Race-by-race guide and tips for Taree on Monday

By Deputy Chief EditorDecember 2, 2018

161 4 minutes read

Track rated Good 4, with the Rail out 3m, so early even pattern should slowly trend towards the outside

Race 1 C, G & E MAIDEN HCP (1000m)

Lower-grade race, but time for Wyong-trained 3. Destiny's Choice to break through at 14th career start! Good closing effort at Newcastle before just missing at Muswellbrook when well backed. Sits right behind the speed and pounces late.Dangers: Doubt there are any; but 2. Bullseye Score was good first-up, and 4. Military Bay is first-up for a smart stable at big odds and should be stronger this time around.

How to play it: Destiny's Choice to win

A good track is expected for Monday's seven-race card at Taree.

Race 2 F & M MAIDEN HCP (1000m)

Tricky affair, although like the way Newcastle filly 1. Magnolia Power found the line at Hawkesbury, then freshened up via a home track trial win. Looks ready to strike with leading rider aboard.Dangers: Scone filly 4. On Time trialled nicely at home & wasn't pushed out; while Wyong filly 5. Wow Wow Capow has taken a long time to debut after mixed trial form in town, but is a big watch from the inside draw.

How to play it: Magnolia Power to win

Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

More open form race at set weights, but like Muswellbrook filly 10. Go Lassie Go stepping up to the mile third-up. Has worked home nicely at her first two runs at Quirindi and can peak here from a cosy trailing draw.Dangers: Any number, but well-bred Newcastle filly 12. Wild Sheila looks a threat third-up off two solid closing efforts to start her career. Stablemate 6. Saganaki got home okay from well off the speed in a decent Scone maiden and will improve over this trip second-up.

How to play it: Go Lassie Go each-way and quinella 10 and 12

Race 4 CL1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000m)

I'm the first to admit Gosford-trained 3. Magic Name has been costly, looming to win over shorter trips, but just not savaging the line. But hard fit and getting to 2000m is the signal to stick. Must be ridden cold, but the value is there.Dangers: Still a maiden, but Gosford-trained 9. Front View has more ability than most and hit the line nicely at Hawkesbury last start over a similar trip. Kulnara 4YO 1. Cajetan despite a sharp rise in trip second-up is a threat. Finished nicely from well back resuming at Muswellbrook and gets plenty of cover from a good draw; while look for improvement from both Newcastle-trained 11. Bedivere who is weighted okay and will appreciate the rise in distance; and 12. Gannett Peak who hit the line nicely first-up at Muswellbrook.

How to play it: Magic Name to win; quinella 3 and 9; and box first four 1-3-9-11-12

Race 5 BM 58 HCP (1250m)

Open affair, with most mixing form for fun, but local mare 7. Port Gold looks well placed after cruising home to win a restricted low-grade BM 50 last start. This isn't much stronger and rider's 2kg claim a plus.Dangers: Port Macquarie mare 4. Giddyup failed over a longer trip last start, but previous two were good from back in the field, and gets a nice draw. Inverell mare 10. Ruby Two Shoes continues finding the line from well back without winning; while 8YO Kempsey mare 12. Piccolo Miss finds it hard to win, but has attacked the line in her last two, and is capable of being in the thick of the money. Kempsey mare 2. Dashing Savanna has trialled and drawn well for her first run for more than six months.

How to play it: Port Gold each-way

Race 6 C, G & E BM 58 HCP (1250m)

More quality and depth here, and keen on Wyong-trained 2. Zioptimus from the good draw, and with a claim. Put two wins together in dominant fashion before charging home just behind the place-getters at Grafton. Hard fit and maps a treat.Dangers: Hawkesbury-trained 3. Good Verdict is consistently around the money sweeping home to just miss at Bathurst and Orange, and again will look to settle off the speed and finish strong. Newcastle 3YO 4. Charlie's Law from the leading stable has natural speed and broke through last start at Port Macquarie, although wide barrier a concern; while locally-trained 1. Tiger's Image has plenty of ability competing in a Rosehill Highway last start when specked in the market, but also has a wide gate and plenty of weight to overcome.

How to play it: Zioptimus to win and box trifecta 1-2-3-4

Race 7 BM 66 HCP (1000m)

Like 5YO local mare 3. Valbeata at the big value first-up for more than six months. Has a good fresh record, and drawn to get the right run parking midfield, and surging late.Dangers: Newcastle filly 8. Silver Melody was good first-up and gets a soft run from the fence draw. Coffs Harbour mare 2. Southern Flight has enough quality. Won a BM 74 this track two starts back before an ordinary run in tougher company at Doomben, but back in the right grade is way over the odds. Port Macquarie-trained 1. Golden Comet has improved quickly to win his last two, but this race has a little more depth; while Kempsey-trained 5. Mister McIlroy was very consistent last prep winning twice at Goulburn and fresh record is solid. Include Muswellbrook-trained 6. Buddy Honest in wider exotics.

How to play it: Valbeata each-way and box first four 1-2-3-5-8