Taree preview, tips and inside mail for Sunday, February 9, 2025

Trainer Tony Ball remains confident at his home track despite five of his six runners drawing double-figure barriers. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Tony Ball didn’t get much luck with the barriers for his runners at Taree on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Local trainer Tony Ball is hoping for some luck at Taree where the majority of his gallopers have been handed visitors draws.

Five of Ball’s six gallopers headed to the races on Sunday will step from double-digit barriers.

The first two of those come up in race four with Scaterring and Take A Break stepping out in the Time For A XXXX Maiden Plate over 1300m.

Ball’s confidence hasn’t been dented though despite the awkward gates as he’s putting his faith in the jockeys aboard.

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“They will both run good,” Ball said.

“They’ve drawn bad gates but that’s the case with just about all of my runners there.

“Scattering is looking for the 1300 (m) and you saw that at his last run around Port Macquarie when he hit the line for well second.

“Sienna (Grima) sticks with him and she knows him well having rode him at that last run.

“He’ll go back from that barrier and I’d expect him to be running well.

“The other horse (Take A Break) ran off the track at Port Macquarie two runs back and then I changed his gear the other day and he went much better.

“I’m not sure what Matty (McGuren) will do on him. If he steps well then he’ll try lead but if not, he’ll take a sit on him.”

While Ball can’t split his pair, bookies posted Scattering as the better hope of the two as a $7.50 chance whereas Take A Break is at double-figure odds.

The sixth race will see talented galloper Toy Story return to a happy hunting ground where he’s got top jockey Aaron Bullock in the saddle.

A four-year-old son of Astern, Toy Story is two for two around his home track but zero for 13 everywhere else.

Leanne Boyd produces a 10/10 ride on Toy Story to win Race 6 at Taree! pic.twitter.com/STpt1WiDar

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 7, 2025

He too has a wide barrier to overcome but Ball isn’t worried with Bullock in the saddle and hopes he can continue his hot record on home turf.

“It’s Aaron’s first ride of him and I’ll just leave it to him,” Ball said.

“Not much went right for him the other day but he’s pulled up well and will get to the races in good order.

“I think he’s looking for the 1400m to and if he’s going to get it anywhere, it’s at Taree.

“He does seem to go a length or two better around Taree and he’s won at both starts here so hopefully he can keep it going again.”

A race later will see apprentice hoop Jett Newman have her sixth race ride and it will come aboard Ball’s tough, veteran galloper Adamdeeant.

The eight-year-old gelding is first-up from a break and set to appreciate the 4kg claim from Newman.

“He’s first-up from a break and has come back good even though he’s not getting any younger,” Ball said.

“He’s the only horse I’ve got there that’s drawn a gate and the young girl (Newman) takes 4kg off him which will certainly help.

“I think he’s going to be hard to beat … He’s a good each-way chance.”

Bookies posted Adamdeeant as a $10 chance in betting where Brett Cavanough’s galloper Water Lad is the $3.60 favourite.

Similar to Adamdeeant, Water Lad has a 4kg claimer in the saddle with jockey Nick Palmer jumping on board.

TAREE TIPS

BEST BET

Talma I Love Her (Race 5 No.5)

Doesn’t have the most attractive strike rate but looks perfectly placed. Does his best work at Taree and in form apprentice Anna Roper is in the saddle.

NEXT BEST

Queen Of A Hand (Race 2 No.2)

Former Sydneysider now with Glen Milligan. Led last start at Port Macquarie when only narrowly beaten. If she leads here, she will be hard to run down.

VALUE BET

Toy Story (Race 6 No.2)

He’s two for two at Taree and zero for 13 anywhere else. Aaron Bullock is in the saddle and he’ll get it right from a wide barrier.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5

Race 6: 1, 2, 4

Race 7: 1, 4, 11

Race 8: 1, 3, 9, 10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock rides in six of the eight races and almost all of them are winning chances. Should boot home a double at least.

