Newcastle, Wellington best bets, inside mail for Thursday August 15, 2024

A John Thompson gelding atoned for a luckless first-up run with a smart win and can make it two in a row when he heads to Newcastle on Thursday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Zouripper can make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Newcastle. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Adam Sherry gives his best bets at Newcastle and Wellington and analyses every race at Newcastle 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!

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 5 No.1: Zouripper

He had no luck first-up the hit back with an impressive victory at Canterbury. Can make it back-to-back wins.

Zouripper you ripper! 💥

The @JTRacingRwik trained gelding wins at double figure odds in Race 2 at Canterbury with @SchofieldChad on board. pic.twitter.com/Bu0E2RfGiE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 24, 2024

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No.5: Shuri

Has chased home a couple of handy ones at her last two starts. Can break through for a deserved win.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No.4: Reigning King

Form has been handy. Returns this campaign as a gelding and was very good in leading all the way in his recent Wyong trial.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 4, 5

Race 6: 3, 7, 9, 10

Race 7: 2, 5, 6, 9

Race 8: 2, 5, 7

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Zac Lloyd has some nice rides and looks a great chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

WELLINGTON

BEST BET

Race 2 No.2: Bliss

Placed three of his last four and wasn’t far away when fifth in stronger grade. Drawn well and gets his chance to break through.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No.6: Shelly’s Ace

Big win at Cowra two starts back before a close fourth. Reunites with Mathew Cahill.

INSIDE MAIL: NEWCASTLE

RACE 1

Extreme Diva was more than competitive in her first campaign with third placings behind Switzerland and Manaal. Under a hold when a narrow second in her Randwick trial on Aug 5. Gangsta Granny is a debutant by Written Tycoon from a half-sister to Eremein. Sat behind the leader and took an inside run to score a smart win in her Rosehill heat on Aug 6. Runranirun is a first starter by Press Statement. Another trialling very well, winning three of her four trials.

Bet: Extreme Diva to win

RACE 2

Reigning King, the Snitzel half-brother to Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, had handy form in his first two campaigns for Nathan Doyle with a win and four placings from eight starts. He returns this preparation as a gelding and was impressive winning his recent Wyong trial by nearly three lengths. Fire Star was a debut winner at Wyong then went straight to a Group 3. Runner-up in three consecutive runs last time in. Has won both trials in fine style. Turbinado is a winner this track and distance.

Bet: Reigning King each-way

RACE 3

Shine Like It Does ran a handy third at Kembla second-up then was below her best but with excuses next time out. Raced three back on the rails and took an inside run in the straight to finish third behind Coast Guard over 1500m at Hawkesbury on July 21. Supercrisp jumped from 1200m to 1600m last start when coming from six lengths off the leader when a three length fourth behind Sibella at Scone last start. Whispering Way battled away when fifth over 1300m at Hawkesbury last start. Looks like she will appreciate the extra trip.

Bet: Shine Like It Does to win

RACE 4

Start Line was good in the last 100m when 10th to Amicus Curiae over 1400m here before a half-length second to Sweet Proposal when coming from last off a slow tempo at Hawkesbury. Nosferatu was slow away and settled near last then was held up rounding the home turn before sprinting along the fence to score a smart two-length win from Sunshine Law at Warwick Farm second-up. Should have no trouble jumping up to the 1850m. Barazin was runner-up to Fioprospero over 1895m here last start. Won’t be far away again.

Bet: Star Line each-way

RACE 5

Zouripper had nothing go right when seventh behind Linwood at Warwick Farm first-up when crowded between runners, bumped, held-up and disappointed for a run yet still made ground from last when there was room. Got clear at the 200m and charged home to beat Trunk at Canterbury last start. Last Straw scored a smart win on debut and was just beaten when resuming last campaign. Can run a cheeky race first-up. Trapeze Pleasure pushed out and flashed late when a close second at Wyong last start.

Bet: Zouripper to win

RACE 6

Madam Instrife was something beaten on debut when held up until the 200m before flashing late to finish third to Summer Loving at Canterbury on July 19. Has since trilled nicely when third to Gangsta Granny at Rosehill. Lady Ichikawa cost herself any chance at Newcastle last start. She missed the start by three lengths and made a quick dash between runners in the straight when third to the promising Ace’s In Bloom. Handy third at Hawkesbury before that. Spanish Fox is consistent and won’t be far away again.

Bet: Madam Instrife to win.

RACE 7

Joiselle suffered her first defeat when she stepped up from her big win in a Class 3 at Scone to a BM72 at Randwick when eighth behind Hi Dubai. Back in grade and the 3kg claim will prove important. The New Sinatra raced well to lace in his first three starts before breaking through with a nice win from Artifactx over this track and distance in April. Closed late for third in his Randwick trial on Aug 5. Crop Duster and There There have place claims

Bet: Joiselle each-way

RACE 8

Shuri was slow out and settled back before closing late when a close second to subsequent Randwick winner Zarrose over 1400m here two starts back. Travelled keenly when runner-up behind the in-form Amicus Curiae over this track and distance last start. Dreamdeel has placed runner-up at three of his four starts since leading all-the-way at Taree in June. Just pipped by Doraskaya over 1600m at Wyong last start after dropping back from 2200m. Rush Attack raced wide when fourth here two starts back before a good win at Kempsey.

Bet: Shuri to win