Coonamble preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, June 15, 2025

Wyong-based trainer Damien Lane relishes returning to his roots in Coonamble aims to capitalise on favourable race conditions with Sneaky Sofia.

Adam Sherry previews Coonamble Sunday

Coonamble native Damien Lane loves heading ‘home’ when he gets the chance and taking a few horses with him is the perfect excuse.

“I still call Coonamble home now and I’ve been away for 20 years or something like that,” said Lane.

“I’ve still got a lot of family in Coonamble so taking a few horses to race is a bit of an excuse to go back out there and I like to support the club.”

Rarely does Lane go home empty-handed and the Wyong-based trainer has some stronger contenders in ideal races, none more so than Sneaky Sofia in the opening event.

The daughter of Merchant Navy contests the 2&3YO Showcase Handicap (1200m) where she is the only winner in the field and gets in with 57kg after the 4kg claim of apprentice Bronte Simpson.

First out, first home!

Sneaky Sofia leads the journey to secure a winning double for Anna Roper and Damien Lane 👏 pic.twitter.com/2gzvlkyvFG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 29, 2024

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!

“While going 1200m first-up isn’t ideal, the conditions of the race really drew me to take her there,” Lane said.

“She is pretty much going from a Class 2 back to a Maiden and with the claim, she is nearly on level weights.”

A winner of two races, the filly will appreciate the big drop in grade after a seventh Rosehill on January 18 and a 10th at Muswellbrook on March 28.

“She struck a wet track in a Midway at Rosehill two starts ago and didn’t go great so I gave her a freshen up and then didn’t pull up great after the Muswellbrook run. She had a quarter crack.

“She trailled really well on the Beaumont the other day once again on a really wet track which she doesn’t love.

“Bronte just has to be mindful that she is first-up over 1200m and rate her for the first half of the race.”

Lane saddles up All Too Sneaky in the Class 1 (1300m) for fillies and mare and gives the four-year-old a good chance.

After a good third at Gosford first-up, she disappointed at Gunnedah while her latest sixth at Gosford was better than it reads.

“She didn’t get much luck at Gosford the other day when three and four-deep the trip,” he said.

All Too Sneaky runs away with a good maiden win!

Anna Roper does a good job in the saddle for Damien Lane. pic.twitter.com/Fw8mrJ3VeW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 13, 2023

“She is one that will appreciate finding a firmer surface and with her natural speed, will put herself in the first three or four and run really well.”

Really Motivated lines up in the same race and while she will be better suited over further, Lane feels she can run well.

The five-year-old resumed over 1250m at Gunnedah on May 5 and although she just beat two home, he said the run was better than it looks.

“Bronte rode her and I told her being first-up, not to circle the field and just ride for luck which she didn’t get unfortunately,” he said.

“She should have finished a few lengths closer.

“She has improved off the run but has a tricky gate so we will ride her similarly.

“She will run a cheeky race if she gets the luck late.”

Lane’s other runner for the day is Oakfield Zena in the Super Maiden Plate (1600m).

While placed in three of the 12 starts, two of those placings have been over the mile.

“This is probably D-Day for her,” said Lane.

“She went really well over 1200m at Gosford then went straight to 1400m at Newcastle on a really wet track which she didn’t handle and over did it in the run.

“We ran her at Wyong over 1200m to get her to settle and hit the line which I thought was okay.

“Up to her right trip from a good draw, now it’s time for her to show her best.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BETS

Race 3 No. 7: WEST HEAD

Has solid provincial form. Can break through.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 6: FETES DES MERES

Made his NSW debut with a booming win. Can go back-to-back.

VALUE BET

Race 4 No. 5: DIVINE SINNER

Racing well without luck. Back to his favourite trip.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 3

Race 6: 2, 6

Race 7: 2, 4, 8

Race 8: 1, 4, 5

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

KODY NESTOR and CLAYTON GALLAGHER have strong books of rides and should fight out the TAB Jockey Challenge.

Kody Nestor has a strong book of rides at Coonamble Picture: Bradley Photos

INSIDE MAIL – COONAMBLE

RACE 1: G.T PENNELL TRANSPORT/FINCH ENGINEERING 2&3YO SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1200m

SNEAKY SOFIA (1) has won two races and takes on a field of maidens. Was building a strong before failing at her last two runs with reasons. First go at 1200m but should prove too classy. BLUE DE BEERS (4) had trialled well and started favourite in the Silver Goblet at Dubbo last week where he raced keenly when fifth to Four Degrees. Will be better for the experience and a cross-over nose band goes on. GETTIN’ TIPSY (5) battled way for second to Painite last start.

