Shayne O’Cass’s best bets and inside mail for Taree on Tuesday

Trainer Glen Milligan could have the proverbial ‘day out’ at the first meeting at his home track in 2025 with a host of chances on the card … including Shayne O’Cass’s best bet of the day.

Glen Milligan, seen here with his former bonny mare Charmmebaby, has some great chances at Taree on Tuesday Picture Shane Chalker

Racenet form analyst Shayne O’Cass presents his best bets, value and exotic selections, quaddie picks and jockey to follow for the NSW meeting at Taree on Tuesday.

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TAREE TIPS

BEST BET
Race 4 No.1 CRAIG’S ONE
Drew 11 of 12 on debut as the $2.70 favourite. Unplaced but had excuses.

NEXT BEST
Race 3 No.7 HOO HAA
Remains winless after 19 starts but drawn to race handy at a track that will suit.

VALUE
Race 6 No.2 NIPPER BEE
Impressive winner first-up, beating a subsequent winner. Can go on with it.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 1,3,4,5
Race 6: 2
Race 7: 7,8,10
Race 8: 3,8,11

BEST EXOTIC
Exacta Race 2 No.1 to beat No.10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Local apprentice Teighan Worsnop will have her supporters to win the TAB Jockeys Challenge

TAREE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: BENCHMARK 58 (2000m)

CASINO BEAR (1) has been in great form for a long time. He just runs well every time no matter where or when or the distance. This is not a slam-dunk for him by any means but it is quite likely the ‘easiest’ race he has been in since he won at Grafton on December 1. CASSIE’S LAD (4) took 14 starts to win his maiden but won by ten and a half lengths in that Boxing day mile race at Quirindi (against four others).

BET: Casino Bear to win.

RACE 2: BENCHMARK 58 (1600m)

ALL HUNKY DORY (1)’s first 10 starts were at either Sha Tin or Happy Valley and bar one second at Happy Valley at $31, the others were all pretty ordinary. As has been the case in the past, Gosford trainer Adam Duggan has worked his magic and turned the horse around. In this case, his Australian form is a second at Tamworth and a Taree mile Class 1 win. IDOL SHOT (3) gives the impression she is ready for the mile again now and has drawn well.

BET: All Hunky Dory to win, exacta 1 to beat 3.

RACE 3: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1250m)

HOO HAA (7) remains winless after 19 starts but she has placed five times and has run a fair few fourths in much better races than this. She was fourth one day at Newcastle in the race where Moravia broke his maiden. Trainer Mark Cross has found her the ideal race at the perfect venue with the golden draw! GOLD MELODY (3) ran a huge race on debut here.

BET: Hoo Haa to win.

RACE 4: COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1000m)

CRAIG’S ONE (1) has trialled exceedingly well prior to his debut at Kempsey on December 16 hence why he was $3.10 into $2.70. Long story short, he drew 11 of 12 and was a lot further back than what was kind of expected but he finished off quite well. At home this time, barrier 3, and has the race experience now. LITTLE BUBBLES (10) is also trained at Taree. She did run third here one day behind her handy stablemate Sheila’s Fantasy and the even handier Alliri.

BET: Craig’s One to win (best bet), exacta 1 to beat 10, box trifecta 1,2,4,10.

RACE 5: COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 (1000m)

COOL FIZZ (5) has raced 15 times for two wins, seven seconds and a third. She is very fast; evidenced by the fact that she led throughout in those two wins, one of them was here at Taree over 1000m. Seems to prefer the sting out but we’ll see. FLOSS’S ONE (3) is a Glen Milligan-trained local who has raced at this track and distance five times before for a win, a second and two thirds. Back from Highway company. STARRY JACK (1) has drawn to figure.

BET: Cool Fizz to win, quinella 3,5.

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1250m)

NIPPER BEE (2) is a Wayne Brown-trained five-year-old who has raced only three times so far. He last appeared (first-up) on November 23 at Inverell when and where he was quite an impressive winner of a 1200m Maiden beating a horse who happened to win on Sunday at Gilgandra. TOY STORY (1) has some great numbers; eight starts at the trip for a win and four seconds (one of them to Snow In May!) and best of all, he is one for one at this track and distance.

BET: Nipper Bee to win, quinella 1,2.

RACE 7: MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)

TIKIROO (10) drew 8 of 9 at Beaumont first-up which was ‘unhelpful’ at best to put it mildly. Much better than that so expect much better today. SEARCH WARRANT (8) has drawn wide (again) but he is back to Taree-grade after a decent run at Newcastle last start.

BET: Tikiroo to win or os scratched, Alfred to win.

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 66 (1300m)

ISLAND LEGEND (8) is a grandson of Group 1 winner Absolut Glam and was sold for $380,000 at Easter back in 2020. Fast forward to the present and the son of Capitalist has been with Nikki Hodgson for the last three of his 27 career starts and is ‘221’ in that time. Have to add that the win was on December 22 at his first run at this track/distance. SOLUTIONIST (11) was sixth on that same race but was only beaten a length-and-tail so can make up the deficit today.

BET: Island Legend to win, quinella 8,11.

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s best bets and inside mail for Taree on Tuesday