Latest news with #ShayneO'Cass
Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Tamworth, Albury best bets, inside mail for Friday July 19, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Tamworth and Albury on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! TAMWORTH BEST BET Race 7 No. 10: SAINTLY SANDS Huge run on debut here; even better the next time here as well. NEXT BEST Race 2 No. 3: WANAVAN Won't be left with any excuses from the rails draw. VALUE Race 3 No. 3: HE'STHECHIEF Placed at three of four, lost the rider in the other one. QUADDIE Race 5: 3, 6, 7, 14 Race 6: 2, 4, 5, 6 Race 7: 1, 10 Race 8: 2, 5, 6, 9 Jockey Grant Buckley has a nice book of rides at Tamworth. Picture: Bradley Photos JOCKEY TO FOLLOW GRANT BUCKLEY could be in for a good day. ALBURY BEST BET Race 2 No. 3: STRAIGHT FIRE Arguably 'the best horse in the race' which is a good place to start. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 6: JUST LUKE LIAM Has a good record at the home track and at this trip. VALUE Race 6 No. 4: ELLIS BEACH Might be the best of a questionable bunch. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INSIDE MAIL - TAMWORTH RACE 5: McDonalds Tamworth (Bm58) 1400m CONSIDERED (7) is a So You Think granddaughter of Kiss From A Rose which belies her $30,000 price-tag. Chalk her up as another bargain for Group One Thoroughbreds; she's already won back her purchase price in four starts. Last start winner, drawn well, at home. VISUALISE (6) has been rock solid in his four runs since he got to local trainer Jacob Perrett's stable. Beaten a lip at this track and trip by To Be Frank the other day. Bet: Considered to win, quinella 6, 7 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Koobah Performance Horses (Bm82) 1600m RAJNISH (5) has raced at Tamworth twice for a second and then that last start win which also happened to be over the mile. It was a very comprehensive victory too; he came from off the speed to chase down a very respectable bunch. WEALTHY INVESTOR (6) won his fourth race at start 41 out at Dubbo on June 29 but for one, he won very easily indeed and two, his poor win record is more a reflection of some of the strong races he has contested. Bet: Rajnish to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 5, 2nd Leg 6 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Kel Penfold Finance Country Boosted (Bm58) 1200m SAINTLY SANDS (10) turned in a fantastic debut here when third to a nice style of horse in Savethebesttilast back on January 6. The Rodney Northam trained filly came back to Tamworth 17 days later and won her 1400m Maiden. Spelled, no public trials, but she is clearly handy filly in a top barn. DEEBO (1) boasts some outstanding figures right across the board but those home track, and trip, numbers are hard to go past. Bet: Saintly Sands to win, exacta 10 to beat 1, quinella 1, 10 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: Concrete Industry Supplies (Bm82) 1000m ZAKOR (6) has always raced well at Tamworth from the day he broke his Maiden here way back as a two-year-old prior to his fourth in the Romantic Dream. The Justin Bowen-trained gelding tries his heart out every time, if he gets beaten it is usually either bad luck or he just wasn't quite good enough on the day. SPECK (8) resumes on a hat-trick, bearing in mind that the second of the sequence was a Randwick TAB Highway. WHO GOES HERE (3) is four from four at the track and trip. Bet: Zakor each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INSIDE MAIL - ALBURY RACE 5: Plus Fitness Thurgoona Mdn Plate 900m LUNAR MOJO (1) has been awfully costly to follow but at the same time he has placed at six of his eight starts and four of them are seconds. On top of that he has two seconds and a third from four Albury runs and has twice placed second on Heavy It's now or never again. FITZALAN (6) led and was passed late on debut at Wangaratta, One would imagine that is the modus operandi again here from barrier 2. MACHETE (8) is trained here now and was good in her two Victorian runs. Bet: Lunar Mojo to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Jindera Tyre Service Mdn Hcp 1400m ELLIS BEACH (4) is having his first run for the new management. It will be his first run in NSW as well but he is fit for purpose on the score