John Schell
(Selections based on a good track)
Race 1
1. Blazing Guru was back in winning form when scoring a last start Wellington victory over 2400m and looks well suited over the 2200m in this. Her form before the win was sound since joining the new stable from Victoria. She is up in weight for this, but the apprentice allowance will help with that. 6. Bill Peyto hit the line well to score at this track when last produced and should be suited by the step up in distance. Expect him to be prominent again. 9. Charlotting ran fourth in the same race Bill Peyto contested last time out and on the strength of that performance shouldn’t be far from the action. 5. Tavijewel bobs up every now and again and was placed behind Blazing Guru two starts ago before finishing a last start fourth at Queanbeyan when beaten a length and a quarter.
How to play it: Blazing Guru WIN.
Race 2
4. Sutton Storm is a Pariah gelding on debut from the strong Rodney Northam stable with apprentice Anna Weatherlake taking the ride. He won his only trial at Muswellbrook and looks to have the talent to give this a shake. 12. Anders Diamond is another first starter that has trialled well leading into this event when third and beaten less than a length at this track. 1. Corky has been just behind the placings in both starts to date and shouldn’t be underestimated, while 3. Harry was less than a length from the winner at Wellington at his second start and bears close watching.
How to play it: Sutton Storm WIN.
Race 3
1. Castro is a consistent performer with six placings to his name from nine starts. He’s finished third at Mudgee and Narromine at his past two starts and gets another chance to break through here. 2. Inyun wasn’t far away when resuming from a spell with a seventh at Orange and only needs to run up to that to be hard to hold out. 5. Forwarding battled on well when a last start second at Wellington and should give cheek again. 10. Litlfella has finished fourth at his past four starts and a placing wouldn’t surprise.
How to play it: Castro EACH WAY.
Race 4
14. Duskaura is a two-year-old filly taking on the older horses, but she looks to have plenty of upside after two trials for a fourth at Scone and a win at Muswellbrook. She’s drawn well here and can kick of her career in style. 12. Miss Maverick has been racing well with a string of placings and should be prominent again. 11. Marinera debuted for the Robb stable with a second at Mudgee and should be in the firing line. 10. Been There debuts after a number of trials and has claims.
How to play it: Duskaura WIN.
Race 5
1. Chandon Star is an on-speed galloper that won in good style at Wellington in the Town Plate two starts ago and then ran a solid fourth at Tamworth in good company. He should go forward from the good gate here and the apprentice claim helps. 3. Kranich is fresh having been placed in his latest four starts and comes here after a third at Wagga at the end of March. 4. Play My Song is a last start winner at this track that warrants respect, while 6. Wave Breaker ran well at Muswellbrook when a last start placegetter.
How to play it: Chandon Star WIN.
Race 6
5. Gail Jeanette has been racing in fine form at her latest three starts. She failed at her first start for the new stable but has since finished second at Wellington before winning at this track and then Wellington at her past two runs. She’s drawn ideally in this and can go on with the job. 1. Obsessive Nature has been racing consistently of late and was a winner three starts back in easier grade before a third here and a fourth at Wellington. This looks suitable. 3. Andale has a solid record from a lightly raced career and is fresh for this after a recent Narromine trial. 8. Supreme Style is a talented mare resuming and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
How to play it: Gail Jeanette EACH WAY.
Race 7
1. Release Point resumes from a spell here with a big weight but that will be alleviated by the four-kilogram allowance of apprentice Anna Weatherlake. Release Point hasn’t raced since October when finishing 11th in a Highway at Randwick, and he’s finished second in a recent barrier trial at Muswellbrook in preparation for this. He’s won two and been placed in one of four first-up assignments. 2. Mrs Bull doesn’t win too often but she is consistently around the placings. She’s finished second at third in two of her last three starts, with both minors being at Orange. She can be thereabouts again. 6. Call Me Terry is a last start winner at this track on April 10, and his previous form was solid as well. He’s worth including among the main chances. 14. My Kind Of Girl resumed from a break with a good win at Dubbo two weeks ago when coming from well back in the field.
How to play it: Release Point WIN.
BEST BETS
Race 2: (4) Sutton Storm
Race 7: (1) Release Point
Best Value:
Race 6: (5) Gail Jeanette
Supplied by Racing NSW
