Shayne O’Cass’ best bets, inside mail for Inverell on Friday, May 23, 2025

Lisztomania’s trainer Todd Payne sponsors the first race on card and can win the last on the 10-event program with track specialist Takemine. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer Todd Payne saddles-up two good chances on his home track. Picture: Andrew Pearson

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis at Inverell 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!

INVERELL

BEST BET

Race 10 No. 3: TAKEMINE

Won two from 21, both wins were at Inverell. Reliable type.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 7: RETHINK IT

Only visit was a win on Cup Day here this year over this trip.

VALUE

Race 2 No. 6: CASINO COLLECTION

Trials and starting price suggest she is a good deal better than her debut.

DAILY DOUBLE

1st Leg: 2, 2nd Leg: 3

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1, 3, 7

Race 8: 2, 3, 13

Race 9: 1, 3, 8

Race 10: 3

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Matthew McGuren looks a real contender for the TAB Jockeys Challenge.

Matthew McGuren looks set for a good day at Inverell. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions.

INSIDE MAIL - INVERELL

RACE 1: PAYNE RACING LISZTOMANIA BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1800m

EVERLASTING KISS (6) won her only start so far at Inverell and better yet, it was over this same trip. Nope, she won by a little over a length. As for more recent times, she was fourth to Existential Bob at Wyong last start and he of course won at Ipswich on Wednesday. MINDSPACE (3) has won four times with four placings with a handful of honourable fourths too.

Bet: Everlasting Kiss to win

RACE 2: CHAIN OF LIGHTNING COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP 1050m

CASINO COLLECTION (6) had trialled rather well prior to her debut (fittingly) at Casino where she started at $2.70. Beat one home but had excuses and she is obviously way better than that. Expect more here. CITY GOLD SPEED (1) had every chance on debut at Scone when a ‘fading’ third but it was the Cup and the winner, I Am Brave, is at least city grade.

Bet: Casino Collection to win, quinella 1, 6

RACE 3: INVERELL FORD MAIDEN PLATE 1400m

JU TWO (4) could be saved for elsewhere but is ready to win, anywhere. Homeland has placed at four of his nine starts. His is in fact, three placings and a fourth in his time with Greg Howells. Well placed here only but for the wide draw perhaps. LUCKY ON LANDING (5) turned in an encouraging debut at Mudgee from a wide draw over 1200m. In box 5 here and 1400m.

Bet: Ju Two to win or of scratched, quinella 3, 5

RACE 4: DEAN SMITH EXCELLENT ANN MAIDEN PLATE 1200m

OL’ MATE COOP (13) was tipped out after finishing a distant third to Shaggy at Coffs Harbour on debut. The Tony Newing-trained gelding resumed with a closing third at Grafton over 1130m. Barrier 4 this time, fitter, and the added metres seems like it will assist. SHOW US YA TEXTS (11) has been trialling like she won’t stay a maiden for long. PIEDI VELOCI (4) is a big watch on its debut.

Bet: Ol’ Mate Coop to win, exacta / quinella 13, 11

RACE 5: STEWARTS GRAIN TRADING CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE 1600m

AUSBRED YAHOO (3) has only managed to win once in 25 starts but she has placed seven times and five of them are seconds. She doesn’t run too many bad races and does seem to run her best races when the jar is out of the track. Sent out the right signs first-up. WHISKEY MISS (14) is a million times better than her brief resume would suggest.

Bet: Ausbred Yahoo to win, Whiskey Miss to place

RACE 6: TATTS HOTEL FAR TOO EASY BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1200m

TREAD SOFTLY (4) is a well-travelled horse who has raced in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and naturally, here in NSW. To his credit, he has won six times including once at Eagle Farm. First-up here off a big trial win. RHYTHM IS A DANCER (1) is a six-time winner himself with eight placings. Has the race fitness after a respectable fourth of 15 in the Scone Country Cup last Friday.

Bet: Tread Softly to win, quinella 1, 4

RACE 7: LEON FOX GOLD FIDDLE COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1400m

RETHINK IT (7) is two from 28 but one was at Inverell at this same trip. It was on Inverell Cup, Jan 1 this year, so it wasn’t a bad line-up. Find this easier than the Glen Innes Cup last start. Ditto that for CASSIA LANE (1) who was one spot ahead of Rethink It at Glen Innes. Cassia Lane has two wins and a second from four visits to Inverell.

Bet: Rethink It each-way, Cassia Lane to place

RACE 8: CAMPBELL’S FUEL BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1400m

NAVY STEEL (2) has two wins from his five starts. The son of Merchant Navy is ‘141’ this current campaign, all three were rather strong races, perhaps not unfair to say that they were better than this? LAMPKIN LANE (13) has won only two of his 46 starts but placed 11 times, some of them were ‘runs’ every bit as good as the winner. He does look to be getting close.

Bet: Navy Steel to win, Lampkin Lane each-way

RACE 9: JOHN BERGER MAIN SUPPLY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1050m

SNOW FALCON (1) is flying, pardon the pun, and arrives here on a hat-trick after those ‘over the top’ wins at home at Grafton. Note, she was runner-up to Bodhi Boy at Port Macquarie four runs back. Eager to see how ULTIMATE SAY (8) follows up a hugely impressive debut win. Never easy the next time but has drawn well here.

Bet: Snow Falcon to win, quinella 1, 8

RACE 10: SHANE EDMONDS FINISHING CARD BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1050m

TAKEMINE (3) has an overall record of two wins, six seconds and two thirds from 21 starts which all in all, makes him a pretty reliable type. But what makes him an appealing betting proposition is that both of those wins were here at Inverell. COOL FIZZ (2) has three wins and 10 seconds, one of those seconds was at this track and distance. Her most attractive stat is that all 3 wins are at this trip.

Bet: Takemine to win

INVERELL

BEST BET

Race 10 No. 3: Takemine

Won two from 21, both wins were at Inverell. Reliable type.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 7: Rethink It

Only visit was a win on Cup Day here this year over this trip.

VALUE

Race 2 No. 6: Casino Collection

Trials and starting price suggest she is a good deal better than her debut.

DAILY DOUBLE

1st Leg: 2, 2nd Leg: 3

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1, 3, 7

Race 8: 2, 3, 13

Race 9: 1, 3, 8

Race 10: 3

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Matthew McGuren looks a real contender for the TAB Jockeys Challenge