Wagga races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail

Ex-Chris Waller galloper Narito is more relaxed horse since moving to the bush and is set to show his class at Wagga on Sunday.

Narito will be having his second start for trainer Tony Sergi at Wagga on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Tony Sergi is adamant new addition Narito is a city-class galloper, so Sunday’s Sound Fits Wagga Whiz Handicap (1000m) shapes as a very winnable assignment.

The five-year-old gelding has already placed several times in Saturday grade while with leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller but has made the move to the bush to start afresh under Sergi, at Queanbeyan.

“He is a Saturday horse, for sure,” Sergi said.

“We just have to get his head right. He did have a bleeding attack, so that could have been part of the stress but I’m not really sure.

“That was before he came to me, and he hasn’t shown anything like that since and is going really good.

“If he’s back to his normal self, I’d say he would win that easily.”

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!

Narito had his first eight starts for Waller but wasn’t suited to life in the big city. He was transferred to Sergi for a change of scene midway through this preparation.

Sergi believes Narito has appreciated the move to quieter surroundings after being approached by owner Tony Muollo to take him on board.

“He wanted to move him to a country environment,” Sergi said.

“The horse is a stress-head. Everything bothers him, and I have in the environment he is now and he’s very relaxed and working so much better.

“He’s eating up all the time and didn’t like the hustle and bustle of Sydney, basically.

“Since he’s been with me, he’s been really good.”

Narito made a promising start to his career with wins at his first two starts last August – but hasn’t entered the winner’s stall since.

He did enough in his first start for Sergi when caught three-deep for an entire 1000m event at Warwick Farm, eventually finishing a credible fifth.

Queanbeyan trainer Tony Sergi.

Narito will be third-up at Wagga Wagga, opening as a $3.80 equal favourite with TAB on Friday alongside the Ben Brisbourne-trained Tato Key and Northernero.

Sergi also has Sea Treasures ready for today, with the son of So You Think set to line up in the Bidgee Pumps and Irrigation Riverina Cup (2500m).

Both horses are owned by prominent breeder Muollo, who has tasted Group 1 success with talented colt Press Statement.

“I do a lot of things for Tony, who likes to spread his horses all over NSW and New Zealand,” Sergi said.

“He likes to have different trainers and doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket.

“He’s a decent man and he’s good to work for.”

Track conditions will play a part in whether Sea Treasures lines up at Wagga Wagga, with Sergi hopeful his gelding gets to strike a rain-affected surface in the staying test. The five-year-old is in his first preparation for Sergi following stints with Bjorn Baker and Dean Mirfin.

He recently put in his best showing for Sergi, finishing third in a 2000m event at Wagga Wagga.

“It was a better run the other day but he does need a heavy track,” Sergi said.

“He’s got funny feet and he just goes better on a heavy track.

“If it got too firm, we would probably think about scratching him.

“He would be a chance on a heavy track.”

Sea Treasures in a $7 chance, with Robyn Freedman set to ride both of Sergi’s runners.

The Danielle Seib-trained Leather Jacket Lew is the $3 favourite, while the Brisbourne-trained Nordic Pride is $4.

MITCH COHEN’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 4 No.6: NARITO

Former Chris Waller-trained galloper having his second start for a new trainer. He’s a metropolitan placegetter on his day and that’s easily good enough form for this.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.1: NORDIC PRIDE

The seven-year-old was an excellent winner at this venue over 2000m last start and should be suited by the step up in trip.

VALUE BEST

Race 7 No.8: GEMINIDS

A three-time placegetter from four first up runs, she does some of her best work fresh. This is an open affair but she’s over the odds.

BEST EXOTIC

Race 6 - Quinella: 2, 6.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4

Race 5: 1, 2, 3

Race 6: 2, 6

Race 7: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

The young apprentice Holly Durnam has just kicked off her second season but can add to her tally of 15 winners when she saddles up at her home track.