of a July 7 trial (ran second) at home at Wangaratta. Finds a winnable race. Not sold on the Heavy form of POWERFUL MAJIK (5) but he ran a good race here on debut. CAYMAN ISLAND (7) turned in his best career run when fourth to a handy horse at Wagga at $101. Bet: Ellis Beach to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 6 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Wello's Plumbing Plate (C1) 1600m BLAZING SWORD (5) is a Bendigo-housed three-year-old who shares his name with Contract Racing's exceptional late 1980s colt who ended up as a stallion in Thailand. The 2021 model of Blazing Sword has a tidy little resume of one win, three seconds and a third in his 10 starts. Best of all, the son of Too Darn Hot has a win and a third on his only two Heavy runs. GOOFINATOR (10) sent out some rather positive signs second-up that a win was close at hand. FLUTTERBY (6) is flying. Bet: Blazing Sword to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: Kiewa Valley Spring Water (Bm58) 1500m JUST LIKE LIAM (6) is from the 17th and final crop of Albert Stapleford's beloved Magic Albert, a great little over-achiever at stud he was too. Anyway, Just Like Liam is trained here at Albury by Garry Worsnop; 11 times he has raced there for two wins and three placings. He has also won at the track and distance. FREDDY'S SHOCK (10) ran second to Sorry Sunshine on a Heavy 10 at Wagga last start. Both are clearly in the mix here. As is RUSHFORD (1) who was fifth in that same race. Bet: Just Like Liam to win
Mercury
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Dubbo best bets, inside mail for Friday, June 6, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and quaddie analysis for Dubbo on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ DUBBO TIPS BEST BET Race 1 No. 1: FUEL THE JET Six-year-old having only his second start but it talented. Drawn one. NEXT BEST Race 2 No. 2: BLUE DE BEERS Local juvenile on debut from a top yard armed with some excellent trials. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 11: CUMNOCK Has the lowest rating in the field but is a local on the way up. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 10 Race 6: 2, 6, 11, 7 Race 7: 1, 11 Race 8: 1, 2 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW KODY NESTOR could skip out to an early lead in the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL - DUBBO RACE 1: WESTSIDE HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE 3YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000m FUEL THE JET (1) was bred to win the AJC Derby; his sire Starcraft did as did another one of his close relations, Dr Grace. Fuel The Jet has spent plenty of time in the hanger bearing in mind that this is the six-year-old's second start. Has talent, trialled well. ANDALE (2) makes his debut at home from a good draw. Trialled well three times, two of them here at Dubbo. Vormista's son, BEAUMISTA (4) sent out good signs first-up. Hails from an astute stable. Bet: Fuel The Jet to win RACE 2: KINGS HALL JEWELLERS SHOWCASE SILVER GOBLET - 2YO HANDICAP 1100m BLUE DE BEERS (2) is a Clint Lundholm-trained local dealt the visitors draw but there are only nine runners so it could have been worse. Both trials have been fantastic but he is giving away race experience to all rivals. The only winner in the Goblet is JOSEPHINE (3) who beat the Star Kingdom winner, Gemologist at Gunnedah. REGAL PROBLEM (6) ran third to Hidden Motive on debut. Bet: Blue De Beers to win, quinella 2, 3 RACE 3: PRECISION HEALTH CARE SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1300m LORD VETTORI (4) could be saved for another venue on another day given the draw. In his absence, all roads lead to CURRUMBIN ALLEY (1) who is bred to be a miler, maybe even more, so all credit to the son of Vancouver (out of a Savabeel mare) for his half-length second at Gunnedah over 1250m. Drawn 1, 1300m and every extra metre assists. GRANDINI (10) was passed late first-up by Zelestial who might be above average. Bet: Lord Vettori to win or of scratched, Currumbin Alley to win RACE 4: DUBBO RSL CLUB WINTER COUNTRY CLASSIC QUALIFIER CG&E BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1300m SPEEDY HENRY (2) has two wins and a third from four starts. He was $3 in a TAB Highway on April 26 at