Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Beaumont, Grafton

A John Ramsey-trained filly is perfectly placed to post her first career win when she steps up to a staying trip for the first time at Beaumont.

Trainer John Ramsey (pictured) steps Velvet Lady up to what looks an ideal distance at Beaumont on Tuesday. Picture: Grant Guy

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Beaumont and Grafton.

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!

BEAUMONT NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 6, No.12: VELVET LADY

A John Ramsey-trained daughter of VRC Derby winner Tarzino who has been waiting all her short career to get to a trip and here it is.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.3: TIMPERLEY

Blotted the copybook last start and while only two from 28, this looks within his reach.

VALUE BET

Race 4, No.4: SECOND HALF

Will have hopefully derived benefit from the debut at Dubbo where he actually didn’t run too badly for a horse beaten six lengths.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2,4,6

Race 6: 12

Race 7: 1,7

Race 8: 2,3,4

Jockey Jess Taylor has some handy rides at Beaumont on Tuesday and can give the TAB Jockey Challenge a shake. Picture: AAP Image

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Jess Taylor could be the proverbial ‘value runner’ in Tuesday’s TAB Jockey Challenge.

GRAFTON

BEST BET

Race 3, No.1: INARI FOX

Placed at three of his five starts; looks like he might have split two handy horses here first-up.

NEXT BEST

Race 2, No.3: ROARING THUNDER

This is the horse that beat Inari Fox here on Feb 12; that was some debut.

VALUE BET

Race 7, No.11: RHAPSODY QUEEN

Ran third to Roaring Thunder and Inari Fox; beaten a neck at the next run. Go well.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR BEAUMONT

RACE 5

Visceral is a Nathan Doyle-trained mare by Oakleigh Plate winner and NZ-based stallion, Swiss Ace. Doyle’s mare has a tidy little record of two wins and two seconds from her nine starts and whilst her first-up numbers aren’t all that flash, she has been fitted up with a couple of trials last month. Five Crowns is a giant obstacle for all. The Kris Lees-trained son of Sacred Falls has won two out of three and was runner-up at the other one. Won a trial at Wyong leading into this. Poseidon Ruler has the fitness edge on both and is a last start winner.

Bet: Visceral to win

RACE 6

Velvet Lady is a daughter of the VRC Derby winner Tarzino so has been dying to get out to a trip and here we are where she lines-up in a 2100m Class 1 and Maiden with Grant Buckley to ride. Not saying she will an Oaks but she is a classic type nonetheless. Members Only should feel very comfortable in this grade given that he finished third to the city performer Nicochet last start. Should appreciate the 2100m now. Double Award is a mostly reliable horse who can figure.

Bet: Velvet L

ady to win, exacta 12 to beat 4

William Pike rides Bahama for Team Hawkes at Beaumont. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Bahama brings together Team Hawkes and William Pike and surely if the trial Bahama turns it on race day, she will be hard to beat here and even in town. With that said, she has to come out and do it when it counts most. Oxford Vision was fantastic on debut when he motored late to get beaten a neck by a speedy and handy horse, Propel Motion, at Gosford on March 12. Drawn wide but remains a serious player. Pacific Force is a Matthew Smith-trained gelding from the Star Watch family. Trials have been encouraging and indicative of a horse who will run well.

Bet: Bahama to win

RACE 8

Aarkus is a Craig Martin-trained son of the mighty Testa Rossa and has carved out a really good record in a short time, namely a win and two thirds from his three starts. He ran really well in a good quality race at Tamworth first-up and it is worth noting that his win came at his second career start - that is to say, we can expect improvement. Jutland is a fit racehorse from the Paul Perry stable and seems like he will appreciate coming back to 1360m from his mile Class 1 mission at Taree five odd weeks ago. Miss Santorini is an Australian Bloodstock filly who has plenty of toe and could potentially lead them up here.

Bet: Aarkus to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GRAFTON

RACE 5

Tyrol is a blueblood of epic proportions. Guess it doesn’t matter much being a gelding but it is worth a mention anyhow by way of introduction. The son of Snitzel has placed at four of his seven starts, his last two thirds have been his two runs for his new master, Aiden St Vincent. Go well. Emaleah hasn’t fared too well with the outside barrier. Interested to see how they chose to ride her because she is a live hope here. Sportspak has the draw and the speed to perhaps lead or at least be very prominent throughout.

Bet: Tyrol to win

RACE 6

Ultimate Man won first-up, ran third second-up then failed at his third run in finishing down the order in the big field here on February 12. Been back to the trials and won his heat very easily. Take note of his very good record at the home track. Zaiden has only won three out of 38 starts but he has placed 11 times including at his last two outings at Inverell and Moree respectively. Full Of Flavour has to find a few lengths perhaps to win, but he could easily play a role in the finish.

Bet: Ultimate Man to win

Cejay Graham partners the Colt Prosser-trained Little Prophet at Grafton. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Rhapsody Queen is a lightly-raced mare who has raced twice and went well each time. The Joanne Hardy-trained four-year-old ran fourth at Port Macquarie on March 10 but was only beaten a neck so it was a fine effort from a horse on an upward trajectory. I Am Good At This is unplaced in his five starts but some of them were in town against the likes of Finepoint, Cape Breton and Banana Queen. Should run well in this grade and off that March 14 heat win here. Fantastic Fille has three thirds (only) from 23 starts and could pick up another one here.

Bet: Rhapsody Queen to win, exacta 11 to beat 2

RACE 8

Little Prophet will be at Randwick on April 2 in the Country Championships Final. That obviously marks her as the best horse in the race, fair enough too, but she will have to lump a good horses’ weight here to win. No reason why she won’t be up to the challenge. Nishikori is a Matthew Dunn-trained Real Impact son who turned in his best run for a while when third here last start bearing in mind the previous two were both at Warwick Farm. Buffet Buster and Olympic Class have claims.

Bet: Little Prophet to win

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Beaumont, Grafton