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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s ATC meeting at Wyong. The track is rated Good and the rail is out 3m.

Looks a very tough meeting as a whole and the opening event is a classic example. The market tells you it’s a wide open race. I think there’s a win in 7. Sasuba shortly and the two big pluses for her are the step to the mile and the blinkers on. The shades are something the Waller stable has used with a lot of success lately. Both her runs back have been at 1300m at Hawkesbury and she’s closed off well late. Inside gate, blinkers, mile – I can see her settling that little bit closer, more in her comfort zone, and take holding out.

Dangers: 4. Moonmo was first-up in the same race as Sasuba and raced about midfield before knuckling down in the last 200m and closing off to be beaten half a length. Sure to be fitter for that run and every indication that the mile will suit her. Definite threat. 3. Zeppelin is bursting to win a race but keeps bumping into one better lately. Hasn’t led in his last couple but has stuck on well but being an on-pacer around Wyong he will have his chance to be in the finish again. 1. Plagiarist is another from the Waller yard with blinkers first time. He finished alongside Higher Ground at Randwick on debut and that horse won at his next start in the shades. He may have to give away a start here which is a small concern but can’t leave him out.

How to play it: Sasuba E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Sasuba runs on for fifth at Hawkesbury, with Moonmo second – November 15

Another wide open maiden as the market illustrates and I couldn’t find a lot of speed especially with the scratching of the Waterhouse/Bott runner. 1. African Academy sat third at Gosford at his second start, back in distance on his debut, and found the line strongly late to finish second. Back to 1350m suits and I’d love to see him slide across onto the speed. With even luck in running he looks a strong chance to go one better.

Dangers: 2. Almighty Crown made a handy enough debut then disappointed me a bit at Canterbury second-up with blinkers on first time. He stuck on okay but didn’t make any significant ground. Suspect he is wanting more ground and gets some here so can’t overlook him. 8. Miss Shanti kicked off at 1400m at Newcastle and flashed home late into a an eye-catching second. Coming back 50m doesn’t look to be a plus, especially if the pace is only moderate, but she’s showing promise and is worth keeping an eye on. 7. Impulsive ran an even race on debut when a bit of a drifter in betting. Open to improvement.

How to play it: African Academy E/W ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

African Academy finishes strongly late for second at Gosford – November 14

I’ll be surprised if there’s isn’t a genuine tempo on here with Gracefully and Lucy Rose vying for the front. With that in mind 4. Valeria appears well placed to run over the top of them now she’s finally out to 1200m. She proved too good over the scamper at Newcastle on debut but last time at Gosford found herself back near last and in traffic before winding up when the race was all over. A bit of cover would be nice but I’m expecting the field to break up a little here and she should have her chance.
Punters Intel: Valeria ran her last two 200m splits in 11.16 and 11.42, both easily the fastest of the race.

Dangers: 2. Tiki Bar sat on the speed and proved a bit too strong at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. (Some of that form will be tested out in the opening race.) She looked a little unimpressive on face value but Tye Angland did say afterwards that she may have felt the firm track. Won’t be as firm here and from the cosy draw she’ll be hard to beat. 1. Lucy Rose is a very interesting runner and if Joe Cleary is right she will be leading this field. (Read that story here). The Wellington Boot winner hasn’t been tried beyond the 1100m of that race but was too quick on her home track over 900m second-up. Hard to line up but won four from six and could give a sight. I suspect if 6. Gracefilly holds the lead they’ll really be burning so there might need to be a Plan B to use the inside alley. She did it well on debut when a firming favourite and has to be included.

How to play it: Valeria WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds).

Valeria’s last start second at Gosford – November 14

4. Mollyfied looks to have found a nice race here after bumping into Noire, who is Saturday grade any day of the week, last time out. She didn’t have the best of runs after having to work from the outside gate for most of the way but she hit the lead stylishly 300m out only to be bloused in the last 100m. Won’t be too far off the speed here, which doesn’t look to be overly intense, and will be the one they have to gun down.