Randwick and had excuses for what was still a pretty creditable run. He's not an outright 'good thing' here but it would be hard to make a case for something to beat him. The one most likely, if at all, is the Brett Robb-trained WASTED DAYS (5) who might well go around later in the day as an emergency (Race 6). INVASIVE (1) has come back really well. Bet: Speedy Henry to win RACE 5: DUBBO RSL CLUB WINTER COUNTRY CLASSIC QUALIFIER F&M BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1300m ZELESTIAL (10) came to Australia with two runs in Ireland on her C.V, the first was a fifth to subsequent Group 3 winner Givemethebeatboys. The Lyle Chandler-trained daughter of Zoustar trialled like a bomb before her winning debut at Tamworth where she got a great ride. Scratched from Taree on Thursday to run here. WILLINGA KARISMA (1) has the home ground advantage. She's never been closer to a win. MISSY MOSS (9) has a bad draw but Bullock will help with that. Bet: Zelestial to win RACE 6: WESTERN PLAINS AUTOMOTIVE COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1100m PRESSNELL (2) is a genuinely talented son of Press Statement, hence the name, think Max. This big, bold gelding has a win, a second and two fifths from his four starts. This was already a very winnable race for the Mack Griffith-trained galloper but his chances went up when he drew 2 and Bullock booked. SORRENTO PALACE (6) aims to, and can, snap a sequence of three consecutive seconds, keeping in mind that the last two were by very narrow margins indeed. Bet: Pressnell to win, quinella 2, 6, box trifecta 2, 6, 11, 7 RACE 7: FARDELLS HEAVY HAULAGE & CRANE HIRE SHOWCASE BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1000m CUMNOCK (11) has the lowest Benchmark rating in this race; he's on 60, the ones at the top are both on 77. That said, he is a last start winner on the move. Was to run in the Highway on Saturday but is way down the list so run here instead where he is two from two at the track and trip. IRON HAT (1) has won six races with 12 placings. Famously unlucky at times, the Jan Bowen-trained chestnut has mixed and matched it in better races than this. ZAKOR (4) is good enough to win most country sprints; this one included. Bet: Cumnock each-way, quinella 1, 11 RACE 8: EVERGREEN TURF | ELITE SAND & SOIL SHOWCASE BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1400m RHYTHM IS A DANCER (2) has won seven races in 27 starts with eight placings which is a fine achievement on his, and trainer Brett Cavanough's, behalf. Among those wins are a Country Cup at Scone and a Spring Cup at Tamworth where he beat Russley Crown each time as it happens. Walked in at Inverell last start. This is harder if only for the presence of another good, old trusty Scone resident namely THE DRAMATIST (1). That said, he needs things to pan out for him but when they do, he's city class. Bet: Rhythm Is A Dancer to win
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Hawkesbury on Saturday
Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Hawkesbury, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– HERB (12) is a grandson of Snitzel with broodmare sires like Courtza's son O'Reilly, Noble Bijou, Mellay, etc, which probably accounts for his superb and very compelling numbers on Heavy tracks. Rest assured Jason Collett will get the timing just right on this backmarker so long as the track is fair. MISS HADES (5) was a real eye-catcher first-up in the Candlewick midweeker. Has Midway form, likes the trip, and goes well second-up. PIRAEUS (8) is costly but always a chance in these Midways. Bet: HERB to win â– â– â– â– â– FEIMAZUO (9) has raced 13 times for two wins, five seconds and two thirds. Some of those placings were by narrow margins and more than some were the result of bad luck. Here is the most crucial bit; Clayton Gallagher has ridden her twice and won both times. STRAIGHT FIRE (8) is by Vancouver out of a More Than Ready mare out of a Zabeel mare. No wonder she is one for one on Heavy. Matthew Dunn is one or two off winning his 40th Highway. MOSCOW CIRCUS (3) profiles a fair bit like a fair few of his previous winners. â– â– â– â– â– DAMIEN (2) was $2.15 into $1.55 first-up at Newcastle and won accordingly. To win like that must have done his confidence and racecraft the world