Port Macquarie, Wagga best bets, inside mail for Friday, January 3, 2025
Kim Waugh-trained galloper Bertie finds himself in the perfect race to post his first win in 2025 when he heads from Wyong to Port Macquarie.
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Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and analysis of the Quaddie legs at Port Macquarie and Wagga on Friday.
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!
PORT MACQUARIE
BEST BET
Race 7 No. 7: Bertie
Has only won two from 15 but he is reliable and about to peak.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No. 8: Acireale Jayne
Runner-up at both starts this preparation and racing at home.
VALUE
Race 4 No. 12: Perasta
Showed glimpses of ability at his opening campaign. Market watch advised.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 5, 8, 11
Race 6: 2, 3, 4
Race 7: 7
Race 8: 1, 3, 10
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Luke Rolls will have plenty of fans in the TAB Jockeys Challenge.
WAGGA
BEST BET
Race 2 No. 2: Holy Hell
Put up a good showing in town last start. Expect short odds.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 1: Bide Your Time
Predictable and easy winner on debut on the Riverside track.
VALUE
Race 7 No. 9: Region Time
Sent out some positive signs first-up. In good hands.
INSIDE MAIL - PORT MACQUARIE
RACE 5
Think We’re There was fourth in town on New Year’s Day. Have to say, unlikely to make the trip. If that is the case, all roads lead to Dunaloce in those famous Seymour Bloodstock colours. The Nathan Doyle-trained daughter of Dundeel has only won once in 18 starts but she has placed seven times, one of them was a second at this track and distance at her last start. She’s Got Teeth has been very costly indeed for her followers but once again, she is in a race she can win.
Bet: Think We’re Here to win or if scratched Dunaloce to win
RACE 6
Savoca is trained by Paul Perry. He trained this gelding’s sire, Choisir, the dam The Look, her father Fastnet Rock and Savoca’s grandam, Magic World too. Savoca has quite a tidy record of 13 starts for two wins and three placings, the most recent of those was a distant second in a Benchmark 58 at Tuncurry. Drawn well. Then again, so has Diamondsaremio who is on a hat-trick and that’s after only five starts done and dusted.
Bet: Savoca to win, quinella 2, 3, box trifecta 2, 3, 4, 9
Odds-on pop Bertie digs deep to win Race 5 at Muswellbrook! @gibbo7822@kimwaugh6pic.twitter.com/9GUAScNCd2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 11, 2024
RACE 7
Bertie is an interesting horse for the sole reason that his dam, Nancy, was probably the best Australian-born foal of Kentucky Derby winner, Big Brown. Bertie and Nancy race in the same colours. As for Bertie, he runs more good races than bad by far. Third-up here and down in class. So easy to like. Five Rings is likewise down in class given his last two were in a Highway and Class 3 at Eagle Farm respectively and they were quite honourable runs too.
Bet: Bertie to win
RACE 8
Cool Fizz may well be headed to Taree on Tuesday. If that is the case then let’s pass the ball to Sigsworth who will fittingly wear the number one here, like his namesake, Phil. The equine Sigsworth is coached by Stephen ‘Crusher’ Farley so is playing on his home ground. Wide draw, has a bit of weight but he might be ‘better than these’, just. Plenty of scratchings ahead, Aye Aye Skipper goes in if he is not one of them.
Bet: Cool Fizz to win or if scratched Sigsworth to win
INSIDE MAIL – WAGGA
RACE 5
Bide Your Time was a triple acceptor on the Wagga card but trainer Danielle Seib has chosen this one and you can see why; 1300m and barrier 4. The son of Impending was $3.70 into $3.20 but won like a $1.10 shot in that 1200m Super Maiden on the Riverside on Christmas Eve. Hard to tip against him but that’s not to say he has no competition this time. Fire Your Guns is a Wagga winner then chased home Seib’s handy mare Urafiki at that same Dec 24 meeting.
Bet: Bide Your Time to win, exacta 1 to beat 2
RACE 6
Perigean was $2.45 into $1.75 at his Seib stable debut on November 24 in a Canberra Class 1 over 1000m. Granted he drew 1 and got a ‘tres bien’ ride from Pierre Boudvillain but take nothing away from the horse, there was plenty of authority in the win. Beau Rock accepted for Moruya on Monday but he drew wide there as he did here. He can figure if he comes to Wagga. Total respect for Brothers Of Antrim first-up for ‘Team Asgarda’.
Bet: Perigean to win, Daily Double 1st Leg (5), 2nd Leg (5)
Region Time was given a brilliant ride and got the job done over the 2000m. pic.twitter.com/G6YMU7cUgA
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 2, 2023
RACE 7
Region Time has three wins, three second and three thirds from 28 starts but is one of those horses who runs more good races than bad. One of those wins was here at Wagga in a 2000m Benchmark 58 back in June last year. This is 1400m but he is only second-up and by the way, his second-up record is three starts, one win, one third. Flying Flossy has come back in great order judging by her narrow but impressive 1300m win at Canberra. Has won here.
Bet: Region Time each-way
RACE 8
Jackpot Star is trained by Matthew Dale who ended 2024 with a double at Nowra, one of them a debutante just like Jackpot Star. This Charlie Cropper-bred son of Starcraft hasn’t been seen in public since leaving a good impression, running third in an Open trial at Canberra. Nick Heywood rode him then and rides him now. Sundrop has race experience. Beaten a nose on debut then was runner-up to Bide Your Time (see race five). Under The Hood has claims.
Bet: Jackpot Star to win, quinella 5, 11
PORT MACQUARIE
BEST BET
Race 7 No. 7: Bertie
Won ‘only’ 2 from 15 but he is reliable and about to peak.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No. 8: Acireale Jaybe
Runner-up at both starts prep and racing at home today.
VALUE
Race 4 No. 12: Perasta
Showed glimpses of ability at his opening campaign. Market watch advised.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 5,8,11
Race 6: 2,3,4
Race 7: 7
Race 8: 1,3,10
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Luke Rolls will have plenty of fans in today’s TAB Jockeys Challenge
WAGGA
BEST BET
Race 2 No. 2: Holy Hell
Put up a good showing in town last start. Expect short odds.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 1: Bide Your Time
Predictable, and easy, winner on debut on the Riverside track.
VALUE
Race 7 No. 9: Region Time
Sent out some positive signs first-up. In good hands.
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