Raceday focus: Taree preview, best bets, and inside mail

Trainer Tony Ball will have a race named in his honour at Taree to celebrate his birthday and can wrap up a big day with a few winners of his own.

It will party time in more ways than one for Tony Ball and the family who will be trackside to cheer on the trainer’s string at Taree on Sunday.

Ball, who celebrated his 61st birthday last Friday week, was delivered a belated gift from the Manning River Race Club who honour one of their own by naming Sunday’s Heat Of The Rising Star – the Happy Birthday Tony Ball Handicap.

Ball will mix business with pleasure on Sunday saddling up a trio of fancied runners across the card starting with Adamdeeant in the opener.

A son of 2012 Breeders’ Plate winner Whttington, Adamdeeant was himself seen in action at Royal Randwick at his most recent appearance finishing well down the order in a TAB Highway last Saturday on a Heavy 8 track.

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“His run in Sydney wasn’t bad. He got a small amount of travel sickness but he has pulled up good and it is the first time he has drawn barrier one since I’ve had him,’’ Ball said.

“He is a leader and I think he will appreciate a bit firmer going too.’’

Adamdeeant has only managed three wins in his 28 starts but has placed 10 times, eight of those were seconds.

On top of that, the five-year-old has placed at half of his six runs over the track and distance of Sunday’s Thank You For Your Support Robert Thompson Handicap (1000m).

Ball meanwhile is rightfully bullish about the prospects of Senatorial who turned in an eye-catching return to racing when a fast finishing third at Kempsey just six days ago.

A son of Hinchinbrook, Senatorial went within a neck of winning a TAB Highway at Royal Randwick in February last year.

“He just needs speed on which I think there will be with Mister Smartee and horses like that, they’ll run along,’’ Ball said.

“His form on this track is just outstanding – four of his five wins are here. He wouldn’t go here to start with and then all of a sudden he took a liking to it.

“His run the other day first-up was really good. That was 1450m and he’s got home and run third bearing in mind that he runs up to 2000m and 2200m.’’

A change in scenery has seemingly breathed new life into Ball recruit Clearly Regal who has been on an upward trajectory since he swapped Goulburn for Taree.

The son of Hallowed Crown has raced four times for Ball including two placings in the lead-up to his commanding last start win at Newcastle beating new stablemate, Standing Bear et al.

Cleary Regal will be out to post his fifth career win when he leads the field onto the track in the Kennards Hire Handicap (1250m) to end the day.

“He is pretty talented,’’ Ball said.

“He just likes it here at Taree, he likes the girls riding him work and he runs good.

“He’ll be in the first five from out there (likely barrier 12) with a bit of luck.’’

Ball is blessed to be able to call on one of the state’s most exciting young apprentices in Bailey Wheeler whose three-kilo claim reduces Cleary Regal Sunday impost to 58.5kg.

“He rides good and he is a nice kid with it, absolutely brilliant,’’ Ball said.

SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 1 No.2: MONTE DI FIORE

Greg Hickman-trained gelding who has raced seven times for two wins and four placings. Best of all, he arrives here off an easy win at Nowra two weeks back.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No.6: FAIREY BARRACUDA

Kris Lees-trained mare who has placed at both runs so far, the first of the two was at Gosford. Drawn well and wants 1300m.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No.12: DON’T DOUBT KATIE

Has the talent (and the trials!) to keep the Nathan Doyle tally of winners ticking over. Koby Jennings too.

QUADDIE

R4: 8,9

R5: 1,2,4,7

R6: 13,14

R7: 1,2

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Koby Jennings, the Golden Eagle winning jockey, has some choice rides at Taree on Sunday.

