Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Narromine on Sunday

Having done most of his recent racing in town, The Dramatist makes a rare country appearance as he chases success in the Diggers Cup.

The Dramatist heads to Narramine for the Diggers Cup. Picture: Bradley Photos

With the prospect of a $90,000 race on his home track next month, Scone trainer Rod Northam has elected to head to west rather than back to the city with his talented gelding The Dramatist.

Northam had the option of a Benchmark 78 at Rosehill on Saturday where The Dramatist drew barrier 19 and was going to coming of spots or the Narromine USMC Diggers Cup (1300m) where he also drew wide but would start from no worse than gate 12.

“By running at Narromine, it will qualify him for the Country Cup at Scone on Cup Day during their two-day carnival,” said Northam.

“That looks like a nice race form; 1400m on his home track will suit.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

The Dramatist was one of the last out - but the first home under Reece Jones for Rod Northam. 👏 pic.twitter.com/5kHp06XQEZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2022

“He’s only had three country races in the last 12 months so he needs to go to Narromine to qualify.

“It’s only a field of 12 that will start. He gets back in his races anyway so the draw isn’t the end of the world.”

The son of Shamus Award resumed from a spell with a solid sixth behind Riva Del Sol over 1000m at Scone on March 22.

After drifting back to settle at the tail of the field, the six-year-old took inside runs on the bend and closed nicely to finish three lengths off the winner.

“It was a really nice run. The 1000m was always going to be way to short for him so it was more of a barrier trial for him,” he said.

“He got a long way back but he really hit the line strongly.

“He was going to run at Muswellbrook the other week but they were washed out so we gave him a trial at Scone last week and he was good in finishing a close second.

“I’m really happy with him and I expect him to race well this weekend.

“As long as he handles the track and gets a bit of luck, he should be right in the finish.”

Joining The Dramatist on the truck to Narromine is lightly-raced gelding Giving Delight and Release Point who is making his race debut.

Giving Delight went back-to-back at Dubbo last September before a huge run at Muswellbrook despite finishing ninth behind The Denzel.

Trainer Rod Northam heads to Narromine with a couple of good chances. Picture: AAP Image

This time in, he followed a handy sixth behind Hellcibell over 1100m at Scone on March 22 before returning 25 days later with a fourth behind Azayaka over 1000m.

He lines up in the Country Boosted 58 Handicap over 1100m.

“He’s done a few things wrong in races being a bit green and new but he hasn’t run a bad race,” said Northam.

“He did a lot wrong on the day at Muswellbrook last time in. Considering that, it wasn’t a bad run at all. He made up a lot of ground.

“His run at Scone was quite good last start. He just got a little bit crowded in the straight.

“Going from 1000m up to 1100m this weekend should be perfect.

“It looks a nice race for him and I think he will run really well.”

Three-year-old gelding Release Point makes his race debut in the opening event, the Maiden Plate for colts and geldings over 1100m.

The son of Bull Point was a handy second behind Sunyani in a Scone trial last week.

“I think he will take a run or two. He’s probably more of a miler but he’s nice and fresh and I’ve got the winkers on him. He’ll be doing his best work late,” Northam said.

“I really like him. He did trial well but he’s still pretty immature.

“In 12 months time, he will be a nice horse up over a mile.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 5 No. 2: Giving Delight

The Rod Northam-trained gelding has been just behind the placegetters in stronger grade since resuming. Well placed here.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No. 1: Naval Destroyer

The gelding has good form in Victoria. Trialling well for new stable and hard to beat in either race he contests.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 8: Nitride

Drops back to country grade after resuming from a spell with two runs at the provincials. Up to his favourite trip and ready to peak.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 3 Nos. 5, 7

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4, 6, 7, 10

Race 5: 1, 2, 10

Race 6: 1, 5, 6, 8

Race 7: 2, 3, 11, 145

Mikayla Weir could be in for a good day at Narromine. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Mikayla Weir has a nice book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – NARROMINE

RACE 1

Former Victorian gelding Naval Destroyer makes his NSW debut for Cameron Crockett. Placed three of his six starts including two seconds at Cranbourne. Recent trials have been good. Informed in a first starter by Pariah. Closed nicely from last when a close third in his Scone trial on Apr 17. Hutt Street is a son of Adelaide on debut. Was a nose second in his Scone trial on Apr 17 with a big gap to the others. High Charge has claims on his handy second to Always A Saint at Dubbo last start.

