A Gratz Vella-trained gelding is due for a change of luck and looks well placed to collect his reward at Wagga. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
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WAGGA
BEST BET
Race 4 No. 5: REGION TIME
Ran a huge race behind Sister Moon here on Town Plate Day and was nothing short of a certainty beaten at Albury after that.
NEXT BEST
Race 7 No. 4: SIR MING
A grandson of Alinghi who was good first-up and better again second-up so could easily peak now.
VALUE BET
Race 1 No. 1: AUSTRALIAN HARBOUR
Honourable in defeat first-up off a long break and at his Australian debut on Town Plate Day.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 5
Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 5
Race 6: 1, 2, 7
Race 7: 4
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Danny Beasley will take some beating in Friday’s TAB Jockeys Challenge at Wagga.
DUBBO
BEST BET
Race 2 No. 3: LUSKIN VAIN
Took a lot of ground off Just An Upstart when they met here on May 20. Progressive style of horse.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 2: BILLABONG ISLE
Barrier 1 as opposed to barrier 11 is sure to make a difference to this mare who likes the Dubbo track.
VALUE BET
Race 8 No. 9: LADY RIZ
Posted her 10th second placing here last start and looks closer than ever to another win.
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WAGGA
RACE 4
Region Time is a Gratz Vella-trained filly who finished fifth to another Canberra resident, none other than Sister Moon, in a Class 2 here on Town Plate Day. We should also point out that Region Time was last of 11 at the corner and was only beaten just over two lengths by the subsequent Highway winner. As for last start, Region Time was a certainty beaten. Enjorlas is fit, down in class and rather attractively weighted now after the claim for Holly Durnan. Foxtrot Bravo excels at this track and trip.
Bet: Region Time to win
RACE 5
Mooshaka has finished on the podium 11 times out of 19 starts which is quite an honourable strike rate. But it gets better when you zero in the fact that she has raced at the Wagga 1000m five times for a win, a second a third. Barrier 1 might have sealed the deal. That said, the one right alongside her in the gates is a huge obstacle namely Okami Miss who was nosed out at Albury at her first run for Mitchell Beer. Second-up, so well again. Tablet has a sticky gate but a very good ‘Wagga jockey’ on.
Bet: Mooshaka to win, exacta 1 to beat 2
Blesk is ready to peak second-up at Wagga. Picture: Grant Guy
RACE 6
Blesk has won $231,580 and probably should have won a fair bit more than that. As good as he is, he has often had to rely on outside factors like tempo, track bias, well-timed rides – just general luck. That first-up third was good, make it very good given he was third to Participator no less. Look at that second-up record. Wow. The Norm Gardner-bred, owned and trained gelding Cyborg has finished first or second at 13 of his 39 starts and six of those are wins. Better yet, he has raced at the track and trip three times and won twice. Swagger’s always a player.
Bet: Blesk to win, exacta 1 to beat 2
RACE 7
Sir Ming would almost have to be the best bred horse racing at Wagga on Friday. He is by Shalaa; his dam is Dame Pattie whose own ‘parents’ are Snitzel and Alinghi. This will be Sir Ming’s third run for Danielle Seib. The first was good, the second was better and this one might be best. Gary Colvin-trained Durpride Star hasn’t done much wrong in her nine starts. Three of them are here at the home track and she placed at all of them. Nullify should feel at home at this level.
Bet: Sir Ming to win
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR DUBBO
RACE 5
Billabong Isle paid a heavy toll for her 11 of 11 barrier at Wellington last start. To her credit, she ran second. It’s a big change in circumstances for the Alison Smith-trained mare on Friday. To begin with she has drawn barrier 1 this time. On top of that, she has raced over the Dubbo 1000m four times for a win and three placings. Rejinsky has looked more like Nijinsky a couple of times, certainly in his trials anyway. Clearly he has had issues but he has so much X-factor. He is a huge market watch.
Bet: Billabong Isle to win
RACE 6
Just An Upstart had his first six starts for Hong Kong-bound Mark Newnham. For the record, the son of Choisir was runner-up three times and third at another. Given where he had been racing and how he had performed, he was a moral here at his first run for Clint Lundholm on May 20; hence the $1.35. He won by four lengths. Pliskova creates a whole lot of interest. She is from one of Gerry Harvey’s best families at Baramul and her C.V speaks for itself. Destiny’s Bounty and Epic Time will have admirers and for good reason.
Bet: Just An Upstart to win
Wendy Peel rides Just An Upstart for trainer Clint Lundholm at Dubbo. Picture: Trackside Photography
RACE 7
Big Time Charlie is a Luke Pepper-trained gelding who is a 12 starts maiden but with four placings, three of those seconds. One thing that stands out like a beacon on the page is that he has run in a whole lot of very strong maidens. Take May 21 for instance, he bumped into Mazita and stretched him to a head. Tot Of Rum has placed at seven of her nine starts, most of them at the provincials. Gets yet another chance to win, and she may well convert this time, but she has been way too costly for some. Raven Scout could be the value (place) runner.
Bet: Big Time Charlie to win
RACE 8
Lady Riz, who wears the colours of Sniper’s Bullet and countless others, has raced 52 times and gone home to Wellington with a medal on 19 occasions which is an honourable feat given that she is more or less what you would term a backmarker. She was runner-up last start here and seems to be building up to another win. That sentiment goes the same for Golden Eclipse who has placed at all three at this home track and distance. Cherry Blue is in smashing form but has the big weight and wide alley to contend with.
Bet: Lady Riz each-way, Golden Eclipse each-way, quinella 9, 12