Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong
A $1.45m colt part-owned by NRL commentator Phil Gould will make its debut at Wyong, while Daily Telegraph tipster Shayne O’Cass is keen on a John O’Shea-trained filly. BEST BETS & INSIDE MAIL
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Trainer Brad Widdup won’t be disappointed if Stark, the $1.45 million yearling who is part-owned by Phil Gould, happens to be beaten on Tuesday for the simple fact that it’s not his grand final.
It’s really only round one for the colt, who will be worth at least 10 times his purchase price if he can win a Group 1.
Stark is a son of I Am Invincible and the first foal of Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel. She is a three-quarter sister to the champion mare Atlantic Jewel, whose Galileo son Russian Emperor is presently one of the top-shelf three-year-olds in Europe.
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!
As for Stark, he at last looks set to make his debut from a good draw and on a Wyong track that has had plenty of sun on it in recent days — much to Widdup’s delight.
“We’ve been trying to get a dry track with him,’’ Widdup said.
“I don’t know if Wyong will suit him, being a tight-turning track, but it’s more just the surface and the good draw.
“I’ve had him in a few places and it’s been a long time getting him to the races, but I want to give him every chance and kick him off on a drying track to at least give us an idea.
“I think he is going to need to get out to 1400m to a mile before we see anything from him.
“He is a lovely animal but he’s just had a few hiccups along the road and taken a bit of time to get there.”
Widdup is looking forward to seeing what stablemate Strike Missile offers at Wyong after a very encouraging trial there at the start of the month.
“He is a nice horse,’’ Widdup said. “I took him to Canberra last time and it just didn’t work out. It was a 1000m and he just wasn’t ready for it but he has really done well in his break.
“He is in good order and will run well.”
WYONG TIPS: WITH SHAYNE O’CASS
BEST BET
AL SNIP (Race 5, No.1)
John O’Shea-trained filly is yet to miss a place in her six starts, notching a win and five placings. Went very close at Newcastle last start. Drawn to win.
NEXT BEST
MOOY (Race 1, No.3)
Anthony Cummings has had a lot of success with the Uncle Mo progeny. This one happens to be a descendant of Denise’s Joy. Peaks here in the perfect race for her to strike.
VALUE
LIVE THE MOMENT (Race 8, No.2)
Needs a few things to work for him in his races but when they do, he can storm his way to victory.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1
Race 6: 2,3,5,14
Race 7: 3,5
Race 8: 1,2,3,5,10
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
LOUISE DAY is charging the finish line of the 2019/20 season and can keep her momentum up with a handy little book at Gosford.
WYONG INSIDE MAIL: WITH SHAYNE O’CASS
RACE 1
Mooy ran two good races in town at the midweeks before finishing runner-up at Hawkesbury from the back in a 1500m maiden on July 2. Gets out to a mile now and hopefully can make some use of the inside draw on the tight-turning track. Zounate posted his sixth placing from nine starts in an 1800m maiden at Hawkesbury. Comes back to the mile but is very fit and should race super handy. Swahili Mai finished third to a very good one last start in Kingsheir.
BET: MOOY win; exacta 3 to beat 1; quinella 1, 3.
RACE 2
Emthree finished ninth of 12 at Newcastle last start but the run had more merit. Winner Saigon is a gun and Emthree drew wide, got back and was doing his best work late. Gibbo sticks! Lake Marion is a Gerry Harvey-owned, Pat Webster-trained mare who has placed at three of six starts, splitting a seemingly handy pair at Newcastle at her last run. Placed to figure. Olympic Gaze is a big improver.
BET: EMTHREE win; OLYMPIC GAZE each-way.
RACE 3
All eyes on Stark here. This debutant is the first foal of his 1000 Guineas-winning mother Commanding Jewel and was the fifth-highest-priced lot at the Magic Millions yearling sale, knocked down for $1.45m. While his trials are hard to read, he looks pretty good. Mon Amore is the huge improver and big value. She’s much better than her last start and wasn’t at all bad on debut. Stark’s stablemate Strike Missile is a huge player if he runs in this race.
BET: STARK win; MON AMORE each-way.
RACE 4
Jet Propulsion is another high-priced blue blood on debut who fetched $900,000. He’s by Yes Yes Yes’s sire Rubick and a half to Pierata and former handy one Ashokan. Has run two smashing trials. Private Eye makes serious appeal on debut after two impressive trials, the most recent here on July 1. Yangarra Rose was $4.40 into $3.10 and just failed to reel in Riccardo, who goes all right.
BET: JET PROPULSION win; quinella 2, 3; box trifecta 2, 3, 6, 9.
RACE 5
Al Snip has been consistent for John O’Shea and connections with a win and five placings from six starts. Has run two crackerjack races this time in. Spaceboy was just too fast at Wyong first-up then Al Snip got mighty close to Hyannis Port at Newcastle. Drawn to win here. Undoubted is a son of Group 1 winner Sky Cuddle and a brother to Champagne Cuddles. Has only one win from 13 starts but tries hard and is almost certainly looking for 1350m.
BET: AL SNIP win; exacta 1 to beat 6.
RACE 6
Special Date looked like being anything but hasn’t yet lived up to that potential. The Snitzel still has two wins from her six starts. Let the side down first-up but is a million times better than that. Bring Glory was $17 into $.9.50 when he won at Newcastle on March 31. That was his second win from three starts and he trialled up to the mark here at home on July 1. Market watch essential. Xiaoli’s Ying has a handy CV and goes well fresh.
BET: SPECIAL DATE win; box trifecta 2, 3, 5, 14.
RACE 7
Badia is a Snitzel filly purchased by Godolphin for $600,000 at the Magic Millions in 2018. Has Tom Berry from gate two first-up off an easy trial at Warwick Farm. Will be getting home fast and just needs an ounce of luck. El Cohete has sent out encouraging signs with a good second on debut and a win at Kembla. Can keep progressing. Hats off to Wander for a heroic win at Grafton on June 28. Has run here twice for a win and a second at this trip.
BET: BADIA win; quinella 3, 5.
RACE 8
Live The Moment has a genuine streak but has often been held back by his pattern and bad luck on occasion. No such drama when he won at Gosford last start thanks to a Rory Hutchings classic. Brutality has much to be proud of this campaign and has a good gate and is in the right race. Big respect for the Kim Waugh local Holy Reign and also Tudor Prince, the son of a Toorak winner.
BET: LIVE THE MOMENT each-way.
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Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong