Race-by-race preview and tips for Tamworth on Friday
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 SUPER MAIDEN HCP (1400m)
2. Naval Destroyer was collared in the last few strides resuming at Narromine as a hot favourite. Fitter now, he can go forward again and pay back punters.
Racing heads to Tamworth on Friday.Credit: Jason South
Dangers: 1. Wild Flash led for a long way second up in deeper provincial company and will park right on speed. 3. Bolt Away Now only missed by a long neck on debut here and draws to land just behind the speed, but this is a shade tougher.
How to play it: Naval Destroyer to win.
Race 2 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
8. Star Bling steps out for the Lou Mary stable at Scone after two progressive trials, winning the latest at this track. Has the tactical speed to overcome a wide barrier.
Dangers: 2. Devoted Deputy is drawn to get a good run on or just behind the speed. 7. Pure Platinum did plenty wrong and was caught wider out before pulling up with a slow recovery in a weaker affair at Armidale two weeks back.
How to play it: Star Bling to win.
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
11. Relentless Ruby can strike in her first NSW outing for the Brett Cavanough stable, importantly with blinkers back on. Comes off two mixed efforts narrowly behind the placegetters in better races down south, and from a low draw here can push forward to sit on speed before producing a superior finishing burst.
Dangers: 1. Calladus debuts as a gelding for a leading country stable off two rock-solid trials. 14. Tigon Princess can peak third-up in her first full prep with winkers going on while 7. Think We’re There at his second start is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Relentless Ruby to win.
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (2100m)
5. Subscribe Me finds a nice little class drop here coming back from provincial opposition deep into the prep. Was only plain finishing midfield in that race, but prior hit the line hard from further back to be beaten only a long neck at Scone. Draws to get plenty of cover a few lengths off the speed, and stays at the distance.
Dangers: 1. Mindspace draws to get a soft run aiming for a third consecutive win, although more depth in this race. 6. Akauwheo is hard to catch but has the ability and comes through the same race as the former also rising in distance.
How to play it: Subscribe Me to win.
Race 5 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1600m)
9. Tyson’s Dream is still lightly raced for a five-year-old and is well-placed to make it two straight on a 10-day back-up. Didn’t have much luck when storming home late in weaker grade at Scone two runs back before rubber-stamping that progression with an effortless win at Quirindi after settling closer to the speed. Tougher and bigger field here, but drawn to get plenty of cover off speed, and only needs clear air from the 400m to produce that trademark finish.
Dangers: 6. Tough Case made it two straight last time, finishing hard to trounce a handy BM58 field, and is right up to this level. Trained on the track, 1. Aesthete can peak over this distance third-up with a 3kg claim offsetting the weight, and coming back from a provincial BM68. At big odds don’t dismiss big finisher 13. Global Sensation who is ready for this tougher test after beating all but the winner in three runs this prep, while 7. Toulon Factor is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Tyson’s Dream to win.
Race 6 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
6. Golden Dubai resumes from a low draw for a good fresh stable. Progressed OK in handy maiden company last campaign, breaking through with a dominant win fourth up when backed from $2.10 into $1.90 before spelling. Has trialled quietly at this track, and returns with key gear changes.
Dangers: 8. Harbour Gold will need some early breaks to get in from the wide draw but will find this easier than an even effort when resuming. 1. Panuara Boy also has a tricky draw and big weight, but experienced jockey goes aboard in a race of less depth.
How to play it: Golden Dubai each-way.
Race 7 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m)
8. Nyali Sands kicks off her second prep off two forward trials. Was only out a place once in four outings last time, including a dominant third start win at Dubbo when she flashed home as a red-hot favourite. Comes to hand quickly, and should settle a few lengths off the speed before getting to the middle of the track at the 350m.
Dangers: 1. Rock ‘N’ Reign defied a betting drift on debut here to charge home and beat a handy Super Maiden field. 3. Water Lad cruised home to win his maiden at Mudgee two runs ago, and was scratched from Tuesday’s Wellington meeting to be saved for this. 5. Presswin got under the market radar on debut finishing best in a thinner maiden at Quirindi.
How to play it: Nyali Sands to win.
Race 8 CLASS 3 HCP (1400m)
3. Hit The Rim is ready to break a lengthy drought and claim a fourth career win. Missed narrowly in a similar grade at Wagga three starts back before tackling tougher provincial company and running home just fairly after doing plenty of work from the gate. Was back to something like his best when flashing home late in a CL3 at Dubbo, and always performs best when his races are spaced.
Dangers: 10. Not In Doubt is a serious threat if she can overcome an awkward draw. Finished hard to win fresh here at class 2 level before close up again in the Jardel Cup behind a smart one, and is down 2kg from that run. 4. Don’tcha Think ran home hard into three straight placings up this level without much luck before outclassed in heavy ground at Saturday Highway level. With any sort of decent run in transit, 1. Assiduity can defy his big price second-up. Tried to lead all the way when resuming in a thinner race, but much more effective when he can take a trail. Home-tracker 11. Eighty Eight Stars comes through a solid form line fourth-up and can add plenty of value into exotics.
How to play it: Hit The Rim to win.
Race 9 FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m):
The girl sprinters bring us home, and it shapes ideally for smart and progressive mare 1. Villa Treville, resuming for a second prep off a strong open class trial. Won three from five in her first campaign, including back-to-back BM58 wins as an odds-on favourite. With superior tactical speed she can carry the big weight all the way, especially with one of her early market rivals coming out.
Dangers: Home-track mare 4. Rapid Ruby drops in class with gear changes. 8. Lavish Lady comes through that same John Clift form line, and all three career wins have come here at home. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Villa Treville to win.
BEST BETS:
R5 9. TYSON’S DREAM
R9 1. VILLA TREVILLE
BEST VALUE:
R7 8. NYALI SANDS
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au