Shayne O'Cass's best bets, inside mail for Wyong and Port Macquarie on Tuesday, June 24, 2025
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WYONG TIPS
BEST BET
Race 1 No.8 ODAKA: Well-bred filly whose talent is way above her current CV.
NEXT BEST
Race 2 No.2 JUSTICE WARRIOR: Placed at 7 of his 10 starts, at home today and the one to beat.
VALUE
Race 6 No.7 OH GOLLY GOSH: Gets back but can really power home when circumstances permit.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 1,3
Race 5: 1,2
Race 6: 1,6,7,8
Race 7: 3,7,9,15
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Kerrin McEvoy has a small but select book of rides at Wyong.
WYONG INSIDE MAIL
ODAKA (8) is an Ole Kirk filly in the Kia Ora silks who debuted with an eye-catcher at Randwick on January 25 in the race where United States was runner-up. Odaka resumed in the Listed Woodlands at Scone on Cup day and was 'fair' then trialled at Rosehill on June 6. Ready to show her best. DIVO (7) is a daughter of Capitalist. She's also a granddaughter of Makybe Diva. Has plenty of speed/pace so barrier 2 and Wyong ought to play to her strengths. CAPITAL JICINTA (4) resumes at home. Has the talent.
BET: ODAKA (8) to win (best bet), exacta 8 to beat 7.
JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) will be ridden here by Kerrin McEvoy who rode her dam Srikandi four times for a win in the Tatt's Tiara and Stradbroke as well as a second to Chautauqua in the Manikato. Justice Warrior has placed 7 times in 10 starts; consistent to a fault but awfully costly at times. No excuses today. NGUNNAWAL (3) was a huge drifter on debut at Scone back in February and ran accordingly. Market the guide again but he could/should run a lot better this time. VETWELVE (1) has city form.
BET: JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) to win.
SAPLING (10) was a $28,000 weanling who sold again as a yearling for $130,000. The Sara Ryan-trained filly's job of winning has been made decidedly easier with the scratching of Cabriole who would have gapped these. As for Sapling, she is back at the home track today after a solid fourth at Canterbury first-up. FIERY LASS (7) was eighth of 11 at Canterbury first-up but was last at the 400m and the four-odd length margin was rapidly diminishing. Cabriole's scratching leaves CONTEMPLATES (6) to represent James Cummings; maybe that is a lead?
BET: SAPLING (10) to win, quinella 7,10.
CHARLEROI (1) is a Dundeel out of a Snitzel mare; his fourth dam is none other than Shantha's Choice. The Domeland/Sara Ryan gelding has raced four times and been excellent all the way through. The form around him is all rather good. Drawn a little wide, that's all. same for THE PROFESSOR (3) who will jump from the outside alley but he was going back anyhow. if ever a horse could be said to be 'getting close to a win', it is The Professor. NOVEMBER AIR (5) is consistent. Hard to line-up SOUTHERN SKY (6) but wow, what a debut win that was!
BET: CHARLEROI (1) to win, quinella 1,3.
SUM INVICTUS (2) was a $450,000 Easter Yearling by I Am Invincible out of a mare by Lonhro out of Alizes. The Chris Waller-trained 3YO had 'next time' and 'back to the provincials' all over him post the Canterbury May 28 return. Loves Wyong. CARNEGIE HILL (1) looks rather well 'in' here with 57.5kg in a 55kg limit given he was a last start winner and an easy one too. EMPIRE OF ART (4) probably needs this run but wouldn't be totally shocked if he pulled out something fresh-up with Tommy Berry in the saddle.
BET: SUM INVICTUS (2) to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 15.
OH GOLLY GOSH (7) rarely, if ever, runs a bad race and that extends back over her long career which began with a third here at Wyong in February 2021. She was last at the turn that day and stormed home, that's become her trademark in all the years since. Get the timing right and she can win races like that no problem. ZIP ON BY (6) really and truly stretched the $1.35 hot-pot Formal when they met at Gosford. Has won second-up and the extra 300m today can only assist. ONE KIND (8) went out fast and hard here last start and held on doggedly.
BET: OH GOLLY GOSH (7) each-way.
IRON HAT (15) is going to need some luck to get into the field but she is racing in great form without luck (what's new). Speaking of racing in great form, Ron Quinton's Are Ee Que has won three of her last four. One of them was at Wyong beating Glorioso and co. Drawn 4. Madeline Owen has four wins from right rides on her. FLAME OF HESTIA (9) is out of Hell It's Hot; dare we say the filly herself has been a bit hold and cold? Brings her best and she probably 'just wins'. Time will tell. ZAKOR (7) is right in this.
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