Good 4 and rail true so should fairly even for showcase meeting.
Race 1: BM 58 HCP (1700m)
Unlike most who have had a stack of starts, Scone mare 7. Settle Then Lift is still lightly raced and improving. Gave nothing else a chance from the front in a Class 1 at Narromine over the mile, and draws nicely to control the speed again.
Dangers: Canberra mare 8. Orithyia will appreciate this trip after working home in BM 58 at Queanbeyan last start. Dubbo gelding 1. California Fox took on Country C'ship qualifying company two runs back, and then failed in a BM 58 at Mudgee, but is better than that and draws a nice trailing barrier; while 10-year-old Narromine warrior 2. Wollartant has been mixing form and distances, but won two of his last three in weaker company.
How to play it: Settle Then Lift to win.
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Race 2: CL2 HCP (1400m)
Canberra mare 5. Boston Ivy looks very well placed from the inside draw. Had been looming to win before breaking through in dominant fashion at the Sapphire Coast, and can go on with it here over pet trip.
Dangers: Warwick Farm filly 3. Super Cyclone also looks primed over this distance. Charged home to run the smart Te Ata to a half-length in a BM 65 at Canberra before ridden forward to win a weaker race at Bathurst when well backed. Hawkesbury 3YO gelding 1. Brown Thomas improved to win a BM 58 at Orange last start, while Gulgong-trained 9. Rawson Crossing comes out of that same race and should be included in exotics.
How to play it: Boston Ivy to win and quinella 3 and 5.
Race 3: MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
Open race, but keen on Cowra filly 12. Brunela who is ready to break through in just her first prep. Has finished hard from off the speed in deeper maiden company at her last three, and while she'll drift back again, will get plenty of cover before launching late over a suitable distance.
Dangers: Narromine 3YO gelding 3. A Krupt Pick will either lead or park right behind the speed from the fence draw. Has run close seconds in his last two, and little step up in trip is a plus. Dubbo-trained 1. The Exchequer hit the line nicely behind Boston Ivy two back before an even effort in a decent maiden at Orange. Drawn to sit midfield and charge into the finish. Mudgee 6YO 2. The Naked Truth has had 15 attempts to break through, but form is better than it looks. Just missed as favourite two back at Tamworth before didn't finish off in a Class 1 at Narromine. Back in trip, but draws wide. Scone 3YO gelding 4. In Fiore produced a nice run on debut in heavy ground, but jumps sharply in trip.
How to play it: Brunela to win and trifecta 3-12/1-2-3-4-12.
Race 4: CL1 HCP (1100m)
Another tricky contest, with several chances. Like well-bred Warwick Farm filly 3. Korrawi to go one better second-up after flashing home behind the place-getters at Orange when well backed.
Dangers: Wyong filly 1. Buckin' Beauty wasn't far away when well backed resuming in a Class 2 at Hawkesbury, and only win so far was second-up but draws a nasty barrier. Mudgee-trained 10. Shesabitfoolish led but was run over by a smart one at Bathurst last start. Has early speed and will be in this for a long way. Both Gosford filly 5. Charmed Princess and Bathurst gelding 6. Narrow Neck Nelson have claims, but also are drawn off the track.
How to play it: Korrawi to win.
Race 5: BM 66 HCP (900m)
No time to loaf in a competitive short-course battle. Bathurst mare 4. Jetgirl resumes and looks hard to stop from the draw. Won two of her last three, including a strong BM 75 win at Dubbo when heavily backed. The one to beat.
Dangers: Scone filly 10. Norske Code resumes after an impressive first campaign winning second-up at Muswellbrook, and then won a Class 3 at home off a break, and has always been well in the market. From strong stable and will be hitting the line hard. Wyong 3YO 8. Gidgee Guy is something of a 900m specialist, just missing at Cessnock and Newcastle before a strong BM 58 win at Muswellbrook. Dubbo 5YO 9. Pip's Pick won two straight this prep in dominant fashion before just faltering in his last couple, but has tactical speed and will be right there from a middle gate. Wyong-trained 2. Rastafarian has closed well in stronger grade last couple, but again won't want to get too far off the pace. Big weight offset by rookie hoop's 3kg claim. Muswellbrook mare 6. Sister Joy has been OK in two runs back and will appreciate the speed on up front, but also has to overcome a wide barrier.
How to play it: Jetgirl to win and box trifecta 4-8-9-10.
Chocolatier wins the Bathurst Cup in March.Credit:Central Western Daily
Race 6: WELLINGTON CUP (1700m)
Randwick 4YO 4. Chocolatier is flying at the moment and only has to negate a tricky gate to be the one to beat. Won two of his last three including an easy win from the front in Bathurst Cup and looks really well treated at the weights.
Dangers: Warwick Farm 5YO 8. Vega has been right around the placings in last three charging home from off the speed and extra trip in his favour. Scone 6YO 2. Brazen looks suited here at the longer trip and much better draw after working home OK in the Muswellbrook Cup. Beat Dealmaker four runs back in town. Randwick-trained mare 3. Tinkermosa was outclassed and didn't handle the ground in a stronger BM 88 at Rosehill, but up in trip and back on top of the ground suits. Smart local gelding 7. Potent Force has had a let-up since a smart win at Mudgee and drops a lot in weight for this tougher test. Kempsey mare 5. Sarasota Bay has powered home to win her last two on the Mid North Coast, but this is much tougher.
How to play it: ChRead More – Source
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