Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong

A promising filly from the Garry Frazer yard can end the day on a high note. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Mikayla Weir (pictured) continues her association with Rita May after winning on her at Newcastle last start. Picture: AAP Image

Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Wyong.

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!

WYONG

BEST BET

Race 7, No.14: RITA MAY

Rita May has made a promising start to her race career, finishing second on debut to the handy Shalstar then scoring easily at Newcastle. She’s drawn awkwardly against some handy types but she is a smart filly and can win again with Mikayla Weir onboard.

NEXT BEST

Race 2, No.1: VIREN

Viren gets his chance to post an overdue win. Racing consistently in tougher grade and goes to Wyong off successive city placings. He races in a forward position and should get all the favours in the run. Ready to win.

BEST VALUE

Race 6, No.11: GENDARMERIE

There was a lot to like about the way Gendarmerie stuck to her guns on debut to finish second at Rosehill. She will take improvement from that race experience and is drawn to get the right run again. Good value at $11.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1,3,6,8

Race 5: 1,2,7

Race 6: 2,8,11,12

Race 7: 1,4,14

Tim Clark looks set for a good day at Wyong with several leading chances. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tim Clark, who rides Wyong as well as any jockey, has a good book of rides including the favourites in the two Magic Millions feature races, Snitzonfire (race 4) and Command Approved (race 6).

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

John O’Shea is only taking two runners to Wyong and both look hard to beat – King Of Spades (race 5) will appreciate a firmer track and Hell I Am (race 6) has trialled very impressively ahead of his race debut.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WYONG

RACE 1

Highly Desired does look hard to beat in the opener. He’s clearly the highest-rated horse in the race, as reflected by the handicaps, but star apprentice’s Dylan Gibbons’s 2kg claim reduces his impost to 58.5kg. His recent form is very good including his close sixth in the Four Pillars, game second at Canterbury and fifth in the Mudgee Cup. Highly Desired races on speed and will be hard to catch around Wyong. Dodecanese indicated a return to form at Tuncurry and his best form is on firmer going. Do This All Day will strip fitter but might be looking for further. Hemsted is racing well and is a lightweight chance.

Bet: Highly Desired to win

RACE 2

Viren is bursting to win the race. He led for home and held on well for third over 2000m in a Rosehill Midway then again ran third at Kensington over 1800m last start. Finds himself in a very winnable race and gets in well at the weights after the claim. Viren can either lead or settle on the speed and in a race devoid of early pressure, he will be in a controlling position. Dalgarno made a long, sustained run from back in the field at Newcastle last start and did well to keep grinding away into third placing. He should be suited by the step up to 2100m. Apache Belle is coming back from 2400m where she ran a good second to Black Queen at Warwick Farm. Tough, genuine mare who will be competitive again. Reposition was three-wide without cover from the outset and did very well to finish third in the Tuncurry Cup. He was also third in the Taree Cup two starts back and is not the roughest in this field.

Bet: Viren to win, saver on Reposition at odds

David Payne prepares Viren who is poised to break through for a deserved win. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 3

El Nido was ridden back in the field and didn’t have a lot of galloping room in the run home as she hit the line well to finish fourth on debut here late last month. She’s a five-year-old mare making a late start to her race career but on the evidence of her first start effort she won’t be a maiden for long. Auzstar was ridden with intent from a wide barrier early, got left in front and was swamped in the straight when fading for ninth behind the promising Pentacost at Newcastle. Auzstar has drawn well, should be ridden more conservatively early and is expected to be hitting the line strongly. Harapan and Diorissima have place claims.

Bet: El Nido to win

RACE 4

Snitzonfire had six weeks between runs and dropped back slightly in trip when he lost his unbeaten record with a close fourth to Starman at Rosehill over 1200m. He was very impressive winning his three previous starts including a dominant Kensington 1400m win when he easily defeated subsequent stakes winner Bend The Knee. Snitzonfire will be improved by his recent run and the blinkers go on. Glamour And Glory did a few things wrong but still easily won her maiden here last start. Promising filly facing a class rise but she has obvious ability. Head Legislator learned how to win last preparation and trialled nicely in preparation for his return. Wisdom Of Water is a speedy type suited around Wyong and is working up to a win.

Bet: Box trifecta 1,3,6,8

RACE 5

El Parmy enjoyed the heavy track conditions and finished strongly to win at Canterbury. Both minor placegetters, Caboteur and Chappelli, have since won to frank the form. The slight concern with El Parmy is that his two best runs have been on heavy tracks and he strikes a firm track here. Rock The Bells was first-up at 1400m and tried hard when third at Newcastle. Genuine type with a win and six minor placings from 10 starts. King Of Spades struggled in the heavy going at Hawkesbury and will be much better suited here. Bedford Square and Lucky To Win are chances.

Bet: El Parmy to win, watch betting moves for King Of Spades

Nash Rawiller rides El Parmy. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Gendarmerie made a pleasing debut when she ran on well for second behind the promising Lady Laguna, albeit beaten four lengths at Rosehill. Gendarmerie has tactical speed and can take advantage of her inside barrier. In a race of many chances, she is value at double figure odds. Hell I Am looked good winning his Canterbury barrier trial with ease. Drawn well here and Hugh Bowman is staying with the colt. First starter Miss Hellfire has won her two trials, she has obvious ability and Team Snowden is having a good run with their juveniles this season. Cholante easily defeated her rivals in a Warwick Farm trial and is well drawn here. Command Approved scored well on debut at Canberra but he has drawn right off the track.

Bet: Gendarmerie each way, box trifecta 2,8,11,12

RACE 7

Rita May followed her debut second to the smart Shalstar at Gosford with a dominant all-the-way win at Newcastle. Emerging filly confronted by a stronger field and wide draw but she looks a talent and will go close. Toto has been scratched a couple of times in recent weeks and finally strikes a dry track. He hasn’t raced since late October and usually needs a run or two but will be finishing strongly. Longbottom is a handy mare who races well fresh but will need luck from her awkward draw. Passitas is better suited coming back to 1100m but she is drawn off the track.

Bet: Rita May each way, Quinella 1,14 

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