Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 5 and rail True:

We start over the mile, and it's at the mercy of progressive two-year-old 9. Tapa Kick at his fourth start. Has gone under narrowly each outing so far in deeper races, including a nose defeat only 11 days ago. From a soft draw with winkers replacing blinkers, he looks a good thing.

Dangers: Improving 6. Reacquaint peaks fourth-up over more ground after finishing off okay from well back in his last two, and can run the exacta. Lightly raced 3. Church Town gets his chance second-up. Was well backed resuming before failing to run home, but this is weaker. Include in all exotics 7. Sunglare second-up off a seven week freshen-up.

How to play it: Tapa Kick to win and quinella 6 and 9
Odds and Evens: Split

Modest affair here augurs well for improving two-year-old 9. M'lady's Luck who can hit a peak here at her third start. Was outsped in the feature Silver Goblet on debut before holding her ground okay in a race with more depth.

Dangers: Liked the way 12. White Arendelle hit the line from well back on debut in a deeper maiden. Watch the market with debutant filly 2. Lady Maton behind two progressive 1000m trials; while 6. Graceful Force steps up sharply in trip second-up.

How to play it: M'lady's Luck to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky affair, but keen to back Exosphere four-year-old 1. Darkley on debut as a gelding behind two forward 1000m trials, working home strongly under a decent hold in the latest. Draws well, and was scratched from a better maiden at Dubbo on Monday to be saved for this.

Dangers: Debutant Rubick colt 6. Evasive Nature has also trialled well, and is the clear threat; while including 9. Dubai Bound fourth-up if you're playing the exotics.

How to play it: Darkley to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Like the map placement here for 6. Forbidden Gemstone third-up in her second prep. Was ridden quieter in a deeper CL1 only 11 days ago before finding the line well, and from a softer draw here, she can park a little closer in the run and produce a superior final 300m burst.

Dangers: The little drop back in trip and class will help 2. Chiky Chiky Mama who is hard fit now, but still faces early pressure to get over from a wide draw. Expect fourth-up improvement from 1. Sippity Sip coming back from provincial level fourth-up, with blinkers being added. Include both lightly raced 4. Mystic Isle back from a provincial CL1; and 7. Quick As A Flash also fourth-up; in trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: Forbidden Gemstone to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Lightly raced Dubbo six-year-old 1. Castlebar Road is a tough sprinter who is ready to win fourth-up staying at the distance. Stuck on strong last time at home after doing plenty of work from a wide barrier, and there's a bit less depth in this. Given his tactical speed, with the big weight again being off-set by a 3kg claim, he can push forward from a better draw, and be very strong at both ends.

Dangers: Naturally 2. Toomuchinformation is far better served here back from tougher Highway opposition. That came off a month-long break after he won two from three up to CL2 level. Watch for any money aboard resuming filly 3. All Creeds who will come to hand quickly; while progressive 4. Jackky Dee finished strong to claim a BM 58 three weeks ago, but up 2kg here from a tougher draw. Include hard fit mare 6. The Affirmative in wider exotics.

How to play it: Castlebar Road to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Plenty of chances in the feature race, but the bottom saddlecloth, five-year-old 13. Norman is terrific value deep into the prep on an eight day back-up, and dropping sharply in weight. Made up late ground in BM 79 grade two runs ago before charging home from further back in a deep CL3 at Muswellbrook. Drops 3kg for this, and draws to get plenty of cover around midfield.

Dangers: Must keep safe 3. Knife's Edge who resumed with a powerful finishing effort in BM 85 company, although normally comes off a peg second-up. No doubt 2. Eiger can give this a shake second-up with a key jockey change after doing it tough in a provincial BM 64 lineup. Deep into the prep, 4. Rich And Shameless has been campaigning well enough in deeper fields over the mile. Looks fairly treated under 58kg, but a drop in trip around a tighter circuit does him few favours. Include in exotics, 5. Red Beryl who won the Gulgong Cup two starts back; and 7. Kateru who drops back from a tougher race.

How to play it: Norman each way
Odds and Evens: Split

Tough and wide contest over the mile to finish. Like 5. Oh No Bro to make it two straight this prep, despite drawing very wide. Rattled home from last to beat similar company when off a four week break, and while he will be forced a long way back from the draw, there should be enough pressure up front for him to blend into the race from the half mile and finish like a train.

Dangers: Similarly shooting for two straight wins off a break, 8. Subuki is also capable of settling back and hitting the line over this trip. Watch for 1. Cherry Blue to finish hard as well, with a 3kg allowance offsetting the big weight. Has placed in his last three, and thrives in a big field where he can settle back and produce a big final burst. Honest 11. Hot Wok is one that will roll forward, coming off a much deserved maiden win over this journey, and hasn't missed a place in his last four. Include in wider exotics 2. Careering Away fourth-up; and 4. Bill Peyto over his pet distance.

How to play it: Oh No Bro to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R5 1. CASTLEBAR ROAD
R7 5. OH NO BRO

BEST VALUE:
R4 6. FORBIDDEN GEMSTONE

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Gunnedah meeting