Narromine races, tips, Matt Jones’s best bets and analysis
Narromine: Population 3500, 40km west of Dubbo. But on Thursday it’s the centre of the sporting universe as one of the only events still running worldwide.
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The NSW central west town of Narromine, with its population of a little over 3500 people is usually known for its citrus fruits or its gliding.
But on Thursday, the sleepy town 40km west of Dubbo is the main attraction on the sporting landscape with the Narromine races one of the only events still running worldwide.
And unassuming Bathurst trainer Roy McCabe could be about to take centre stage with his confidence high about I Stole Your Love’s chances — even if others tend to underrate her.
The Unencumbered four-year-old mare will line up in a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1300m) after running fourth last start to Healing Hands in Mudgee’s Country Championships Qualifier.
This is obviously easier for her and 33-year-old McCabe, who has only been training for three years, thinks I Stole Your Love can make it win six at start 22.
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The Unencumbered four-year-old mare will line up in a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1300m) after running fourth last start to Healing Hands in Mudgee’s Country Championships Qualifier.
This is obviously easier for her and 33-year-old McCabe, who has only been training for three years, thinks I Stole Your Love can make it win six at start 22.
“Her run at Mudgee in the Country Championships Qualifier was fantastic and there are no Championships horses in this race,” McCabe said.
“I knew she would run a big race in a strong heat. The winner (Healing Hands) is a nice horse who has run well in town. I’ve heard things like she fluked the fourth placing but she didn’t. I did think she ran well in that race.
“The only thing that was worrying me was the 1400m second-up. She couldn’t have another run before it because she’s already had 20 starts.”
MATT JONES’S TOP PICKS
NARROMINE
BEST BET: JAILBREAK (Race 8, No.1)
This horse out in a dominant performance last time and has drawn well again to get a great run and come over the top for them late
TRAINER TO WATCH
DAVID SMITH has three horses running, with The Scotsman and Rythmo looking hard to beat while The Poet should improve.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MATT’S EXTENDED PREVIEW & TIPS
*****
From barrier four, Ashleigh Stanley will put I Stole Your Love in an on-pace position against an even enough field without a major threat on paper.
I Stole Your Love just needs to hold her form, which she should third-up.
“She should be very hard to beat, especially with Ashleigh’s claim, which brings her into the race with 60kg,” McCabe said.
“I’m very confident in this race. She’s 100 per cent and is as good as she’s ever been. The 1300m will also suit her, as will Narromine. She’ll be right on the mark for this race. She usually can lead. I think she’ll be in the first two.”
McCabe will also start Red Axe in the final event on the card, a Class 2 Handicap (1200m).
The seven-year-old has raced well for McCabe in three runs, albeit without luck in some of them after getting too far back over shorter trips. Red Axe is fourth-up today and should run well despite one query in the back of McCabe’s mind.
“He’s going well but he might be looking for a little break,” he said.
“With this coronavirus going on, they might all be getting a break soon, though, so we’re just going to push on and race him here.”
The horse to beat once again is Kody Nestor’s Jailbreak, who got the better of Red Axe last start at Coonamble. Red Axe gets a 2kg weight advantage on him this time and will come out of gate three instead of barrier 11, from where he had too much to do last start when Jailbreak got a run from a better draw.
“He’s fit and ready to go,” McCabe said. “We beat Jailbreak two starts ago then he beat us last start and they have drawn side-by-side this time, so it will be an interesting race for them.”
The plan will be to drive Red Axe forward once the gates fly open.
“I think he can be handier,” McCabe said. “He got a long way back last start and was one of only a few horses that day who made up ground. He’ll be right on their heels this time.”
MATT JONES’S INSIDE MAIL
NARROMINE
RACE 5 (4.05pm)
Molasses has had a break and usually runs very well fresh. If he brings his best he can win this. He’s so consistent, especially at this distance. Knock Toff was good in winning last start off a 53-week spell after coming down from Queensland to Glenn Morgan’s stables and he usually holds his form second-up. Jetgirl will likely sit outside the leader or behind the first pair and she’s in good enough form, after a couple of third placings, to be right in the finish again. Sir Donald was 1½ lengths off a smart one in town last time and he’ll have the last crack at them.
BET: Exacta 2, 8.
RACE 6 (4.40pm)
The Scotsman has placed at his past three races and has drawn to get the right run in transit and won’t be far off the leaders as they go around the home turn. Jane Clement has always thought she could get Kacper Boy winning a number of races and he won well last start and should enjoy the 1600m just as much as the 1400m. Quick Spin has placed in three of his four runs this time in and will keep coming at them all the way to the line. He’s a versatile runner but has only won three from 42.
BET: THE SCOTSMAN to win.
LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS
RACE 7 (5.15pm)
Does Plectrum go forward or back from a wide gate? He can do both and still be competitive and ran well in a pretty good race last time. Class Aplenty also has a wide gate but should go back and finish off strongly like he did two months ago when coming from 11th at the 400m to win over 1000m. Rhythmo will need luck from a wide get but is a horse with more career wins in him. Witness Collector just got pipped on the line last time but it was against a horse that was in a winning mood at the time.
BET: CLASS APLENTY to win.
RACE 8 (5.50pm)
Jailbreak belted them last start by nearly five lengths but it was only his second win at start nine. He’s obviously finding his true best no though. He beat Red Axe that day but it wasn’t given much of a chance from a wide gate and he did defeat Jailbreak a run earlier and has drawn better now so look for a closer finish. Valarian will try and cross them from a wide gate and is another horse who is filled with confidence at the moment.
BET: JAILBREAK to win.
Originally published as Narromine races, tips, Matt Jones’s best bets and analysis