Race-by-race preview and tips for Tamworth on Friday
Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True.
RACE 1
6. Pear Bellini is an honest and still improving mare who can open her account deep into the current campaign, despite drawing wide. Placed in four of her last five, the latest struggling late in very heavy ground as a short-priced favourite. Much better off drawn wider and back on firm footing. 10. Varius is a provincial-based filly knocking on the door at her fourth start, and will likely jump clear favourite. Boxed on well from on speed in a handy maiden last start, and the jockey is striking at 25 per cent over the last month. 8. Show Us Ya Texts is also gradually working towards a breakthrough win having finished just behind the placegetters in four consecutive runs this prep. 2. Burn Bobby Burn fifth-up, and 5. Vega Sicilia coming back in distance third-up, head the rest.
How to play it: Pear Bellini to win
RACE 2
7. Meddlesome is a reliable home-track mare who has spent much of her career in the place stalls when hard in the market, with just one win from 14 starts. Again drawn to roll forward to her customary on-speed position over more ground, and significantly a much stronger and more experienced jockey takes over. 2. Ole Miss is a progressive filly, and the immediate threat fourth-up in her first full prep, with blinkers going on. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Big Short who is also very fit, and drawn to get a sound run near the speed, while 5. Arrabbiata who is trained on the course can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Meddlesome to win
RACE 3
Hard not to see debutant three-year-old 4. Rock Emperor starting with a bang here after an impressive trial win at Scone where he clocked one of the quicker times for 900m. From a strong country stable, and sporting blinkers he’s the one to beat. 5. Apparently is an improving mare drawn inside and resuming off two trials. 6. Bundoran has placed in two of her last three, gear changes are in play, and is back in trip 18 days between runs. 8. Sanbina is a locally trained mare by Puissance de Lune, and a betting watch on debut with no official trials on show. Gap to the rest headed by 10. Putinacall, a two-year-old by Russian Revolution on debut from a wide draw behind two improving trials.
How to play it: Rock Emperor to win
RACE 4
2. Nearest is by hot sire The Autumn Sun, and can make an instant impact on debut. Won the second of two trials in strong fashion, gear changes have been made, and this shapes as an ideal starting point. 4. Extremely Perfect is trained on the track, and shapes over the odds from the inside draw second-up. 1. Jimmy Go can run into the minor money at big odds on debut behind a quiet trial, while 9. Bubbles Please is a sharp second-up improver with blinkers added, and an each-way chance.
How to play it: Nearest to win
RACE 5
6. Regal Problem is a progressive filly, and well-placed to score an overdue third win at just her 10th start, despite coming back in distance. This is the weakest class she’s tackled all year, and is drawn to get a handy trail. Big watch on home tracker 2. Dub who capped last prep by winning two straight, and resumes from a handy enough draw. 5. Mirai San is in the hunt as well from a soft draw, and rising to a more suitable distance. Keep safe locally trained 4. Enniroc, who took on tougher fields last spring and is unbeaten from two starts second-up. 3. Zoucratic, drawn the inside second-up, and 12. Craig’s One down in weight third-up, are both capable of finishing in the minor money.
How to play it: Regal Problem to win
RACE 6
1. Gentileschi is a tough and fit mare who will relish coming back from steeper metropolitan races, and blinkers are back on. Will likely slide well back from a wide draw, but capable of reeling off superior closing sectionals. 7. Visualise continues racing in the best form of his career, with three wins on the bounce, the latest sweeping home to win a lesser grade at Armidale. Drawn to settle back and hit the line again, but this is a decent step up in quality and depth. 2. King Kikau is a wider exotic candidate from the inside draw, while 5. Fulmen Filou has won three of his last four, but is also rising significantly in grade. Gold Coast visitor 4. Tajawal is another worthy addition to trifecta and first four plays deep into his campaign.
How to play it: Gentileschi to win
RACE 7
3. Rajnish represents terrific second-up value in the Cup Prelude, rising in trip from a softer draw. Made late ground in a strong feature sprint when having his first outing since mid-October, and is drawn to get plenty of cover off speed. Well over the odds. 7. Hulu is a stablemate of the top selection progressing through that same Muswellbrook formline. 11. Laizabout has more than enough ability fourth-up, but under the odds from a tricky draw. 10. Dale is a market watch resuming from a low draw behind two trials. 2. Auzstar is a place chance, with a 3kg claim, while 5. Supreme Command can also figure in the minor money fourth-up.
How to play it: Rajnish to win
RACE 8
8. Brighella has been working home OK in better races since a dominant win here in a weaker grade 10 weeks ago. Hard fit and drawn to get the right run over his pet distance. 5. Nirmata is a lightly raced local who has to tuck in from a wide draw, but can race very well fresh. Home tracker 10. Reprisal resumes from the inside draw, with blinkers off. 1. Master Gee, also trained on the course and dropping in grade, and 4. Iknowyou back in class from a Country Championship Preview, are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Brighella to win
BEST BETS: R3 4. ROCK EMPEROR
R5 6. REGAL PROBLEM
BEST VALUE: R2 7. MEDDLESOME
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Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au