Race-by-race preview and tips for Taree on Friday
Race 3 MAIDEN HCP (1400m)
Plenty of value here, especially with the early favourite and debutant drawn off the track. That opens it up for improving local four-year-old 7. Golden Honour who is ready to strike third-up coming back in distance six weeks between runs. Was only fair in two efforts over the border against much deeper metro opposition, but the stable has sharpened him up with some key gear changes, and he’s the best weighted runner in the race after the jockey’s claim.
Dangers: Naturally, early market fancy 4. Shuri is a big watch first time out for the Kris Lees yard behind two trials. Well-bred with plenty of ability, but shapes under the mark jumping from a near outside barrier. Gap to the rest headed by honest 1. Hongkong Harmony who hasn’t done much in a long prep, but will find this easier after two recent runs in provincial company. At big odds, include provincial-based Tarzino mare 6. Youjane on debut wearing blinkers, and 10. His First Lady back in trip and down in weight, in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Golden Honour to win
Race 4 CLASS 3 HCP (1600m)
From the same local stable as the previous on top selection, progressive four-year-old 1. Shihab is well suited fourth-up off a one-month break. Ploughed through heavy ground to win under a big weight three starts ago before sticking on for a long way at Scone. Went to town and did his best work late from a mile back in a deep Saturday Highway, and the extra 100m down in grade here looks the right recipe. Looks reasonably treated at the weights too after the jockey’s 1.5kg allowance.
Dangers: There was plenty to like about the first-up CL2 win of 3. Echoes Of My Mind when finishing hard from midfield. Had two months off since via an easy trial in open class, although even with the top country jockey hopping aboard, still shapes a shade under the price. Progressive 4. Golden Button draws to get an economical run fourth-up a month between runs, and gets in light after a 3kg claim. Be shocked if the winner comes outside those three, but two runners both back from that same Highway as the top selection, 7. Rossy’s Typa Girl who draws low, and 8. The Coat Hanger who loves to roll on speed, can both run into the money.
How to play it: Shihab to win
Race 5 KRAMBACH CUP (1600m)
Now for the feature mile handicap, and there’s not much between a few of these in what will likely be a real cat-and-mouse battle of tactics. Tough six-year-old 2. Scorched Land hasn’t won for a while, but put the writing on the wall third-up here when hitting the line from midfield in similar company carrying a kilo more. Right at his peak fitness now, and should be able to park a fraction closer in the run.
Dangers: Capable 4. Dreamdeel is also well-placed deep into the prep, despite dropping out in provincial company three weeks back. Tricky wide draw, but less depth in this, and also much more comfortable being back on a firmer surface. Hard fit and from a soft draw, home tracker 3. Casirina shapes over the odds, as does 6. Hunter Bred who chased gamely into a place in provincial BM 64 grade just five days ago, and sneaks a little further down in weight.
How to play it: Scorched Land to win
Race 6 MAIDEN PLATE (1250m)
At the value, plenty to like here about lightly raced provincial three-year-old 11. Zedari a fortnight after a solid closing debut at this track in what was more than a handy maiden. Was backed from $5.00 into $3.70 that day, and is bred to relish a further 250m.
Dangers: Talented 13. Rapt just settled too far back on debut at Gosford before circling and making up good ground. Had trialled strongly previously, but threatens to go around under the odds given she will likely be forced well back from an outside barrier. Big market watch on Exceed And Excel four-year-old 2. Oakfield Badger who starts his career as a gelding behind two progressive trials for the Kristen Buchanan yard. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Ain’t She Swell on debut behind three improving trials, and at big odds 9. McKeon second-up.
How to play it: Zedari to win
Race 7 KRAMBACH SPRINT (1250m)
A subtle 100m drop in distance on a six-day turnaround with blinkers back on, and leading jockey Aaron Bullock taking over, is the recipe for tough mare 2. Proverbial to strike fourth-up off a four-week break. Only battled to the line in much deeper BM 72 metro grade two starts ago, before working home OK in an open class sprint at Newcastle last Saturday.
Dangers: Talented mare 1. Boncassie is hard fit for this sort of trip, and drops back from a tougher metro race over the border. That said, she’s back up in weight, and would prefer softer ground. Keep safe 3. Austeja who hit the line from a mile back here a fortnight ago, while 6. Swamp Nation down in class fifth-up, with winkers coming off, 8. Tim’s Principal deep into the prep, and 10. Barney Rabble who won a weaker Cup race two starts back, can all fight for minor money.
How to play it: Proverbial to win
Race 8 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
One of the tougher races to finish, although progressive metro three-year-old 10. Midori Glory shapes as the clear measuring stick at his third start from a handy draw. Charged home to beat a handy country maiden field on debut before working home OK in smarter provincial class when not suited through inferior inside ground. Has more sprint ability than the rest.
Dangers: Keep safe 1. Super Freds who has to cart a big weight, but finished off well in his last few against much deeper opposition. Similarly 2. Telegraph also has to absorb a hefty weight rise for resuming in a much weaker race. Included in exotics improving mare 4. Mrs Ed third-up, and 6. King Rupert behind a third-up barrier-to-box maiden win, while at even bigger odds, 16. Really Motivated is capable of running into a place fresh.
How to play it: Midori Glory to win
BEST BETS: R4 1. SHIHAB, R8 10. MIDORI GLORY