Dangers: 3. Hillary Step is racing so well at the moment but she is having no luck at all with wide barriers. Split Zonk and Eccellare three starts back the hit the line well behind Lady Dane and Pecans at Canterbury. Stuck to her guns very well at Rosehill in the race won by Bon Amis last time only beaten two lengths. If she gets any favours here she can cause an upset. 6. Cymbalism found the line a bit better second-up at Hawkesbury and I’d suggest if she doesn’t show further improvement here to be around the placings she’ll be hard to make a case for going forward. She did win third-up in her first prep so there’s some hope. 1. Live To Dream is a bit hard to read on her two trials where she’s been safely held but not overly pushed. Only failed the once and that was out to 1800m before a spell. Considering her rating she’s not badly in after the claim and has to be kept very safe.

How to play it: Mollyfied WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Mollyfied’s game second to Noire at Canterbury – November 17

Big market watch here on 5. Geneteau first-up off only a two start winter campaign where the first was a complete forgive at Listed level and the other an even fourth on a heavy 10. Both trials have been excellent, the first behind Redouble where she sat wide and stayed on well, and the second a very easy win at Kembla Grange where she raced right away late. She’s only won one from 12 but has been quite honest and I’d expect a big fresh run from here but would like to see her solid in the betting to have that confidence.

Dangers: 1. Difficult To Get is a model of consistency and enjoyed a very successful late autumn/winter campaign including a win here and at Warwick Farm and closed it off with a close second to Clear The Beach at Rosehill. Trialled quite well on the Beaumont track but my main concern is where she gets to from the outside gate and whether she can round them up. If she’d drawn better I’d have a big debate on my hands. Threat. 2. Fanning has been thereabouts in four runs this time in but is just lacking that little something at the finish. Led them last time at Canterbury and will probably land on the speed again here. Has to go in as he’s good enough if everything falls into place. 6. Art’s Got A Gun scooted around Kempsey after drawing the outside for an easy first-up win. Second-up form isn’t overly flash but drops 6kg and if ridden the same way could give a sight.

How to play it: Geneteau WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds); save on Difficult To Get ($3.50).

Geneteau’s easy Kembla Grange trial win – November 17

I find it tough to go past 4. Wallangarra who is a very progressive stayer coming through the grades in great style. Wyong might not be his track but the plus is gate two will mean he’s afforded a fairly cosy run in the early stages. So long as he can be out and moving at the right time he’s going to take some beating. Case in point is his Hawkesbury win last start, where he took about 100m to wind up once he’d got to the outside but had them covered in another 100m before racing clear. Still in well at the weights and there’s no reason he can’t win again.
Punters Intel: Wallangarra covered an extra 10m in winning at Hawkesbury and ran a slick 12.11 for the last 200m in the 2000m event.

Dangers: 8. Smooth Whiskey was ridden upside down at Randwick last time and I’d be very surprised if he’s asked to lead here. Previous start he just failed to catch Our Belisa in a very tight finish and that form has been strong. Up in trip but only win came at this track and he’s capable of sharp improvement. 1. Coys will have to push forward from the outside alley but was probably going to lead anyway. Had good support and gave a big sight when runner-up at Canterbury at the last night meeting and won here over a mile back in September. Big weight, wide gate but will give it a shot. 5. Moqueen attacked the line fairly well third-up in the same race as Coys suggesting she might be close to finding her form. Each-way chance.

How to play it: Wallangarra WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Wallangarra’s easy win at Hawkesbury – November 15

The form around 3. Victime De L’Amour reads pretty well for what is effectively a BM68 at midweek level. Led and run down by Wallangarra two starts back then again led at Rosehill earlier this month before weakening late to be beaten three lengths by Carzoff and Lord Kingsley (since won). Back to a mile around Wyong and will either hold the lead or hand up to San Pablo if that horse wants it badly enough. Very good chance if he can get the kind of run it appears he will.

Dangers: 8. Korodon worries me a little second-up after a very nice return at Kembla Grange where there is no doubt he should have finished closer. Held up at a vital stage before stretching out late to claim third and the mile will suit. Keep safe. 9. High Point might be a bit under the odds coming out of a maiden win as a $1.30 favourite. He did it well enough and hasn’t done anything wrong to date but faces a sharp enough class rise from a tricky gate. Could win but I’d not be going one out in the quaddie with him. 5. Spinning Gold is a consistent performer, dominant winner in lesser grade two starts back, and has each-way claims on his home track.

How to play it: Victime De L’Amour E/W ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Victime De L’Amour’s last start effort at Rosehill – November 4

All the fields, form and replays for the ATC meeting at Wyong on Wednesday