Wyong, Sapphire Coast best bets, inside mail for Thursday, February 13, 2025

The David Payne-trained War Ribbon appreciated racing beyond 2000m last campaign with a big win and two placings and can resume at Wyong on a winning note. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Adam Sherry

4 min read

February 12, 2025 - 5:00PM

Consistent gelding War Ribbon can kick off his campaign with a win at Wyong. Picture: Bradley Photos

Opinion

Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Racenet form expert Adam Sherry analyses Friday’s NSW cards at Wyong and Sapphire Coast, presenting his best bets of the day.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

WYONG TIPS

BEST BET
Race 2 No. 3 WAR RIBBON
Relished getting up in trip last campaign including a big win. Can kick off with another victory.

NEXT BEST
Race 6 No.2 MIA BALLERINA
Nice run in town first-up and ready to break through.

VALUE BET
Race 8 No.3 RIP OFF
Won over this track and distance first-up last campaign. Good chance again.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 2, 6
Race 6: 2, 3
Race 7: 2, 6, 7
Race 8: 1, 3, 9

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
With a strong book of rides, Kerrin McEvoy looks hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

WYONG INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: Maiden Plate (1600m)

GUINEVERE’S SPIRIT (5) made her Australian debut on the Kensington when fourth behind Blue Vein over 1400m four weeks ago. She debuted with a second to Earth Dance at Navan over 2011m. Will improve as she gets out over further. CIAO BELLA MIA (8) was beaten a nose by Heron at Nowra two starts back and followed with a second to Ivana here on Jan 26. A win is close. SEARCH WARRANT (3) placed third at this track and distance in November. Coming off a closing second at Muswellbrook.

BET: GUINEVERE’S SPIRIT (5) to win.

RACE 2: Benchmark 64 (2100m)

WAR RIBBON (3)’s only unplaced run was a fourth to Linebacker on debut over 1300m. Led when a big winner over 2260m at Newcastle before a second to Oakfield Hawk to end last campaign. Straight to 2100m to start this preparation. NYOTA (8) went to 2400m for the first time this campaign and led before finishing a length second to Investment at Kembla on Jan 29. Back to 2100m shouldn’t worry her. TENNIEL (1) overrated in the blinkers over 2300m last start. Back in trip and crossover nose band goes on.

BET: WAR RIBBON (3) to win.

RACE 3: Class 1 Handicap (1000m)

BATTLE HYMN (3) couldn’t have been more impressive leading all-the-way to win by nearly five lengths at Bathurst on Jan 31. Stable has a history of kicking them off in the bush and progressing quickly through the grades. TEHINA (1) raced against solid opposition in her first campaign with a win second-up at Canterbury the tackling a Listed race in Queensland. Trials have been good. TURF FEVER (2) was good winning on debut and at Port Macquarie and followed with a close second here on Jan 26.

BET: BATTLE HYMN (3) to win.

RACE 4: Super Maiden Plate (1350m)

TAKE ACHANCE ON ME (9) will find this a little easier than her two runs this prep when fourth to Qatars Choice and fifth to Railway Man at Canterbury and Warwick Farm respectively. WRITTEN GOLD (4) is a debutant by Written By. Closed nicely to win his Rosehill on Feb 3. SUM INVICTUS (3) raced keenly back in the field in the early stages after a bump at the start when seventh to King of Dragons on the Kensington on debut. Will take benefit from the experience.

BET: TAKE ACHANCE ON ME (9) to win.

RACE 5: Colts, Horses & Geldings Maiden Handicap (1100m)

CALIFORNIA COMMAND (2) raced a little keenly and had to be steadied near the 800m to avoid the heels of the eventual winner, Bold Bidder, on debut in a Kembla Super Maiden. Will be improved by the experience. SHIRVINGTON (6) covered plenty of ground on debut when fifth to First Person at Newcastle last April. Returns from a long spell and trialling well. BOOMTOWN CHAT (10) ran a handy race behind Rantan on debut last April. Sat wide and did a good job to win his recent Kembla trial.

BET: CALIFORNIA COMMAND (2) to win.

RACE 6: Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1100m)

MIA BALLERINA (2) was spelled after her debut seventh at Newcastle in August and returned this campaign with a couple of nice trials including a Rosehill heat win before resuming with a closing third to La Roja over 1100m at Warwick Farm. WRITTEN SCANDAL (3) was put away after her handy second behind Wings Of Desire at Hawkesbury on July 21. Led out wide to win her Randwick trial stylishly from Satin Shimmer on Jan 28. DARE TO FLY (1) was a handy third on debut then lost a plate when sixth at Warwick Farm last start.

BET: MIA BALLERINA (2) to win.

RACE 7: Benchmark 64 (1350m)

VERONA ROSE (7) was specked from $31 into $21 on debut and proved the money right when she came from midfield with a strong run to score by over a length from Cantarito and Amusing at Kembla last November. Was good through the line in her Warwick Farm trial. HORIZONS (6) ended her spring campaign with a handy win from Zan over 1600m at Kembla. Rolled to the front and too good in winning her Feb 3 trial at Rosehill. KING’S DUTY (2) has had a long campaign but is in terrific form.

BET: VERONA ROSE (7) to win.

RACE 8: Benchmark 64 (1100m)

RIP OFF (3) kicked off last campaign with a win on soft ground over this track and distance from barrier 2. Has drawn gate 3 for her return to racing and is a good chance. MOGUL MONARCH (1) is having his first start on his home track. He has won both trials here, the latest an all-the-way win on Jan 29 when trialling without blinkers and they come off for the first time in race conditions here. WEEPING WOMAN (9) raced wide without cover when fourth at Warwick Farm first-up. Drawn much better here.

BET: RIP OFF (3) each-way.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■