Raceday focus: Ray Thomas previews Nowra
A LITTLE extra distance makes Ray Thomas’ best bet at Nowra races tomorrow an irresistible proposition, with jockey Christian Reith the one for punters to follow. TIPS, INSIDE MAIL
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A LITTLE extra distance makes the in-form Living Choice an irresistible proposition at Nowra tomorrow.
After a swooping win over 1400m at Bathurst last month, the 5-year-old bay gelding steps up to 1600m at Nowra and should relish the extra ground in similar class.
Sydney Racing Editor RAY THOMAS has Living Choice on top as his best bet, while 4-year-old mare Lewinski is his best vale bet, after an unlucky second last start at Bathurst.
SORE HORSE: NOTHING TO ASSISI HERE FOR INJURED RAIDER
SCORCHING RUN: WINX LIGHTS UP TRACK IN HITOUT
Living Choice finishes very strongly to land the prize in the last of the day at #Bathurst. pic.twitter.com/KRZUhsAW8F
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 19, 2017
NOWRA
BEST BET: Living Choice (Race 7, No. 2)
Living Choice has returned in great touch and could not have been more impressive when he puts his rivals to the sword at Bathurst. He will appreciate getting out to 1600m today.
NEXT BEST: Overreactive (Race 2 No. 4)
She started from the rails gate and never left the paint to win her maiden at Canberra last start. Although she did get all the favours, it was a strong win and she can go right on with it today. Drawn to get the perfect run again.
BEST VALUE: Lewinski (Race 3, No. 6)
Lewinski should have won at Bathurst but was held up behind a wall of horses at a vital stage in the straight. When clear, she charged home to just miss. She takes on odds on favourite Free Way again after beating him home last start.
QUADDIE: 1st leg: 5,1. 2nd leg: 1,3,6,7. 3rd leg: 2,3. 4th leg: 3,5,10,12.
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW: CHRISTIAN REITH
Only has four rides at the Nowra meeting but each looks a very competitive chance — Overreactive (Race 2), Tawfiq Girl (Race 6), Capeabeel (Race 7) and Good Thoughts (Race 8).
TRAINER TO FOLLOW: GARRY FRAZER
Has three outstanding chances — Eminence who is resuming in the opener, Playard (Race 4) is making his debut after a brilliant trial, and Living Choice (Race 7) looks one of the day’s best bets.
RAY THOMAS’ NOWRA PREVIEW
TRAINER Brad Widdup is poised to enhance his stable’s outstanding strike-rate when he sends three in-form gallopers to the Nowra races today.
Widdup only took out a trainer’s licence in May and has saddled up 54 starters so far, winning 17 races and another 12 placegetters — which averages out at a winner every third starter.
Even this season, trainer has maintained his winning percentage with 12 winners from his 39 runners.
Widdup’s Nowra hopefuls include the best-bred runner at the meeting — Overreactive in the Fillies and Mares Handicap (1400m).
Overreactive is a four-year-old mare by super sire Redoute’s Choice out of Reactive, winner of the 2004 Oakleigh Plate and goes into today’s race after a breakthrough win at Canberra two weeks ago.
“She is only a little ‘filly’ but she tries her heart out,’’ Widdup said.
“We are trying to place her in races where she can be competitive and we have Christian (Reith) going down to ride her. She is drawn to get the right run, too.’’
Overreactive is at $3.90 in overnight TAB Fixed Odds betting behind Capella Magna ($3.60 favourite) and Penultimate Star ($3.80).
Widdup’s lightly-raced three-year-old Ikaba is the $1.90 favourite to get punters away to a winnings start in the Nowra opener, the Heat of the Rising Star Handicap (1200m).
The class 2 sprint is for apprentice jockeys only and Widdup has engaged 3kg-claimer Robbie Dolan to ride Ikaba, a good last start winner at Bathurst.
“I thought Ikaba’s Bathurst win was very good as he idled near the line,’’ Widdup said.
“He just seemed to pull up the last bit, maybe he had a shy at the winning post.
“But we have him in a race where we are trying to keep his confidence on an upward spiral. Robbie Dolan is riding well and claims 3kg which is a big help.’’
Capeabeel is up slightly in grade but price assessors have rated her the $3.50 favourite for the Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m).
Widdup said the mare has trained on well since her third in a Canberra class 1 last start. She won her maiden at Bathurst three starts back.
“Capeabeel has finally drawn a barrier and we should be able to ride her more patiently,’’ Widdup said.
“We have had to roll forward from wide barriers at her last two starts which I don’t think suits her.
“I’d like to see her ridden with cover and she will finish off a lot better.’’
Widdup also confirmed emerging fillies Za Zi Ba and Acqume will race at the Canterbury midweeks tomorrow.
Za Zi Ba, who led all the way to win at Kembla last start, is a dual nomination. She is entered alongside Acqume in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1200m) and also the Tab.com.au Handicap (1200m).
“Za Zi Ba has come through her Kembla win in great form and I think Acqume is a very smart filly,’’ Widdup said.
