Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Goulburn, Port Macquarie

A promising gelding is stepping out for the first time for the Kerry Parker stable and can make it a winning performance at Kembla.

Trainer Kerry Parker has new stable recruit Acceber ready to win first-up at Kembla on Friday. Picture: Grant Guy

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

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!

GOULBURN

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 2: ACCEBER

Talented type debuting for a new yard. Has trialled really well in the lead up to his return.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 9: SUNSHINE REGGAE

Caught wide last start and still went well enough. Drawn to get her chance here.

VALUE BEST

Race 5 No. 14: STASERA

Lightly-raced filly that gets up to the right trip now. Meets a winnable maiden.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 4, 11, 12, 14

Race 6: 1, 2, 9

Race 7: 4, 6, 10, 11

Race 8: 4, 11, 14

Goulburn trainer Danny Williams looks set for another successful day on his home track on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

Danny Williams had a double on his home track at the last meeting here and could get that and more this week.

PORT MACQUARIE

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 5: BRAVE SAILOR

After going close on debut, the Merchant Navy filly looks a great chance of breaking her maiden.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 2: COSMETIC

Has trialled well in the lead up to his debut. Drawn to get every favour from barrier one.

VALUE BEST

Race 8 No. 3: UGLY NICOS

Forced to race wide last time before puncturing late. He can bounce back here.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR GOULBURN

RACE 1

Raise Hell is a progressive son of Hellbent that can make it two on the bounce in the opener. The Danny Williams-trained galloper won with a bit in hand first-up at Goulburn and looks well placed to repeat the dose on home turf from the gun inside draw. Astunner returns from a break after winning on debut at Moruya last prep. That was on a heavy track but there was plenty of merit in the performance. The 3kg claim of Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen helps Puerto Rico get down to 61.5kg. Expecting him should be an improver second-up.

Bet: Raise Hell to win.

RACE 2

Acceber is owned by the Illes family who race classy mare Hope In Your Heart but this three-year-old is only having his first start for Kerry Parker. The son of Time Test won one of his eight starts for former trainer Kristen Buchanan and returns from a spell here. His recent trial on home turf was excellent and expecting him to make an immediate impression for his new yard. Flying Destiny is the main danger. The Michael Freedman-trained gelding hasn’t missed the placings in three starts and only needs to hold his form to be in the money again. Seany’s Girl is talented enough but it’s a matter if she can do it fresh.

Bet: Acceber to win.

RACE 3

Pretty Vegas of a daughter of Exosphere having her first start. The Joe Cleary-trained filly showed plenty of promise in her only trial, winning at her home track of Queanbeyan. The 1000m scamper looks ideal for her on debut with a bottom weight of 53.5kg. Spirits Burn Deep is another debutant and while she didn’t win her most recent trial, she was hard held. With state’s leading apprentice aboard and a gun draw, she will get her chance. Tokoyo is consistent enough, placing in seven of her 28 starts.

Bet: Pretty Vegas to win.

Trainer Joe Cleary looks to have a promising horse in Pretty Vegas who makes her debut at Goulburn on Friday.

RACE 4

Merc is a consistent galloper racing in top form. His recent form reads second, first, second and he looks well placed to go close again here. He gets in well with 59.kg after Coriah Keatings’ claim and has the favourable two draw. My Blue Jeans is an eight-year-old now but he saves some of his best racing for his home course. He’s placed at half of his 12 runs at this track and trip including a narrow second three starts ago in harder grade. Kimmylee is a likely improver off a first-up third at Dubbo.

Bet: Merc to win. Quinella 1, 6, 8.

RACE 5

Stasera is a lightly-raced filly lining up for start three. The daughter of American Pharoah finished less than two lengths off the winner at Newcastle last time in a race that has produced two subsequent winners. Stepping up to 1500m now looks ideal for her. Ninja Star has placed in half of her 12 starts and will win one eventually. She’s rock hard fit now but does have a sticky draw to overcome. Gypsy Romance looks suited by the step up 1500m on home in a race with plenty of chances.

Bet: Stasera to win.

RACE 6

Sunshine Reggae had to do things the hard way three wide last time but the inside draw makes life much easier this time. The Tim Martin-trained filly battled on well for third despite the tough run and should be battle hardened by the experience. Flexing is certainly talented enough to win. The trials have been good but top weight of 60.5kg and barrier 15 are against him. Montebello’s Charm will get back and be doing his best work late again.

Bet: Sunshine Reggae to win.

Baledon (white cap) is drawn to figure prominently at Goulburn. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 7

Baledon looks a big price for a five-year-old that went enormous in the Albury qualifier. The Ron Stubbs-trained gelding was caught deep and back in the field but ran on admirably for fourth. He is drawn to get a better run here and was a winner third-up last prep. I’ve Bean Tryin’ wasn’t suited by a leaders dominated heat at Moruya. With plenty of speed here, he should be running on at a suitable big track at Goulburn. Burrandana is drawn to get back again but will be hitting the line strongly when it matters, as he was in a third at Albury last time.

Bet: Baledon each way.

RACE 8

Ribeauville is ready to peak third-up. The Danny Williams-trained gelding returns to his home track after finishing a close second at Wagga last time. He gets the good draw and an in-form jockey in Quayde Krogh in the chair. Stormy Witness is a progressive filly with a win and two placings from four starts. The daughter of Star Witness can go close if she can find some cover from the 10 gate. Prize Draw will likely start favourite but barrier 15 certainly puts a question mark on her chances.

Bet: Ribeauville to win.