Koby Jennings is up for a big day at Taree. Picture: Getty Images for the Australian Turf Club

INSIDE MAIL: TAREE

RACE 1

Monte Di Fiore is a flashy and thus typical son of Eurozone who has won twice and placed four times from his seven starts. The Greg Hickman-trained gelding had loads of pace so should be prominent the whole way; hopefully the same as he was last start when he ran them off their legs at Nowra. Todd Howlett’s mare Miss Kojiki has been unbelievably consistent this campaign – x2223312. Awesome placement and same goes for here. Adamdeeant is better off here at home past his Highway run last Saturday.

Bet: Monte Di Fiore to win, quinella 2,4.

RACE 2

Don’t Doubt Katie is trained by Nathan Doyle who would have been rightfully pleased with the filly’s first two runs of the career last preparation. The daughter of Extreme Choice could be one to rocket through her grades from here on and she arrives in great shape off those two ripper trials. Tigertude had trialled well prior to his narrow second at Murwillumbah on debut. Was always going to be better for the race experience and is on his way now. Light Of Boom is almost guaranteed to medal here off a fantastic trial win at home at Coffs.

Bet: Don’t Doubt Katie to win, box First 4 Nos; 1,6,8,12,13.

RACE 3

Fairey Barracuda is a Kris Lees-trained mare by Rothesay who has taken a while to get up and going but it looks like it will be worth the wait. A five-year-old, she has raced only twice so far but was placed both times including a debut second at Gosford. Makes strong appeal. Millennium Jewel ran fifth at Tuncurry last start in the same race where Fairey Barracuda was third. Looking back, that second to Miracle Day on the CV looks very good these days. Must include The Last Lobban given she beat both of the above horses/rivals home at Tuncurry 12-says ago.

Bet: Fairey Barracuda to win, exacta 6,7.

RACE 4

Zaru is a locally-trained son of Rubick who has only won once in his 14 starts but he has placed nine times and seven of those are seconds. The stat that matters though is his record here at the home track namely – 10 starts for a win and eight placings (six seconds). Clifton Springs is trained by Kosciuszko winner Brett Cavanough and shapes well here third-up off a win and decent fourth at Scone. Onehero is trained on course by Joel and Wayne Wilkes. His only win so far was here at home and boy, can he launch himself late.

Bet: Zaru to win, box trifecta 5,8,9,11.

RACE 5

Flying Mojo is a son of US stallion Uncle Mo trained by Neil Godbolt. The gelding racked up his 40th race appearance at Tincurry just recently finishing an honourable fifth in the Cup. Important to note that he has raced at Taree seven times for two wins and three thirds. Just need an out from the inside draw at some stage. Valley’s Sister ran fourth in the Tuncurry Mile last start but as Bucko said after the race “if she drew an alley, she probably wins”. Have to agree with that, and she has drawn four this time. Mo’s Glory is trained at Scone but is unbeaten in two prior visits to Taree.

Bet: Flying Mojo to win, Valley’s Sister each-way.

RACE 6

Persian Beauty is trained by Taree icon Ross Stitt who has the filly in great order. The daughter of Shooting To Win has been unplaced in all six runs prior to winning here by upwards of three lengths in that maiden last month. Could be ready to go on with the job now. Last Not Least was a one-time John Sargent housed gelding who has been going super since he swamped High Street for Coffs Harbour. Always shown a bit of talent and is as close as he ever has been to that first win. Inspiration has done enough to warrant respect. Ditto for King Kikau.

Bet: Persian Beauty to win, quinella 13,14.

RACE 7

Clearly Regal has always shown a bit of ability when he was living down at Goulburn. The son of Hallowed Crown is with Tony Ball here at Taree now and is really enjoying the change of scenery evidenced by his four starts under the new management – 4231. No reason why he can’t go back to back apart from his awful draw. Oh Say, the cleverly named daughter of Starspangledbannr, wasn’t beaten at all far at Tuncurry last start. Placed twice from only two prior visits to the venue. Wewonya is the old marvel of the card. Aged 11 now, this would be his 10th race win should it happen – and it might given he is a last start t/d winner.

Bet: Clearly Regal to win.