Coonamble races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail

Trainer Luke Pepper has found an ideal race for a new stable addition to break through. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer Luke Pepper can land a winning double at Coonamble on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Luck with barriers hasn’t been on the side of trainer Luke Pepper of late but he knows fortunes can soon change as each day brings new opportunities.

Pepper’s three runners – Keikoku, Big Time Charlie and Rupert’s Boy - have all drawn good barriers which will go a long way sets them up nicely to strike winning form.

“The stable hasn’t had the best of luck with barriers of late so it’s nice to have some good draws on Sunday for out three runners,” said Pepper.

Keikoku makes his debut for Pepper when he steps out in the Northwest Vets Showcase Class 1 Handicap for colts and gelding over 1300m having previously been prepared by Brad Widdup.

The son of Dream Ahead placed third when resuming at Goulburn back on March 9 before finishing just behind the placegetters at his next three starts including a length and a quarter fourth to Meod at Hawkesbury on May 18.

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“His last run at Hawkesbury was really good on ground he is not entirely happy on,” Pepper said.

“He gets onto a better track at Coonamble and hopefully he runs well in his first start for the stable.

“Brad does a fantastic job with his horses and this bloke came up in great order.

“He filled us in on the horse and said he is probably better suited back in country grade know where he can hopefully win a couple of races.

“If he brings that Hawkesbury form, he should be thereabouts in the finish.”

The four-year-old has drawn barrier 8 a draw Pepper feels suitable for the gelding.

“He is a horse who will drift back so barrier 8 isn’t a bad gate for him,” he said.

“I think he finds himself in a really nice race, it’s a Showcase meeting so there is really good prizemoney and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Due to a lack of suitable options, Pepper has Big Time Charlie and Rupert’s Boy going head-to-head in the McKeowns Electrical, Coonamble Roadhouse Showcase Maiden Plate (1600m).

“Ideally, I would have preferred if they weren’t in the same race because they are both ready to win but there isn’t many options over a mile in maiden grade at the moment,” he said.

“I think both horses are chances in the race and it will just come down to luck in the run.”

Big Time Charlie (outside) can break through for his first win from an ideal draw. Picture: Bradley Photos

Big Time Charlie turned in an eye-catching effort when fourth behind Tot Of Rum at Dubbo two weeks ago.

That run followed a half neck second to Mazita at Muswellbrook on May 21.

“The barrier probably beat Big Time Charlie last start where he had to last and he rattled home.

“He was probably spotting the winner about 12 lengths on the corner and was beaten two lengths on the line.

“He’s been a great little horse and he has been knocking on the door for a win.

“From barrier 3 on Sunday, he can settle midfield and should be right in the finish.”

Rupert’s Boy was runner-up in that same race after sitting midfield and getting a run near the rails.

“He stepped straight to the mile from the 1280 metres and he ran a much better race,” Pepper said.

“He’s been a bit of a horse who has worked well but hasn’t shown much on race day.

“It was D-Day for him and I think stepping up to the mile really suited him. We saw a better horse.

“On that run, it shows he is definitely on track now and from barrier 1, he too should get all the favours and run really well again.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 3: BIG TIME CHARLIE

Got back to last from a wide gate before making up many lengths to finish fourth at Dubbo last start. Ideally drawn to settle much closer and set to break through.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No. 5: KEIKOKU

Makes his debut for the Luke Pepper stable. Hasn’t been far away in provincial company. Was a solid fourth to Hawkesbury last time out.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No. 3: BRIEF STATEMENT

Drops back inn grade from a handy run in a TAB Highway. Winner at Dubbo the start prior.

BEST EXOTIC

Race 3 Quinella Nos 7, 8

QUADDIE:

Race 4: 4, 6, 9, 10

Race 5: 1, 2

Race 6: 3, 4, 6

Race 7: 1, 2, 3, 5

Apprentice Madeline Owen can start the day on a winning note. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Madeline Owen has four rides for trainer Damien Lane including Bare To Witness (race 1) and Really Motivated (race 4).

INSIDE MAIL - COONAMBLE

RACE 1

Bare To Witness came from last and was wide off the bend when a head third to Moritz Girl in a four-way finish at Mudgee on May 7. Backed it up with a half neck win from New Pharoah at Dubbo on May 20. Duren was sixth to Bare To Witness when making her debut before a third to Plenitude at Dubbo on June 9 after sitting wide throughout and racing greenly. Rewarding Belle raced wide and pulled up lame when down the track behind Plenitude at Dubbo. Consider on her third to Bare To Witness on debut. Shezi should take improvement from his debut seventh at Taree.

