Track should improve to near a Good 4 and with the Rail true, expect an even pattern early before off-speed dominates later in the day.
RACE 1 – CLASS 1 HCP (800m)
No loafing here over the scamper course and a big watch on Grafton-trained former Victorian mare 3. Millinery who is first up in NSW from a good draw; but Gold Coast visitor 1. Usurp who also resumes and is back in trip after a last-start Doomben flop is the one to beat, despite the big weight.
Dangers: If they go super hard in front, Tamworth-trained 5. The Gun is the one who can finish over the top.
How to play it: Back Usurp to win and box 1-3-5 in trifecta.
Seven races greet punters and fans at Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, October 2.
Photo: Jenny Evans
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RACE 2 – MAIDEN PLATE (800m)
Another open blink-and-you-miss-it dash, with several chances, but the resuming 3. Commandeering is the value, despite a wide gate. Wasn't beaten far when well backed at the Gold last start, and is normally a clean beginner. Any sort of position in the first half of the race and will be in the finish.
Dangers: Plenty, with luck playing a big part, and if locally-trained and former Victorian 1. Barkala gets his even share from a wide barrier, this will suit. By noted speed sire Bushranger, he ran third as a clear favourite in his only start at Moe back in June but will be primed for his new NSW trainer. Include another local 5. Gus Lightning in all exotics, was close-up last start at Taree and gets a lovely run right behind the speed from a nice gate.
How to play it: Back Commandeering to win.
RACE 3 – SPRING FLYER (1000m)
Competitive sprint but can't get enough on locally-trained mare 6. Super Tonic who prior to a break won twice on this track in dominant fashion, parking just off the speed and powering away. Again gets a nice draw to trail a good speed.
Dangers: Local veteran 3. Gunnaza comes back from a much stronger BM 76 at Canterbury and before that the Newmarket at Murwillumbah, both times fair and even efforts from off the speed. Prior to that, sprint form around the district is rock-solid for a race like this; while 5. Florelle will naturally drift back, but can peel off a cracking last 400m and this suits second up. Fellow 8YO and Wyong-trained 7. Johnny Roo Boy has very consistent form just behind the placings in stronger races and should be in the finish.
How to play it: Back Super Tonic to win and quinella with Gunnaza.
RACE 4 – CLASS 1 AND MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
Tricky race at set weights, but Ballina raider 1. African Academy has tactical speed and will be hard to stop. Gets a nice trail from the gate, and while the 4YO's form is mixed, anything near his last-start effort at Ipswich will be good enough to win this.
Dangers: The 3YO Kris Lees-trained 9. Fuji Fury was given four trials before storming home to win on debut at Taree and while this isn't much stronger, he rises 2kg and is drawn wide. While most of the rest aren't going anywhere, 8. Ultimate Eagle broke through at his sixth career start at Grafton and could go on with the job. Will get a long way back, but finishes hard.
How to play it: Back African Academy to win and box 1-8-9 in exacta.
RACE 5 – MAIDEN HCP (1400m)
Looming as a battle between the top two! Tamworth grey 2. Kadarchi is primed to break through at his 10th start. Was unwanted in betting but finished nicely last start and prior to that rattled home at Dubbo in heavy ground under a big weight. Gets plenty of cover and will be finishing strong. Big rival is 1. Petain, who looks suited second up for leading Newcastle trainer and from a lovely draw.
Dangers: The filly 6. Airlie Avenue found the line well at Dubbo in only his second start and will improve again; while keep a big watch on 3YO Gold Coast-trained debutant 3. Rumberella for another smart stable, but is drawn right off the track.
How to play it: Back Petain to win and quinella with Kadarchi.
RACE 6 – BM 66 HCP (1400m)
Very keen here on Newcastle mare 5. Waruna up in trip second up after a nice resuming effort at Taree. Won her first two career starts at Pt Macquarie and Muswellbrook charging home from just off the speed. The one to beat for strong rider/trainer combination.
Dangers: Grafton-trained 8. Cool Prince gets a lovely trailing spot on the map for leading rider and will find the line over his best trip; while Tamworth-trained 7. Boolaroo also drifts back in his races but has been smashing the line this prep and any luck from the 600m here and he'll be in the finish.
How to play it: Back Waruna to win and quinella with Cool Prince.
Race 7 – BM 58 HCP (1000m)
One of the bets of the day locally-trained 3. Vacate who boasts a superior form-line. Broke his maiden in emphatic style last start at Grafton beating Longtga who two starts later destroyed the opposition winning his own maiden from well off the speed. By Exceed And Excel, parks right on the pace.
Dangers: Port Macquarie-trained 5. Je Suis Tycoon is a very capable mare who finds the line, but has a wide barrier to overcome; while Ballina mare 10. Limited who will also go back from a wide barrier and finish strong, and the improving 4. Golden Comet who parks right behind the speed from a low draw should both be included in all exotics.
How to play it: Back Vacate to win.