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Red Herring is a six-year-old lining up for just his second career start. The Brad Widdup-trained gelding didn’t beat a runner home in his debut run at Gosford but was caught four deep the trip. He looked to have a bit to offer in his only trial leading in so trusting he will take advantage of the better draw this time. Tinwag is a first starter for Tim Donnelly after moving from Mark Newnham. Her trials suggest she can feature in the finish on debut. Daicos has placed in three of his six starts. He showed strip fitter from a frontrunning fourth at Corowa first up.

Bet: Red Herring to win. Boxed trifecta 1, 2, 4, 11.

RACE 2

Cellar Champ has placed in five of his 13 starts including twice this preparation. He ran home OK when fifth over the Wagga 1200m and drops 2kg off that performance. Fourth-up now he should be rock-hard fit and ready for the 1400m test. Orton Park was the runner-up in the same race at Cellar Champ last time. He took the shortest way home along the fence on that occasion but might struggle to do that from barrier 12 this time. Headwhistle has done enough in two starts to date to be competitive in a maiden that doesn’t have a lot of depth.

Bet: Cellar Champ to win.

RACE 3

Southern Highlands is one of a few horses in this affair to actually have a win to his name. That was under previous trainer Stephen Lee but his second start for new conditioner Mitch Beer had plenty of merit. The son of Capitalist came from well back at Corowa and raced in traffic late, finishing fifth. He should go close. Majestic Lily has finished runner-up in three of her past four starts. The drop back from 1800m to the mile should be to her liking. Bangalee Mist only found one better at this track and trip last time and should get all the favours from an inside draw. Spiritly not without claims.

Bet: Southern Highlands to win.

RACE 4

Narito looks like one of the best bets on the program. The son of Maurice was previously trained by Chris Waller and had placed multiple times in Sydney city grade before making the switch to Tony Sergi this preparation. He did enough finishing fifth when caught wide first-up for the new yard at Warwick Farm and should find this much easier. Provided he brings his A-game, he should be winning. The main dangers all come out of the same race and Northernero looks the hardest to beat. He was doing his best work late when fourth over the Corowa 1000m last time. Tato Key won that race and can run well again while Brenlyn‘s Trooper should improve second-up.

Bet: Narito to win.

RACE 5

Nordic Pride had been racing in city grade before coming to Wagga and winning over the 2000m last time. He’s won up to 3000m during his career so you’d expect he will relish the step up to 2500m this time. The 4kg claim of Alysha Warren gets him in really well with 58kg and she should get plenty of time to find a suitable spot from the wide draw over the staying trip. Leather Jacket Lew ran a determined second to Nordic Pride two back before going to Wellington and winning over 2400m. He’s racing really well and looks a key chance again. Insider Trader is a consistent campaign that’s always around the money over this kind of trip.

Bet: Nordic Pride to win. Boxed trifecta 1,2,3.

RACE 6

Canny Hell is a lightly-raced galloper with considerable potential. The Kym Davison-trained gelding got his maiden out of the way with a dominant three-length win on debut at Corowa and only needs to replicate that to go close again. He worked through the line like a horse that will suit the 1300m and should get every chance from the draw. Quinlan looked to have returned a different horse with his impressive first up success by more than seven lengths. Happy to quinella him up with the top pick off that. Cassimir is a model of consistency. He has only missed the placings three times in 11 starts and should be around the money again.

Bet: Canny Hell to win. Quinella 2,6.

RACE 7

Reminds has only won two of her 20 starts but she’s performed well fresh in the past. She’s placed in three of her four first-up runs, including finishing runner up over the 1200m last prep at Canberra. She can run a big race at odds. Willybeafactor is already a five-time winner at his home track including two starts ago over the same trip. He followed it up with a narrow second at Gundagai so appears to be holding his first nicely. Dupride Star has never missed the placings in five starts at Wagga and will find this easier than the Highway event he’s been featuring in over the past few starts.

Bet: Reminds each-way.

Originally published as Wagga races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail