Kensington, Gosford, Bathurst best bets, inside mail for Friday, April 25, 2025
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer.
BEST BET
Race 7 No. 10: Piperita
Only unplaced runs were behind El Castello and Lilac.
NEXT BEST
Race 3 No. 2: Engine Room
Lightly-raced and progressive first-up winner.
VALUE
Race 8 No. 10: Up And Under
Was a certainty beaten first-up last campaign.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 2, 3, 4
Race 6: 4, 5
Race 7: 8, 10
Race 8: 6, 9, 10, 14
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
James McDonald is on 99 wins on the Kensington track.
GOSFORD
BEST BET
Race 2 No. 6: Dial Of Destiny
Has come back really well and is ready to strike.
NEXT BEST
Race 3 No. 4: Frankely Sublime
Blueblood of epic nature who has been trialling well.
BATHURST
BEST BET
Race 3 No. 1: Jason Darren
Placed at six of seven runs and all in better races than this.
INSIDE MAIL - KENSINGTON
RACE 1: LONE PINE MDN PLATE 1400m
KIKOIRA (4) has been gelded since the debut but still worth noting that he was a $650,000 Magic Millions purchase by Pierata out of an I Am Invincible Reisling placegetter who is herself out of a Kindergarten winner and a half-sister to Amelia's Dream. This is the perfect launch pad to take off to Brisbane for the carnival. Ex Anthony Cummings, now Jim and Greg Lee galloper CONVERGENT (1) has trialled seven times dating back a year. As for the two recent ones, his win was outstanding and the last of 10 wasn't that bad at all.
SATIN SPARKLE (8) was well down the order behind Aeliana on debut here in August. Resumed with a surging second at Wyong over 1200m. This suits big time. KUNDABUNG (4) is by emerging super sire Super Seth; his dam was fourth in the Karaka Million and has foaled Queensland Derby runner up, Paternal. This is another of the Waller/Morgan/Devine 'K's that will serve them all well. Brisbane for him too I suspect.
ENGINE ROOM (2) (another Super Seth) was fourth at the Farm on debut then runner-up here splitting Snitzanova and Brigidine Gal - wow. Was off the map and in the red when a more convincing winner than it looks when he won on April 2. LINKS (1) has only managed two wins in 16 starts but is well suited here (albeit) with the big weight. DEEP EMOTION (8) is flying this prep and deserves her shot in town.
TRAPALANDA (5) was runner-up in his first two runs, one The Curragh, prior to winning his third and final start in Ireland at Listowel in a 2414m Maiden. Lightly-raced and can obviously stay. Can see why he's come down to Australia; 1800m gives him a chance to win. MISTERKIPCHOGE (4) has only won once in 15 starts with six placings. Granted, a lot of those runs were in quality races and he was frequently finding the line. At least that win was here but it was a long time ago now.
Bet: Trapalanda to win
CASUAL CONNECTION (2) lines up for start 40 here; $8,000 short of $400,000 in earnings. The John Sargent-trained gelding won at Warwick Farm two starts back then was third in another 2200m at the Farm so he is as fit as he is ever going to be and his pattern suits here. Ditto that big time for CAMPALDINO (4) who won the Orange Cup on April 11, post his consecutive seconds at this venue over 1400m and 1800m. Regarding the 2400m, he was once third to Matusalem and Kureder.
BOTANICA (4) is a far distant relative of Eight Carat, but breeding buffs will spot a resemblance straight away. Vinery bought her for $140,000 and gave her to Team Hawkes who have helped her craft a tidy resume of two wins and three thirds from nine runs. That was a pretty brave effort there at Wyong considering she had 61.5kg, led, 1200m, first-up. Drawn 1 here. EVERYONE'S A STAR (5) is a major player today and tomorrow depending where she goes.
Bet: Botanica to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 10
PIPERITA (10) is a very typical Pierata, looks-wise. Pedigree-wise, it is world-class, literally - just one that stands out is Moon Ballad who won the Dubai World Cup. This Domeland/Sara Ryan filly won first-up and was inched out after that. Her two runs last prep were fourth to Lilac then two and a half lengths behind El Castello. Nice prospect. Waller is the undisputed master of the Zoustar progeny and he would have been happy with the comeback run of ERAANTYVA (8).
UP AND UNDER (10) was one of the best things beaten in the entire 2024/25 season when climbing all over their backs, going half pace too, in that August 3 first-up run. My point there is, if you excuse him for that one, his fresh record becomes three starts for a second and third. Just pray for a fair Kensington on the day for backmarkers. put the writing on the wall first-up. SYDNEY BOWLER (9) and his stablemate SHE'S UNUSUAL (14) are major players and they're not the only ones. This is pure 'Get Out Stakes' stuff.
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