Bet: Naval Destroyer to win or, if scratched, Informed to win

RACE 2

Naval Destroyer is also entered here. The extra distance looks suitable but he does have more weight in this. Leading chance in either race. Specula ran second to the handy One Beat No Beat on debut at Muswellbrook last October before a fourth to Intervarsity. Will take improvement from her first-up fifth over 1200m at Tamworth on Apr 8 behind Arctic Legend who has won again. Big Wandji fought on well for a close second to Cheap Gas when resuming at Wellington over 1100m. Goodbye Stranger has been okay in his two starts and will appreciate the extra distance.

Bet: Naval Destroyer to win or, if scratched, Specular to win

RACE 3

The Mooch has placed in four of her 13 starts but three have come in her last four starts. Worked home well for a near half-length second to Annyanme at Wellington two starts back before a second to Joey D’Or at Orange. I’m Independent took on the leader before being caught late by Wasted Days here on Dec 5 before a spell. Chased Annyanme when fifth at Wellington first-up. Will be better for the run. Poppy Boxer has been just behind the placegetters in both runs at Scone Tamworth.

Bet: The Mooch to win

I'm Scarlett leads from pillar to post at Moree! pic.twitter.com/TwEfEIXJmc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 2, 2024

RACE 4

I’m Scarlett has just one win and three placings from 18 starts but her best form has been in her last few runs. Finally broke through with a four and a half-length all-the-way win at Moree before a third to Tokyo Run at Wellington last start. Laisvas claimed her maiden win at Dubbo two starts back with a two length win over Orcym Busby before a length second to Tokyo Run at Wellington. Wide draw makes her task a little more challenging. Shamister is a recent maiden winner at Wagga Riverside.

Bet: I’m Scarlett to win

RACE 5

Giving Delight wasn’t disgraced when a length and three-quarter sixth behind the in-form Hellcibell when resuming over 1100m at Scone on Mar 22 before a two length fourth to Azayaka over 1000m there on Apr 16 after being crowded. Gets a 1.5kg claim and will give this a shake. Dublin resumes here for a new stable. Was just beaten at Albury on Dec 16 and not far away in three starts since. British Statesman contested the CDRA Country Championship Qualifier two starts back before dropping in grade when fourth to at Orange last start.

Bet: Giving Delight to win

RACE 6

Nitride has had two runs back from a spell in provincial grade over 1200m. Up to his favourite trip and ready to peak third-up. Elson Boy was a good winner at Dubbo before leading all-the-way to beat Gallant Star in the WRA Country Championship Qualifier at Coonamble. Unfortunately, he was scratched from the Final with an injury. Can bounce back from that disappointment. The Dramatist ran a cheeky race from last over 1000m at Scone last start. Trialled nicely since and the trip suits.

Bet: Nitride each-way

RACE 7

Mrs Bull has only won once in 25 starts but she has placed a further 14 times. Came from a long way back when third behind Piggyback at Orange last start. Ultra consistent and will be prominent again. Bean Hot has been just behind then placegetters at his past two starts in Bm58s. Back in grade to a Bm50. Well in after the 3kg claim. Missile Mission broke her maiden at start four at the Sapphire Coast on Mar 23. Followed with a close fifth there behind Sturn Words. Backing up from a fifth to Astunner at Queanbeyan last Monday.

Bet: Mrs Bull to win