Kembla, Grafton best bets, inside mail for Thursday, July 18, 2024

A James Cummings-trained gelding who broke his maiden in dynamic fashion can make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Kembla. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Presides can follow his impressive maiden win with another victory when he heads to Kembla on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Adam Sherry gives his best bets and quaddie analysis at Kembla and Grafton on Thursday.

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!

KEMBLA

BEST BET

Race 8 No.3: Presides

The Godolphin gelding couldn’t have been more impressive when a big winner at Scone last start. Can go back-to-back.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.2: Alcabeel

Nice first-up win by the son of Savabeel. Blinkers go on and can make it two from two.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No.1: Selfless Act

A consistent performer resuming from a spell. Trials have been good and gets a 2kg claim.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 6, 8, 14

Race 6: 1, 6, 9, 12

Race 7: 1, 2, 4

Race 8: 3, 7, 8

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Chad Schofield has some nice rides and will go close in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

GRAFTON

BEST BET

Race 3 No.2: Slippin’ Jimmy

Just missed the hat-trick when narrowly beaten at Doomben last start. Can bounce back.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.9: Kervette

Better than her first-up run at Newcastle. Solid form last campaign and can break through for her first win.

INSIDE MAIL: KEMBLA

RACE 5

Oh Diamond Lil ran a nice third to Plaza on debut at Hawkesbury before racing keenly when a well beaten fourth to Khaznah at Canterbury on a heavy track. Back on better ground, expect her to bounce back. Mythical Moochi has placed twice from six starts been just behind the placegetters a couple of times. Raced greenly in the straight when second to Are Ee Que first-up at Goulburn. Chentileeno is worth thought on his two placings here last campaign.

Bet: Oh Diamond Lil to win

RACE 6

Selfless Act resumes from a spell and has placed in two of three first-up runs. Has a win and a third from two starts here and trialling well. French Marine is knocking on the door. Narrowly beaten by Butch’n’bugs on a heavy track at Coffs Harbour before a fourth to Oakfield Duke at Canterbury on July 3. Burrowa was second to the smart Midnight Opal at his only run last campaign here on Oct 7. Kept under a hold to the line when fourth in his Hawkesbury trial.

Bet: Selfless Act each-way

RACE 7

Rebel Dean will find this easier than his latest run when down the track behind One Destiny at Warwick Farm on June 26. Was a close second to Art Volant on the Kensington before that. Third-up now and races well here. Kiribati has returned in terrific order with a near length-and-a-half win from Lady Shenanigans at Hawkesbury despite being a noticeable drifter in the market. Welcome Gypsy is another dropping back from metro company. Winner her only start this track and distance.

Bet: Rebel Dean to win

RACE 8

Presides didn’t have the best of luck in his first two runs back this time in when a close second at Gosford and fourth at Wyong. Took bad luck out of it when he led all the way to score a big win at Scone last start. Hard to beat again. Aunty Rene resumes here off a couple of nice trials at Rosehill and Randwick. Was a length second to Xidaki over 1400m back in February. Burrowa has claims if he starts in this. Madam Rupee must be respected.

Bet: Presides to win

INSIDE MAIL: GRAFTON

RACE 5

Star Ambition was very good winning his three trials before scoring on debut at the Sunshine Coast on June 16. He showed great early speed to cross from out wide. Will be hard top beat again. Ferinzo was green in his race debut when he wobbled around the bend but he knuckled down late to finish a half-length second to Aquafire over 1020m in the Springboard Prelude. Will benefit greatly from the experience. Aquafire took an inside run to win that race. Will be prominent again.

Bet: Star Ambition to win

RACE 6

King Gutho resumed from a spell with a barnstorming run from near last to finish a nose second to No Drama in a BM74 at Moruya. Drawn to get an ideal run just behind the speed from gate one. Cavalier Charles was caught three-wide without cover then had to be eased off heels at the 400m when down the track behind Excelladus at Randwick last start. Strong closing fourth to Opal Ridge in the Ortensia at Scone before that. Nipotino was a Highway winner at Randwick before a third to Clear Thinking there last start.

Bet: King Gutho each-way

RACE 7

Touristic was good winning over 2000m at Mornington second-up under 60.5kg. Came from last to finish runner-up behind impressive winner Golden Path the Listed McKell Cup last start. Goes to 2350m for the first time but gives the impression he will run it out strongly. Deny Knowledge led and was narrowly beaten by Princess Rhaenys in the Listed Tatt’s Gold Crown at Eagle Farm last start. Was fourth in the Mornington Cup over 2400m two starts back. Thalassophile was third in the Tatt’s Gold Cup and will be prominent again.

Bet: Touristic each-way

RACE 8

Compelling Truth followed a big win in a Bm58 at Dubbo with bigger wins in a Bm82 and the BM86 Cannonball at Dubbo. Should make it four in-a-row. Bomarea resumed from a spell with an impressive win from Markwell Dreamer at Tamworth on July 5. Has won four from eight, all at this trip. Immoral just got there to win at Eagle Farm at May 4 before racing wide without cover when down the track at Doomben three weeks later.

Bet: Compelling Truth to win