Latest News

By Jack Webster

Tips and race by race preview by Jack Webster for Saturday’s Kembla Grange meeting. Selections based on a good track.

1. Dumebi showed signs of improvement with a decent effort, finishing third behind Beauty Edge at Newcastle last start. He draws a better barrier here and will look to improve further off the back of his last run.

Dangers: 2. Beauty Edge has his third run here after a solid debut effort at Canterbury and a commanding second-up run at Newcastle, where he finished strongly to secure second place. Fitter third up here, racing again at his preferred distance, and an improving track are all ideal for him. Key player. 3. Imperial State presents here off the back of some impressive trials in preparation for his debut. The 3-year-old draws barrier one and can strike on debut. 4. Magic Leprechaun faded in the closing stages last start. Fitter third up here and could show improvement.

How to play it: Dumebi WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

10. Thaibeefsalade looked close to securing a victory last campaign but fell short. She set the tempo with an early lead in her last start over 1300m but was outpaced in the closing moments, finishing as the runner-up. She will need to overcome a tough barrier draw here, but she drops in distance and is fitter for the two-week turnaround.

Dangers: 3. Tonkatsu Goddess was disappointing on debut here but returns after an impressive trial win at Warwick Farm. She can improve and will look to make more of an impact this prep. 5. Hinune has shown promise in her two trials leading up to this race and can strike on debut from the inside gate. 13. Retainer has put up even efforts her first two races and will look to naturally improve here third up.

How to play it: Thaibeefsalade WIN ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

5. Magnolia Star did his best work late in the race last start at Albury over 900m on a Heavy 9, hitting the line well in a narrow defeat for second place. Racing at his home track here and drawing an inside barrier for this race gives him another chance.

Dangers: 6. Silencio Parfavour is on debut here and has every chance of striking first up, following a promising trial win in the lead-up to this race and a respectable second in the trial before. One to watch. 8. Persister was run down in the final stretch last start at Albury on a heavy track over 900m. She has the pace to deliver and benefits from a 3kg apprentice claim on a better track. Worth considering. 1. Brokerage placed first up when resuming and excuses can be made for his last start having a lot to do from a wide run as favorite. Third up and can improve.

How to play it: Magnolia Star WIN ($12.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Picassos Dream hasn’t done a lot wrong with 3 wins and 4 placings in her 7 starts. He comes off the back of a solid win at Bathurst last start with a late race burst and crossed the line with a good momentum. He’ll be fitter today third up with a quick one-week turnaround and the jump to 1400m suits. Gets an ideal barrier and can roll forward here.

Dangers: 4. Take You There won on debut here last start over 1200m in a similar race here, closing in strongly in the latter part of the race. Gets a ride under the guidance of Sam Clipperton here from an inside barrier and looks to make it two from two. 9. Deep Joy is showing signs of progress after her second up run at Wyong over 1200m last start hitting the line with a late race surge. Steps up to 1400m here which seems to suit and the barrier one draw works in her favour. 10. Exotic Dancer scored on debut at Canberra Acton last start in an impressive race. Yet to be tested on turf conditions in races or trials making it hard to assess here. Could show up.

How to play it: Picassos Dream WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Vomo Island has made notable strides this campaign, including a win here last time out over 1500m in a well-run race, competing and withstanding pressure in a long-sustained run. He has seen success at this track in the past, and the drop in distance here only works in his favour. He can build on that performance and go back-to-back here. Main threat.

Dangers:6. Cool Lad has been in the placings in his last two starts, just falling short in a well-run race at Wyong last time out. Suitably graded here, he will aim to be in contention again. 5. Prince Aurelius struggled when resuming at Muswellbrook on a heavy track over 1280m. However, he has seen success at this track and distance in the past. Fitter now, he could deliver a notable effort. 9. Fil has won two of his last three at easier grades. Consider.

How to play it: Vomo Island WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Ilovenews lost on protest when resuming here last start over 1300m in a solid race, jumping well and pushing the pace throughout. Clearly fitter now, he should handle the step up to 1400m with ease. In form and looks to be a main player in this race.

Dangers: 13. Perfect Justice did well on debut, holding on to a place after leading at Wyong last time out. Race tactics will likely be adjusted for this run, and he should naturally improve moving forward. 9. Terrifictonka, with a notable dam in Makybe Diva, is on debut here and has shown reasonable efforts in her lead-up trials. 10. Webejamin was runner-up in his first two starts but hasn’t had an impact in the two races following. Well-fitted and not out of contention here.

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

3. Head Stock comes off the back of a convincing closing victory here at the same distance and conditions after a rather disappointing campaign. He has struggled on wet tracks but is back on firm ground at his home track. With a similar race to his last, he can compete again.

Dangers: 2. C’mon Mate has won at this track and distance combination and has finished runner-up four times out of his six attempts. He struggled on the heavy track here back in March but will benefit greatly from firmer ground. He has won first up in the past and is a crucial competitor in this race. 6. Apollo Mission is resuming here for the first time since February after some solid performances last preparation, including a win here on a good track over 1400m. He could show up today. 7. Septime, a local horse, has won twice at this track and distance from three attempts, but his form has been inconsistent in recent showings. A firming track works in his favour.

How to play it: Head Stock WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Waamil had her second run since moving from Matt Cumani to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stables in a race at Wyong, where she clearly outperformed her competition with a dominant win on a good track.

Dangers: 9. Amarantz had an improved result last start at Randwick after struggling on wetter tracks of late. Fitter going into this race, he draws a good barrier and benefits from more favourable conditions. 7. Fun Sunday is another who will benefit from the drying track conditions. Races well at this track and has every chance here. 4. Koning can benefit greatly from better track conditions and a more suitable distance this time up.

How to play it: Waamil WIN ($11.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Kembla Grange meeting