Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Tamworth races

After bumping into a couple of smart ones early in her career, it’s now time for Don’tforgetmonica to stamp her authority. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Tamworth holds a showcase meeting on Thursday with the Golden Guitar Cup the feature event. Photo: Jenny Evans

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass was taken with the early effort of this Cameron Crockett-trained mare who has since trialled very nicely ahead of her return to racing.

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!

TAMWORTH (SHOWCASE)

BEST BET

Race 2, No. 6: DON’TFORGETMONICA

Placed twice in three runs in very good maidens. Trialling bang on like a first-up win is on the cards.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No. 5: HIGH COURT

Has been super impressive at times, always consistent too, no matter whether it be country, provincial or metropolitan standard.

VALUE BET

Race 1, No. 3. THIS IS SERIOUS

Racing at home for the first time on Thursday and is crying out for a mile. Makes each-way appeal.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2,4,6,11

Race 6: 2,3,4,5,13

Race 7: 5

Race 8: 1,4,5,12

Grant Buckley looks tough to beat in the Jockey’s Challenge with a strong book of rides.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Grant Buckley could easily get into double figure points in the TAB Jockeys Challenge with some bumper rides.

INSIDE MAIL FOR TAMWORTH

RACE 1

This is Serious is trained here by Sue Grills and has been passable in his two runs to date bearing in mind that he is going to run 2000m and more when the time comes. The horse has gone 1300m, 1400m and is now at the 1600m at home too which adds up to a bold showing. Kris Lees pair Endorphins and Justitia are both winning chances given how they finished off their 1400m and 1415m respective maidens last start. Capital Venture and Last Grace have drawn to get every opportunity.

BET: THIS IS SERIOUS EACH-WAY

RACE 2

Don’tforgetmonica raced three times in her first preparation in what have turned out to be better than your average maiden. The daughter of VRC Derby winner Monaco Consul was third to Cecilia and Yulong Base on debut then third next time behind Easy Campese and Whatsin. Trials have been ace. Hurn Court is similarly lightly-raced three-year-old also with two placings from his three starts in the first campaign. Resumes at home from barrier 1 and Grant Buckley. Mother’s Day is up and running and has the talent.

BET: DON’TFORGETMONICA TO WIN, BOX TRIFECTA 4,6,9,15

RACE 3

Samindi is a half-sister to Country Championship Final winner Victorem. The daughter of Denman was $6 to $10 when she made her debut at Port Macquarie 13-days ago and while she clocked in 7th of 11 that day, it was a heavy 9 track. She actually wasn’t too bad under the circumstances. Surf has placed at four of her seven starts and while she almost got there at Gunnedah last time, she has been rather costly to follow. Tariff Trump is a 16-start maiden but she raced well enough here to consider.

BET: SAMINDI EACH-WAY

Nathan Doyle prepares Victorem’s half-sister Simindi who contests Race 3 at Tamworth on Thursday. Photo: Grant Guy

RACE 4

Kris Lees-trained gelding Misterzee has placed at all four runs this time in, three of them have been seconds, two of these by narrow margins. One obvious positive is that Misterzee has been to Tamworth only twice for a win and a second. No excuses now. Miss Scalini has a tidy C.V of four wins and four placings from 16 starts. The Nathan Doyle trained mare has won three of her last four either side of the break and is clearly not done with winning yet being only third-up into the current campaign. Brother Bassy has finally drawn a helpful barrier.

BET: MISTERZEE TO WIN, QUINELLA 2,5

RACE 5

Pure Fuego was fantastic first-up at Mudgee back on December 4. The son of Frankel’s three-quarter-brother Bullet Train drew 13 of 13 and was 10th at the 400m on a day when it was a bit more ‘on-pace’ than ‘swooper’ so for him to get as close as he did was a grand effort. Cameron Crockett would have been thrilled with his trial win at Muswellbrook on January 7. Great interest generated here by Kinship who has swapped Warwick Farm for Scone. Always had a bit of talent and the trial was an absolute ripper. Greenheart was emphatic two weeks ago. Bridges To Babylon could be the late spoiler.

BET: PURE FUGEO TO WIN, QUINELLA 2,6

RACE 6

More Spice is a chance to be at Armidale on Monday; her team will no doubt be weighing up the pros and cons on the wide draw. Hopefully she still comes because she is good enough to medal even from the gate. She got back as is her custom but was really getting home there first-up at Port Macquarie. Former Godolphin galloper Manseneta has been a terrific acquisition for Cody Morgan et al with a win and two placings in just four starts under the new management. Resumes at home. The Crimson Idol gets the firm footing she needs.

BET: MORE SPICE EACH-WAY OR IF SCRATCHED, MANSENETA TO WIN

Trainer Scott Singleton has a good chance with More Spice despite a wide draw. Photo: Mark Evans

RACE 7

High Court is a handy racehorse from 1400m to a mile. This is the 1200m Golden Guitar Cup so while it is short of his best, he is fresh and his trial the other day at Wyong was really good. Drawn well, Bucko rides - he should run well. Hamoon Ballad races in the same colours as High Court but in her case, she is trained here at Tamworth by Sue Grills. Hamoon Ballad is similar to High Court in that she too is better at 1400m to a mile but has trialled well and is quite fresh. Eiger has won four from 10, the last one was a Highway in the winter.

BET: HIGH COURT EACH-WAY, EXACTA/QUINELLA 5,12

RACE 8

Depth That Varies is the barnstormer horse on the card. There wouldn’t be a horse that has a bigger finish on them racing at Tamworth than this locally trained gelding. The son of Magic Millions winner Unencumbered is first-up but he has won two of his five fresh runs and gets the form footing. The Neon Knight has won both starts this preparation and won them quite easily. Harder here and drawn wide but is progressive. Siege Warfare, Brave Enough and I’m On Break are all very much in the mix.

BET: DEPTH THAT VARIES TO WIN