Moruya preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, December 22, 2024

The Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones stable can celebrate Christmas early with three good chances including Merc who is ready to kick off his summer campaign.

Merc is ready to run a big race when kicks off his campaign in the Narooma Cup. Picture: Bradley Photos

The Joseph and Jones stable has made a brilliant start to the season with 27 winners so far which has them well ahead of the pace for their most successful season.

It was in 2020/21 that Barbara Joseph and her sons Paul and Matt Jones trained a personal best of 39 winners while last year they fell one short but won a $1 million more prizemoney.

The team can add to their impressive tally and pick up an early Christmas present or two with three with three good chances.

Leading the way is Merc who is resuming in the Narooma Cup (1300m) with new stable apprentice Claire Ramsbotham to ride.

The eight-year-old has a solid fresh record of two wins and three placings from seven runs.

He is resuming over a longer distance than previously but Paul Jones feels he is more than capable of bobbing up fresh in the small field.

Merc comes a way for a dominant win for @quaydek and @JJRacing_ACT! pic.twitter.com/m9S1KjWoKm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 21, 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!

“The 1300 metres is probably the longest he’s ever started over first-up but I do think it’s his ideal distance,” said Jones.

“He has had a couple of jumpouts and performed nicely in them. He is looking well and he does run well at Moruya.

“He has done plenty of work for the 1300m. He will probably be saved for one run at them, especially from the outside barrier as well.

“With a small field, he isn’t going to be too far off the leaders.

“We are happy with his work and he will definitely be hitting the line strongly.”

Ramsbotham is on loan to the Joseph and Jones stable for three months from Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn and she has made an instant impact riding three winners at Nowra last Sunday including two for her new bosses and backed it up with a winner at Queanbeyan.

“After a couple of placings in her first two weeks, Claire really found her groove at Nowra last weekend riding three winners and continued on at Queanbeyan on Wednesday,” Jones said.

“That took her to 20 winners and nearly 30 placings from just on 100 rides so she has a terrific strike-rate.

“With her claim, Merc gets 5kg off the topweight, Kattegat, which brings him into the race nicely.”

Ramsbotham will also partner She’s High Society who is chasing back-to-back wins when she lines up in the Class 1 Handicap (1010m).

We're off and racing at the Sapphire Coast and it's She's High Society who goes home best in the opener! @JJRacing_ACTpic.twitter.com/1pOoEUn6i8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 2, 2024

After a good fourth at Gundagai, she sat outside the leader to beat odds-on favourite Zoutempus at the Sapphire Coast on December 2.

“She was meant to go around at Nowra last week but she bumped her head in the float on the way day and was a late scratching,” he said.

“She would have been running for second place last week. Joe Cleary’s horse, Twin Telepathy was too good for everyone.

“She has drawn barrier one this week in what looks an even field and I think she is in there with a great chance, especially with 54kg.”

The stable’s other runner is Oh What A Knight who is resuming in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1300m).

Although drawn the outside gate, Jones feels he is a good each-way chance.

“We have him a good spell after his last campaign to let him develop which he has done,” Jones said.

“He’s had two good jumpouts heading into this including one last Wednesday and I was really happy with him.

“I would have liked to have drawn a bit softer but we will just have to take our medicine and ride him a little conservatively and have the last shot at them.

“He’s is a genuine top three chance.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 1: Ken’ker

Gutsy win two starts back and backing up from a second last weekend.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 1: King Gutho

Coming off a let-up when runner-up last start. Will be improved by the run and has won here.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No. 10: She’s High Society

Nice effort to break through last start and will give a bold sight from the inside draw.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 5

Race 6: 4, 10

Race 7: 1

Race 8: 1, 3, 9

Blake Spriggs looks a great chance in the Jockey Challenge at Moruya. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Blake Spriggs has some nice rides and will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – MORUYA

RACE 1

King Taurus has finished close seconds at both runs this time in. The latest a half-length behind Midnight Luna at Queanbeyan three weeks ago. Miss Fennell was very good when a half-length second to Daze Off on debut. Nice trial behind Xcessive Force. Also entered for Wagga on Tuesday. Oh What A Knight was unlucky not to have won in both of his two second placings on the Acton last campaign; one of them then beaten a nose. Can run a bold race first-up.