of good. This is much harder but he is a well-bred colt with plenty of upside (and a pedigree made to swim). AERODROME (1) was a narrow winner on debut but just so impressive. P.S. How good is Ole Kirk going? HEREWARD (4) is one those typical David Payne '3YO prospects' for next season but was forward enough to win a trial at Rosehill. Bet: DAMIEN to win â– â– â– â– â– IRON MAN (3) has finished on the podium 13 times in 19 starts; granted only three are wins but all of them were on rain affected tracks. One of them was on Heavy 8 at Kembla the day he won by three lengths. When it is all said and done, one word comes to mind and that is 'reliable'. Warwick Farm resident WORLD ALLIANCE (4) was bred nearby at Hobartville Stud, he's got a good 'local's' record at the track and has won on Heavy. Loved the EPIC PROPORTIONS (8) trials. Bet: IRON MAN to win, quinella 3, 4 â– â– â– â– â– QUANTUM CAT (4) won three times in England (from her first and only five starts there) and has never seen a Heavy track before Saturday. That's a bit of a worry but she is a Sadler's Well's descendant and has placed three times in five runs on Soft so gets a very cautious tick. Good news is that she has won second-up and was more than passable first-up. PHILLIPSBURG (3) is on a hat-trick here. Tough and genuine, he has a lot of weight this time but he's going so well, in fact, too well to overlook. Bet: QUANTUM CAT each-way â– â– â– â– â– There might not be a horse better bred for Heavy tracks racing on the weekend than SNITZANOVA (2) who is by Snitzel out of a Galileo mare. That means she is bred on a 3x3 cross of Snippets and Sadler's Wells. It stands to reason then why she won her only Heavy track run and that was the Sandown Guineas straight after the Spring Stakes win. MODELLA (14) is going to fly at them late here. I just hope the track plays fair. CANDLEWICK (13) is a quality filly. Is barrier 3 good or bad on the day? Bet: SNITZANOVA to win â– â– â– â– â– CITY OF LIGHTS (12) is a half-sister to Winx who you may recall was four from four on Heavy tracks for two reasons: One, she was a Champion and two, was the presence of Al Akbar (by Success Express) as the sire of her dam, Vegas Showgirl. That's a good omen for City Of Lights on a Heavy track here. Heavy 10 Golden Slipper winner Sebring is represented by TASHI (10) here. She's a spirited little mare who runs the same honest race no matter the venue or the level of competition. Bet: CITY OF LIGHTS each-way, box trifecta 2, 6, 10, 12 â– â– â– â– â– Provided the track is fair, the rain has come at the perfect time for FLOATING (11), a true example of the 'greys in the wet' theory. He's won seven races from 33 starts, three from 10 at this trip, four from 11 on Soft while his record on Heavy is one win, two seconds and one third from five goes. He ran a lot better than a 10th of 14 reads first-up. PUNCH LANE (5) is backing up for the third Saturday in-a-row but why not, the way he won last week and the fact he is a big time muddie. Bet: FLOATING each-way, Daily Double 1st Leg 11, 2nd Leg 2 â– â– â– â– â– ASTERO (7) has won eight races which is no small feat in the Benchmark era. The Matthew Smith-trained son of Zoustar has raced here twice for a win and second The win was on a Heavy 8; the second was on a Heavy 9 behind Norwegian Bliss. His old form includes a second to Big Dance winner Rustic Steel in the Newcastle Provincial Championships Heat. Goes well fresh, trials are very good and Jason Collett is the perfect fit for him. Stacks of other chances; IN FLIGHT (12) for one. â– â– â– â– â– I may be certifiably insane to tip ROSE BLOOM (2) again. Personally, I prefer 'loyal' myself but for those of us who went down with the ship last start, I can see why you'd be giving her a wide berth. I just see the gear changes as a potential plus and more to the point, she likes it soft underfoot which is a guarantee here. I'm sticking and so is Tyler Schiller. She is $81/$20 so worth a flutter. :
News.com.au
24-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kensington, Gosford, Bathurst best bets, inside mail for Friday, April 25, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and analysis Randwick-Kensington and best bets for Gosford and Bathurst on Friday. 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.