Bet: Sneaky Sofia to win

RACE 2: PW CONCRETE/N & Z FOX TRANSPORT COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE 4YO & UP MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200m

THE GIT UP (10) is knocking on the door. Was runner-up to Pressnell when resuming at Dubbo before a sixth at Wellington. Came from midfield and loomed up to the leaders before Fetes Des Meres swooped past at Warren last start. BOUZY’S BABE (2) has improved with each run. Wasn’t far away in her first two starts before a nose second to Jasper’s Way at Narromine last start. TWINING CLASS (3) was a handy third in debut and has been just behind the placegetters in two other runs.

Bet: The Git Up to win

RACE 3: MORTIMOR CO MECHANICAL/DUNSTAN FARMERS SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1600m

WEST HEAD (7) makes his debut for the Brett Robb stable. Was a neck third to Miss Hvar at Kembla first-up and just behind the placegetters in both runs since at the same track. OAKFIELD ZENA (12) ran a nice race first-up when a length second to Dial A Destiny at Gosford but disappointed over 1400m second-up. Caught wide when dropping back to 1200m at Wyong last start. Placed twice over the mile. PILLAGER (5) finished just behind the placegetters in both runs over this trip.

Bet: West Head to win

RACE 4: NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE COONAMBLE CANNONBALL 1100m

DIVINE SINNER (5) was a handy winner over 1100m at Narromine on Apr 29 and not much luck since. Came from last when beaten a little over two lengths in the Gulgong Cup last start. Back to 1100m where he has won three times. ROTHGATE (7) is racing in good form this campaign with three wins and two placings. Was third to Divine Sinner at Narromine. Won over 1000m at Warren before winning the Gulong Cup. DEION (4) has won two of his last three and will be prominent again.

Bet: Divine Sinner each-way

RACE 5: MCKEOWN ELECTRICAL/BOSS AGRICULTURE COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1100m

CRUSADER KINGS (1) gave away 2.5kg and race fitness when fourth to Micro Mikki first-up at Wellington without a trial. Met him on level weights and won nicely at Bathurst last start. Gives away 2kg but is race fit now and draw nicely. MICRO MIKKI (2) had a big trial win at Dubbo and a narrow victory over Best Defence at Narromine before going back-to-back with that Wellington win. Was a two-and-a-half length third to Crusader Kings last start. PRESS FORWARD (3) will make his presence felt.

Bet: Crusader Kings to win

RACE 6: DAVE CARTER PLUMBING/GM CONSTRUCTIONS SHOWCASE F&M CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1300m

FETES DES MERES (6) ran a couple of fourths in Victoria before coming to NSW. Debuted for Garry Lunn with a barnstorming win from near last the he ran past The Git Up at Warren on June 2. ALL TOO SNEAKY (2) ran a handy third over 1200m when resuming at Gosford but was disappointing when last at Gunnedah. Trapped wide when sixth on a Heavy 9 at Gosford last start. Placed her only run here and will appreciate a firmer track. NEBIDA (4) has claims on his Wellington win.

Bet: Fetes Des Meres to win

RACE 7: SIPCAM SHOWCASE CG&E CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1300m

TAKEOVER LAD (4) was just behind the placegetters at Armidale and on the Beaumont before a third to Instead at Coonabarabran. Was rewarded for his consistent form with nice win at Gunnedah on May 5. Go close again. INJAIR (8) was given a break after his close third to Tavanasia at Quirindi on Feb 21. Won his Gunnedah trial before resuming with a win from Currumbin Alley there on May 25. HOLLYWOOD GOLD (2) ended his first campaign with a win. At his peak now with two runs and two trials under his belt.

Bet: Takeover Lad to win

RACE 8: SWANNY’S FOODS BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1600m

EGYPTOLOGIST (4) blundered soon after the start when fifth to Naval Officer at Parkes first-up before a second to Better Tomorrow at Moree. Gets winkers for the first time. STOCKHOLM (1) was third in that Moree race. Battled away for third to Zoomorphic at Dubbo two starts earlier before a tough run in the Parkes Cup. In his right grade here. IMEZAAKI (5) had some handy Queensland form before coming south and finishing third to Pappiana at Inverell for his new stable.

Bet: Egyptologist to win