Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Goulburn, Muswellbrook

John Thompson-trained filly I Am Brazen was impressive when she broke her maiden at Goulburn first-up and can go back-to-back. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer John Thompson has a promising filly in I Am Brazen who can make it two from two for the campaign at Goulburn on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Goulburn.

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!

GOULBURN

BEST BET

Race 1, No.4: I AM BRAZEN

Lightly-raced and has always shown something. Just too good for them here first-up. She is on her way now.

NEXT BEST

Race 9, No.10: CROSSCHECK

Has come back in career best shape. Had valid excuses for the last two runs after that barnstorming Saturday city first-up win.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.13: NINJA STAR

Has run in four races won by four well above average maidens. Attractively weighted here in an ‘easier’ race.

QUADDIE

Race 7: 3,14

Race 8: 1,3,4,11

Race 9: 10.,11

Race 10: 1,4

Jason Collett (pictured) takes the ride on Provincial/Midway Qualifier hopeful Crosscheck at Goulburn. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Jason Collett has the task of steering Gary Moore’s Crosscheck in Friday’s crucial Provincial/Midway Qualifier.

MUSWELLBROOK

BEST BET

Race 8, No.8: PHOTOGENIC

Made up lots of ground at his first two runs back, extra 80m here might be enough for him to reel them in.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.13: STORMY PLUCK

Not beaten at all far at Quirindi last start and has shown a penchant from heavy tracks.

VALUE BET

Race 6, No.8: TOUGH CASE

Raced on Heavy tracks three times for two wins, runner-up here in the past. Has claims.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GOULBURN

RACE 7

Money From The Sky is a horse who could easily retire as a stakes-winner. This fellow is a flashy son of Frankel out of a G1 winning mare by Starcraft who has certainly out his stamp on him. Let’s hope Money From The Sky gets through the heavy ground like Starcraft did and this will be a gap-job. The Joe Pride-trained Diva Diva is a Pierro filly on an upward trajectory.

Bet: Money From The Sky to win

RACE 8

Sanstoc is headed toward the Vinery and the Oaks and for what it is worth, I think she will win one or both of those Group 1’s. Long story short, she either comes here and has to give them a big start from the draw or she is saved for the Phar Lap Stakes on Saturday. Lekvarte won like a good horse at Wyong and then was something licked at Newcastle 11-days later. She’s an Oaks filly herself. Ditto that for Hope In Your Heart who is dying to get out to 2000m - soon.

Bet: Sanstoc to win or, if scratched, Lekvarte to win

Tom Sherry rides Sanstoc for his boss, Mark Newnham. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 9

Crosscheck was $71 into $41 when she won first-up at Rosehill on Jan 15. The fact that she probably should have won there two weeks later removes any suggestion that the previous win was a fluke. Ridden too close last start. Won on heavy. Daphne Jean was the second best run in the Newcastle Qualifier. Goodness knows what he splits must have been up the straight. Shocking luck again with the barriers. Danish Prince more than held his own when third in the same Newcastle Heat. Travest is a major player.

Bet: Crosscheck to win, quinella 10,11

RACE 10

Healthy Beauty was $3.20 for $4.40 for some unknown reason when she resumed in a 1300m maiden down in Canberra. She ended up winning like a twos-on pop so there you go. Never easy to win the next time but you wouldn’t say this is beyond Healthy Beauty’s talent level by any means. Stylebender has a sizeable task on paper with the 62kg and barrier 10 but he has run okay in town before, he has won on a heavy track and the draw might not mean anything by now on the day. Danny Williams pair Jalmari and Rent A Rock are in the mix.

Bet: Healthy Beauty to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR MUSWELLBROOK

RACE 5

The Winter Win is by Redoute’s Choice, the sire of The Autumn Sun among many others hence the name. This Singo/Kylie Gavenlock grey gelding is a half-brother to G1 winner Foxplay. Disappointing first-up but very good in defeat next time at Scone. The Wet? The Draw? Let’s see what happens. Deep Snow has drawn one so you would expect that he parks up handy. Fitter and has all the talent. Big market watch on Peter Moody’s own former Little Joanna (now with Cav) who is hard to assess.

Bet: The Winter Sun to win, quinella 1,2

RACE 6

Tough Case has only won twice in his 33 starts but has placed eight times, five of them are seconds. Without doubt, the most important thing to note about this gelding is that both of his wins have been on heavy tracks (two from three to be exact). New stable, big chance. Forbidden Palace saves his best for here at home. Could/should have won four or five more at least but for back luck and his pattern. Can never leave him out though. Untamed Mistress almost won at 100’s last start.

Bet: Tough Case each-way

Ashley Morgan (pictured) partners Stormy Pluck for trainer Tim McIntosh.

RACE 7

Stormy Pluck is by Pluck (of course) and he himself being a son of More Than Ready has a fair few offspring that either ‘handle’ or in cases ‘excel’ on wet tracks. Stormy Pluck seems to fall into the second category judging on her record when it’s Heavy. Good, reliable sort of mare. Hemsworth was back to his customary self when runner-up at Mudgee on the Qualifier undercard. No idea about him on the slop. Cross Step and Cheeky Nugget are absolutely good enough to medal here.

Bet: Stormy Pluck to win

RACE 8

Photogenic is a son of the aforementioned More Than Ready but it gets better; his grandam is Lotteria who won two G1’s and was runner-up in a Cox Plate to Makybe Diva. Like the way this Stephen Jones-trained gelding is tracking into this third-up having made a lot of ground in her preceding two appearances. Poseidon Rulers has been placed at last couple with 4kg claiming apprentice Shayleigh Inglese in the saddle. Could be a case of third time luck this afternoon. Dethroned and Media Man warrant respect here.

Bet: Photogenic to win

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Goulburn, Muswellbrook