Bet: Bare To Witness to win

RACE 2

Big Time Charlie went right back to last in a field of 14 before closing strongly to finish a two length fourth behind all-the-way winner Tot Of Rum at Dubbo on June 2. Was a close second to Mazita at Muswellbrook before that. Drawn to settle much closer and can break through for a deserved win. Stablemate Rupert’s Boy was second in that same race to Tot Of Rum. He appreciated stepping up to the mile and expect another forward showing again. Aussie Pharoah raced three-wide when a nice third to Bon Zipper at Dubbo last week. Raven Scout has claims on third to Tot Of Rum.

Bet: Big Time Charlie to win

RACE 3

Venatic was five wide and pressed on to take the lead but kept well off the rails before finishing a three-quarter length second to Ida’s Rules at Parkes two starts back before a length and a quarter fourth to Mrs Bigglesworth at Dubbo after again being wide throughout. Lumin raced keenly when runner-up to Arion Story at Dubbo on June 2 before beating all bar Shadow Shot at Gulgong last start. Awaygoesthebunny will be better for the run and experience when fifth to Divine Rendezvous at Moree first-up. Star Of Lullar was given and easy trial ahead of his debut here.

Bet: Venatic to win

RACE 4

Really Motivated was a little unlucky when fifth at Newcastle three starts back before a handy second to Master Right at Mudgee two starts back. Broke through for a well-earned maiden win at Taree with a length and a half victory after racing outside the leader. Cherry Blue began awkwardly and settled near last in a field of 14 under a big weight before closing strongly for a length and a half third to Harley Fat Boy at Dubbo on June 2. Oh No Bro struck interference at the start before closing off well when fifth to Harley Fat Boy at Dubbo. Was runner-up his previous two. Golden Eclipse is worth thought.

Bet: Really Motivated each-way

Anthony Cavallo will partner Brief Statement on Sunday. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 5

Brief Statement turned in a handy effort when seventh behind Proverbial in the TAB Highway at Rosehill two weeks ago. Scored a nice win at Dubbo the start prior. Drawn ideally. Overextend has been freshened since his two length seventh behind Sister Moon in a TAB Highway at Rosehill on May 20. Solid fourth at Gosford after racing wide before that. Astrolith is back from a spell and has good first-up stats. Was a nice second when resuming last campaign before winning at Orange. Trialled nicely at Bathurst recently and sure to be in the finish. Billabong Isle has been good in both second placings since resuming from a long spell.

Bet: Brief Statement to win

RACE 6

Din hasn’t had a lot of luck since his five length win at Dubbo on May 6. Was held up in the straight when third to Namid at Bathurst before sitting wide throughout when a half-length second to Just An Upstart at Dubbo on June 2. Drawn to get the right run from gate 4 and will take beating. Allande has finished close seconds at her past two. Won’t be far away again. First Secret should be included in the multiples. Cuneiform is worth including in the multiples on her Quirindi win.

Bet: Din to win

RACE 7

Davalin was just caught on the line by Dubbo Wanderer after tracking the speedy Just A Flash in an Open Handicap over 1000m at Dubbo last week. Steps up to the 1100m where he has scored four of his eight wins with two of them at this track. Dubbo Wanderer was responsible for a massive run to win after missing the start by a couple of lengths and making a long run around the field from the 700m. Wide draw can work in his favour. Toro Toro covered a lot of ground first-up at Gunnedah. Beauchamp had a tough run behind Dubbo Wanderer last start. Don’t take lightly.

Bet: Davalin to win

RACE 8

Keikoku looks well placed dropping back from provincial grade at his first start for Luke Pepper. Was held up near the turn when a length and a quarter fourth to Meod at Hawkesbury on May 18. Hampered late when fourth to Nosey Parker at Newcastle on Apr 8. Former Godolphin gelding Aimpoint made a perfect start for new trainer Mack Griffith with a handy win from the fast finishing Priding at Gunnedah on May 28. Drawn to get the right run again. Yehbut will take improvement from his first-up third to Pack Of Wolves at Port Macquarie on May 29. Freycinet scored a handy win at Wellington at his NSW debut on May 28. Won’t be far away again.

Bet: Keikoku to win

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