Best bets and inside mail for Wagga Riverside on Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses the Christmas Eve card at Wagga Riverside on Tuesday, presenting his best bets, value selection, exotic and quaddie tips plus jockey to follow.

Danielle Seib has some great chances at Wagga on Christmas Eve. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses the Christmas Eve card at Wagga Riverside on Tuesday, presenting his best bets, value selection, exotic and quaddie tips plus jockey to follow.

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WAGGA RIVERSIDE TIPS

BEST BET
Race 6 No.7 ASSOCIATE
Got a long way back as usual last start but ran on best of all as always.

NEXT BEST
Race 2 No.9 MISS FENNELL
Chased gamely and got close to a handy horse on debut and has trialled very well.

VALUE
Race 5 No.12 MAYFAIR HOTEL
One for one at this track and distance. Perfect build-up for this.

DAILY DOUBLE
1st Leg (7); 2nd Leg (10)

QUADDIE
Race 5: 11,12
Race 6: 2,7
Race 7: 2,3,4
Race 8: 10,12

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Punter’s pal Jeff Penza is a big chance to take out the TAB Jockeys Challenge.

WAGGA RIVERSIDE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)
DEFLECTOR (6), a $100,000 Inglis Classic purchase, is trained by Country Championship winner Gary Colvin. A son of Pride Of Dubai, his grand-dam Artletty won the 1997 Villiers at 50s. DEFLECTOR (6) crossed the line, more or less in unison, with the other horse in his trial but he moved really well so is worth the punt at $23. SUNDROP (8) has race experience; she was charging home at Albury over 1000m; 1200m now. DAINTAIN’S PRIZE (11) is way ‘overs’.
BET: DEFLECTOR (6) each-way, DAINTAIN’S PRIZE (11) to place, box First 4 Nos. 1,6,8,10,11.

RACE 2: SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)
MISS FENNELL (9) was a big drifter on debut back on August 11 in a Wagga 1200m. The Darrell Burnet-trained filly ran a huge race as it turned out. She chased gamely from midfield and got closest of all to the winner, Daze Off, who ‘goes well’. Ran second in a trial to subsequent/recent winner, Xcessive Force. DIVRON (10) has been costly but consistent. She gets her chance again here from a favourable draw. Stablemate SUPER JULES (12) wants 1200m now – big time.
BET: MISS FENNELL (9) to win.

RACE 3: BENCHMARK 58 (1200m)
FIRE YOUR GUNS (3) came from an almost impossible position at the turn to win a 1400m Country Maiden assignment at Wagga on Nov 1 at start three of his career. Nick Heywood rode him that day and sticks for obvious reasons. Former Warwick Farm resident URAFIKI (7)’s two starts for Danielle Seib are a win and a third during October. Ran 12-lengths last of 10 in a Rosehill trial the other day but I respectfully suggest that you read nothing into that.
BET: FIRE YOUR GUNS (3) to win, quinella 3,7.

RACE 4: JGW HARVEST CRICHTON CUP BENCHMARK 82 (1200m)
KAPPY’S ANGEL (5) is one of those examples of where the numbers tell it better than words can. Here goes; the Gary Colvin bred, owned and trained mare has won six times in 21 starts with three placings. Five of her wins at and two of her placings are at this distance. Her record at the track/distance is three starts for two wins and a third. Jeff Penza is one for one on her. With all that said, TAP ‘N’ RUN (1) is a better horse but has to give away a chunk of weight to the local.
BET: KAPPY’S ANGEL (5) to win, quinella 1,5.

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 58 (1800m)
MAYFAIR HOTEL (12) races in the same colours as her now retired half-sister Sumdeel who won a TAB Highway over 1800m for Wayne Carroll and co. Carroll has deadset given Mayfair Hotel a Bart Cummings-like build up to this Heat of the Wagga Stayers Series; the timing just could not be any better for her, bearing in mind she is one for one at the track/trip. CRACKER DANCE (11) finished seventh of nine at Warwick Farm last start but was a bit of an eye-catcher actually.
BET: MAYFAIR HOTEL (12) to win, exacta 12 to beat 11, trifecta 12 (standout), 2,10,11,13 (boxed).

RACE 6: TED RYDER CUP (1675m)
ASSOCIATE (7) sets himself some big task in his races, wide barriers haven’t helped either, but there wouldn’t be many horses with a bigger finish than him. His run in the Highway first-up was the run of the race and as much as Super Helpful deserved that Nowra Cup win last start, Associate was miles off the leaders and was motoring late. PRINCE OF HELENA (2) raises the bat for 50 starts, chasing win number 10. OUR LAST CASH (3) was runner-up in the Barn Dance.
BET: ASSOCIATE (7) to win (best bet), Daily Double 1st leg (7), 2nd Leg (10).

RACE 7: CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1065m)
PERIGEAN (3) was a $600,000 Magic Millions Yearling in 2022. He was picked-up online in June 2023 for $45,000 and changed hands again in August this year, this time for $20,000. He won $13,000 straight off the bat for the new owners thanks to Danielle Seib. This is much harder but he got barrier one again. LETME ENTERTAINYOU (4) is out wide but we could lose a few come post time. Definitely has the ability. The ‘best’ DESTRUCTIVE DIVA (2) could run over the top.
BET: PERIGEAN (3) to win.

RACE 8: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m)
MASTER OF DISGUISE (10) has raced four times for a win and a second. Key to note that those two runs are his only two runs this prep so it is pretty clear that he has come back in super order. LOCH ERIN (12) was spelled after running last in the 2024 Black Opal Preview on Feb 23. Was rock solid $4.30 first-up when she pulled out plenty to beat King Taurus first-up and he, King Taurus, won by panels at Moruya last Sunday.
BET: MASTER OF DISGUISE (10) to win, quinella 10,12.

Originally published as Best bets and inside mail for Wagga Riverside on Tuesday, December 24, 2024