Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
3. St Gotthard finds a good set-up to run well on debut after a couple of nice trials. He’s a $2.7m colt that has drawn nicely and jockey booking is significant given the stable runners. Full brother to Switzerland. 6. Whitehall was no cheapie either, costing $1.8m being out of a half-sister to Winx. Merit in both his lead-up trials with the latest of those just last Friday. 8. Peyton drew wide and had to go back at Kensington a few weeks ago, and while he’d had enough on the line, he ran well to finish in third. Firmer track may suit.
How to play it: St Gotthard to win.
Race 2
1. Bangkok Hottie wasn’t fancied on debut in the Kindergarten, but she hit the line nicely from back in the field to finish fifth. Back in class and has drawn kinder, so expect she’ll be closer in the run and the extra 100m will be a plus. 3. Capital Illusion cost only $45,000 and she comes into this after an impressive trial win at Rosehill two weeks ago. Always respect the stable’s youngsters and she can be competitive. 6. Victorious Ruler held her ground to run third at Kensington on a day you needed to be up on the rail. Jumps from the inside and open to some improvement.
How to play it: Bangkok Hottie to win.
Race 3
6. Eynesbury has the outside but a big opportunity to go forward and get into the race. Excellent from well back at Rosehill on Easter Monday, where it was hard to make ground from where she wasback and wide. Big chance if she gets the right run. 2. Above The Law looks the leader from his wide gate and is ready for the step up to the mile after placings in two runs at 1300m this time in. Sure to give a good account. 4. Love ‘N’ Glory went around a $71 chance at his debut at Bendigo and ran on strongly from well back to get into a close second. Hard to line up him but shapes as though the trip will suit.
How to play it: Eynesbury each way.
Race 4
6. De Louviere found himself in an awkward spot on the turn in a similar race two weeks ago and was far from disgraced running into this. Gets a smaller field, extra 200m so expect him to be hard to beat. 2. Stylebender won that race and the way he’s racing presently he can’t be left out of anything. Rises 2kg on that win but does run the trip out strong and is in career best form. 1. Casual Connection found the lead third-up and showed improvement when boxing on for second at Kensington three weeks ago. Jumps to the 2400m but in the small field might get some control.
How to play it: De Louviere to win.
Race 5
5. Bryant doesn’t often get the softest of runs but is sure to get a back to follow this time in a race with a bit of speed on here. Not suited here two weeks ago when up close and wide. Good each-way chance at least. 11. Sanctified has won once in 11 starts but the form around him last preparation looks pretty handy, with a placing behind Plaintiff. Can run well fresh. 7. Ready To Shine got the run through to finish second two weeks ago in a similar race and he’s a chance if he can hold that form.
How to play it: Bryant each way.
Race 6
5. Surf’s Up found herself back in a small field in a race that she wasn’t able to get into at all. Happy to forgive that, she was favourite there, and back on top of the ground she’s a big chance to bounce back to her best. 2. Rantan has another shot at 1200m and might be ready for it now from a soft gate. Drew the outside and went right back before storming into fourth late over 1000m two weeks ago. 10. Hellabella pounced on the lead and held them off at Rosehill second-up on a day where it was handy to be up on speed and close to the fence.
How to play it: Surf’s Up to win.
Race 7
3. Miss Freelove is a smart filly resuming since a solid win at the Gold Coast in a good form race. Latest trial was strong and she will likely settle midfield or worse and look to be hitting the line hard. Sure to be competitive. 6. Crepe Myrtle has done nothing wrong in four starts for Joe Pride for two wins and two seconds. Wouldn’t expect her to do anything but run well fresh. 4. Golden Straand won twice in October, including once at this track, and is ready to run well fresh after a handy trial effort behind Lady Of Camelot last Friday.
How to play it: Miss Freelove to win.
Race 8
2. Montpellier looks close to a win after two excellent runs from a break over shorter trips. Just outsprinted at the end of 1400m last time, but the mile suits now and he should get a perfect run in behind them. 9. Hereward resumes at a mile, which is interesting as his best form last time in was around this trip and he kicked off that prep over 1200m. Drawn well and on his best he’s a contender. 11. Strawberry Impact doesn’t know how to run a bad race and was excellent when resuming in a Provincial-Midway Champs heat running third at Kembla almost a month ago.
How to play it: Montpellier to win.
Best bets
Race 4: (6) De Louviere
Race 8: (2) Montpellier
Best value
Race 3: (6) Eynesbury
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au
