Lismore, Gosford best bets, inside mail for Saturday, February 22, 2025

Trainer Matthew Dunn is chasing another Country Championship Qualifier with three leading chances and has several other leading contenders on the day including Maurizma.

Trainer Matthew Dunn looks set for a big day at Lismore. Photo by Richard Gosling

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and analysis of the quaddie legs at Lismore and Gosford on Saturday.

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!

LISMORE

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 3: Maurizma

Smart winner two starts back before a sixth at Doomben in stronger grade.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 6: Sand ‘N’ Power

Closed well when just missed at the Gold Coast last start. Can go one better.

VALUE BET

Race 8 No. 4: Volcanic Love

In terrific form and is a winner at this track. Will give a great sight.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 6, 13

Race 6: 6, 7, 10

Race 7: 3, 4, 10

Race 8: 3, 4, 6, 7

Apprentice Jett Newman is out to continue her hot form at Lismore on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Jett Newman rode four winners last weekend and she looks for another big day.

GOSFORD

BEST BET

Race 6 No. 5: Canny Queen

Nice win two starts ago before sitting handy last start. Extra trip suits.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 2: Shivermepink

Handy efforts at her only two starts. Trialling well and can kick off with a win.

INSIDE MAIL – LISMORE

RACE 5

Foo Fighter is knocking on the door. Was third here three runs back then beaten less than a length when fourth to Thinkin’ Bo You and third to Bold Rouge at Grafton at his last two. Next Pay Run is another close to a maiden win. Runner-up in consecutive starts at Ballina and Grafton before working hard outside the leader and run down late when third to Hollywood Epic at Ballina last week. Labarna is coming off a handy second at Ballina.

Bet: Foo Fighter to win

RACE 6

Eagle Hawk Star finished a three-quarter length second to Volcanic Love here on Dec 20 before a long head second to Wilbury in a Wyong Highway on Jan 11 both over 1100m. Didn’t get a lot of room until late when fourth at Grafton last start. I’lltellyougo ended last campaign with three win in-a-row at Cairns. Will be at her peak now after two runs, the latest at the Gold Coast with 58kg. Drops to 56.5kg. Super Jane can run well fresh.

Bet: Eagle Hawk Star to win

WILBURY holds off the late challengers and takes out the @tabcomau Highway at @WyongRaceClub under Clayton Gallagher.@Patriot_BldStk | @AnthonyMantonpic.twitter.com/5nB4bvPBQN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 11, 2025

RACE 7

Showman has a very good record at this track and distance with a win and two placings from three starts and can add to it. Beaten a neck by Serenade The Cat here two starts back and was a similar margin off Sea Of Qi at Murwillumbah last start. West Cork drops in grade on his recent starts in Class 3s at Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast. Was placed his previous two in Bm68 and 62s at Ipswich before that. Drawn well and gets a claim. Gregarious was tough winning at the Gold Coast last start.

Bet: Showman to win

RACE 8

Matthew Dunn holds a strong hand with the three favourites but Volcanic Love can cause a minor upset. Won here three starts back before coming from well back when second to Shihab in the Pink Silks at Coffs Harbour. Good effort to win at Doomben last start. Fukubana was fourth to Celestial Legend in the Hobartville last year. Resumed with a nice third at Eagle Farm before a good win at Doomben over 1350m under 60kg. Tribeca Star won this qualifier last year and was sixth in the Final. Good third first-up at Doomben.

Bet: Volcanic Love each-way

INSIDE MAIL – GOSFORD

RACE 5

An open race with the topweight coming out. Luna Cruiser battled away for third to Devil Rider at Muswellbrook and followed it up with a closing third to Search Warrant at Wyong last week. Gets her chance with 53kg. Fire Island raced keenly and had to be steading but was disappointing at Kembla last start. Just beaten by Two Aye at Canberra before that. Hideyo has claims on her nose second to Cool Machine at Coffs Harbour on Dec 30.

Bet: Luna Cruiser to win

RACE 6

Canny Queen raced three-wide with cover back in the field before scoring a nice win from Oh Golly Gosh at Newcastle two runs back. Raced closer when second to Monkhana over 1400m at Hawkesbury last start. Ready for the 1600m. Gardenzio will also appreciate getting up to his best trip after two runs over 1000m and 1300m. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. Fiftyfivechevy was $9.50 into $6.50 when a close third to Imposing Pier at Kembla first-up.

Bet: Canny Queen to win

⛳️ Putt For Dough wins the opening race at Randwick!@aus_turf_club@tomo_sherrypic.twitter.com/qmTVnyVs0w

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 20, 2024

RACE 7

Putt For Dough drops back in grade after finishing just behind the placegetters in Midways at Randwick and Wyong. Handy third to Midnight Opal at Rosehill on Dec 7. Gets his chance to bounce back. Formal has been good in all three runs since joining the Doyle stable. Took benefit from his first-up third at Port Macquarie before returning with a win over 1106m from Chilli Crab. Nosed out by Giving Delight on the Beaumont last start. Ces Soirees La is better than her latest run at Canterbury. Tongue tie goes on.

Bet: Putt For Dough to win

RACE 8

Ocean Joy was good when third behind a couple of smart ones in Zoubaby and Force Red at her first two starts. Worked hard at Newcastle first-up on Jan 25 before a tough win there a week later. Time Bandit is resuming off a couple of solid trials. Just behind the placegetters in two runs in higher grade races against Spring Lee and Lovero last campaign. Stratafy won his maiden first-up this prep before a fourth to Cryptonic and a sixth to Art’s Alive.

Bet: Ocean Joy each-way