Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
2. Half Pipe looked good in his trials before a midfield effort in a handy Randwick Saturday race in December on debut. He was then spelled and has since had two trials for heat wins at Scone and Warwick Farm. He’s drawn ideally in barrier two and looks set to return to racing a winner. 1. Sambuca Sky is a speedy filly that won in good style when resuming from a spell at Scone when leading throughout, and then backed that up with a solid last-start third at Warwick Farm. Should give plenty of cheek again. 3. Write Me A Letter won narrowly at big odds at Tamworth when having her first start, and she can run well again. 6. Crimson Fury is on debut and was close up in her latest trial at Warwick Farm.
How to play it: Half Pipe to win.
Race 2
7. Valedor is on debut for a good stable and has had a number of trials to prepare for this. He’s a well-bred gelding that has Aaron Bullock to ride and gate one. 3. Magic Merlin has been placed in two of three starts and resumes here after a recent Scone trial. 2. Giddy Up Griff ran fourth on debut at Scone and has claims. 6. Tarrant County is a last-start placegetter at Narromine with minor claims again.
How to play it: Valedor to win.
Race 3
10. Three Wishes had two starts earlier in the year and finished third in each of them, at Nowra and Gosford. She’s had two trials leading into this and is set to run well. 3. Nielsen Park is having his first start for a new stable and has shown enough in his career to be a factor. 2. Bumbling Artie improved when finishing third at Moruya at his second start and can be thereabouts, while 5. Sedduke won his latest trial at Scone and bears close watching.
How to play it: Three Wishes to win.
Race 4
6. What A Gent placed in three races in a row, at Illawarra Grange, Gunnedah and Wyong, before a last-start seventh at Gosford. He should find this easier and can bounce back. 5. Strasbelle was big odds when fighting on well for a last-start second at Tamworth and can give this a shake. 4. Kowloon Magnate ran second at Tamworth before being spelled and resumed with a fifth at Taree when not beaten far. 7. Flying Giselle is yet to be placed but is not out of this.
How to play it: What A Gent to win.
Race 5
1. Brazil won well at Albury over a mile in March and was then a close second at Wyong. He is fresh for this, having not raced since an unplaced 1800m Wagga run in April, and a bold showing is expected. 2. Silver Tempest was beaten just over a length despite running seventh at Hawkesbury last time out and can be thereabouts. 3. Prince Harrison has been racing well and should not be taken lightly, while 6. Mischievous Molly is a last-start Tamworth placegetter.
How to play it: Brazil to win.
Race 6
12. Sirius Moss has been racing well with second placings in her past two starts, at Wyong and Gosford. She only needs to maintain that form to be difficult to hold out here. 4. Bridego went to the front and fought on well to score a last-start win at Taree and warrants respect again. 3. Boncapo won at Dubbo at his first start for a new stable and backed it up with a second at Warren. 5. Dark Justice was placed at this track last time out and has place claims.
How to play it: Sirius Moss to win.
Race 7
1. Supido Star had been racing well with three second placings before hitting the line well to score a strong last-start win at Tamworth. She’s up in weight for this but looks capable of handling that. 2. Star Whisperer was a winner at Dubbo at his second start in January and then failed at the same track. He resumes here and bears close watching. 4. Dirty Does It won at Port Macquarie three starts back and ran a close second at Taree when last produced. 7. Spring Prospect has claims on her best form.
How to play it: Supido Star to win.
Race 8
9. Ivy Diva is a mare that boasts a handy record, hitting the line well when resuming with a third at Gosford. She is a second-up winner and is drawn to advantage. 1. Condone resumed with a maiden win at Warwick Farm before an eighth at the same track and has its first run for a new stable here and will find this easier. 7. Turbulent won well at Narromine last time out when hitting the line well, while 11. Wootten It Be Nice should be improved by an unplaced resuming run at Kembla Grange.
How to play it: Ivy Diva each way.
Best bets
Race 5: (1) Brazil
Race 6: (12) Sirius Moss
Best value
Race 8: (9) Ivy Diva
Supplied by Racing NSW.
