Lyle Chandler’s exploits with Banju has attracted some new additions to his stable, with two of them in action at Muswellbrook on Sunday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
Chandler’s exploits with the aforementioned Banju hasn’t gone unnoticed with the trainer rolling out the red carpet for some new and welcome additions.
Two of those, Mazita and Rapbidash, will be in action at Muswellbrook on the weekend.
There won’t be a better-bred horse on course than Mazita who was bred, raised and retained by Kia Ora Stud, the home of stallions – Farnan, Prague and Captivant.
Mazita is the 11th and last foal out of broodmare gem Zarinia whose five winning offspring boast three stakes winners including the former South African Horse of the Year, Igagu, as well as the Craven Plate, Gloaming Stakes and Norman Robinson winner Honorius.
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As for Mazita, the son of Merchant Navy has finished third in his only two starts, one at Muswellbrook, the other at Scone, but both similarly barnstorming to put it mildly.
“Delighted by the runs and a little frustrated that he keeps missing the kick,’’ Chandler surmised.
“If he mucks the start up (on Sunday) then he will be right out the back because there is no way to get through everybody (from barrier one).
“With respect, other than Luke Pepper’s horse, it’s not the strongest field and he’ll have to circle them up if that’s the case but I am not going to worry about that too much, I’ll leave it to Aaron (Bullock).
“If he does get back and just runs on again then so be it but hopefully he has learned from his mistakes.
“He’s a horse I have had a good opinion of for a long time and it was nice to obviously finally get him to the races this preparation
“He has got a beautiful intelligence about him and I really look forward to developing him through the grades rather than just rushing him because he is quite a late foal.’’
While Mazita has no peers in the pedigree department, it’s unlikely there will be a better looking horse racing on Sunday than Chandler’s exciting debutant Rapbidash.
“When I work for Gai Waterhouse, you pull a horse out of the box and they are all good sorts and nice types and she would be one like that,’’ Chandler said.
“She is a big mare with a nice girth and very nicely put together.’’
Blessed with a daisy-cutting action, the daughter of Widden’s young and emerging stallion Supido has looked the goods in her two trials, notably her last to first win in a Gunnedah heat on May 2.
“I think it was two seconds slower than the other trial on the day but she does seem to be able to quicken quite nicely,’’ Chandler said.
“She has a little bit of a tendency to miss the start which I don’t mind and obviously she’s drawn wide but you can get away with that at Muswellbrook.’’
SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 1 No.1: MAZITA
Has been the run of the race – and then some, in his two starts so far, making up huge deficits both times.
NEXT BEST
Race 6 No.11: RAPBIDASH
Another of the Lyle Chandler trained horses on Sunday’s card; this debutant has trialled up like she has plenty of talent.
VALUE BET
Race 4 No.7: MISS MILTON
Still say she was unlucky not to have won the 2021 Inglis Challenge. Has more ability than a mere Class 1 horse.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 1,7
Race 5: 3,4,6,10,12
Race 6: 4,11
Race 7: 9,13
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Aaron Bullock – a cut-and-paste job this one. He picks himself everywhere he goes riding these days.
Aaron Bullock is worth following again at Muswellbrook on Sunday. Picture: Jenny Evans
INSIDE MAIL
RACE 1
Mazita is a handsome and well-bred colt born, raised and retained by/at the famous Kia Ora Stud – home to Farnan, Captivant and Prague. As for Mazita, he is a son of Merchant Navy and trained at Scone by Lyle Chander. You can read what he said in the main story but for what it’s worth, I reckon he might be too good for the others. That said, Luke Pepper’s Big Time Charlie has more race experience than Mazita and has run some creditable races. Hot Wok has claims. Tapa Kick is the big watch.
Bet: Mazita to win
RACE 2
Yak won his 61st and most recent starts in a race at Gunnedah on May 2 and was 223132 leading into it which says a lot about the horse himself and how well Michael Lunn places him. There is no break with tradition on Sunday with Yak in another winnable race. Just never wants it heavy. Foxtrot Bravo also accepted for a race closer to home at Nowra on Sunday. Insider Trader is a as fit as any horse in the race and more than most in fact. His only run over the track/trip was a second. Itsagooddeel is down in class but needs to lift.
Bet: Yak to win
RACE 3
She’s Independent is a seven-year-old mare who has raced 54 times but certainly maintains her zest for racing to use a well worn cliche. The Paul Perry-trained mare has finished runner-up at her last two starts, she got very close at Wyong. Take note that she has raced at Muswellbrook 11 times and won twice, both over this trip too. A lot of us have been waiting for Packer to do what he did at Wagga on Cup day. He ran straight past them and won in impressive style. Packer has been here twice and placed both times. Waraha Flash is a player.
Bet: She’s Independent to win
RACE 4
Miss Milton is a cleverly-named son of a mare called Paradise Lost. The thing that we (that is to say, I) say the whole time about this mare is that she was dreadfully unlucky not to have won the Inglis Challenge at start two around this time in 2021. She’s been unlucky after that too sometimes. Got talent. Florino is a massive watch – Paul Messara, Aaron Bullock, smashing looker and most important of all, he was odds-on when he won here on debut back on march 31 with Bullock on that day too. Yirrkala is lightly-raced and hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Bet: Miss Milton to win, quinella 1,7
RACE 5
Mon Pierre had trialled exceedingly well before his debut fourth at Kembla. It was a top effort in a pretty decent field, they ran time and he was forced to sustain a lot of pressure in the run. Savvy is owned by the great man Tye Angland and is by Press Statement whom Angland won the JJ Atkins on. Nice horse, lovely trials. Sofie’s Gem did enough in her May 10 trial here to warrant respect and attention unless the market says otherwise. Miss Adamas was runner-up at Canterbury at start two of three in her first prep. Ruode will be strong late.
Bet: Mon Pierre to win
RACE 6
Rapbidash is a Supdio filly from the Lyle Chander stable. She is a great looking horse, that’s easy to see. She has trialled twice, ran a cruisy second here on April 13 then went to Gunendah on May 2 and was incredibly impressive, sweeping home past them. Can’t wait to see how she measures up on raceday. Ditto all that and more for Martedi, a strikingly handsome son of Maurice owned by Arrowfield and Cloros Bloodstock. Looked the part winning his May 10 trial here. Afterboomer ran a neck second to a handy one at Newcastle on debut.
Bet: Rapbidash each-way, quinella 4,11
RACE 7
Extra Smart is a hugely valuable mare. She is a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist; her third dam is the mighty Alinghi. Extra Smart still has something/plenty to offer as a racehorse before she becomes a broodmare. She has a tidy little record of a win, a second and fourth in three starts. Wow, what a trial. Flashy chestnut Talons has raced here at home three times for two thirds. That first one was on debut where he finished behind Humble Star and Kiss Sum. Expecting him to be very strong late. Remember Jack, Good Lieutenant and Gisel are all in the mix.
Bet: Extra Smart to win, Talons to place, quinella 9,13