Ray Hickson
Selections based on a heavy track
Race 1
Where 3. Consulate can get to from the outside barrier will be vital to her chances but she did more than enough first-up at Canterbury to say a win isn’t far away. Wound up strongly late to snatch second and can only be improved. 1. Adeleke is a well bred filly out of a group 1 winner that has trialled okay on two occasions in June. If gate one is an advantage she could be competitive on debut. 6. Lone Piper was a drifter in betting at her first outing in the same race as Consulate. Turnaround in barriers could have her closer in the running and lead to improvement.
How to play it: Consulate to win.
Race 2
6. Claudel has a wide barrier to contend with but an inside one didn’t help her too much when runner-up at Canterbury as favourite two weeks ago. Raced forward on debut so is versatile, any tactic changes should be watched. 3. Pharland has the blinkers on after a promising debut at Gosford where he had a tough run up on speed. Winner started in the market in a stakes race last weekend. 5. Rapid Revenue is an interesting first starter that has trialled well on two occasions. Support would be significant.
How to play it: Claudel to win.
Race 3
4. Barbray has been in the market in two runs back and run well without being a threat late. Onto a heavy track is interesting and gets out to his preferred distance range. He’s a good chance to break through. 3. Ballpark had four weeks between runs and pounced on the lead when scoring over this distance at Canterbury and comes off a similar sort of gap into this. Hard to run down. 6. Real Baker has led in all three runs this time in and boxed on okay in a 1400m event at this track three weeks ago. Should get across onto the speed and can show up.
How to play it: Barbray each-way.
Race 4
5. Hereward ran a promising race at Canterbury two starts back on heavy ground then got the tongue over the bit at Randwick when well in the market. Gear change a plus, has run well here previously and likes the wet. 6. John Dory has the same gear change on the back of a failure at Rosehill so he’d be expected to return to his previous efforts which were more than handy on wet tracks. 8. Tenderize is usually an on pacer but from a wide gate found himself out the back in a Midway at Randwick. Form prior was honest and he’s an each-way chance.
How to play it: Hereward to win.
Race 5
2. Conchiero was left to do the chasing outside the leader when resuming with a game third at Canterbury two weeks ago. Fitter, last win was on a wet track at this trip in March and looks likely to get across onto the speed. 10. The Replicant doesn’t win out of turn but he’s rarely too far away and he does perform well in the wet. Blinkers go on which is always significant from the stable and he’s not to be overlooked. 3. Iceman has been racing well and comes back a notch in class after a couple of even efforts in BM78 company on Saturdays. Not badly in with the claim and sure to run well again.
How to play it: Conchiero to win.
Race 6
2. Lull showed a return to form with a closing second over the 1000m behind the progressive Jarrito at this track a few weeks ago. One of her best runs has come on a heavy track and while yet to try this trip she brings the best form into the race. 11. Pazyryk is coming off a maiden win but it was a strong performance at Gosford, making up good ground and taking a gap before edging away. Takes confidence from that, draws the inside and could measure up. 10. Mind Ya Bizz is another last start maiden winner at Gosford, on a heavy track. Yet to do anything wrong, she’s well worth including.
How to play it: Lull to win.
Race 7
1. Huon has a strong first-up record at this track, and is accomplished in the wet so he can be expected to make his presence felt. Close up third here in January before a break, fitter for a couple of trials and drawn to have every chance. 9. Dear Jewel ran on strongly at Randwick on a heavy track into a placing three starts ago and has been close in two subsequent starts. Holding her form well and looks a danger. 6. Massira could be a big improver after virtually going around the outside fence last time at Randwick behind Ice Kool. Drops in class so capable of better.
How to play it: Huon to win.
Best Bets: Race 5 (2) Conchiero; Race 7 (1) Huon.
Best value: Race 3 (4) Barbray
Supplied by Racing NSW
