Armidale preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, December 8, 2024
Trainer Stirling Osland would love nothing more than seeing stable stalward and two-time Armidale Cup placegetter Point Counterpoint salute in his home town feature.
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Point Counterpoint has been a great performer for Armidale trainer Stirling Osland over the past four years and as he nears the end of his racing career, a win in his home town feature would the icing on a wonderful career.
The gelding has twice contested the Armidale Cup finishing second to Beckford in 2021 when it was run at Tamworth and third behind Pepper’s Ghost and Beckford back on home turf the following year.
Point Counterpoint will line up in the race for the third time this weekend and Osland feels he is in with a winning chance.
“He has drawn out wide which could be a sticky gate but he’s definitely got the ability to win this race even with the weight,” said Osland.
Point Counterpoint holds out a flying Spangler in the Ballina Cup!ðŸ†@brooke_stower with a peach for Stirling Osland. pic.twitter.com/iGZFlZPc0l
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2023
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“He carried 62.5kg in the Cup here two years ago when he ran third and was only beaten a bit over a length.
“You would like a nicer draw but I think we can work with it.
“He’s had three runs at the track and distance for a first, a second and a third.
“I think he is a hell of a chance and getting towards the end of his career, I’d love for him get a win to in the race to go with his two placings.”
The son of Bull Point is coming off a tenth in the Country Classic at Rosehill but was third at the same track the start prior.
“In 33 starts he had never led until last start when he was left in front,” Osland said.
“He definitely won’t be leading this time. He’s a better horse chasing and his previous run there was good.
Osland also has Kingstar Bullet in the Cup who has been just behind the placegetters in the past two editions.
“I wouldn’t be tipping her to win but I think she can be cheeky and run in the top five again,” he said.
“Her aim is a 2200m at Scone in two weeks.”
Leica Model has really found her best form this campaign with three wins a second and an unlucky fourth from six starts with her only blemish a seventh at Grafton when on a quick back-up.
Leica Model wins the last at Moree and trainer Stirling Osland bookends the card! pic.twitter.com/tfUpfog9Jv
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 1, 2024
Osland feels she is in with a great chance when she lines up in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1400m).
“I thought she was so unlucky in the Guyra Cup here last start,” he said.
“She just got tangled up on heels on the corner with nowhere to go and found a little bit of room late while she quickened nicely she didn’t have enough time with the short straight at Armidale.
“This is a race we have targeted. She has drawn well, likes to run fresh and gets in well with the claim.”
Finger Bun and Suit Day ran the quinella for the stable at Armidale last time out and Osland feels the pair can repeat that in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1900m).
“Suit Day was ridden upside down here last start. He’s always been a horse who gets back and savages the line,” he said.
“We wanted to be a little more positive on him but he was posted wide so he rolled to the front.
“Finger Bun was having her first start for us that day and she settled back and came with a good run down the middle of the track.
“If she had made her run along side him, I think he might have gone with her.
“I don’t think there is much between them and I don’t see why they can’t run one-two again.”
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 8 No. 2: Nights Inferno
Has been terrific in winning both starts this preparation. Drawn ideally and can bring up the hat-trick.
NEXT BEST
Race 2 No. 8: Finger Bun
Stormed home for an impressive win at this track and distance at her first start for her new stable. Can repeat it.
VALUE BET
Race 4 No. 3: Leica Model
Racing in super form and unlucky not to have won last start. Can make amends.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 5
Race 6: 1, 3, 5
Race 7: 1, 2, 3, 4
Race 8: 2, 3
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Leading jockey Aaron Bullock has a terrific book of rides and all are among the leading chances.
INSIDE MAIL – ARMIDALE
RACE 1
Peninsula jumped well but was caught wide so he was restrained and got well back before working home into third over 1200m on debut at Tamworth. He will be better for the experience and a step up in trip. Wide gate is a query. Apache Jack has been doing his best work late when third at his past two runs at Scone and Tamworth. Expect him to be prominent again. Local hope Charlie Bali is coming off a third behind the in-form Artic Panther over 1300m here on Nov 18.
