Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Albury, Muswellbrook
A Craig Weeding-trained mare can maintain her top form and storm home for victory at Albury on Friday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
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Daily Telegraph form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Albury and Muswellbrook.
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!
ALBURY
BEST BET
Race 8 No. 8: A BIT RACEY
A speedy mare that’s returned in great order. She will get back and be one of the strongest late.
NEXT BEST
Race 6 No. 3: CRIMSON ROCK
First up for a new yard, he can make a big impression. He has trialled well in the lead up to his return.
VALUE BEST
Race 3 No. 9: NOVEMBER FALLS
Talented filly dropping back from a stakes assignment last time to more suitable country grade.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 5, 7, 9
Race 6: 2, 3, 5
Race 7: 1, 4, 8, 9
Race 8: 1, 8
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Group 1 jockey Danny Beasley looks set to combine with Mitch Beer for plenty of success.
MUSWELLBROOK
BEST BET
Race 7 No. 4: LE MELODY
She won’t be big odds but can boost her fresh record. She flies first up and gets the perfect draw.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No. 8: LYRICAL BEAUTY
First starter trained by Scott Singleton. She’s shown plenty at the trials to suggest she’s in for a big debut.
VALUE BEST
Race 4 No. 9: OBLIQUITY
Debuts with one trial under his belt. He’s not the complete product but looks ready to run a nice race on debut.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 8
Race 6: 6
Race 7: 4
Race 8: 1, 3, 6, 9
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Christian Reith rode a double at his last visit to Muswellbrook and can emulate that performance here.
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR ALBURY
RACE 5
Chicane is having his first start under Michael Travers after making the switch from the Queensland yard of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted. The son of Star Turn’s best run came two back when he ran second over 1350m at Ipswich. He should settle close to the speed and feature prominently in the finish. Boom Boom Betty is also an acceptor at Cranbourne, where she has a superior draw. She would be a leading contender if they head this way. Kerle’s Miss has been OK in four career runs that should hold her in good stead in a pretty winnable maiden.
Verdict: Chicane to win
RACE 6
Crimson Rock is another galloper debuting for a new yard, this time with Kym Davison taking over for Nathan Doyle. The son of discarded stallion Scissor Kick races well fresh and returns here from a 14-week break with a nice trial under his belt. The great draw in barrier three and 2kg claim of Teighan Worsnop are both big ticks in his favour. Beau Rock is a 1000m flyer and has put together three in a row at the trip at Canberra. He’s a massive threat if he can bring that form down the road at Albury. Sinaloa has won both her previous first up goes and should run well again fresh.
Verdict: Crimson Rock to win
RACE 7
Boadelle has been knocking on the door of a second win. The Mitchell Beer-trained mare has won one of 16 with a further six placings and three of those podium finishes have come recently. She only narrowly went down at this track and trip two back and can go one better here from the perfect gate in barrier 2. Ahadi Farasi rarely puts in a poor showing and it’s hard to see that changing here. She doesn’t win out of turn but has finished top three in 20 of her 46 starts. Still In Fashion is capable of a strong first up showing if he can lug the big weight of 62kg.
Verdict: Boadelle to win. Trifecta Boxed: 1, 4, 8, 9
RACE 8
A Bit Racey is a lightly-raced sprinter that has returned in great order this preparation. The daughter of Nicconi was a terrific winner at Benalla last start before flashing home at the same venue last time for second. Trusting the speed to be strong enough for her to storm over the top of them late. Greek Tycoon will settle back in the pack with her. He has found one better at his past two but has worked through the line well late. Improper will go forward from the 13 gate and give them something to catch.
Verdict: A Bit Racey to win
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR MUSWELLBROOK
RACE 5
Lyrical Beauty could be set to be a bargain buy after being picked up for just $42,500 at the Inglis HTBA May Yearling Sale last year. The Scott Singleton-trained galloper will make her debut here after putting together a couple of nice trials. She really savaged the line in her latest hit out over 800m and gets a great draw on debut. Line Of Law is back for her second preparation after gaining some valuable experience last prep. The Russian Revolution filly has won both of her trials in the lead up and looks ready to go. Gerety has claims in her return after winning her only start last preparation.
Verdict: Lyrical Beauty to win
RACE 6
Kissaki returns to the scene of dominant maiden success. The Paul Messara-trained filly was superb saluting at this track and trip last time, storming away to score by nearly five lengths. She can emulate that from a good draw and win again, albeit at a likely odds-on quote. Lucifer’s Reward is the best of the rest. He was excellent when bolting home from the back to finish within half a length of the winner at Port Macquarie last time. Stormy Pluck saves some of her best racing for Muswellbrook.
Verdict: Kissaki to win
RACE 7
Le Melody is a first up flyer. She has won both of her fresh runs and can add to that record here from the inside draw at Muswellbrook. The Cody Morgan-trained mare has been off the scene since finishing a credible seventh in the Kosciuszko but has trialled up really well in the lead up. Luna Rocks is a lightly-raced filly that has shown plenty of potential. The draw is in her favour too while her trials suggest she’s ready for a big return. Tuscon Valley rarely runs a bad race but will be tested under the 63kg impost.
Verdict: Le Melody to win
RACE 8
Blue Jager’s record of one win and three placings from 15 starts doesn’t read like much but this isn’t the strongest race. The Not A Single Doubt mare did enough first up at this track when finishing a touch over two lengths off the winner over 1280m. He only needs to replicate that display to be among the chances at a decent price. Media Man races well at Muswellbrook with two of his three victories coming here. How he carries the big weight will determine his fate. Gold Witness got the cobwebs out first up and should show sharp improvement here.
Verdict: Blue Jager each way
Future is looking bright for Wadick
Apprentice Zac Wadick thought he might be a chance to land a lightweight Group 1 ride during the spring carnival but never expected to pick up one of the favourites for The Metropolitan.
Sargent buoyed by Sea’s Group 1 potential
With one eye on Group 1 goals later this spring, trainer John Sargent is expecting China Sea to lay down a marker in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.