Coonabarabran preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, October 27, 2024
Trainer Clint Lundholm is confident he has veteran gelding Smooth Esprit at his peak and ready to cause an upset in the Coonamble Cup.
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Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm was full of praise for veteran gelding Smooth Esprit who has been racing well without a lot of luck and feels he is a good chance to breakthrough for a well-earned win.
The eight-year-old kicked off his campaign with a gallant third behind Compelling Truth in the Panorama at Bathurst before contesting the Dubbo and Coonamble Cups where things didn’t go right.
Smooth Esprit lines up in the Coonabarabran Cup (1600m) and Lundholm feels he is in there with a strong chance.
“He is certainly capable of winning a race like this,” said Lundholm.
“Last preparation, he put up some massive performances in big races.
Gringotts wins the Tamworth Cup 🆠giving jockey Ashley Morgan 3 wins on the card! @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/8qwDQowhaP
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2024
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“He got beat two lengths by Gringotts in the Tamworth Cup and that horse has gone on to win a Listed race in Brisbane and was second in a couple of big races in Sydney recently.
“First-up this time, his run in the Panorama was enormous, then in Dubbo Cup it was a luckless run.
“At Coonamble the other day, the race was run a bit funny which didn’t suit him and he didn’t finish off as strong as we hoped.
“He comes back to a country cup that’s not a big Dance Qualifier and he definitely gets into it quite well.”
In the day’s other feature, the Cup Day Sprint (1100m), Lundholm saddles up Raging Rush who he feels is ready to peak third-up.
The five-year-old found a tough race first-up when down the track behind Gallant Star in a Flying Handicap at Dubbo before a close fifth to Castlebar Road at Coonamble.
Last preparation, he was third to Miracle Bay in a Benchmark 82 at Dubbo and second to Casino Lord in the Wellington Town Plate.
“His first-up run was a complete forgive. We knew it was going to be a very hot race but it was at home so we gave decided to let him run,” he said.
“He had no luck being trapped wide and was well beaten.
“At Coonamble second-up, he bounced back. He was beaten a length-and-a-quarter over the 1200m and t was only the last little bit they got him.
A local victory for Plenitude, who just kept on coming. pic.twitter.com/QWGCpLzp74
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 9, 2023
“Back to 1100m, he’s fully fit now and we think he’s a great chance.”
Lundholm was excited by Plenitude as a two-year-old who won the Silver Goblet on his home track but was off his game last season.
The now four-year-old resumed with a solid third behind Not Written Off at Narromine before coming from well back to turn the tables at Coonamble on October 13.
“In his two runs back, he has been absolutely super,” he said.
“It was a massive effort to come from where he did and get the job done at Coonamble last start. He was a Class 1 horse in a Class 2 race and won.
“The country Class 2 Plates are so strong because there are so many horses who are benchmarked out of their grade but meet on level weights.
“I’m very happy with him and I think he’s a horse to watch for the future. I think he could be a Country Championships horse.”
Lundholm was wrapped with the run of recent stable acquisition Truth I Fear when narrowly beaten by Ahellbenda in a Super Maiden at Coonamble on October 13.
“He was a little unknown going to Coonamble. We think he’s got plenty of ability but it’s hard to know just how good he’s going because he’s so casual at home,” he said.
“He was tough first-up but probably just lacked that little race fitness edge late.
“He will strip fitter for the run and we are expecting a big run from him.”
ADAM SHERRY’S BEST BETS
BEST BET
Race 3 No. 5: Wanda River
Strong win first-up and placed his next three all from wide gates. Hard to beat.
NEXT BEST
Race 8 No. 5: Plenitude
Found his best form again with a gutsy win out of grade last start. Drawn well and can go back-to-back.
VALUE BET
Race 1 No. 3: Hutt Street
Will take improvement from his first-up run. Showed ability last campaign.
BEST EXOTIC
Quinella Race 8: 2, 5
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 4, 6, 10
Race 6: 1, 3, 5
Race 7: 1, 2, 5
Race 8: 2, 5
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Jake Pracey-Holmes has a good book of rides and earn consistent points in the Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – COONABARABRAN
RACE 1
Hutt Street raced outside the leader then was checked in the straight when resuming at Coonamble. Was ridden back in his first two starts and worked home well when third and forth respectively. Luisa Maria is a debutant by So You Think. Showed speed to lead and wasn’t pushed when a close third in her Muswellbrook trial. Best Defence was put away after his first-up fifth at Moree on Sept 1. Ran a close third at Tamworth second-up off a five break in his first campaign.
