Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True.
RACE 1
2. Putinacall is by Russian Revolution, and was very impressive on debut here, sweeping home from well back to land a longer-priced betting move. Drawn much lower this time, so will get plenty of cover back in the field, and just needs a clear shot at them over the final 350m. 1. Cool Zumbelina is a colt by Written By, and a big betting watch on debut for the Nathan Doyle stable behind two provincial trials where he had plenty in hand. 11. What A Scandal is a third start improver after missing narrowly here at good odds behind Putinacall a fortnight ago. Watch for any move around Super One-sired 3. The Fortunate One at big odds, another debutant starting off a soft trial.
How to play it: Putinacall to win
RACE 2
4. Head Kahuna is a progressive three-year-old who chased home a speedy one at Wellington as a well backed favourite when first-up for five months. Naturally fitter, and drawn to get a soft run right behind the speed, he will be hard to hold out, especially with the early market rival being preferred at Thursdayโs Newcastle meeting. 3. Harveyโs Turn, a first starter by Star Turn for the Damien Lane yard, has to overcome a tricky draw, but has been given time, and gear additions have been made since his latest trial. 11. Waveton comes back to a thinner maiden at her third start. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Head Kahuna to win
RACE 3
6. Hot Chocks is a lightly raced three-year-old who can hit back hard at only his third start. Let punters down badly first-up at Scone as the hottest of favourites when under pressure a long way from home and missing a place. Much better than that, and going up 300m in distance with more time to find his feet is a big plus. 2. Fortheo is banging on the door fourth-up after finishing well into a place in three consecutive outings, the latest behind a promising filly who has since won comfortably again. 5. Grand Diablo signalled he had come back stronger for a second prep, rushing home late to miss narrowly first-up at Mudgee. 1. Fined For Speeding isnโt far away after three runs back from a break, finding the line late each time. Drawn to get a soft run off speed over more ground, but is on a four-day turnaround if he backs up. 7. Monumental at bigger odds and back over more ground at his third start can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Hot Chocks to win
RACE 4
4. Echelon is a tough and sparingly raced sprinter who is ready to win again fourth-up from an ideal draw. Led for a long way in a deeper CL2 four weeks back, and he gets right back in at the weights after the rookie riderโs 4kg claim. 1. Zampano is already a triple winner from eight starts, and a threat from a low draw five weeks between runs. Comes off a fair on speed effort at Moree, and bar plates coming off is always a solid pointer. 3. Nirmata is trained on the course, and sticks to a winning formula after flashing home to score here in similar company when resuming. Keep safe 8. Miss Mercy having her first run for a new NSW stable since transferring down from Queensland, while 9. El Beatle who is hard fit is capable of filling the minor money at huge odds.
How to play it: Echelon to win
RACE 5
6. Visualise is trained on the course, and continues to race in the best form of his career, winning three straight up to BM 66 grade before charging home to miss narrowly in the Prelude here. Couldnโt be fitter, and again well treated on the limit weight. 3. Warrior For Peace is building a good record and likely to go off as a clear favourite. Ripped home to win the Northern Wild Card two starts back before making late ground in the much stronger Country Championship Final at Randwick. Well-placed, but still under the odds from a wide draw. 2. King Kakau has been defying the markets, winning two of his last three at double figure odds, including the Prelude here a fortnight ago. Drawn to get a nice run with cover again, but under 60kg against a stronger lineup, likely to have met his match. 5. Grandini is a tough mare and also never raced better, winning two of her last three, the latest circling from a long way back in a BM 64 at Wyong to defy a track bias. 7. Aussie Nation off a fourth-up provincial BM 64 win is capable of running into the minor money. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Visualise to win
RACE 6
6. Pride To Follow is a progressive mare who was stiff not to win the Wellington Town Plate from well off the speed a fortnight back. Building a sound strike rate, and ideally suited over 100m further getting on to a bigger track. 5. Chandon Star led them a merry dance to win that Wellington feature when coming off a four-week break. Naturally will use that early speed from this draw, but tackling a race with more depth. 1. Yiska is a local with plenty of ability, and resumes from a tough draw behind two trials. 4. Dances With Hooves is a knockout chance at big odds resuming off a forward trial. 8. Ollieโs Secret reloading 18 days after a tough third-up BM 66 win, and 9. Crimson Bonnet locally trained and improving second-up, both go through the exotic plays.
How to play it: Pride To Follow to win
RACE 7
2. Lord Of Biscay shapes to have the Cup at his mercy coming back to this level after an outstanding win in the Provincial Championship Final at Randwick over the same trip. Had previously avoided wet tracks, and put the writing on the wall, sweeping home to win the Provincial Wildcard Qualifier at Newcastle, beating the stablemate Imposant who then ran second to him in the big one. Gets in well at the weights, relishes dry ground, and from a draw where he should get plenty of cover back in the pack, only needs a clear crack at them from the 400m. 6. Formal Display is a progressive metro-based five-year-old looming as the clear threat. Won both starts at BM 78 level this prep as favourite, the latest tracking the speed before going home best at Warwick Farm. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Hellsing who is hard fit, and afforded a huge drop in class coming back from the group 1 Doncaster where naturally she was beaten a long way as the rank outsider. At bigger odds, 5. Phearson who has won a provincial trial since tackling group 3 company late last month, and locally trained 8. Tavros dropping sharply in weight second-up, are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Lord Of Biscay to win
RACE 8
1. Jason Darren is a very honest front-runner who hits a fitness peak now after four runs back. Looks suited again rolling forward after the jockeyโs claim, and while he has only the lone win from 18 starts, has been placed a further 12 times. 6. Overzone is a promising four-year-old hunting a second win at just his third start. Charged home to win his maiden on debut at Muswellbrook before being unable to reel in the winner at Scone 10 days ago. Well weighted in this class, but wouldnโt be diving into too short a price from a wide barrier and given thereโs plenty of speed underneath. 7. Sainty Sands is a big watch returning for her first run since last spring, with no public trials. 5. Dunquin comes off a tough fourth-up maiden win, but has a task from a wide draw. 8. Whittello Sun is an improving three-year-old reloading off a second-up maiden win, while 3. Yanabah third-up and five weeks between runs, heads the rest.
How to play it: Jason Darren to win
BEST BETS: R2 4. HEAD KAHUNA
R4 4. ECHELON
BEST VALUE: R5 6. VISUALISE
Supplied by Racing NSW
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