Bet: King Taurus to win

RACE 2

She’s High Society was trapped wide on the speed and boxed on gamely for fourth to Brutal Love at Gundagai before dropping back to 1000m and scoring a tough win from Zoutempus at the Sapphire Coast. Drawn well and can give this a shake. Better Sun led and kicked but was overhauled late when third in consecutive races at Albury. Took a sit and was good winning his maiden at Corowa. Resuming on his home track from a good gate. Miss Scoop was good winning her maiden on debut at Nowra. Keep safe.

Bet: She’s High Society each-way

RACE 3

Your Not The Boss will appreciate the drop in grade after finishing down the track behind Justela in a Bm72 Midway at Kembla on Nov 23. Has a win and a second to Pressilly from two starts this track. Merc resumes over 1300m for the first time. Has two wins and three placings from seven first-up runs. Placed in the Town Plate at this meeting last year. Cani Cancan has won two of her last three and sis a good job dropping back from 1300m to 1000m to win last start.

Bet: Your Not The Boss to win

King Gutho explodes down the outside to win Race 3! 👑@[e-mail]/fkkAdTdj4E

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 7, 2024

RACE 4

King Gutho got a long way back after drawing the outside gate when second to Extravagant Lad at Queanbeyan at his first run for eight weeks and will take good improvement from the outing. Charged home late to win over this track and distance the start before. Fine Vintage led all-the-way for a big win in The Twilight at Albury second-up. Didn’t appreciate the heavy track when last at Canterbury last time out. Nipotino is back from a break and capable of running well.

Bet: King Gutho to win

RACE 5

Fudge raced too keenly over the 2000m when last at Queanbeyan two starts back. Appreciated the freshen up and coming back to the mile when a winner over Mystic Diva at the Sapphire Coast. Drawn well and gets a 2kg the claim. Pretty Eyed was a little unlucky when fifth over 1600m at Canberra when held up. Dropped back in trip when down the order there last start. Back to the 1650m suits. Marks Icon is coming back in trip from a win over 2000m at Canberra last start.

Bet: Fudge to win

RACE 6

Queen Of Drama was first-up for a new stable when wide early before taking the lead and finishing a length second to Road To Paradise over 1500m at Newcastle. Will be better for the run. Mega Fight has shown more than enough ability to have won a couple of races by now. Was held up and checked when fifth behind Correon at Kembla first-up before racing outside the leader when fifth to Oh Diamond Lil there last start. Spurline has been good in placing at her past two starts.

Bet: Queen Of Drama to win

Ken'ker (left) kicks back to beat Perfumist at Goulburn. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 7

Ken’ker was wide early before getting outside the leader and then headed in the straight by the favourite Perfumist before kicking back to score a gutsy win at Goulburn. Another tough effort when second to Smarter Than You at Nowra last weekend. Our Cosmic Belle was okay when sixth to Seance at Hawkesbury when dropping back to 1100m. Was a month between runs when fourth to Churchill’s Choice in a Class 1 over 1400m. Capicella will find this a little easier than her recent efforts in provincial company.

Bet: Ken’ker to win

RACE 8

Galston Gorge has been good in his three runs this preparation since a change of stable. Scored a big win first-up from the progressive Mahogany Girl at Queanbeyan before a fourth at Wagga and a third at Gundagai. Drawn well and drops to 56kg after the 4kg claim. Capital Heart comes back in grade after running in a Highway behind Sunchyme at Rosehill. Sydney Gal was a handy third at Muswellbrook last start.

Bet: Galston Gorge to win