News.com.au
24-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Randwick on Saturday
Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Royal Randwick, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Royal Randwick, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– TYRONE'S POWER (8) finished an honourable third in his first trial to Chicama and Beadman then won his next one 18-days later, easily handling The Little Master. Point being, there are some pretty strong Heats and it is clear from what he has done that he is ready for his debut. Great draw (2). The issue/negative is that there are some 2YOs here with very, very good form/race experience. Take BESKAR (1), for example – he walked in on debut then was a half-length third to North England and King of Pop in the Kindergarten. BET: TYRONE'S POWER (8) each-way. â– â– â– â– â– PHOTOGRAPHICS (3) has a tidy set of numbers; not least that two of her three career wins have been here at home, both with Molly Bourke in the saddle for her boss, Sarge. The daughter of Per Incanto has had a month between runs but kept ticking over (like a Rolex I might add) winning a 1050m trial here on April 14. BET: PHOTOGRAPHICS (3) to win. â– â– â– â– â– ZAMPANO (11) won the prestigious Romantic Dream at home at Tamworth on debut then went to Gunnedah and won again a month later. Spelled, failed first-up and was spelled, but resumed this time (on March 28) with a massive 'from the back' third. Now there's another dimension to the horse. SPEEDY HENRY (15) is unbeaten in two starts; not sure about the opposition but he's running time and is from a noted 'Highway stable'. MASSIRA (1) has bankable Highway form. BET: ZAMPANO (11) to won, exacta 11 to beat 15. â– â– â– â– â– ZEALOUSLY (1) went from Maiden winning to Benchmark 72 winner in three starts in the summer of 2024 which led him to the Sunshine Coast on Jan 4, 2025, for the $3 million Sunlight when and where he clocked in an admirable fourth to Private Harry no less. His 'best' is better than the rest's 'bests' IMHO. JW Kelly owned and bred EXTRAVAGENT LAD (3) has won six times with 11 placings in 25 starts. If you think that's impressive, he has posted four wins and five placings from 11 runs over the 1000m. IRON HAT (9) is pitched in here! BET: ZEALOUSLY (1) to win. â– â– â– â– â– STATE OF AMERICA (4) has finished with a medal 18 times in 33 starts; with seven wins. That's pretty impressive stuff. So too is the fact that he has a 50 per cent strike-rate at the track and trip. To cap it all off, he is a last start winner who has a proven ability to hold his form. Lightly-raced French Group horse, SAGANTI (3), has presumed natural improvement in store off that very narrow loss to State Of America when he made his Down Under debut over 1600m. This trip is better again for him. BET: STATE OF AMERICA (4) to win, quinella 3,4. â– â– â– â– â– STEP ASIDE (6) 's first-up record is two wins and a second from five fresh runs. Of course we have to scrub one of those given he lost the rider (Tommy Berry) first-up last preparation. He hasn't been away from racing for all that long so one trial probably suffices … well, if Waller thinks so, then so do I. Stablemate INVADER ZIM (10) is good here at Randwick and good early in his preparations too. The bottom line with both of them is what price they are about 10 minutes before they jump. BET: STEP ASIDE (6) to win (best bet). â– â– â– â– â– TRAFALGAR SQUARE (13) has only managed one win in 15 starts but she has contested a Golden Gift, Kindergarten Stakes, Clarendon Stakes, Silver Shadow and Furious Stakes – and has run rather well in some of them. There was so much to like about her first-up run behind Candlewick in that WF 1200m on April 16. Reckon she is the 'weight horse' of the day with 52kgs. MARTINI MUMMA (9) is first-up out of the Kosciuszko. She was fourth in the Denise's Joy around this time last year. PAJANTI (7) could be in for a really good prep. BET: TRAFALGAR SQUARE (13) each-way, PAJANTI (7) to place. â– â– â– â– â– PUNCH LANE (4) won the Glasshouse in 2024 and was runner-up in the Shannon Stakes that same spring. He was solid, at least, in the Star Kingdom first-up. He was the run of the race, IMHO, in that Benchmark 100 last Saturday at HQ. Regarding the seven day back-up, he raced eight-days prior to winning the Glasshouse. GREBENI (5) was rather unlucky behind LAVISH EMPIRE (17) (runs here too) in the Muswellbrook. Both are major players as is Ducasse. Big, big watch on WOOTTON VERNI (10)! BET: PUNCH LANE (4) to win, box trifecta 3,4,5,10, DD 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 12. â– â– â– â– â– AUTOMNE TREE (19) is one of those Waller horses that will/might head to Queensland this winter. I think he could win a good race or two at anything from a mile up to the Derby. He's bred to stay being by The Autumn Sun and from the same family as Gold Trip. Going to need luck to make the cut, that's all. LINKS (11) has accepted for Kensington today. Runs well wherever she goes. LADY BOSS (12) has a wide draw but is talented and consistent. Ditto for DUVANA (14). BET: AUTOMNE TREE (19) to win (best each-way). â– â– â– â– â– James McDonald's last three rides on the card tomorrow have drawn barriers 12, 17 and 19 (minus scratchings, etc). Now even though 19 is the biggest number, it probably matters least on the day given this is the Doncaster start. Long story short, he'll be on KIND WORDS (12) in the last for Kris Lees. She was a handy 3YO (she ran 4th in the Queensland Oaks) and has been very good in her two starts back over 1400m, including a three-lengths 6th of 15 in the Provincial Championship Final. Peaks now. POPPIN' CHAMPAGNE (9) was good enough to place fourth in Lekvarte's G2 ATC Angst at her only run at the t/d.
