Neil Evans
Track soft 6 and rail true.
Race 1
1. Devilish Sun is lightly raced and progressive, resuming for only his third start. Did his best work late on debut late last year before an even better effort at Dubbo when he charged home late to beat all but the winner as favourite. Fresh again now and, despite not having officially trialled, finds a race with less depth. 10. Supido Star is an improving filly and a big threat second-up coming through a deeper race. The more the track dries out the better placed she is. 6. Flying Molly was beaten under two lengths in that same race as the former when resuming. 2. Jack The Boss fourth-up and 3. Ruairi, which drew the fence third-up, are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Devilish Sun to win.
Race 2
10. Russian Words is a sparingly raced and still improving filly that finally gets out to the right trip fourth-up. Worked home fairly in consecutive runs against deeper provincial opposition before coming off a month-long break to do her best work late in a maiden here a fortnight ago. Bursting for this trip and she can produce a superior closing surge. 1. Little Duke is by a renowned speed sire and on debut behind two progressive trials, the latest at this track. 4. Vendor is first-up since spring for a leading country stable off a quiet trial, while 2. Mr Cornstar can peak third-up over further and comes through that same formline as the top selection.
How to play it: Russian Words to win.
Race 3
2. Erniegy is a progressive and consistent three-year-old that reloads 23 days between runs after missing a start at the abandoned Gunnedah meeting. Has beaten all but the winner in three runs this first prep. Drawn to get the right trail and only needs a clear shot at them over the final 400m. Well over the odds. 5. Microgravity will likely jump favourite after running home strongly on debut at big odds behind a smart winner. 3. Fortheo is drawn wide, but honest and very fit after four runs this campaign. 8. Prima Vecchio is a big market watch on debut for a strong country stable. Fitted with two soft trials, and was scratched from Sunday’s Mudgee meeting to run here. 7. Northfire improved sharply on this track at his second start and can fill the minor money.
How to play it: Erniegy to win.
Race 4
1. Canamble is a sparingly raced provincial mare that will relish a drop in grade third-up on a five-week turnaround and represents terrific value. Failed to hit the line in deeper provincial company in mid-March before driving late to only go under by a half-length in a BM 66 at Mudgee. Suited to this smaller course with her tactical speed and she gets right back in at the weights after the junior rider’s 4kg claim. 3. Denman Bandit is well placed after a dominant Class 1 win at Wellington when reloading off a let-up. 4. Iknowyou is ready to peak with some give out of the track. 6. Golden Vader stuck on well into a place third-up at this track. 7. Magnolia Jewel, back in class third-up, and 8. Cool Space, resuming off a lengthy spell, can both add plenty of value into exotic plays.
How to play it: Canamble to win.
Race 5
6. Whittello Sun is a lightly raced and improving three-year-old that can claim a wide and tough race fourth-up. Hit the line late over too short a trip at Scone fresh before sweeping home from midfield to land his maiden at Muswellbrook over 1280m. Then again did his best work late in a Class 1 when he stepped up in distance 17 days ago. Ready for this journey now and well treated at the weights after the jockey’s claim. 3. Mrs Bull is as genuine as they come, having placed in three of her last four, and can give another big sight from a handy draw on an eight-day back-up. 2. Jason Darren is also hard fit, and will try to slide across from a wide draw and control the race. 7. Rainbow Blessing will appreciate the extra furlong third-up. 1. Zou Big Boy, returning off a let-up, and 5. The Great Armada, back in grade fourth-up, head the rest.
How to play it: Whittello Sun to win.
Race 6
4. King Larry is a sparingly raced five-year-old that can peak fourth-up over a furlong further off a six-week freshen in another very open affair. Ran home well in the tougher Skellatar Sprint at Muswellbrook before not far away in the feature Lone Pine there after settling closer. Steps up in distance at the right time and draws to find a handy trail. 2. Shadow Dane can run a big race fresh for a leading Dubbo stable after tackling deeper races last prep. 13. Irish Jig is another big market watch first-up off a soft trial. 6. He’s My Warrior has won two straight to launch this campaign, but under the odds here from a wide draw in a race with far more depth. 11. Vierville comes off a third-up win and draws to get a soft run on speed.
How to play it: King Larry to win.
Race 7
6. Farnicful is a lightly raced provincial filly that finally steps up from the 1000m dash and is well placed to make it two wins from her last four at big odds. Let down nicely to claim her maiden three starts ago before working home in a deeper Class 1. Then again did her best work late when not suited on an ordinary Gosford surface, but that form reads well for this, despite drawing wide. 2. Dingle Grey is an emerging provincial filly with plenty of ability that bolted in fresh at Wyong before failing on Anzac Day at Gosford. 7. Indi Springs is also lightly raced, and thrashed a weak maiden field as a hot favourite when resuming. 1. Imperial State returned off a long break with a solid run here a fortnight ago, while 9. Jamacri has beaten all but the winner in two runs back from a spell, although this is tougher. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Farnciful each way.
Best bets
Race 1: (1) Devilish Sun
Race 2: (10) Russian Words
Best value
Race 3: (2) Erniegy
