Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Walcha

Following a narrow defeat at Scone last week, a Rod Northam-trained gelding is set to strike back. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Friday is at Walcha.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Walcha.

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!

WALCHA

BEST BET

Race 6, No.1: THE WAYFARER

He just lost touch with them coming around the bend last time which cost him the win but he came home very well in good time and should thrive off the quick back up.

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.2: CIRCULARITY

He gets barrier one here for his first-up run and off two trials he’ll be screwed down for it and should get all the favours at a trip he’s won at before.

VALUE BET

Race 7, No.2: ACOUSTIX

He looks great value in the Cup from a good gate where he’ll put himself right in the race. And any rain won’t hurt his hopes.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 3

Race 6: 1, 2

Race 7: 2, 5, 6, 10

Race 8: 2, 5, 6

Trainer Cameron Crockett has several good chances at Walcha on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

TRAINER TO WATCH

Cameron Crockett might win three races with Foxstorm, Unrestricted and Primal Scream all well placed and in the right form to be winning their races.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Brooke Stower has good chances with Ellebeedee, Metal Bar, Foxstorm, Galbalan and Primal Scream.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WALCHA

RACE 1

The claim should really help Rumberella here over 1700m and he’s a big grouse horse who has now had enough runs to be primed for a big performance at a trip he’s won at twice in the past. Mr Severino is building towards this trip off two placings over 1400m and 1450m and he’s won at a mile so this should be a target race for him. Our Girl Eve drops back in grade here and if she can begin well, she’s got to be a good hope in this grade after running third in a country cup race two runs earlier.

Bet: Our Girl Eve to win

RACE 2

Cut ‘Em Up is going to benefit from two weeks between runs after running third at Tamworth last start off a four-week freshen up and the blinkers go on for the first time. He’s proven costly to punters to date and owes them one here. Metal Bar has also let down fans of late but has been consistent without winning but with luck he’ll contend again. Lan Kwai Fong hasn’t been to 1440m before but she looks like she’ll thrive over the trip after coming from near last to run two and a quarter length sixth at Tamworth over 1200m a fortnight ago and before that she was running on over the same trip two runs ago.

Bet: Cut ‘Em Up to win

RACE 3

Foxstorm is up to 1200m which is a good thing for him and it will be interesting to see the tactics employed from barrier 10 because the horse has the ability to go forward or take a sit. He’s third-up now and with even luck he should be in the finish. Zorra also needs some luck from a wide gate while Amulet Street isn’t expected to run but if the stable changes its mind this morning it’s the one to beat. Bon Vavont put in an eye-catcher first-up off a year-long spell so it will be interesting to see if he’s flat second-up but if he isn’t he’s right in this.

Bet: Quinella 4, 11

Matthew Palmer has some good rides at Walcha including Circulatory and The Wayfarer. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 4

Circularity is fresh here and gets barrier one which should be ideal for the on-speed type. He had to be ridden out to go with two horses in a trial but one was an above average stablemate and the other was Kosciuszko champ It’s Me. He’s been given two trials which is key for him too. Midweek Hussler is up to 1200m which is a good thing for him after not getting the best of luck last time and is fitter now. Mr Grumpy will probably go forward from the wide draw and possibly sit outside Circularity so the early stages will play a vital role in the finish.

Bet: Circularity to win

RACE 5

Tony Newing is taking Galbalan back out to the country for what he hopes is a first-up win. He’s placed twice from four runs to date and he will race positive from the gate (7) as he’s been kept as fresh as possible for 1000m. Keep Me Loyal is third-up now off two good runs and coming back to 1000m looks good for him and he too will ensure this is a fast-run race. Ghost Hunter and Pressita are both now racing in easier parts of the state and the latter has placed at the provincials in the past which would be a good enough performance to win this.

Bet: Galbalan to win

RACE 6

The Wayfarer should use barrier three to be in the first three in the run and he’s raced at midweek city level in the past and has two placings from three second-up runs and he was good fresh. Barney Rubble won his maiden by three lengths at the provincials and he could even be the leader here as he looks to take the next step. Dixie Can is here off no trial and a 32-week spell but he won off no trial and 44-week spell last time in and he too will get an ideal run from the gate.

Bet: The Wayfarer to win

Cejay Graham (pictured) partners Acoustix for trainer Tas Morton. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Celestial Doll shoots for three-straight and looks well placed in this cup race. Before those two wins she ran respectably in Highway grade and loves this trip. Acoustix has been going great for some time now with his runs spaced and might even be able to lead them into the home straight here and prove tough to get past, particularly if the track is rain-affected. Unrestricted is another going for three-straight wins and should be on the speed and one off the fence and in it for a long way. Ah Well has the last shot at them.

Bet: Acoustix to win

RACE 8

Rexx is in top form and the winkers coming off didn’t hurt his racing first-up with a good win at Grafton. Three runs back he was close behind Edit over 1200m. All Stand produced a strong effort first-up also but his record is better second-up with two wins from seven starts. He’s also won seven times at 1000m. The gut feel is that Akasaki still has wins left in him but he has to lift.

Bet: Rexx to win