Latest News

By Neil Evans

An in-depth look at every runner in the $150K Provincial-Midway Championships Wild Card (1350m) at Wyong on Saturday.

1. Spangler (Kris Lees, Newcastle): Was soft in betting when well beaten in the Hawkesbury qualifier, but that was his first run in eight weeks. With plenty of rain about, he shapes over the odds considering he's won three from four on heavy tracks. Is an ach way chance in these conditions.

2. Magnatear (Richard & Will Freedman, Rosehill): Tough galloper who is hard fit and boxed on for a long way in the Listed National Sprint at Canberra three weeks ago. Won two straight at Midway BM 72 level over a mile earlier in the prep so you know he'll run this out all day, but still a query if the track gets well into heavy range.

3. Northern Eyes (Kim Waugh, Wyong): Trained on the course, and lines up for his third consecutive crack at making the Randwick final. Hasn't shown enough despite not having much luck, including a poor start at Newcastle, although has a liking for rain-affected ground.

4. Broadway Bouncer (Kristen Buchanan, Wyong): Locally-trained and a knockout chance at big odds, also heading into a third straight qualifier. Ran home hard from the back into a place at Hawkesbury before again doing his best work late at Kembla. Again will settle well back and try to round them up, although suspect won't be as effective in these conditions.

5. The Extreme Cat (Nathan Doyle, Newcastle): Improves into his second-up run in these conditions after a fair closing effort in the Gosford qualifier, despite copping interference and a checkered run. Drawn to get cover around midfield, and if he gets a decent look at them from the 400m, can run into the finish. Another each way hope at double figure odds.

The Extreme Cat (Pic: Steve Hart)

6. French Ruler (John Sargent, Randwick): Progressive three-year-old who has had the right sort of build-up to strike here fourth-up, importantly with blinkers being added. Was under a half length from a smart winner in a strong Listed Canberra Guineas before working home okay in the qualifier at Newcastle. Early career form suggests he will get through the ground, and he measures up as one of the top chances.

7. Rolling Magic (Richard & Will Freedman, Rosehill): Made up good late ground in the qualifier at Gosford when coming off a month-long break. Twice a metro winner over a mile last spring, and while he's generally untested in this sort of going, looms well over the odds.

8. Apache Breeze (Wayne Seelin, Wyong): Home tracker who produced two mixed efforts at big odds in recent consecutive qualifiers, and given he's untested in heavy ground, doubt he will be in the finish.

9. Abuse Of Power (John Sharah, Warwick Farm): Another roughie whose recent form has been better than the market suggests. Will have a task tucking in from a wide draw, but has a definite liking for rain-affected ground, so not without a slim chance at big odds.

10. Harlow Mist (John Sargent, Randwick): Capable mare who can peak here fourth-up, significantly on a nine day turnaround from the Newcastle qualifier where she struck trouble early and finished off only moderately. Will appreciate a wet track, and watch for her running home late. Serious chance.

11. Titanium Miss (Tracey Bartley, Wyong): Hasn't been far away in both a provincial BM 68 and then the Gosford qualifier a fortnight ago. Handles rain-affected ground, but the outside draw will likely make it very tough.

12. Colours Of Autumn (Brad Widdup, Hawkesbury): Was less than two lengths from the winner in the Hawkesbury qualifier three weeks back when resuming off a 17 week spell. Also drawn wide and a query in heavy going, but has won two from four second-up. Goes in trifecta and first four plays.

13. Denetta (Damien Lane, Wyong): Local mare getting winkers added third-up, but would need to improve significantly from last two qualifying runs at Hawkesbury, and doubt the inside draw in these conditions will do her any favours.

14. Let's Go Again (Kerry Parker, Kembla Grange): Another long shot whose form is much better than the market indicates. Drawn to get plenty of cover back in the field, but the inside ground may prove a big hurdle if the surface becomes very chopped up. That said, she won her only previous start in heavy ground, and is a sneaky chance at big odds.

SELECTIONS:
6 FRENCH RULER
10 Harlow Mist
7 Rolling Magic
2 Magnatear

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