Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

8. Despoina looks nicely placed to be in the finish after two starts around 1400m. Liked the way she closed off late at Sapphire Coast last week suggesting a mile will suit and imagine gate one will be a plus for her too. Go well.

Dangers: 2. Buff In Disguise broke into the placings for the first time at Scone on a heavy track, making his run down the outside fence. Fitter for two runs over the shorter trips and the extra ground is what he’s looking for. 13. Puja has the blinkers on now after running on into second over the Dubbo mile a couple of weeks ago. Has had a few chances but last couple suggest she’s in the mix. 14. So I See might appreciate a firmer track after punching around on wet ground of late. Effort two starts back on a soft 6 was solid and has each-way hopes. 5. Mr Eighty Eight has run eight seconds from 13 starts and had his chance at Gunnedah last time but warrants thought on his consistency.

How to play it: Despoina WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Despoina runs third at Sapphire Coast on July 24

5. Overdefence showed a bit of promise in two runs back in the spring and returns as a gelding with a couple of nice trials under his belt. Has raced on speed in his two starts, trying 1100m for the first time, and looks a good chance.

Dangers: 3. Jack’s All Magic hasn’t raced since debuting at Albury back in February last year as favourite where he ran on late into second. Quiet trial recently and draw awkwardly but pay to keep safe. 7. Yorker is consistent without winning, beaten favourite at Moree last time when the winner just peppered all the way. Drawn nicely and has to be considered one of the chances. 8. Clymene gave a sight at Narrandera two weeks ago when resuming. Wide gate an issue but can make her own luck on speed.

How to play it: Overdefence E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Overdefence runs second in a Wellington trial on July 18

7. Musical Affair had her chance in front at her first run for Mack Griffith but likely strips fitter here and has the blinkers going on. Expect she will roll forward onto the speed and doesn’t look far off a win at this level.

Dangers: 6. Money Not My God is a 19 start maiden but is very consistent and will also be up on the speed as he was when run down at Gilgandra a few weeks back. Will be around the mark. 11. Royal Affair was back sharply in distance at her first run for Clint Lundholm so prepared to forgive that. She will need to improve but the make up of this field suggests she can. 9. Flying Justice is another newcomer to the Lundholm stable having raced in provincial Queensland of late. Watch betting in a winnable race.

How to play it: Musical Affair WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Musical Affair runs second at Wellington on July 18

2. Possibly So is the logical choice here. Racing in top form and while a beaten favourite at Dubbo last time he tried hard and has the blinkers on to assist. Perhaps he can be a little closer from a good gate too.

Dangers: 12. Riders In The Stand made a promising return when placed at Gilgandra first-up and while getting up in trip quickly she’s much more comfortable at 1400m and a mile. Tends to improve second-up and has strong claims. 4. Osman has the blinkers back on. Shade disappointing last time at Gunnedah but was a nice winner at Coonamble before that and might be looking for the extra ground now. 3. Deel Street has the wide gate to contend with but she was strong late at Moree over a mile last start and is sure to be hitting the line again here.

How to play it: Possibly So WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Possibly So runs second at Dubbo on July 15

2. The Mediator looked the good at his second run from a six week break, taking control before the turn and racing clear at Cowra in a similar contest. Similar weight after the claim and he should be in the firing line for a long way.

Dangers: 11. Barry’s Lane found a bit of form fourth-up at Dubbo, trying hard after racing on speed. If he holds that form he’s a chance though wary he’s one from 22. 6. Howlowcanyougo struck form two starts back with a heavy 10 win at Gundagai before backing it up on a good track at Narrandera two weeks ago. Drawn well and no reason he won’t be competitive. 5. Deshawn has also raced into form lately backing up a Cowra win with a closing second, albeit as favourite, at Wellington over 1000m. Jumps in trip, which is the query, but worth including.

How to play it: The Mediator WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

The Mediator wins at Cowra on July 9

11. Moetta ran right up to some good support to score easily at Gilgandra and gets in nicely with just 52kg after the claim. Will put herself in the first few and while she’s yet to prove herself at the trip she’ll have a good chance to here.

Dangers: 2. Kattegat is smart on his day an relished a nice run in transit before proving too strong at Queanbeyan over 1000m a few weeks back. Has won here and this trip is ideal for him. Big weight but will be charging. 4. Zouologist is very consistent but doesn’t win out of turn so is an each-way prospect. Had a nice run at Tamworth before being run down by High Court a month ago. Sure to run well again. 8. Free State could be a sharp improver getting away from a heavy track after failing first-up at Goulburn. Easiest race he’s contested for a while so no surprise if he shows up.

How to play it: Moetta WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Moetta wins at Gilgandra on July 13

6. Wild Rocket has a great record at a mile and her effort at Wellington last start was excellent after making a long run from last. Much fitter for it too after a seven week gap and will be running on strongly. Good each-way chance.

Dangers: 5. Ready To Humble was beaten as an odds-on favourite in the Narrandera Cup but was taken on for the lead so to hold second was admirable. Honest and was racing well in metro company prior so has to be given another chance. 11. One Aye resumed with a super third behind the smart Frumos at Rosehill and only has to bring that form here to be right in the finish. Big threat. 1. Dynamic Impact is hit and miss as his record shows but didn’t seem to relish the heavy 10 last start so that can be forgiven. Chance to find some form here.

How to play it: Wild Rocket E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Wild Rocket runs second at Wellington on July 18

10. Hauteur is a big watch at her first run for Matt Dale and she’s not been seen publicly either since her placing in February in Victoria. Gate one and blinkers off, if there’s support for her she could be the one.

Dangers: 11. Coopella was a drifter in betting when resuming with a sound third at Dubbo after racing wide. Will be much better for that and drawing better should be in her favour. Hard to beat. 2. Extravagent Lad placed at Kensington at big odds two starts back then led and was run down late when runner-up at Narrandera two weeks back. Honest and will be competitive here. 9. Eliseo comes through the same race as Coopella where he finished a game second. That was a return to form and he could go on with it.

How to play it: Hauteur WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

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