Kembla Grange, Muswellbrook best bets, inside mail for Friday, March 14, 2025

Trainer Gary Portelli is suitably bullish about the chances of his Classic contender Verona Rose remaining unbeaten in the Kembla Grange Classic. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Verona Rose is looking to stay unbeaten when she tackles the Kembla Grange Classic. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and analysis Kembla and best bets for Muswellbrook on Friday.

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!

KEMBLA GRANGE

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 17: Verona Rose

Unbeaten in her two starts. She could end up in the ATC Oaks.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 3: Bobs Back

Local who will relish the 1400m at the second run of his career.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 6: Presley

Lope De Vega gelding who is itching to get to 2400m. Has a touch of quality.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5, 9

Race 6: 7, 11

Race 7: 5, 14

Race 8: 7, 8, 15

Kerrin McEvoy can salute in the feature event, the Kembla Grange Classic, Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Kerrin McEvoy who will ride Verona Rose in the feature event.

MUSWELLBROOK

BEST BET

Race 1 No. 6: Rathoran

Is ‘212’ this prep; drawn favourably in a winnable race.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 6: Naftali

Drawn well, trialled well, and has the talent.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No. 11: Corpsman

Got too far back last start but closed off willingly.

INSIDE MAIL - KEMBLA GRANGE

RACE 1

Bobs Back was fairly solid in the betting on debut when he started at $9.50, finishing sixth of eight in a 1200m Maiden at Wyong. There was merit in the run to some degree, but everything he did on the day said next time, more ground, bigger track. Able Yellow, the son of Justify and Stradbroke winner Srikandi, has placed at both starts, a feat which deserves respect. Jason Darren looks like 1400m will be doable, even suitable.

Bet: Bobs Back to win

RACE 2

Dwayne is very typical of his sire, So You Think. His dam is a half-sister to Jimmy Choux. That would suggest that the best years are still ahead for the Chris Waller-trained galloper but 1500m on debut at Kembla coupled with barrier 3 and Tommy Berry, makes him a very likeable gamble unless the market says otherwise. Audenzia led until the last few strides when runner-up here at home on Feb 25. Be fitter of course this time. Dark Arts has obvious claims.

Bet: Dwayne to win, quinella 2, 5

Presley pulls away and gets home at Newcastle for @ANeashamRacing! 💥 pic.twitter.com/qe7XISY8sG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 7, 2025

RACE 3

Presley is a son of the French Derby winner Lope De Vega out of a mare by Camelot who won the English and Irish Derbies. This horse’s grand dam is by Lammtarra who won the English Derby and the Arc. All of which is a longwinded way of saying that Presley has a real future at 2400m. He bolted in over 2300m at Newcastle last Saturday. War Ribbon put a gap on his rivals last start as well. Barrier 1 is a big plus, he’ll be hard to catch if they lead.

Bet: Presley to win, exacta 6 to beat 4

RACE 4

Mission Gold was $6.50 into $5.50 in a 1000m Maiden here on Feb 25. He ran second to his Joe Pride stablemate Be Quiet but was getting closer with every stride. 1200m should suit. Baby-faced Assassin is well-bred and has trialled nicely. Lyles went down, narrowly, and fighting in a Rosehill 1200m midweeker late last month. Monte Veebee has been a bit costly but would be unwise to drop off totally given the recent trials.

Bet: Mission Gold to win, Monte Veebee to place

Be Quiet made plenty of noise with an all-the-way win in the Kembla opener! 👏@[e-mail]/RTr1ql2pMX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 25, 2025

RACE 5

Otono is by The Autumn Sun; her broodmares sires are epic, including, Zenno Rob Roy, Thunder Gulch, Alzo. One more thing, her fifth dam is Highclere. That’s a great pedigree and accounts for why she was so strong at the end of her races. On the up (and at home). Divine Ella is another Kembla local. Disappointing last time but can turn it around. Socrates has some fabulous numbers at the Kembla mile.

Bet: Otono to win

RACE 6

General Salute has an overall record of eight starts, one win, one second and one third. Worth noting that his first-up record of four starts for one win and a third. On top of that, his second was in the Brian Crowely to Mumbai Muse and he was beaten a length in a San Domenico from way back in the run. Trialling well. Dark Glitter has been running out her skin on a very regular basis these days; she was beaten a lip in the Millie Fox two runs ago.

Bet: General Salute to win, Daily Double 1st Leg (11), 2nd Leg (8)

Mumbai Muse breaks her maiden in great fashion taking the Listed Brian Crowley!@[e-mail]/3V4RRTCzz5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 28, 2023

RACE 7

Verona Miss is unbeaten and frankly, untapped. This race has come along at the perfect time for the Gary Portelli-trained filly and she was massively helped by three huge scratchings. She is bred to win an Oaks so the mile is going to be no issue. Brigidine Gal was so impressive winning at Warwick Farm last start. Idle Flyer is by Dundeel so she’s an Oaks contender herself. Won back-to-back midweek races and trust me, that ‘0’ in the Surround was an eye-catcher.

Bet: Verona Miss to win, box trifecta 2, 5, 7, 17

RACE 8

Eternal was from the last crop of Epaulette before he flew off to Turkey in October 2021. This gelding is the fourth foal of 2013 Keith Nolan and Scone Cup winner Cameo whose previous foal is Jewellery. Eternal was ‘1’ and ‘2’ before that last at Rosehill on Feb 26. Trialled well behind Overpass on March 6. Energetic Legend is a lightly-raced and talented Team Hawkes gelding who was fourth in the Overpass heat as it happened. Goes well. Epic blueblood Amreekiyah (Justify/Marianne) was super winning on debut here.

Bet: Eternal to win, box trifecta 7, 8, 15, 16

KEMBLA GRANGE

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 17: Verona Rose

Unbeaten in her two starts; she could end up in the ATC Oaks.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 3: Bobs Back

local who will relish the 1400m at the second run of his career.

VALUE

Race 3 No. 6: Presley

Lope De Vega who is itching to get to 2400m. Has a touch of quality.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5,9

Race 6: 7,11

Race 7: 5,14

Race 8: 7,8,15

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Verona Rose in the Classic today

MUSWELLBROOK

BEST BET

Race 1 No. 6: Rathoran

Is ‘212’ this prep; drawn favourably in a winnable race.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 6: Naftali

Drawn well, trialled well, and has the talent.

VALUE

Race 3 No. 11: Corpsman

Got too far back last start but closed off willingly