Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
1. Compensation started odds-on at his debut and came off second best in a speed battle weakening out late in third. Has to be fitter, the form around that race is excellent and on a bit firmer surface he’d be harder to beat this time. 7. Loera is a well-bred filly with both parents being Golden Slipper winners. She’s won a couple of short trials swinging wide on the turn and finishing well. Looks better suited to the 1100m and from a soft draw, she looks dangerous. 3. Mrs Maree just had the one run in the spring, and it was a game second after leading. Has to be respected.
How to play it: Compensation WIN.
Race 2
5. Hold The Door is a good chance to get some control up on the speed with scratchings helping offset the wide gate in the initial draw. Two runs last preparation fair but nice strong trial win leading in and he should run well. 9. Blitzgal has been scratched from a couple of races in the past week and lands here at a suitable trip for her debut. Plenty of merit in her trials and she’s one to keep an eye on. 8. Aladdin’s Girl wasn’t beaten far in all three runs in her first preparation and was largely unfancied in all of them. Every chance from a soft draw.
How to play it: Hold The Door WIN.
Race 3
8. Events is a Godolphin filly in the Maher yard on debut and it’d be a surprise if she’s not competitive. Looked to travel quite well in winning her latest trials, draws to effect in a field that has fallen away. 16. Never Know is the only two-year-old in the race and he might be worth keeping safe on the back of a trial win that had plenty of purpose about it. Any support a pointer. 10. Hellabella was sent out favourite at Wyong first-up and led before being run down by a horse that has won again since. Fitter and can give a good account on speed.
How to play it: Events WIN.
Race 4
Must give 1. Mirzann another chance on the back up from Wednesday where he didn’t have a whole lot of luck from just before the turn. Was a solid favourite there and only rises 2kg for dropping a couple of grades. 5. Pompatus has run well in three starts in easier company at the provincials and gets to 2000m now which should suit. Prepared to forgive last time, only beaten a length and down 3kg. 7. Koolibah has raced just three times in Queensland and delivered a maiden win at Doomben as favourite at a similar trip. Tough to line that up, but gets J-Mac so sure to have supporters.
How to play it: Mirzann WIN.
Race 5
5. Bev’s Nine is hard to fault with five wins from as many starts and he climbs in class now for his biggest test. Too good under 61kg at Canterbury last time and ticked over well winning a recent trial. 9. Akaysha is a talented filly resuming since a handy run behind Grafterburners at the Gold Coast. Excellent trial behind Overpass recently, just won the one race but she’s got the ability to go close. 10. Miss Freelove competed on the same day as her stablemate winning the consolation race. Cruised home well to win a trial last week and will have every chance from the inside gate.
How to play it: Bev’s Nine WIN.
Race 6
9. Tenderize is honest and while just up a notch in class he’s sure to run a big race. Momentarily looked the winner in a Midway last time but bumped into a progressive one in Barrengarry. Has to be a good each-way hope. 5. Wrathful is shaping up well finding form at his last couple in this class. Too far back when running on late into third at Kensington, if he can make some use of the gate he should be hard to hold out. 10. Slinky is racing well without winning, the form through her last start second at Wyong has held up in town but she does face a task from a tricky gate.
How to play it: Tenderize EACH-WAY.
Race 7
1. Jellicious has the form on the board from last preparation have a close second to Weeping Woman before a spell. Fresh form is good, drawn well, claim helps so there’s plenty to like about her. 2. Ticklebelly is not a 900m horse so for her to run so well from well off the speed at Albury first-up is a good sign. She can put herself closer to the speed up 200m and can be more than competitive. 5. Los Padres charged into third in a Midway at Randwick before a solid effort in the Albury City Handicap a couple of weeks back. Worth including in the chances.
How to play it: Jellicious WIN.
Race 8
8. Spanish Artist made an impressive debut at Kembla Grange and the best part of the way was how strong she was at the end of 1200m. Looks ideally suited up in distance, draws to be in a prominent spot and has strong claims. 2. Little Iris won nicely on debut then ran well at this trip at her second start. Led them up when a fading fifth back six weeks ago or so in what’s been a strong form race. 14. Chispa showed improvement on her debut placing to win nicely at 1300m at Kembla in mid-February. Bred to relish the extra ground and kept fresh she has to be respected.
How to play it: Spanish Artist WIN
BEST BETS
Race 7: (1) Jellicious
Race 8: (8) Spanish Artist
Best Value
Race 6: (9) Tenderize
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au