Bet: Peninsula to win
RACE 2
Finger Bun stormed home to score a stylish win over this track and distance from her new stablemate Suit Day at her first run for the Osland stable here 19 days ago. Drawn nicely and will be charging home again. Suit Day went forward when caught wide and did a good job for second. Normally gets back and runs home. Expect him to do just that from the wide gate. Meets Finger Bun 2kg better. Empress Of Milan led and sprinted away from an impressive win at Kempsey last start.
Bet: Finger Bun to win
Finger Bun finishes strongly to win the third at Armidale! @RacingTridentpic.twitter.com/mcHz4ecUmn
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 18, 2024
RACE 3
Takeover Lad debuted with a handy third behind Super Sioux over 1000m at Tamworth then blundered at the start and took no part at Grafton after the jockey lost his irons. Finished the prep with a close second to Bold As Love at Scone. Strong form. Sharpen The Knives has placed in nine of her 13 starts, six of them seconds. Was a half-length behind Bakhita here last start. Has solid provincial form. Northern Boogie battled away for third to Wild Flash last start.
Bet: Takeover Lad to win
RACE 4
Leica Model is racing in career best form this campaign with three wins, a second and an unlucky fourth behind Red Beryl here last time out. Hets a nice run from the gate and the claim helps. Exonumia copped a bump near the 300m when a close second to Plenitude in a Class 2 at Coonabarabran first-up before a third to Mystery Lad in a Bm66 here. Has the pole and a 2kg claim for Shae Wilkes. Rasay Factor was a first-up winner over 1400m last campaign and can run a bold race here.
Bet: Leica Model each-way
Mystery Lad flies home with a wet sail to win Race 5 at Armidale. pic.twitter.com/q83GlLIPPC
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 18, 2024
RACE 5
Mystery Lad took a little while to hit his straps this campaign but after a handy fifth here in September, he won a trial followed a close third at Moree and back-to-back wins at Armidale and Tamworth. One Kind scored a tough win at Newcastle before a fifth at the same track. Forced to race wide without cover from the 800 at Wyong last start. Buffet Buster started last campaign with consecutive wins at Grafton. Handy trial here recently and can run another bold race first-up.
Bet: Mystery Lad to win
RACE 6
Wild Flash raced well in city and provincial grade last season with four placings from eight starts. Returned this campaign as a gelding over an unsuitably short 1100m but his class carried him to a good win. Will relish the step up to 1300m. I Am Sugoi is improving with each run this campaign and closing in on a win. Boxed on well for third to Edge Of Midnight at Muswellbrook before a close second to Lounerse at Port Macquarie. Artic Panther has won his past two starts in impressive style.
Bet: Wild Flash to win
The favourite Wild Flash does enough to win the Armidale opener for Patrick Cleave! pic.twitter.com/e7NxvJbCn2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 18, 2024
RACE 7
Point Counterpoint ran a handy race when third to Morning Sun in a Bm72 at Rosehill before leading for the first time when tenth in the Country Classic at the same track. Has placed in two Armidale Cups and a chance to grab a deserved win. Dreamdeel followed a smart win at Newcastle over 1500m with a three length sixth at Canterbury and a third to Guzumped at Wyong over a mile. Has won over 1850m leading at Newcastle. Vincenzo is a consistent performer ad backs up from a third in the Narromine Cup.
Bet: Point Counterpoint to win
RACE 8
Nights Inferno had no luck in his first two starts before a spell. Returned with a solid win from Puerto Banus over 1000m at Muswellbrook and backed it up with a win from Climate Control at Scone. Got a perfect draw and can make it a hat-trick. Calamity Fox has had a long campaign but is racing well. Nice win here last start. The Lupercal and Lease have place claims.
Bet: Nights Inferno to win
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