INSIDE MAIL WITH RAY THOMAS
NOWRA
RACE 1
The apprentices only race opens the program with topweight 1. Eminence the one to beat. Eminence resumes today but she is proven first-up winning her maiden when resuming over 1300m at Kembla last preparation. She settled on speed that day and forged clear to win comfortably. She ran unplaced at her next two starts but both were competitive efforts. Eminence resumes today after two nice barrier trials and looks the hardest to beat. 3. Ikaba has race fitness on her side and broke through at Bathurst last start in good style. 2. Smiling All is fitter now and 4. Solo Gypsy can also improve.
BETTING STRATEGY: EMINENCE TO WIN
RACE 2
4. Overreactive drew the rails and didn’t go around a horse before winning her maiden, albeit narrowly at Canberra. She was aided by a very good ride but the mare did show plenty of determination to score a narrow win. Lightly raced mare who will take confidence out of her Canberra “kill”. She is drawn to get the perfect run again. 6. Capella Magic secured her maiden on protest at Bathurst first-up and will strip fitter today. She has drawn the rails and is inside Overreactive. The two mares will race together all the way and I expect they will fight out the finish. 1. A Snip Of Cyndy was disappointing at Kembla but is in her right grade today. 3. Penultimate Star is racing well and is close to a win.
BETTING STRATEGY: BOXED TRIFECTA 1,3,4,6
RACE 3
6. Lewinski drew wide, was ridden conservatively early then powered home late for a close second to Elite Hong Kong in a class 1 at Bathurst. She was held up at a vital stage in the straight and should have won. Lewinski ran a much improved race last start and although this is slightly stronger she is close to a win. 2. Free Way was favourite for the Elite Hong Kong race and disappointed first-up although he was carted right off on the turn. He can improve today. 3. Freedom Call is racing well this campaign and 1. Attainment resumes here but usually sprints well fresh.
BETTING STRATEGY: LEWINSKI TO WIN
Northern Meteor gelding Addicted lunges and nails Our Barty right on the post to break his maiden in Race 4 at #Hawkesbury pic.twitter.com/yA10DbMMSY
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 16, 2017
RACE 4
An open race but I thought 7. Fiscal Policy was a good gamble. He led for home but was no match for the smart Living Choice at Bathurst, although he hung on well for second. Fiscal Policy has drawn wide but he has the speed to cross this field early. Improved by two runs from a spell and will take catching today. 6. Tempers Flare ran a much improved race over the 1600m trip here last start and coming back to 1400m is no issue. He will race on speed, making his own luck. 1. Addicted was a Hawkesbury maiden winner four stars back and his three runs at Kembla Grange since have been competitive. This is easier and he is clearly the one to beat. 8. Prima Stella is an each way chance.
BETTING STRATEGY: FISCAL POLICY EACH WAY BUT HAVE SOMETHING ON ADDICTED TO WIN
RACE 5
5. Hez Lethal makes his debut here but looks very hard to beat if he brings his barrier trial from to the races. Hez Lethal won a Warwick Farm trial comfortably then scored at Rosehill over 900m, edging out the promising Groundbreak. Although Hez Lethal had to be urged along to maintain his lead, it was a very good effort as Groundbreak won brilliantly at his next start. Hez Lethal has drawn well and will be in front for a long way. 1. Aim To Win impressed when third in a very strong Warwick Farm barrier trial and is ready to run well today. 3. American Salute and 8. Placard have done enough at the trials to suggest they will be competitive but I’m with the speed horses Hez Lethal and Aim To Win.
BETTING STRATEGY: HEZ LETHAL TO WIN
RACE 6
6. Lisdoonvarna was placed on debut in New Zealand back in May and has joined the Amanda Turner-Mauro Poletti stable at Warwick Farm. She looked sharp winning a Warwick Farm barrier trial late last month in fast time, winning by nearly a length after showing good early speed. Drawn awkwardly here but has the speed to negate the barrier. 3. Xaarfoxylady chased hard on her debut and ran hot favourite Darhad to less than a length at Hawkesbury. Xaarfoxylday is the testing material but Lisdoonvarna is the better value. 7. Miss Demi comes off a good trial effort at Warwick Farm where she showed good speed and 1. Goldylux will improve off a solid return at Dubbo.
BETTING STRATEGY: LISDOONVARNA EACH WAY AND IN A QUINELLA WITH XAARFOXYLADY
RACE 7
2. Living Choice got back early but unleashed from the turn to score an impressive win over 1400m at Bathurst. He had a month between runs but was very impressive winning in this grade last start. He will be even better suited at 1600m. 3. Waltzing Willie is racing consistently but finds it hard to win. 1. Fireman Sam I Am won at Dubbo then wasn’t beaten far at Goulburn. He will find this easier. 7. Capeabeel is eligible for easier races but she is an improving mare.
BETTING STRATEGY: LIVING CHOICE TO WIN
RACE 8
Tough race to close the program. 3. Mateship comes off a good effort at Queanbeyan where he was unlucky not to beat Tuivasa as the winner gained a dream rails run. Mateship has drawn wide but tends to get back in his races. If he gets some luck in running he will be in the finish. 7. Destiny’s Hero got well back and passed a couple of tired runners late on debut in the race won by Sparky Lad at Warwick Farm. This is much easier and the extra trip suits. 5. Songs Of Earth and 12. Tiomo come out of the same Kembla Grange race where they ran evenly and both have chances.
BETTING STRATEGY: BOXED TRIFECTA 2,3,5,12