9. Flying Shamus showed nice improvement from her first to second trials and there was something to like about how she finished off the latest to win at Hawkesbury. Drawn well and she might be a good each-way chance in an open race.
Dangers: 10. Wolf Queen went under as a $1.75 favourite on debut at Mudgee but it was a handy enough effort given it was a heavy track and she sat outside the lead only to be swamped late. Fitter for that and not to be underestimated. 8. Kingsley is a big watch with the switch to Sydney after two unplaced efforts in Victoria when in the market. Wouldn’t surprise if he improves sharply. 2. Dijon is on debut after a couple of trials and he certainly wasn’t asked for anything significant in the latest. Worth including in the chances.
How to play it: Flying Shamus E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 3:40PM SIDCON MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
7. Nickelback has shown more than enough in his trials to suggest he can take beating on debut, especially having come up with gate one. Wasn’t let go in the latest as he ran a close second and he can be expected to run well.
Dangers: 1. Barrichello is bursting to win a race with five placings and a fourth from six starts. Resumed at Canterbury and was run down on the line after hitting the lead inside the 100m. Sure to be in the finish somewhere. 2. Overlord has promised plenty but yet to really live up to it. Obviously had issues since his last run a year ago. Be guided by the market as he has the talent to be a player. 3. Destiny’s Bounty is trialling well enough to warrant including on debut. Comes into this off a 1050m trial and is another market watch.
How to play it: Nickelback WIN; Trifecta 7/1,2,3/1,2,3. Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 – 4:15PM GEORGE BRAND TERRIGAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Secretively comes off an easy heavy track at win at Kembla but he did it so easily in front and will likely be the one to take it up here. That win was off a two-month break so could only be fitter and can take catching.
Dangers: 3. Moralist was saved from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to run here and is the type that should always be considered in this sort of race. Battled on okay last time at Hawkesbury on a heavy track and was placed in a BM72 at the Farm three back. Has claims. 4. Da Nang Star wound up his first prep with a win over 1300m at Hawkesbury in August. Trialled twice and was beaten a length by Jamaea in the latest. Keep safe. 1. Rifles can be hit and miss but his best is more than good enough. Two runs last prep were fair and he’s a big market watch.
How to play it: Secretively WIN; Trifecta 2/1,3,4/1,3,4. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4:50PM SOUTH END SOCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
9. Lucky Banner can be unlucky given her racing pattern but she does have a big finish and a wide gate may not be so bad for her, especially if the pace goes on. She’s hitting the line hard in highways of late and is an each-way hope.
Dangers: 2. Crosscube has the best form coming into this race with placings here and at Warwick Farm behind some progressive types. Will press forward and look to be on speed again and if he gets any favours will be hard to beat. 5. Fiordland was a drifter in betting second-up in Australia and didn’t really fire but showed enough fresh to warrant another chance from a soft draw. 1. Sonic Tycoon finished close up when resuming at Hawkesbury then beat one home up to this trip at Warwick Farm. Back in class and if he’s going to strike some form he has the chance here.
How to play it: Lucky Banner E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Best bets:
Race 1 (4) Spaltet
Race 2 (3) Midori Beauty
Best value:
Race 7 (9) Lucky Banner
Tips and race-by-race preview for Gosford on Thursday
Source: Philippines Alive
