Race-by-race preview and tips for Wyong on Thursday
By John Schell
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 - 12:10PM BELLA GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (2100 METRES)
4. Montgomery was unplaced in his first five starts, including the first three since resuming from a spell this campaign, before showing improvement when running home well to finish third at Newcastle last time out. The step up in distance should suit.
Racing returns to Wyong on Thursday.
Dangers: 8. Khant Fail wasn’t beaten too far when failing to beat a runner home on debut, then showed improvement when a last start third behind Impunity at Newcastle. She’s up in trip quickly and should figure prominently. 6. Polarity is lightly raced with just three starts to his name and could be placed in what isn’t the strongest of races. 5. Pantsman has finished fourth in each of his last three starts and could manage to figure in the placings in this.
How to play it: Montgomery to win.
Race 2 - 12:50PM WYONG LEAGUES GROUP SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1300 METRES)
1. Creek has had six starts, all in Victoria, and has been placed in four of them. He’s had three runs back from a spell and finished third in the latest two of them at Sandown and Pakenham. He wasn’t beaten far in the latest of them and the extra 100m is in his favour.
Dangers: 3. Make A Call has run well in much better races than this during his career and he charged to the line for a last-start second at this track. He should be in the finish here if he can repeat that effort. 5. Street Magic finished fifth in the same race Make A Call contested last time out and can sneak into the placings in this. 6. Super Sugoi has only had two starts and is the best of the remaining two runners.
How to play it: Creek to win.
Race 3 - 1:25PM CLUB TERRIGAL PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
4. Irish Bliss raced on the speed when resuming at Kembla Grange when finishing second and a repeat of that would have him in the finish of this.
Dangers: 5. Smart Serenade debuted with a fourth at Taree and can be placed in this with a repeat of that. 9. Black Tiara has some solid form and is suited by the small field here. 8. Bertie is third-up from a spell and ready to peak.
How to play it: Irish Bliss to win.
Race 4 - 2:00PM ETTALONG DIGGERS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
1. Dial Of Destiny is on debut here for trainer David Payne, and he comes into this on the back of two recent Rosehill barrier trials, including a close-up fourth in the latest of them. He’s drawn wide but looks to have talent.
Dangers: 2. Lizzie’s Gem is resuming from a spell on the back of a solid trial victory. She’s shown enough ability in her six-start career to be rated one of the hardest to beat here. 5. Ningaloo Reef was placed at Orange on debut and he can make an impact again despite taking on the older horses. 7. Du Cap should be improved by her two starts to date and can make an impact in this.
How to play it: Dial Of Destiny each-way.
Race 5 - 2:45PM MOUNTIES CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
2. Zerkhan finished third in his most recent three starts at the end of last preparation before being spelled. He looked good in his trials before resuming this campaign and did the job well as favourite to score at Hawkesbury.
Dangers: 3. Magicon was midfield on the Beaumont track at Newcastle on debut, then followed that up with a surprise win at this track when big odds when leading throughout. He only needs to run up to that to be rated one of the hardest to beat again here. 8. Lease is handy enough on his day and could show up here without surprising. His claims are helped by the scratchings. 4. Quinky Deel has place claims.
How to play it: Zerkhan to win.
Race 6 - 3:25PM ETTALONG BOWLING CLUB MIDWAY BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
7. Dimaggio bounced back to form last time when leading and fighting on well to finish second at Hawkesbury. He can race on the speed again here from a good gate and should take plenty of running down.
Dangers: 4. Reggie’s Boy had been racing well with a couple of fourths and a third, before breaking through with an impressive last-start Muswellbrook victory. 2. Pandano is classy on his day and would take plenty of beating at his best, while 3. Epicus is handy and could give cheek here.
How to play it: Dimaggio to win.
Race 7 - 4:05PM TOUKLEY GOLF CLUB CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Pisanello was a Kyneton winner in November then was spelled after a fourth at Mornington in December. He’s looked good in two trials leading into this resuming run.
Dangers: 1. Oryx is having his first start for a new stable and has a good record with two wins and three placings from 10 starts. He’s had a solid trial leading into this. 11. Royal Bombadier has been
racing well since resuming from a spell and there’s no reason he can’t show up here despite being
beaten as a short-priced favourite last time out. 6. Iobject raced on the speed to score at Armidale last time and has claims here on that effort.
How to play it: Pisanello to win.
Race 8 - 4:40PM SHARP DS KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Luna Rocks has hit the line well to finish second in both runs since resuming at Albury and on the Riverside at Wagga and is drawn well here. She was scratched at Canterbury on Wednesday to be saved for this.
Dangers: 8. Silent Raindrops is resuming after having two trials and has shown more than enough ability in her career to be rated a leading contender here. 11. Smiling Prophet hit the line well for a last-start second at Muswellbrook and should be in the finish again, while 7. Recap was in good form before a spell and should go well here with some solid wet-track form to her name.
How to play it: Luna Rocks to win.
Best Bets: Race 2 (1) Creek, Race 5 (2) Zerkhan.
Best Value: Race 4 (1) Dial Of Destiny.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au