Neil Evans
Track soft 6 and rail true.
Race 1
3. Wild Monarch resumes off a quiet trial for an experienced country stable, but is likely to jump a hot favourite. Twice placed in better company when well in the market to start his career back in autumn and the leading jockey has been engaged. Check the betting on ex-Victorian mare 5. Fabulous One, which resumes in a new Scone stable for only her second start. 1. Madame Rebel is a mare by Rebel Dane on debut in blinkers at big odds for an underrated stable. 10. Last Metaphor is trained on the course, and clear best of the rest, with a race fitness edge.
How to play it: Wild Monarch to win.
Race 2
3. Creative Righteous is a lightly raced and still improving five-year-old that can go back-to-back in a race which is no tougher than his previous. Former Victorian that struck at only his second run for the new Port yard, finishing best to claim a Class 1 by nearly three lengths after being backed from $5 into $4.60. Senior rider sticks, and the seven-day turnaround is a strong stable pointer. 2. Bellevue will be hard to hold out deep into his prep, coming back from deeper provincial company where he was beaten under three lengths at Kembla 16 days ago. Drawn to get a nice trail, although a query in the ground, with a poor record on soft. 7. Yorkiri is hard fit and placed in two of his last three. 1. Damascus Gate has been up for a long time, but continues to race genuinely. Gets back up to his pet distance over which he’s one twice. 9. Seething Chuck is a veteran local who draws inside and goes in all wider exotic plays.
How to play it: Creative Righteous to win.
Race 3
8. Gemtiki is a very honest mare that hasn’t been far away in two better provincial races after bolting in her maiden at Muswellbrook. Tricky draw, but the more the track dries out the better placed she is, especially with one of the early market rivals being preferred at Wyong on Sunday. 11. Kowloon Magnate has run home into a place at all four runs this campaign, including tougher races at Wyong and Scone. but often struggles to really attack the line. Drawn to get cover off speed, and with any clear run, should be in the finish again. Gap to the rest headed by 6. Woodrow, which draws wide, but can run a race third-up; while at longer odds 12. What A Gent can improve sharply on a significant weight drop and is drawn the fence.
How to play it: Gemtiki to win.
Race 4
5. River Jordan is an emerging four-year-old returning off a 28-week spell and can immediately underline his promise. Swept home to only miss by a length at Newcastle on debut when well backed before being turned out. Fitted with two progressive heavy track trials, and from a low draw just needs clear air over the final 350m to open his account. 7. Alabama Charm is a tough city mare, and logical threat second-up, although short enough in early markets considering she’s drawn off the track. Has a 45 per cent record in the placings from 14 starts, and hit the line hard when resuming at Nowra three weeks back. 13. Hello G’day is a progressive filly that caught the eye doing her best work late on debut at Wyong. Scratched from Sunday’s meeting at that track to be saved for this. Watch the betting on 10. Su Misura, a home track three-year-old by Jimmy Choux on debut behind two trials. Doubt there’s any other major players, but include 14. May The Force second-up in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: River Jordan to win.
Race 5
5. The Cristal is a capable mare that gets her chance to snap a run of placings in handy provincial races. Beaten narrowly from on speed in consecutive Class 1s at Newcastle reads OK for this, and has only missed a place once from five starts in soft going. 3. Just Shane is a serious threat deep into his campaign, especially if the track improves well back into soft range. Drawn to get cover and drops back from two fair efforts in BM 72 metro company. 6. Exorbitant Miss was excellent from the back here last start, ripping home to win with something in hand. Drops in weight, but wouldn’t be diving into anything too short taking on some stronger ones this time. 7. Bella Kathleen can peak third-up down in weight, while include both longer-priced 1. Coto De Caza and 11. Mr Villa in wider exotics.
How to play it: The Cristal to win.
Race 6
1. Chestime is primed to resume with a bang off a trial win, despite drawing the outside barrier. Has more than enough ability at this level and won two from her last three to cap a progressive autumn prep. Gets a 2kg claim to offset the weight and can settle well back before cutting loose at the top of the straight in what is a weak line-up. 4. Deebee’s Girl is over the odds resuming from a low draw. Back in late autumn, won a Class 1 at this track in heavy ground by more than five lengths. 3. Fun Sponge is a sparingly raced nine-year-old now in a new Port stable that also draws wide for her first run since late last year. Fitted with two soft trials, the leading rider is booked to steer. 5. Josephine, which is very fit, 7. Smart Jazz, on a seven-0day back-up, and 11. Commander Meroo, five weeks between runs, are all capable of finishing in the minor money.
How to play it: Chestime to win.
Race 7
2. Great idea is a tough and lightly raced provincial seven-year-old resuming in blinkers, and well over the odds, although the market will be a prime indicator. Fitted with two soft trials, the latest working home very nicely under a hold after being a clear last mid-race. Relishes rain-affected ground, and despite being an open race, it’s only a moderate lineup for this class. Another one bypassing Wyong on Sunday to run here. 3. Purple Rose claimed a dominant BM 66 win two starts ago before failing to finish off in a similar class at Goulburn after a poor jump. 7. Star Prediction has been well beaten in her last three, two of those in much deeper city races. Soft track credentials are OK, and jockey change is huge. 8. Satin And Cash draws the inside deep into her prep; while 5. Broadway Follies, a stablemate of Purple Rose and back after three plain runs at provincial level, heads the rest.
How to play it: Great Idea to win.
Race 8
8. Yes Yes Boss is a sparingly raced provincial mare ready to show her best, first-up since mid-autumn when she rounded out the campaign with successive wins up to this grade. Has enough tactical speed to either sit outside the lead or take a sit, and the leading jockey goes aboard. Would prefer the surface firmer, but with clear skies ahead, she emerges as the one to beat. 3. Stormfield is an each-way chance fourth-up from a soft draw with blinkers back on, and dropping in grade. 4. Difensivo has to overcome a wide gate in a very open race, but is hard fit and will relish a drop in class. 10. City Gold Speed is very fit and has placed in four of his last five. 5. Apache Jack, back in grade fourth-up, and 7. Take The Jackpot, which rattled home to win a weaker race last start, can both add value to exotic plays.
How to play it: Yes Yes Boss to win.
Best bets
Race 4: (5) River Jordan
Race 6: (1) Chestime
Best value
Race 7: (2) Great Idea
Supplied by Racing NSW
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