Armidale races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail

A trip to Sydney could be on the cards for lightly-raced mare Outishka if she can make it back-to-back wins.

Outishka can make it back-to-back victories when she heads to Armidale on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Scott Singleton has liked what he has seen from lightly-raced mare Outishka and feels she is capable of graduating to better races once she hones her race craft.

The daughter of Outreach eyeballed the leader on debut at Scone back in March before finishing third then resumed from a spell with an all-the-way win at Moree on September 3.

She was still a bit green that day but Singleton is seeing the signs that she is heading in the right direction and feels Sunday’s Benchmark 58 over 1100m is stepping stone towards bigger things.

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Trainer Scott Singleton feels Outishka can measure up to a TAB Highway in Sydney. Picture: Bradley Photos

“She has got a little bit of ability and is starting to put it all together,” said Singleton.

“At Moree when she turned for home and wanted to have a good look around.

“I think once she gets a bit more racing under her belt, she will improve her race manners.

“I also think that when she goes up in grade and can have something to chase, she will be a lot better.”

When the time is right, Singleton believes she can measure up to a TAB Highway.

“She is definitely that grade because she can work with Highway class horses at home,” he said.

“You don’t want to throw them in down there when they aren’t ready for it because you will get found out very quickly.

“We’ll get through this race on Sunday and see how her race manners are.

“I dare say she will be hard to beat in this sort of race.”

Recent stable addition Oodles tough out a win at Tamworth three weeks ago at just his second starts for Singleton who feels the gelding is a chance to back-to-back this weekend.

After carting the field up behind Mellencamp, the gelding hit the front at the top of the straight but was able to hold on by a neck from Modern Mille.

“He’s only had the two runs for me and riding him in his work, I thought he would do something at Scone first-up,” he said.

“He was a bit disappointing but everything went wrong. He missed the kick and then was caught wide without cover.

Oodles is looking to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos

“We sent him forward at Tamworth second-up and it just worked out nicely for him.

“While he goes to a Class 2, I don’t think this race is any harder than last start and is in there with a pretty good chance.”

Thor’s Lightning heads into his debut run off mixed trial form but a gear change since his last trial has Singleton expecting a handy run from the gelding.

“He trialled alright at Muswellbrook before dropping Mitch (Stapleford) after the line when he ducked out,” he said.

“He then went to a trial at Scone where he was playing up a bit in the gates and when he came out he put his head and thought he was there to just hack around.

“He’s been back through the barriers in a jumpout where I rode him with the winkers on and he was a different horse.

“I think he will jump a lot better on Sunday and he works good enough to win at Maiden at Armidale.

“I wouldn’t completely discount him in this race.”

Singleton also saddle sup Den Moss in the opening event where he steps up to 1900m for the first time after two thirds and a fourth over 1600m.

“He’s not an obvious horse to step up in trip but I have a hunch he won’t be any worse over 1900m and maybe just be a length or better.

“He is another one who finds himself in a suitable race and will be thereabouts somewhere in the finish.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 6: Outishka

The Scott Singleton-trained mare is still learning about racing but has shown plenty of natural talent. Strong win last start and hard to go past again.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No. 2: Contarelli

Has been good in finishing runner-up in both starts for trainer Cody Morgan. Nicely drawn, gets 2kg claim and can break through for his first win.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 6: Ballet Pride

Tough effort when runner-up at this track and distance last start. Drawn to get the right run and be hard to beat.

QUADDIE:

Race 4: 2, 3, 4

Race 5: 2, 4, 7

Race 6: 2, 5, 6

Race 7: 6, 11

Mitch Stapleford could be in for a big day at Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW:

Apprentice Mitch Stapleford has five rides for the day and all are among the main chances.

INSIDE MAIL - ARMIDALE

RACE 1

Fine Example was a solid third over 2000m at Taree two runs back behind Fay’s Angel who went on to win at Warwick Farm at her next start. Forced to work to get outside the leader when third to Myeyesadoreyou at Scone last start. This looks a little easier. Den Moss has been battling away to be thereabouts at his last three runs over 1600, Up to 1900m here and won’t be far away again. The Polenitsa stepped up to 1900m for the first time last start when a length second to Blackwater Bronn here last week. Fizzy Bubbly was sixth in that same race.

