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By Ray Hickson

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the $150,000 Evergreen Turf Central Districts Country Championships (1400m) at Orange on Friday.

1. Smart And Dapper (Brett Thompson, Gulgong): More than capable type who arrives here at the maximum number of starts and wins but faces his first test at 1400m. Surged late when a close second at Dubbo a few weeks ago and has since won a trial nicely on this track. There’s no doubt he’s good enough to be competitive, he’s been largely racing in open country sprint company, and it’s just whether he can run out the extra distance that’s the main concern.

2. Don Stefano (Dean Mirfin, Bathurst): More a staying type and he’s resuming having won over 2200m at Scone back in mid-December. His previous win was also at that trip. No public trials and a wide gate so that’ll see him go back and have to try to outsprint more established 1400m horses. It does look to be a big ask.

Nomorenightshift (Pic: Janian McMillan).

3. Nomorenightshift (Mack Griffith, Mudgee): Promising three-year-old with four wins from six starts and his only unplaced effort came in a Highway where he drew 15 of 15 and was never in it. Sat handy from a wide gate and was too good over 1280m at this track then a month between runs and just outpointed by Zarizatycoon at Hawkesbury at his first go at the trip. Drawn favourably, stable has won the last two editions of this race, and does look to have plenty of upside. Should be a major player.

4. Zarizatycoon (Gayna Williams, Bathurst): Another lightly raced horse with a strong record and he’s won his past two at the 1400m. Cruised home at Parkes when well placed then did a good job up on the speed to stave them off and beat Nomorenightshift at Hawkesbury. He’s slightly better off at the weights, by half a kilo, and he’s versatile enough to offset the slightly wide barrier. Raced here once and that was behind the same horse he beat last time and he did start favourite there. Commands plenty of respect.

5. Cheap Gas (Derek Piper, Mudgee): Settled well back and worked home okay at Dubbo third-up from a break though there were others who finished stronger late. Drops 5kg which should help him and drawing wide isn’t too much of a concern given he generally gets back. Unplaced at both runs over 1400m but has had a better grounding for the tip this time with three runs at 1300m leading in. Could run into the placings.

6. Chico Casino (Dean Mirfin, Bathurst): On pacer with a consistent record to date albeit in weaker company. Led all the way over 1200m on his home track two starts ago before leading and just run down late at Dubbo up 100m. He’s been to the trip a few times for two placings and placed both runs at this track. What’s in his favour is his racing pattern and he could give a sight.

7. Commando Jack (David Smith, Mudgee): Had his 20th race start when runner-up to Chico Casino at Bathurst a month ago and has since trialled okay on this track. He’s had two wins and both have come at the 1400m so that box is ticked and his racing pattern seems to be to get back so drawing out isn’t a disadvantage to him. His last win was in a Class 1 and last start a BM58 so he’s meeting stronger company here and will give them a start. Needs the breaks to go his way.

8. Eilrahc (Alison Smith, Orange): Local who has won one of his 20 starts and fair to say he’s not returned in the sort of form connections would have hoped going into this race. He has been runner-up at both 1400m attempts and at this track and he’s drawn okay. They are the positives but realistically he’ll need to improve quite a bit.

9. Light Infantry (Gayna Williams, Bathurst): Well bred gelding who is starting to come into his own with a breakthrough win at Wagga just over a week ago to break a string of narrow defeats. Was strong enough to the line last start and drops 3.5kg. The big plus for him is the inside barrier which will enable him to get a cosy run and some cover. If he gets out at the right time, which didn’t happen for him at his only 1400m attempt, he can be in the finish while acknowledging he’s up in class.

10. Marenaro (Dean Mirfin, Bathurst): More a middle distance type and he’s returning after contesting the Country Classic at Rosehill over 2000m back in November, where he ran a handy sixth. Did win a Highway at that track at 1500m on a soft 6 third-up in that preparation but he was trending up in distance. Probably needs a wet track to be a chance but he could run well fresh.

11. One More Thing (Alison Smith, Orange): Winner at this track back in October as favourite in a Class 1 before making a solid return finding one better late at Parkes. Shade disappointing last time conceding some ground at the finish at Dubbo in not an ideal lead up to this. Barrier is an issue here as he’ll likely go back but if they are running on there are worse $51 shots out there and he could be placed.

12. Redneck Rum (Peter Cornish, Orange): Throw at the stumps but he’s a local and you’ve got to be in it to win it. Had some support last time in a BM50 at this track but disappointed, his best recent effort was a third over this track and distance back in September where he was not far off Chico Casino. Wide barrier no help and he’ll likely be outclassed.

Scopics (Pic: Janian McMillan)

13. Scopics (Angus Stewart, Bathurst): If he brings his best form he’s a major threat. Ran fourth in this race two years ago at his fourth race start then promoted to third in 2024 when the winner was disqualified and to be fair this race doesn’t look as strong overall as either. He’s been campaigning in Sydney where he ran a big race fresh at Kensington then placed in a strong Highway at Randwick. Forgive his latest Highway where he started favourite and barrier one didn’t help him out. Since trialled and draws okay, he’s a definite contender.

14. Strategic Charge (Daniel Stanley, Wellington): Form since winning over this track and trip back in September has been on the ordinary side and he’s gone around at big odds in two runs back from a spell, both here. Made a little ground under 62.5kg in a BM50 last time and drops 6.5kg but he’s hard to make a case for given his beaten margins of late.

SPEED MAP: Chico Casino looks to own the lead and perhaps Redneck Rum has to push forward from the outside. Nomorenightshift gets a nice run outside Light Infantry while the likes of Smart And Dapper and Zarizatycoon have decisions to make from worse than the middle. It doesn't appear a fast race on paper but that may depend on what those drawn out want to do.

SELECTIONS:
3 NOMORENIGHTSHIFT
4 Zarizatycoon
13 Scopics
9 Light Infantry

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Country Championships meeting at Orange