Bet: Hutt Street each-way
RACE 2
Truth I Fear had some handy form in Victoria placing in five of his 12 starts. Made his NSW debut at Coonamble on Oct 13 when a half-length second to Ahellbenda after leading. Third placed Rennata won at Scone on Friday. Will be fitter and can go one better. Wolf Club also has handy Victorian form. Resuming here after a second in his recent Muswellbrook trial. Same story for Poseidon’s Son whose Victorian form is okay and won his Muswellbrook trial on Oct 9.
Bet: Truth I Fear to win
Wanda River goes home best to take out Race 5 at Tamworth at a juicy price! pic.twitter.com/NuK5GoxCwY
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 5, 2024
RACE 3
Wanda River ran home strongly from well back when a head second to Turbo Charged at Armidale. Led for the first time at his first go over 1600m and wasn’t disgraced when beaten by Smart Shot at Coonamble last start. Medinah was third on a heavy track at Scone behind Feirme Prince and Smart Shot who are chances in stronger races at this meeting. Didn’t appreciate the firm track at Coonamble last start. Should get more suitable conditions here. Sonic Tycoon is a chance it he runs.
Bet: Wanda River to win
RACE 4
Feirme Prince sat fourth behind a runaway leader and took a rails run to beat Smart Shot at Scone. Lunged and hit the gates at the start and raced keenly when sixth to Night Fighter at Coonamble last start. Burraneer Buoy was hampered at the start and settled last which didn’t suit at Kempsey last start. Handy win at Tamworth first-up and was less than a length off Haiku Star at Mudgee at his previous two runs. Vis I Do drops back in grade from his sixth to Lockdown Gamble at Dubbo.
Bet: Feirme Prince to win
Clayton Gallagher blows the whistle on Feirme Prince and they clear out to win Race 7 at @sconeraceclub 💥 pic.twitter.com/TBOOH651tX
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 27, 2024
RACE 5
Seven Mile Missile was a good second first-up at Wellington before racing outside the leader and beating Casdaemon at Narromine. Tried hard when runner-up to the progressive Roses Imminente at Dubbo last start. Mrs Bull was less than a length off So Rosie at Dubbo two runs back before a neck second to One More Thing at Orange. Power Beau raced keenly when eighth to Great Siege at Tamworth when returning from a let-up. Will be better for the run
Bet: Seven Mile Missile to win
RACE 6
Raging Rush needed the run first-up in what was a strong race won by Gallant Star at Dubbo then boxed on well for fifth to Castlebar Road over 1200m at Coonamble. Back to his pet trip and ready to peak. Jacenza was third to Rhythm Is A Dancer in the Spring Cup at Tamworth then worked home strongly for a head second to Castlebar Road at Coonamble. Two Ya Got had two runs in Sydney back from a 12 month break before fourth at Port Macquarie.
Bet: Raging Rush each-way
2 races down at Scone and 2 winners for @AshMorgan6 ðŸ‘
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024
Dances With Hooves a bit too good for them in the @tabcomau Highway.@camcrockettracepic.twitter.com/AN4lqaR3xI
RACE 7
Dances With Hooves is on a quick back-up from the Jungle Juice Cup at Newcastle last Saturday where she came from last to finish a three-quarter length third to Crop Duster. Ready to peak third-up. Smooth Espirit drops back a little in grade after contesting Big Dance Qualifying Cup at his past two starts. Has claims on his third to Compelling Truth in the Panorama at Bathurst. Rhythm Is A Dancer was good winning the Spring Cup at Tamworth before a second to Agirlsbestfriend at Port Macquarie.
Bet: Dances With Hooves to win
RACE 8
Plenitude won the Silver Goblet at Dubbo at two but went winless last season with his best runs two third placings to end his campaign. Handy third first-up followed by a big win in a Class 2 at Coonamble. Can go back-to-back. Exonumia hasn’t won since going back-to-back in March last year but has been a consistent placegetter. Resuming here off two trials and will be prominent. So Rosie is chasing a hat-trick. Drawn well.
Bet: Plenitude to win
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