Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong

A step up in distance looks the key to a lightly-raced Chris Waller-trained filly break through for her first win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales heads to Wyong on Thursday.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones 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 2, No.3: BELLA ROUGE

She produced a good run from off the speed first-up at Hawkesbury when strongest on the line and she’ll appreciate the extra ground now under leading rider James McDonald.

NEXT BEST

Race 1, No.2: THE POACHER

He was great on debut in town when drawing wide and having to do some work. This time he’ll get an easier run from the inside gate and the booking of Hugh Bowman adds confidence. He’s trained on well according to the stable.

VALUE BET

Race 3, No.4: OUR LANCETTE

I think she can beat the favourite here. She ran one and a half lengths behind Yearning last start at Newcastle and that horse has run in Stakes grade already.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5, 7, 10

Race 6: 1, 2, 4, 5

Race 7: 1, 3, 8, 10

Race 8: 2, 5, 8

Trainer Les Bridge has a couple of terrific chances at Wyong on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

TRAINER TO WATCH

It’s got to be Les Bridge who saddles up Legend I Am in the opener while The Denzel could start one of the shortest priced favourites in the country in the fourth event.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Sam Clipperton rides Our Lancette, The Mistral and Dom Tycoon who could all cause minor upsets.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WYONG

RACE 1

The Poacher tried to lead all the way on debut on town and was gallant to run second to a more race fit horse. He will get better off that as Hugh Bowman takes the ride from barrier one. Joe Pride has put the winkers on Hold On Honey after running second on debut at Hawkesbury when sent out at a drifting $31. There will be more respect for him on Thursday. Ka Bling ran just behind him last time but had a tougher run in transit. Legend I Am has drawn wide but can muster early speed and cross them so he just needs to get things a little easy in the first half of the race so he’s strong at the end.

Bet: The Poacher to win

RACE 2

Poignant has returned from a spell with two winning trials with a tongue tie on for the first time. She gets the gun run and looks primed to fire fresh. Bella Rouge was just warming up in the final stages of her fresh run over 1100m at Hawkesbury and races like the extra trip on Thursday will help her win. Riduna finished in front of Bella Rouge last time but there’s a 1.5kg weight disadvantage on Riduna this time. Mystic Mermaid really looked good in finishing off her second trial and a bold run on debut wouldn’t surprise.

Bet: Bella Rouge to win

James McDonald (pictured) rides Bella Rouge for trainer Chris Waller. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Garmish looks to be starting favourite here thanks to the inside draw and promise he showed at his first preparation. He ran fifth of five in a trial but that was only over 900m and he looks suite to 1350m fresh. Our Lancette ran into a couple of horses destined for much better race than a Newcastle maiden. She was running on nicely on both occasions this time in and if she handles this tighter turning track, she’s going to go close. Lovin’ Feelin’ will enjoy the 1350m tempo much more now and steps down from city racing.

Bet: Our Lancette to win

RACE 4

After three-straight seconds it’s obvious to say that The Denzel is knocking on the door. He’s run less than a length off the winner of each occasion this time in and he’s well placed in a set weights race against a few struggling runners. He could start at Winx-like odds which suggests it’s a one-horse race. Blackall was only two and a half lengths off winning last time at Kembla Grange despite running ninth and he didn’t get it all his own way in the race.

Bet: The Denzel to win

RACE 5

Zudin has a wide gate but it should matter too much because he’ll settle back anyway under James McDonald who rides him again but his time in an easier race so it’s his time to shine. Silhouette has drawn a little wide too but will likely be positive from the gates. It’s her first go at this distance but should enjoy it. Believe So scored a gritty win down in grade last time and ran just behind The Denzel a start earlier so see how it goes in the race before this one. Ignore Ponte Pietra’s last start. It’s showing more at home than the racing form suggests. Emerald Bay has had the blinkers taken off again.

Bet: Quinella 5, 7

Rachel King (pictured) takes the mount on Sprout Wings. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Camp Rifle should get the run of the race and he’s a proven consistent type who won last time off a six-week break and will improve further off that at a track he’s won at before. Tinka’s Lad has had the blinkers put on for the first time and drops back in trip which looks ideal with the gear change and if it works it might just be the reason he wins this. Sprout Wings has been ticking along well and running honest races without winning and didn’t get luck last time. He’s got form behind Pleading who is a horse on the rise.

Bet: Sprout Wings to win

RACE 7

Centro Storico was given a kill at Gosford first-up after racing well in the autumn against the top fillies like Four Moves Ahead, She’s All Class and Jamaea. Fillies aren’t well weighted in races like this but she’s got the class to overcome that. Marshall Dillon is two years older than Centro Storico and is a gelding but has 1.5kg less to carry. Russbuss got to Stakes level last time in and she enjoys this track and she bolted in a barrier trial by six lengths. Toro Toro has 63kg to lug but deserves it and has won here.

Bet: Russbuss to win

RACE 8

Jesse James has drawn wide but has the speed to push forward where they’ve wasted no time getting him over the mile second-up after a good win last time and the horse that came second that day has come out and won since. Miss Scalini has 2kg less to carry and she’s already won four more times than Jesse James. Dom Tycoon beat Nicochet home at Kembla Grange two weeks ago and was a big Goulburn winner two runs before so why can’t he keep winning?

Bet: Dom Tycoon to win

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