TAREE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Former Victorian raider Sweet Marlene is looking to break through at start 11. Drawn the ace marble in barrier one, so expecting her to be up on the speed and hard to run down in the opening event. Blinkers go on El Beatle for the first time in his career. Got too far back last time out at Port Macquarie but he’s drawn better here. She’s A Wild One has trialled up all right leading into her debut. One to watch in the market. Doncaster Avenue is also on debut and gets here off two trials.

Bet: Sweet Marlene to win.

RACE 2

Queen Of A Hand is a former John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained galloper now with the Glen Milligan stable. She showed plenty of improvement last time out when leading around Port Macquarie. Only collared late but if she can do that around Taree, I think she’ll win. Dayu turned in a forgiving effort last time out when three wide without cover and dropping out of it as a result. A change of fortune will have this galloper in the finish. Pelette was tested against provincial company last start. Returning to country grade is a positive.

Bet: Queen Of A Hand to win.

RACE 3

Sirius Flyer failed to handle the heavy Kris Lees-trained filly Starzzaborn showed plenty of speed on debut when only beaten narrowly. Should have plenty of improvement in her at start number two. Rockbarton Angel got it all wrong a the start when last sighted at Port Macquarie. Blinkers go on and the barrier blanket comes off. Has talent and can bounce back if she can put it all together. Thursain should be at her peak third-up into the campaign. Made some ground out wide at her previous run. Lil’ Bit Vaig has a place hope too.

Bet: Sirius Flyer to win.

RACE 4

Hallonic trialled up good behind stablemate Sixspeed ahead of his debut. Looked to be going better than that horse and he’s no slouch, given he’s won four of 13. Trialled in blinkers and they stay on for race day. Drawn well in gate one and Shae Wilkes should know him better than anyone. Ilovenews is the sole runner for Lee and Cherie Curtis at the meeting. Has a runner up finish at provincial level on the resume and gets here off a 20 week freshen up. Bombinate was a big drifter last start and ran accordingly. Can be forgiven for one bad run.

Bet: Hallonic to win.

RACE 5

Talma I Love Her’s best runs have come at Taree. He’s only chalked up the one win from 20 starts but it did come here and his first two runs of this preparation have been building towards another victory. There’s some rain predicted on race day and if it falls, it helps his chances even more. The fact that this is a pretty weak race is a positive too. Meghan was caught four wide the trip last time out over the track and distance. Drawn a better gate and Jon Grisedale has a good record on her. Respecting Artelimar given Aaron Bullock is on board.

Bet: Talma I Love Her best bet.

RACE 6

Toy Story has a love affair for his home track at Taree, given he’s two from two there and zero for 13 anywhere else. Drawn wide but Aaron Bullock jumps on and rarely does he get it wrong. Stepping up to 1400m is the only query with him. Time Ruler gets here in super form. Rock hard fit now fifth-up into the preparation and a repeat effort of his last run has him in the mix. Otium will be much improved with the run under his belt and stepping out to 1400m. Apprentice hoop Shae Wilkes sticks and she takes 2kg off.

Bet: Toy Story to win.

RACE 7

Water Lad looked home and hosed last time out at Armidale before peaking on his run late and dead heating. Gets a good drop in weight for this with the 4kg claimer on and he should be up on the speed, which is always helpful around Taree. Poita hasn’t won in quite some time but is always running on. Blinkers go on him for the first time and maybe that can have him a bit closer to the speed. Adamdeeant is a grand campaigner having his 29th start at Taree. Will get his chance from barrier four and it’s worth noting that he did beat Polylithic home three starts back.

Bet: Water Lad to win.

RACE 8

Kaihoko is drawn terribly but going super leading into this. Narrowly beaten in a strong race first-up that featured Highway performer Zaru. He’s only going to improve off that effort and while he’s got a big weight to carry, I think he’s got a clear class advantage on this field. Craig’s One did it tough last start at Port Macquarie but still one. Drawn to get a good run here from barrier four and he’s rock hard fit. The stablemate Bob’s Last One ran well at a big price last start at Port Macquarie. The return to his home track suits. Tsunoda was never able to get in the race last start after being slow out. Can improve and Aaron Bullock sticks.

Bet: Kaihoko to win.