Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Coffs Harbour

A Kris Lees-trained mare is unbeaten second-up and can maintain her perfect record despite a big weight at Coffs Harbour on Thursday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Thursday is at Coffs Harbour.

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Coffs Harbour.

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!

COFFS HARBOUR

BEST BET

Race 4, No.1: TERRAMEADES

Two from two second-up from a break and can add to that flawless record.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.2: BRAVE INSTINCTION

Capable of bouncing back and ready to win a maiden.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.8: COTTON CAPER

Loves racing at Coffs Harbour. Will get back and flash home late.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2, 8.

Race 6: 3, 4, 5.

Race 7: 2, 6, 10, 11, 14

Race 8: 3, 9

Jockey Raymond Spokes can add to his terrific record at Coffs Harbour on Thursday.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Raymond Spokes has ridden more winners at Coffs Harbour than any other track with over 200 to his name. Has another full book.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR COFFS HARBOUR

RACE 1

Hoping Vantastic can get the run when it matters from barrier one and salute in the opener. Will settle back in the field and be doing his best work late. Trainer John Smerdon has him flying in recent starts with a win at Ballina followed by a narrow second at the Sunshine Coast. Ilovethegame got back on the winner’s list with a strong effort at this track last time. Steps up to the mile for the first time now. Mariinsky is third-up now and has won at this stage of his prep before. Oakfield Redgum looked a great chance but went to Gosford on Wednesday instead.

Verdict: Vantastic to win.

RACE 2

Velvet Lady, a daughter of Victoria Derby winner Tarzino, finally gets out to a staying trip third-up. Was doing her best work late last start over the mile and gets the more suitable 2013m here. Both her wins have come over trips of similar length. No Respect should be given plenty of respect on the strength of back-to-back successes at Grafton and Tuncurry. The Neil Godbolt runner should be rock hard fit. I Shot The Sheriff looked good winning over the mile last start at Ballina but will be stepping up over the ground for the first time.

Verdict: Velvet Lady to win.

RACE 3

Cavente has bumped into one better at each of her past but can breakthrough her for trainer John Sprague. She has settled close to the speed in all three runs this prep have been over 1000m. Expect her to give rivals plenty to run down over the shorter trip. My Mate Cobber hasn’t been far away in two runs this prep. If he can get a run, he can go close. Initiation was last seen finishing second at Port Macquarie in September but has trialled well in the lead up. Watch betting moves on first starters Zanardee’s Lane and Skates On.

Verdict: Cavente to win.

Aaron Bullock rides Terrameades for trainer Kris Lees.

RACE 4

Terrameades carries topweight of 62.5kg but still should be too good. The Kris Lees-trained mare was slowly away first-up from a break before making up a stack of ground to finish third. Bound to improve second-up where she boasts a perfect record of two from two. Super Dooper is the danger. She led them up when winning at Kempsey last time and should do the same here from a low draw. Gets a 6.5kg weight swing on the favourite. Peregrination and Test The Waters are best of the rest but looks a race in two.

Verdict: Terrameades to win.

RACE 5

Home turf bring out the best in local galloper Cotton Caper. The Dan Edwards-trained mare has three of her five wins at Coffs including one at this track and trip three starts back. A solid second over 1200m at the venue indicates she’s maintaining her form. Mr Tabasco may prove too hot to handle from the good draw. He’s only lightly-raced but has upside. Must carry 61.5kg. Hauraki Gulf has never missed the placings second-up but carries 63.5kg even after the claim while Our Lil Sistar did enough at Kempsey in her first start for a new yard.

Verdict: Cotton Caper each way.

RACE 6

Swift Charm is one of two debut winners in the race but gets the better draw for jockey Matthew Bennett. The talented hoop should be able to settle in a good spot just off the speed like he did when boosting home Swift Charm to a maiden victory at Coffs. Looks a great chance. Fellow debut victor Iobject can certainly win again. The Dissident gelding put in a professional display on debut at Kempsey and only needs to replicate that. Panuara Boy should derive plenty of benefit from a fresh second at Toowoomba. Drawn to run well.

Verdict: Swift Charm to win.

Jockey Matthew Bennett was aboard Swift Charm in his debut win and stocks with the gelding on Thursday.

RACE 7

Happy to put a line through Brave Instinction’s last run when he pulled up 2/5 lame and assess him on previous form. Before that he had three straight placings, finishing within half a length of the winner. More than capable of bouncing back for this. Agirlsbestfriend showed promise in her debut prep and returns from the break off a couple of trials. Can run well if she overcomes the 12 gate. Maxwell Terrace, jumping from barrier 14, must do the same but hasn’t been far away in recent runs. Including 10 and 11 in multiples.

Verdict: Brave Instinction to win.

RACE 8

Extessive has been good at all three starts this preparation and only found one better last time at Scone. The Kris Lees-trained filly should be rock hard fit for Thursday’s assignment. Can’t see the draw being too much of an issue. Once the emergencies come out, Extessive should reap the benefits and jump from the middle of the line. Cyber Attack should negate the wide draw by going forward and settling somewhere near the speed. Could take some running down. Olakau’atu looks a nice horse but hard to back him with barrier 20 next to his name.

Verdict: Extessive to win.

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Coffs Harbour