Shayne O’Cass’s best bets, inside mail for Tamworth on Tuesday May 20, 2025

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass presents his best bets and inside mail for Tuesday’s NSW meeting at Tamworth.

  

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass presents his best bets and inside mail for Tuesday’s NSW meetings at Tamworth.

The meeting scheduled for Newcastle has been postponed.

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TAMWORTH TIPS

BEST BET
Race 7 No.10 NOT WRITTEN OFF: Reliable type whose two trials indicate a winning return all things considered.

NEXT BEST
Race 1 No.3 DEEMEE: Very fit and in-form mare who strikes the ideal race again.

VALUE
Race 5 No.4 HOLLYWOOD GOLD: Lightly-raced galloper who ticks every available box.

QUADDIE
Race 4: 4,5,10
Race 5: 4,11
Race 6: 6,8,14
Race 7: 6,10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Donovan Dillon will be a popular choice in the TAB Jockeys Challenge.

TAMWORTH INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: Class 1 Plate (2100m)

DEEMEE (3) is ‘122’ in her last three starts at 2200m. No wonder, look at her stayer’s pedigree – she is by Preferment while her grand-dam is by At Talaq. Obviously in form and clearly very fit. This is the perfect race for her again. PATHELIA (11) is another bred to stay – and does. Her grand-dam Zagalia ran fifth to Makybe Diva in the 2003 Cup. Go back to May 4 and she was third to Deemee at Dubbo over 2200m but was beaten five-and-a-half. NEVIIM (10) has claims as does LADY LILIBET (9).

BET: DEEMEE (3) to win.

RACE 2: Maiden Handicap (1200m)

ZELESTIAL (8) was born in England but is a daughter of our own Zoustar. Dams are by Duke of Marmalade, Galileo and Rainbow Quest so she should get out to a mile/2000m in time. Two runs in England were solid. Ran fifth to Givemethebeatboys on debut and he won a Group 3 two weeks later. TAITY (1) is a striking son of Yes Yes Yes whose five trials were a far bit better than they read. In a top yard and has Aaron Bullock on. CORNERBACK (4) is a Kris Lees stablemate to Taity and it too has trialled neatly.

BET: ZELESTIAL (8) to win, quinella 1,8.

RACE 3: Maiden Plate (1000m)

MAXANDUS (5) is a locally-trained son of Headwater. The 3YO chestnut was $7.50 into $4 on debut and ran an honourable fifth here on April 1. Resurfaced here 23-days later and was runner-up beaten a length which suggests he is on the right trajectory. CONSIDERED (7) is a Cody Morgan local but with a ‘visitors draw’. Tipped out after a debut third at Armidale; trialled twice, winning the last one here in most impressive style. BEAUMISTA (3) was second to aforementioned Zelestial in an April 30 trial here. Suggest that might be good trial form.

BET: MAXANDUS (5) to win, quinella 5 to beat 7.

RACE 4: Maiden Plate (1600m)

CLOSETOTHINKITOVER (10) will turn 10 on August 1 but she may as well as be turning four given she has only raced twice and both were outstanding in their own for their own reasons. Both runs were fresh, one was her debut, the other was first-up at Quirindi when third to more or a less a provincial quality horse. Bred to be a miler and here we are for the first time today at the trip. PIERONIMO (4) has obvious claims and credentials. SKIT ‘N’ SKAT (5) knocked up first-up but that’s fair enough, he was off a long break. Good enough to make his presence felt.

BET: CLOSETOTHINKITOVER (10) to win.

RACE 5: Benchmark 58 (1200m)

HOLLYWOOD GOLD (4) has five starts for a win, two seconds, a third and a fifth (in a good quality Maiden at Muswellbrook). He has been close to the run of the race, or at very least the eye-catcher, when he’s lost IMHO and the time he won, he won like a good horse. Drawn 1, up to 1200m, Luke Rolls – all boxes ticked. CALICO MISS (11) was a brilliant and easy winner on debut. Obviously talented but the step from a questionable Maiden to a deep 58 is the slight worry.

BET: HOLLYWOOD GOLD (4) to win, exacta 4 to beat 11, DD 1st Leg 4, 2nd leg 10.

RACE 6: Benchmark 58 (1400m)

FULL COMMITMENT (14) has a win and five placings from 10 starts. The Jeremy Gask trained mare has raced at this track and distance twice; her best run was a third to the handy local Smart Shot. Only thing against is the draw. MAJOR MAKEOVER (8) beat an above the average Class 1 field here last start. He’s trained on the track which helps of course but nothing helps more than a favourable draw. NOT IN DOUBT (6) is a local but not drawn nearly as well.

BET: FULL COMMITMENT (14) each-way, quinella 8,14, box trifecta 1,6,8,14.

RACE 7: Benchmark 66 (1000m)

NOT WRITTEN OFF (10) has won twice with five placings and most of them were in respectable Class 2s, Benchmark 64s and 66s, etc. She is first-up today off two fantastic trials. The first was her third to Dollar Magic no less, the other was a really easy win in a Gunnedah Heat on May 14. ZAMPANO (6) is back home in more ways than one. He is trained here and has his last run at Randwick when fourth in a Highway. MOVE SHE CAN (9) has the speed and the talent to medal.

BET: NOT WRITTEN OFF (10) to win, quinella 6,10, box trifecta 1,6,9,10.

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s best bets, inside mail for Tamworth on Tuesday May 20, 2025