three trials, can run well above his early price.
How to play it: In Circles to win
Race 2
8. Grand Carousel is a genuine mare well-placed to pounce deep into her first extended campaign. Has placed in three of her last four, the latest two strong through the line from both well off speed and on-pace at her Kembla home. Drawn to get a soft run, and just needs a clear crack at them over the final 350m. 11. Yvonne’s Joy is primed to break through fourth-up after two solid closing runs against metro opposition in soft going. Pushed up a little further in trip now, and the more rain that turns up on race day, the better placed she is. 3. Call Me Rookie is a big market watch on debut for the David Pfieffer stable. Won the second of two lead-up trials, and is by boom sire Harry Angel. Gap to the rest headed by 1. Algorithmic who gets a key gear change fourth-up, and comes through some handy provincial form lines. 5. The Prospect returning off a nine-week break is next best.
How to play it: Grand Carousel to win
Race 3
2. Force March is a lightly raced and promising home track four-year-old by Grunt who can resume for a second prep with a bang. Rounded out a three-start campaign through autumn with a fast-finishing effort in a much deeper maiden at Wyong, and is drawn to get cover off speed. Headed for better races, and was scratched from the opening race to run in this. 1. Wan Lost is a big watch, resuming for the leading on-track stable, with a key metro jockey booking. Was good through the line in a trial here three weeks back, and well capable of defying the weight. 4. St Johann, a four-year-old by Doubtland, won the second of two Rosehill trials ahead of his first start for the Hawkes stable. 5. Mayweather second-up from a good draw, heads the rest.
How to play it: Force March to win
Race 4
4. Lady Of The Castle is an improving provincial mare well placed to go back-to back fourth-up, especially with one of the early market rivals being preferred at Monday’s Tuncurry meeting. Came off a plain run in heavy going at Gosford to appreciate a firmer surface on the course proper here, tracking the speed and finishing best. Again drawn to get a cosy run on speed, and strong jockey sticks solid. 1. Canal reloads 25 days after a dominant first-up breakthrough win at Port as a heavily backed favourite. 9. Nafanua is over the odds third-up, also dropping in weight and with blinkers going on. 6. Perfect Force is a stablemate of the top selection who can rebound sharply second-up after a poor showing fresh at Scone when the inside draw and ground did her no favours. Down in weight, and drawn much wider this time.
How to play it: Lady Of The Castle to win
Race 5
3. Extra Heights is a four-year-old metro stallion ready to take his career to a new level second-up. Was sparingly raced in tougher company after landing the maiden at Canterbury in mid January with something in hand. Spelled before being fitted with two progressive trials, then settled midfield and hit the line late, fresh in a BM 72 for the boys at Canterbury. That form reads well for this back in lesser grade over a shade further, and the booking of a 1.5kg claiming rider off-sets the weight. 2. Stallone draws the inside and will likely jump clear favourite after a first-up win on the Illawarra track at Kembla, although under the odds. 7. Need A Miracle is another market watch coming off a booming BM 58 win from the back at Scone when resuming off a 30 week break. 1. Sharp Shock drawn wide fourth-up, and 5. Onmalone deep into the campaign, with blinkers finally coming off, can both figure in the minor money.
How to play it: Extra Heights to win
Race 6
2. Blenheim Girl is showing enough promise to strike here third-up for the country’s most productive stable. Swept home to win a BM 64 for the girls when resuming at Canterbury before feeling the pinch off a tough run in a deeper race at Randwick. Much better suited back in this company despite the sharp weight rise, and a couple of the main rivals have come out. 3. Divine Secrets is another honest city mare who was good through the line first-up here, although yet to place in two second-up runs. 13. I Am Brave is hard fit, and hasn’t been far away in her last couple, the latest closing off late in a country CL3 BM 66. Keep safe 11. Erina at big odds who can improve sharply second-up with blinkers back on. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Blenheim Girl to win
Race 7
6. Better Late is an improving home tracker who gets his chance second-up to claim a third career win at only his eighth start. Mixed his form across deeper provincial and metro races last prep, but off two trials wins, missed narrowly when first-up at Gosford. Looks a stronger four-year-old this time around, drops 1.5kg, and is drawn to work across from out wide and either sit outside the speed or just off. 7. Brown Sugar draws inside second-up after charging home to be beaten under a length when resuming in a smarter affair at Canterbury. 4. Grinzinger Pod dug in hard to lead all the way second-up in a thinner provincial race. Include 1. Cryptonic third-up and 3. Harlex over a furlong further deep into the prep, in all trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Better Late to win
BEST BETS:
Race 3: (2) Force March
Race 5: (3) Extra Heights
BEST VALUE:
Race 7: (6) Better Late
Supplied by Racing NSW
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