Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Goulburn, Tamworth

David Pfieffer-trained gelding Don’t Doubt Merlin returns to the scene of his narrow yet authoritative debut win this Friday as jockey Jay Ford looks to continue his Goulburn dominance.

Jay Ford has ridden more winners at Goulburn than any other venue

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass takes a deep dive into Friday’s NSW meetings at Goulburn and Tamworth.

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GOULBURN TIPS

BEST BET
Race 3 No.4 DON’T DOUBT MERLIN
Won as expected here on debut in a Maiden. harder now but is talented.

NEXT BEST
Race 5 No.6 CAMMI
Turned in her best run so far at 1425m; really wants 1500m now.

VALUE
Race 7 No.12 ZOUSAIN BOLT
Redzel’s colours adorn this well-bred and well-educated Snowden colt. Goes well.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 6,10
Race 6: 3,4,5
Race 7: 6,12
Race 8: 9,11,18

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
In-form jockey Jay Ford has ridden 130 winners at Goulburn, more than any other venue.

GOULBURN INSIDE MAIL

Race 5: Maiden Plate (1500m)
CAMMI (6) found the 1000m at her first two runs well short of her best but as soon as she got to 1425m at her third start, we saw what she was capable of. Trainer Terry Robinson has found the ideal race for Cammi on Friday, namely 1500m on a nice big track. Eager to see how SHE’S A GYPSY (10) performs on debut. The long trip suits her, she is very well-bred and in a good stable. Trial was okay too. BATTLE FLEET (1) is building up to a win.
Bet: Cammi to win.

Race 6: Class 2 Handicap (1500m)
FIELD THE MOMENT (3) has been ‘good, better, best’ in her three runs since he joined the Matthew Dale stable from Phillip Stokes’ SA digs where her form was quite good actually in parts. Granted the NSW win was only a Narrandera Class 1 but she was super dominant. KENICHI (4) has some nice numbers across the board but especially here at home and over this sort of trip. Third-up now. TOES IN THE WATER (5) was $19 into $16 in a Highway on June 1 and ran accordingly.
Bet: Field The Moment to win.

Race 7: Maiden Plate (1300m)
ZOUSAIN BOLT (12) was a $180,000 Triple Crown buy at the Magic Millions. He’s a son of Zousain out of a half-sister to Ninth Legion. Trained at Snowden HQ, this colt is ready for the races and able to win off the back of some really likeable trials. GRACED (6) is a daughter of undefeated US Triple Crown winner Justify and you can’t half tell by looking at her! Bred to win a classic but is fresh up here on debut. SHELSTEIN (11) and COSMIC ARC (16) are genuine contenders.
Bet: Zousain Bolt to win, quinella 6,12.

Race 8: Benchmark 66 (1300m)
TAKE ME TO THE CHURCH (9) is as talented as she is flashy. First things first though, she has drawn a very wide alley on Friday; Richard and Will Freedman have bought a nom for Hawkesbury next week so we may go without her. If she’s out, all roads lead to SHE’S JESSIE (11) who has finished on the podium at 13 of her 22 starts together with a handful of charging-late style fourths and fifths – Nowra last start being a good example of one of those. TEARS FOR FEARS (18) has been running in some pretty decent quality races.
Bet: Take Me To The Church to win or of scratched, She’s Jessie to win.

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TAMWORTH TIPS

BEST BET
Race 5 No.3 SANZENO
Former Victorian gelding at his NSW for Mack Griffith off a smashing trial win.

NEXT BEST
Race 1 No 6 TIGON PRINCESS
Dundeel daughter of Prov Champs Final winner Serene Miss. On her way now.

VALUE
Race 2 No.11 SEBILLA
Beaten by the bias at Scone last start. Step up in trip looks to suit.

TAMWORTH INSIDE MAIL

Race 6: Maiden Handicap (1200m)
NO MORE ROMANCE (3) is a son of More Than Ready from the actual Snitzel-family. His two runs (both for Cody Morgan) were outstanding, he should have won the first one at Quirindi and definitely finished closer at the other. Trialled well since. GOTTA FLY (4) has a wide draw to contend with but his form is right up to the mark. Big, big watch on HVARDANCE (11) who was sent out (unsuccessfully) in the $500,000 Debut on Magic Millions day. Has the ability.
Bet: No More Romance to win, box trifecta 3,4,11,12.

Race 7: Benchmark 58 (1200m)
Going without TABORCA (5) by the looks of things. If that is indeed the case, DYLAN’S LAD (11)’s already bright prospects go up and up. This will be the Darby Bloodstock gelding’s first run for Cody Morgan who has found him a race at home with a great draw off an absolutely fantastic trial. Inverell visitor SPIRIT OF PLUTO (7) was incredibly consistent his whole last preparation and kicked off the new one with a second, albeit a distant one, at Armidale. BEAR’S BEST (19) has impressed at the trials.
Bet: Taborca to win but if scratched, Dylan’s Lad to win and Bear’s Best to place.

Race 8: Benchmark 58 (1400m)
Probably lose INVADER’S GIRL (10) here too. If she is out, FLYING BANJO (2)’s job gets easier. The Tasmanian-bred grandson of Testa Rossa continues to race with a certain amount of ‘zest’ after 56 starts of which he has won 8 and placed 13 time, 9 of them seconds. This is his home track. Gets back a bit but is fast late. The same can be said for MUCH MORE TORQUE (7) who was eye-catching in what looked an uncommonly strong 58 at Gunnedah last start.
Bet: Invader’s Girl to win but if scratched Dylan’s Lad to win.

Race 9: Class 1 Handicap (1000m)
COOL STORM (8) has accepted for Newcastle on Saturday but drew 10 of 10 there as opposed to 5 here on Friday. For the record, the Brett Dodson-trained filly ran her rivals off their legs to win an 800m maiden at Coffs Harbour on Dec 29 by four and a quarter. Trialled like a bomb on June 4. POCKET PICKER (7) is a locally-trained gelding whose record at this track and distance is a win and two seconds from his four goes. Dud draw but will come in a few. Same for KING LARRY (6) although he holds an acceptance earlier in the day and is nominated for Taree.
Bet: Cool Storm to win or of scratched Pocket Picker each-way.

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Goulburn, Tamworth