Goulburn, Port Macquarie best bets and inside mail for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Champion jockey Tommy Berry will make a special trip to Goulburn on Tuesday to ride Mountain Chatter for his father-in-law/trainer John Nisbet.

Tommy Berry will make a special trip to Goulburn on Tuesday to partner Mountain Chatter for his father-in-law John Nisbet. Picture: Getty Images

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and quaddie analysis for Goulburn and Port Macquarie on Tuesday.

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GOULBURN TIPS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.13: Mountain Chatter

Tommy Berry’s reason for heading to Goulburn.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.9: Incantation

Godolphin filly whose trial suggests her best campaign is imminent.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No.8: Hazel Jean

Really powers home like her father Castelvecchio used to.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 8,9

Race 5: 2,8,10

Race 6: 1,6,4,13

Race 7: 7

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tommy Berry looks good for one ride, one win in the “Get Out Stakes’.

GOULBURN INSIDE MAIL

RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)

Incantation is a Godoplhin filly who was tipped out a short three-run first campaign which ended with a seven-length third at Newcastle over 1500m. She could up a nice 2000m/2400m filly before the season is out so 1400m, off a good 1000m trial, in this class makes her very likeable indeed. Aweigh has both race fitness and superior form to Incantation so commands respect and attention. Black Bugatti has trialled well and is a player.

Bet: Incantation to win

RACE 5: MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

Hazel Jean wears the colours of her sire, Castelvecchio, and dam, Quattro Foglie. We all know how good Castevecchio was, but the dam won two with two seconds from four starts also for Richard Litt. As for Hazel Jean, she can really launch herself late. Ron Quinton-bred/owned and trained Quein Step has trialled rather well. Ima Capri won’t have to have improved any of that very close third on debut at Hawkesbury. Bet: Hazel Jean each-way, quinella / exacta 8, 10, DD 1st Leg (8), 2nd Leg (7)

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1000m)

Air Play, a $37,500 Danny Williams Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling purchase, was $21 for no good reason when he won first-up here at home over 900m on Feb 28. His record at the track/distance is five starts for a win and two thirds, one of those a distant third to Martini Mumma. Capable of a repeat. Are Ee Que won with a bit of authority here last start. Likes the venue and will likely be prominent again from barrier two. Be Quiet is an obvious player.

Bet: Air Play each-way

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1300m)

Mountain Chatter was always going to be popular here but her supporters will have to stump up the “Tommy Berry tax”. He’s not going down there for practice, a lot of the reason for the trip down is that the horse is trained by his father-in-law John Nisbet. As for the horse itself, he’s been dying for 1200m on a big track. Hooligan Tommy was scratched from Canberra on Monday to run here. Both wins are at a mile but could really see him letting rip late in this very suitable race. Wal’s Angels frequently runs well in Highways circa this trip.

Bet: Mountain Chatter to win

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PORT MACQUARIE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 1 No.8: Sweet Patriot

Form reads superior and won a city trial 8-days ago.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.8: Valentino Prince

Been entirely luckless in both runs this time in.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No.10: Cup Of Ambition

Winless after 22 starts hut might want this trip now.

PORT MACQUARIE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1206m)

Valentino Prince has finished eighth of nine and sixth of 10 in his two runs back but the story is he drew nine of nine first-up and raced wide throughout, then was badly held up the next time and darn near should have placed or even threatened the winner. Don’t sell him short. Naughty Nurser, the daughter of the Group 1-placed Nurse Kitchen, went to the paddock as a winner and comes back here off a lovely pair of trials. Stablemate Hell of a Lad is consistent enough.

Bet: Valentino Prince to win, quinella/exacta 8, 12

RACE 7: CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1006m)

Sir Freddie has won just three times in his 31 starts but one of them was a TAB Highway blowout but to be fair, a few of his six placings could have been wins but for his pattern of getting back. Also seems that he needs the cut out of the ground and that could very well be the case by now. Jewels Statement is no doubt the best credentialed horse in the race. Market watch essential.

Bet: Sir Freddie each-way, Daily Double 1st Leg (11), 2nd Leg (11)

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1206m)

Taking The Mikki has three wins and 11 placings from his 30 starts. Better still, she has raced at Port Mac five times for a win, two seconds and a third and is one win, one second and one third from three at the t/d. Kaihoko has been very good throughout his career but he’s come back so well. He’s a last start city winner in fact. Critical Time’s best is good enough.

Bet: Taking The Mikki to win, quinella 4, 11, box trifecta 1, 4, 8, 11

RACE 9: BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1106m)

Maggie Sparkles was bought for $900 online in July 2022. She was 100/1 on debut in April 2024 at Taree and was never in the call really. Fast forward to Sep 13 that year and she was $7.50 (rock solid) beating the above average Get Some Fun at Tuncurry. Resumed again off a lovely trial. Super Jaie is looking like he will get a lovely run and the 3kg off for a superstar apprentice weighs heavily in favour (if that makes sense).

Bet: Maggie Sparkles each-way, Super Jaie each-way, quinella 1, 11

Originally published as Goulburn, Port Macquarie best bets and inside mail for Tuesday, March 11, 2025