Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s meeting at Armidale. Selections based on a heavy track.

3. Thunder Fox has been a revelation in recent weeks with a dominant maiden win on a heavy track then last weekend fought hard to win here over the same course. Stays down in the weights and will give a sight again.

Dangers: 2. Mr Severino improved second-up when fourth at Tamworth two weeks ago. Best form is around the mile so expect further improvement at this distance. 5. Razzle Dazzle was solid in the market at Tamworth second-up and ran on okay late beaten a couple of lengths. Also should be aided by the trip and stays under notice. 1. Calgary King next best, has been around the placings of late and chance to improve in this field

How to play it: Thunder Fox WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Thunder Fox wins at Armidale on September 10

2. Hombre Grande is an honest gelding who won nicely first-up before a solid effort on a heavy 10 at Tuncurry. Draws nicely here for what looks a very winnable race and he should be near his top now too. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Hyland Bay has a string of placings to his name and was well backed when third at Tamworth two weeks ago. No harder here and just needs luck from the barrier to be competitive. 4. Ponte Pietra got a long way back in a Benchmark 50 here last week and did a good job to finish a close third. A repeat of that would be good enough to place again. 7. Street Baby showed a return to form with a closing third at Grafton over 1700m. Still only one win in 27 starts so that’s a concern but otherwise has each-way claims.

How to play it: Hombre Grande WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hombre Grande win at Taree on August 26

8. Fiery Panz is getting close to a win with placings at Scone and Tamworth in succession. Was a beaten favourite last time but back to 1100m is a plus and with even luck from the barrier she has a good chance.

Dangers: 13. Milo Man has performed well in two of his last three starts and handled heavy at Grafton two weeks ago. Drawn well and has each-way claims. 12. Metal Bar is trialling nicely for a first-up run and this field has fallen away a bit which helps his cause. 3. Supreme Speed is a watch on debut, she's only had the one public trial and was beaten a few lengths but doesn't need to be a star to show up here.

How to play it: Fiery Panz WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Fiery Panz runs third at Tamworth on September 4

3. Hello Monday has been handy in two runs for the new stable and while she had her chance at Tamworth last start this also sets up quite well for her. Draws to race handy and should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Little Bit Yours has been thereabouts of late and this race looks to have less depth than her last couple of assignments. Each-way. 6. Slick Heels showed some improvement last time at Tuncurry, from a soft draw she might be able to break into the placings here. 2. Gundawarra had some support at odds when fourth here last week, perhaps the extra trip will help her.

How to play it: Hello Monday WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Hello Monday runs third at Tamworth on September 4

3. Eezee Boomer has shown glimpses and this suits better than last time at Scone where he drew wide and was never in it. Previous effort at Gilgandra was okay and from gate one won’t get a better chance to feature.

Dangers: 12. A Bit Bazarre started right in the market on debut at Tamworth and disappointed running last. Slight gear change and has struck a race lacking depth so might be worth another chance. 2. Cutandshut made his debut at Bingara in August and finished third in a seven horse field. Hard to line that up but has less convictions than most and could measure up. 9. Reacquaint also has a Bingara placing then never in it at Tamworth earlier this week. Does draw well and wouldn’t surprise if he shows something in this company.

How to play it: Eezee Boomer E/W ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Eezee Boomer runs fourth first-up at Gilgandra

1. Unpredicted resumed with a dominant all the way win at Muswellbrook and that should translate well here. Carries 2kg less after the 4kg claim and with any luck early could take catching.

Dangers: 4. Riccardo was safely held in third on a heavy track at Tamworth last time but is generally not too far away and handles the wet so has a show. 7. Diamonds Galore found winning form at Gilgandra a month ago with a strong on pace win. Could give a sight here. 8. Hasalake is locally trained and resumes since a failure here in June. Placed all three first-up attempts so may show up.

How to play it: Unpredicted WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Unpredicted wins at Muswellbrook on August 21

5. Timerox has a wide gate to contend with but will relish the extra distance after a sound return over 1000m. Scratchings help offset the gate to a degree and he can run well.

Dangers: 8. Ballybrack broke through for an all the way win here last week in a Benchmark 50. Up in class but still down in the weights and expect him to go forward again. Definite chance. 3. Deepstar was a beaten favourite in a small field at Quirindi two starts back then close up at Scone. Strong claims here. 1. Pyrmont has been racing consistently in easier races and has a chance to measure up to this level again.

How to play it: Timerox E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Timerox's first-up run at Muswellbrook on August 21

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s meeting at Armidale