Bet: Fine Example to win. Den Moss to place

RACE 2

Contarelli has been good in both runs since joining the Cody Morgan stable when finishing runner-up at Tamworth. The latest was behind Mr Scorefield who has since won again. Drops to 57kg with the claim from Braith Nock and can break through for his maiden win. Former Victorian Magic Flyer makes his debut for Luke Morgan. Was second over 1203m at Echuca and third over 1400m at Pakenham in May. Has claims if on those performances. Eighty Eight Stars has placed at his of the five runs including a second to Outback Ringer here in January. Ginger Mick resumed for a new stable with a handy third to Seeni at Quirindi. Include in the exotics.

Bet: Contarelli to win

RACE 3

Wilkie rolled across to sit outside the leader and kicked back in straight to finish a half-length third behind Chookster and Zar Queen over 1400m at Moree two weeks ago at just her second start. Was jumping up from 950m on debut a month earlier. Zar Queen was first-up for new stable and raced three-wide on the speed when runner-up to Chookster. Meets Wilkie 2kg worse this time. Better Spoken is new to the region after finishing down the track at her two runs at Newcastle and Hawkesbury when with Chris Waller. Handy trial at Quirindi recently. Grandam is a half-sister to Redoute’s Choice.

Bet: Wilkie to win. Quinella/trifecta 3, 11, 12

Quick As A Flash can bounce back from a good draw at Armidale on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 4

Quick As A Flash tracked the leader before finishing strongly over the top to score by two and a quarter lengths from Mellencamp at Gunnedah two starts back. Sat outside the leader when sixth to Horowitz at Moree last start. Drawn to get a nice run on the fence. Horowitz was freshened after his seventh at Tamworth in July and had a nice barrier trial win at Moree. Raced keenly behind the speed at Moree when returning on Sept 3 but still finished strong to score by over a length from Behind The Storm. Looks the main danger. Royal Kew will appreciate stepping up in trip from 1000m first-up. Goes well this track.

Bet: Quick As A Flash to win. Quinella 2, 4

RACE 5

Thor’s Lightning is a five-year-old debutant from the Scott Singleton yard. Showed good speed to lead before easing back when a neck third to Leopardness at Muswellbrook last month. Was very slow into stride in his last trial but hit the line well. Barrier 1 is an advantage for him and he should figure prominently. Flying Miracle has raced well this track when second to Bear’s Best over 1300m last campaign. Will be better over a little further drawn well and has placed first-up. Rushin’ Bubbles placed three of five last time in and was fourth in the other two runs. Trialled nicely when a close second in her Scone trial on Sept 6.

Bet: Thor’s Lightning each-way

RACE 6

Ballet Pride raced outside the leader before going to the front near the 800m and tried hard in the straight but just couldn’t hold off Offaneasy who carried 2.5kg less to score by a head. Came from back in the field when he won his maiden at Scone in July. Up in grade but will appreciate the drop in weight. Calgary King is coming off a big four length win from Dupenny at Moree two weeks ago when resuming off a six week break. Drawn the inside gate and will be prominent again. Oodles is also a last start winner with a nice effort at Tamworth. Will make his presence felt.

Bet: Ballet Pride to win. Quinella/trifecta 2, 5, 6

RACE 7

Outishka raced greenly on debut at Scone back in March where she pressured the leader but kept battling away to finish third behind Once Again My Girl who went on to win her next start. Returned from a spell and led all-the-way despite running about in the straight at Moree on Sept 3. Hard to beat again. Not Written Off showed the benefit of the experience of her debut run when she led all-the-way for a tough win at Quirindi on Aug 29. Razzle Dazzle resumes from a 12 month lay-off. Sat three-wide and was kept under a tight hold when third to Kristithegreat in her Armidale barrier trial on Sept 9. Drawn the pole and will run a bold race. Qukes should be including in the exotics.

Bet: Outishka to win

Originally published as Armidale races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail