Selections based on a good track
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
The maiden sprinters kick off the popular country cup meeting, and we can hit the ground running aboard resuming Press Statement filly 2. Ida’s Rules, which draws to break through. Found one better in all three runs in her first prep against better opposition than this, and she’s the clear one to beat.
Dangers: Improving filly 7. Venatic is over the odds fourth up with a light weight, and can put plenty of value into the quinella. 10. Majestic Rossa is the best of the rest third up at longer odds, with blinkers back on.
How to play it: Ida’s Rules to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Today’s feature NSW meeting is at Parkes.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2 CLASS 2 HCP (1600m)
Out to the mile we go, and coming back from a longer and tougher race is capable mare 4. Avalicious. Came off two handy second-placed runs to box on OK after leading in a feature BM 82 at Mornington, and she should be able to find the front easy enough here in a race lacking early speed.
Dangers: Improving six-year-old 1. Speedzone can peak third up over a furlong further, and draws to get a nice trail around midfield with cover. Honest 8. Order Of Merit has been mixing his form all prep but finally getting some weight relief can run home hard. Watch the betting on provincial four-year-old 6. Bandolero off a fast-finishing CL1 country win, although was advantaged by severe track bias that day and this is harder. 2. Charlotting heads the rest.
How to play it: Avalicious to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 OPEN HCP (1200m)
Not much separates a few of these seasoned sprinters who have been around plenty of times. Like six-year-old 6. Patrick May first up for nine months charging home. Draws to get a soft run with a light weight after the claim and normally comes to hand quickly.
Dangers: Consistent 7. Lady Shenanigans draws to be right in the finish but shapes under the odds given he’s not as effective on firmer ground. 1. Morgenstern has to carry a big weight third up but much better placed here dropping down from BM 78 provincial grade.
How to play it: Patrick May to win; Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Keen on three-year-old 4. East Harlem first up for the same country stable as the top selection in the opener. Has more than enough speed to offset the wider draw, and won his maiden fresh back in early December.
Dangers: Speedy mare and early short-priced fancy 9. Loving Angel is an obvious threat third up after a five-length demolition of her rivals at Wellington, but back on firm ground from a wide draw against better opposition leaves her under the odds. 1. Choice Deel is hard fit and was a dominant BM 58 winner at that same meeting as the former. Out of that same Wellington race when disappointing as favorite, include 3. Titan Star in exotic bets.
How to play it: East Harlem to win; Odds and Evens: Split