Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Taree, Scone

A Kris Lees-trained three-year-old filly looks well placed to land another win at Taree on Friday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Friday is at Taree and Scone.

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Taree and Scone.

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!

TAREE

BEST BET

Race 7, No.12: EXTESSIVE

A Kris Lees-trained filly with a stack of ability. Ready to win another one here.

NEXT BEST

Race 8, No.5: TAVI TIME

Broke his maiden in style last start and has the ability to knock over another one.

VALUE BEST

Race 4, No.11: STAY TONIGHT

Lightly-raced filly that is edging closer to a win. Gets her chance.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 9

Race 6: 1, 4, 6, 14

Race 7: 1, 12

Race 8: 2, 3, 5

Jockey Aaron Bullock can add to his impressive season tally at Taree on Friday.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock has a statewide best 71.5 winners for the season already. He links up with a couple of nice chances from the Kris Lees camp.

SCONE

BEST BET

Race 5, No.6: DANCEDES

Promising filly that only needs to bring her trial form to the races to salute on debut.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.4: TYCOON CHARGER

The Matthew Smith-trained galloper just missed in town last start. This is far easier.

VALUE BEST

Race 6, No.4: HARPER’S CHOICE

Third-up now and ready to peak. Drawn far more favourably than several key rivals.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 6, 15

Race 6: 3, 4, 9

Race 7: 2, 7, 12, 14

Race 8: 3, 5, 9

Ashley Morgan has some nice rides at Scone on Friday.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Ashley Morgan pairs up with a couple of nice debutants from the Cameron Crockett yard.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR TAREE

RACE 5

Ugly Nicos started life in the city with David Pfieffer but is more suited to country racing. Now with Paul Shailer, the Fastnet Rock gelding is edging closer to a second win. Has found one better at his past two but gets the chance to get a well-earned win on the board here. King Kikau steps up to a more suitable mile assignment second-up after running on strongly over 1300m last start. A winner at this track and trip before, he’s drawn to run well. Wokenwithakiss has the ability to win a race like this on her day.

Bet: Ugly Nicos to win.

RACE 6

Cynic has placed twice in five starts and last start was his best effort yet. While convincingly beaten, he toughed it out for second on speed at this track. The drop back 100m is suitable and he’s drawn better than several of his rivals. Bjorn Ironside’s debut raid of Taree came up just short. The Colt Prosser-trained colt was a narrow second and show improve off the run. Jeff Penza will need to be at his best from gate 12 as will Grant Buckley on Stratum Chief. The latter will likely have to burn some fuel from the outside gate to land in a decent spot.

Bet: Cynic to win.

Kris Lees saddles up Extessive at Taree on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Top trainer Kris Lees has a typically strong hand and Extessive looks to have the edge. The Exceed And Excel filly, also an acceptor at Beaumont on Monday, has finished no worse than second in her past four starts with to wins. From barrier three and with Aaron Bullock on her back, she looks a great chance. Stablemate Exolay was a good winner at Coffs Harbour last time. Madeline Owen’s 1.5kg claim will help her cause but she is drawn awkward. Mon Amore only needs to back up a powerful first-up display to feature in the finish again.

Bet: Extessive to win.

RACE 8

Tavi Time won on debut for the Kris Lees yard and is a three-year-old that can go through his grades if the stable chooses here over Beaumont on Monday. He needs to make the step up from maiden to a Class 1 here but his three and three-quarter length success would indicate he’s more than capable of doing it. Stablemate Tiva Bay missed the placings but making up ground at Muswellbrook last start. The 1400m will be more to his liking. Local galloper Mr Eighty Eight has won one and placing 13 times in 17 starts. He rarely runs a bad race but must overcome barrier 13.

Bet: Tavi Time to win.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR SCONE

RACE 5

Dancedes is a highly promising daughter of Denman that has set the track of alight at the trials. The Cameron Crockett-trained filly won her most recent effort by five lengths at Muswellbrook. Gets an excellent chance to make a winning debut on home turf from barrier four. Stablemate Xeiby is also having her first start with strong trial form. Interested to see betting moves between the two in the lead up. He’s Purring and Super Story filled out the placings last start at Dubbo and another forward showing from either wouldn’t surprise.

Bet: Dancedes to win.

RACE 6

Harper’s Jewel is a home tracker taking on a list of Sydney heavyweight stables. At her second start over 1300m at Gunnedah she was only beaten by a whisker. The Scott Singleton-trained mare should enjoy the step up to 1400m and can go one better. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Ballon Bleu is dropping back from city grade where she ran credibly. Has been set a task from barrier 16. Serene Nic showed excellent fighting qualities when caught three deep last start, finishing within a length of the winner. The Nicconi filly has talent but has also drawn awkward.

Bet: Harper’s Jewel to win.

Trainer Cameron Crockett has a strong handy at Scone. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 7

Xeiby has also accepted in race five but if Cameron Crockett elects to split his runners he can win both events. The Exosphere filly has shown plenty of promise winning two of her three trials. Looks to have the ability to make a winning start to her career. Press Lightly was a fast finishing third in her only start at Taree last prep and returns from a break here. Brooke Stower just needs to find cover from the draw. Dot Com was placed in all three last prep runs. The Denman mare will win a race eventually but has to do it from the carpark on Friday.

Bet: Xeiby to win.

RACE 8

A Guinea had to go via Anzac Parade when running a gallant fourth in a Highway event at Randwick last start. The Scott Singleton-trained gelding gets barrier three this time and should get a far more economical run back in the bush. His main rival Extra Flash is also an acceptor for Newcastle on Saturday and has been competitive in Highway races in recent times. Just Strolling was a convincing winner at Inverell last time. The 4kg claim of apprentice Braith Nock brings him right into the races.

Bet: A Guinea to win.