Tough and fit mare 5. Cabaca can finally crack a fourth career win, and continue a potentially big day for the Waller stable. Came off two mixed efforts up to group 3 level in Tasmania to be ridden much quieter and found the line late in a deeper BM 78 at Caulfield. Then ridden further forward, hit the line well in a similar race to this 13 days ago. Proven on wet tracks, and a stronger and far more experienced jockey goes on.
Dangers: Improving 8. Tenderize is also well placed over a furlong further, and second-up off a five week freshen-up. Was taken to the front before fading late last start, but suspect he’ll be ridden quieter here from the softer draw, and be saved up for one final surge from the 400m. Similarly drawn to either lead, or take a trail with cover, 6. Destiny’s Delight is a real each-way threat stepping up from an all-the-way BM 64 win at Kembla. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Mr Buster, a lightly raced stablemate of the former who draws the fence, and reloads second-up five weeks between runs. Naturally, watch the market with imported four-year-old 1. Tajawal by superstar Frankel who hasn’t raced since being beaten narrowly in an 85-rated race in the UK last October, and has been fitted with two easy trials for the Annabel Neasham yard.
How to play it: Cabaca to win.
Race 5: BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1000m)
Back to the sprint trip for the gallopers aged five years and older, and sparingly raced 7. Boomsong can strike first-up off a nine-month spell which included surgery to remove a bone chip. Has trialled well enough, and shown he comes to hand quickly having won a BM 64 fresh at his provincial home to start the last campaign. Looks handily treated just 1kg over the limit, and loves the ground being by prolific wet track sire Your Song out of an Anabaa mare.
Dangers: Resuming mare 2. Ringarosa has a smart fresh record, and fitted with a soft trial at this track 12 days ago. Charged home from well back to win here nearly a year ago against similar opposition. No reason the tough six-year-old 1. Akaka Falls can’t grab a third straight win this prep, despite jumping back into metro company. Swept home to win a handy provincial BM 68 before carrying a big weight to win the Cup Day Sprint at Orange 19 days ago. Naturally taking on some better ones here, but draws okay and will carry 3.5kg less after the rider’s claim. Another one resuming off a lengthy break with a tidy first-up record is 8. Boss who drew the inside, and cruised home to win a provincial trial; while 4. My Eloise is an each-way knockout chance resuming off a steady trial.
How to play it: Boomsong to win.
Race 6: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES’ BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1300m)
Same graded affair for the boys only, and in a race of many chances, the best value lies with talented three-year-old 5. Gelatin who resumes as gelding off two progressive trials. Won consecutive races last prep on heavy ground before finishing just behind the placegetters in a Midway BM 72. Draws to sit right behind the speed, and loves the going.
Dangers: No doubting 1. Huesca is right up to winning this, having placed twice in his last three in stronger grade, but up sharply to a hefty and steadying weight, and he remains unproven in real heavy going. Keep safe 2. Convincibility better suited coming back 100m in distance from the Midway Provincial Championship Final where he led at big odds before dropping out. Watch the betting on lightly raced 11. Tannenburg first-up behind a quiet trial; while including in all exotic plays 3. The Little Pumper, resuming being two trials; and 6. Khumbila who steps up in class having not missed a place in his last five at the provincials.
How to play it: Gelatin to win.
Race 7: FILLIES’ & MARES BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1300m)
The girls’ edition wraps up the meeting in the likely toughest and widest race on the program. Among a few big value chances, smart and progressive mare 7. Nanshe can strike second-up for Godolphin, especially if there’s a late pattern well away from the fence. Won two straight up to BM 64 level to cap an eye-catching prep late last winter before returning off a lengthy break to attack the line impressively in soft ground at Kembla. This is tougher, but she’s got plenty of scope, carries 2kg less, and is drawn to get to the middle of the track.
Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 17. Pippie Beach who steps up from a fast-finishing and dominant second start victory at the provincials, although untested in the ground; Drawn the fence and right alongside, 14. Betsy’s Flag can peak third-up with weight relief, provided the inside sector is holding up okay. Big watch too on 16. Slinky who draws off the track; but that might be advantageous late in the meeting, and she was impressive charging home from the back to beat all but the winner in a provincial BM 64 two weeks ago. At double figure odds, both 10. Waikiki deep into her prep on preferred wet ground; and 11. Lulumon who has hit the line hard in three provincial runs this prep; can both add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Nanshe each-way.
BEST BETS
Race1: 2. Emirate
Race 4: 5. Cabaca
BEST VALUE
Race 6: 5. Gelatin
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
