Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong

After narrowly going down last start, a John O’Shea-trained filly will appreciate a step up in distance and can break through for her first win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer John O'Shea prepares promising staying filly Aunt Roberto who can score her first win at Wyong on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Wyong.

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!

WYONG

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 9: AUNT ROBERTA

This promising staying filly from the John O’Shea stable gets her right distance range now and should prove hard to beat from a gun draw.

NEXT BEST

Race 8 No. 7: CAPPELLETTI

The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained gelding went to the front and proved impossible to catch last time. He can do the same here.

VALUE BEST

Race 6 No. 4: LEHNDORFF

This high quality three-year-old trained by Mark Newnham is resuming from a break. He will be doing his best work late.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 2, 4

Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 9

Race 6: 1, 3, 6, 7

Race 7: 5, 7

Tom Sherry looks set for a successful day at Wyong on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tom Sherry, the former star apprentice, has hit his groove as a senior rider and should have another winning day.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WYONG

RACE 1

Sumo Rock has finished a narrow runner up in both his starts this preparation and can go one better in the opener. The son of Maurice just missed on soft ground at Hawkesbury last time so trusting the heavy surface will be no issue. He’s ready to peak third up. Starry Jack returns from a massive 432-day break between runs at Hawkesbury but has been subject of early support from $9 into $5 in early betting. The Clarry Conners-trained galloper has trialled well in the lead up and a forward showing wouldn’t shock. Gilmore is a nice enough type that should improve second up.

Verdict: Sumo Rock to win

RACE 2

Skylight Song has run second in half of his six starts ahead of his return from a break. One of those seconds was on a heavy track at Hawkesbury last preparation so the wet track should be no worries for him. He should settle in a lovely spot in the small field and take some beating. Twilight Rock did all the work and didn’t go down far at Goulburn. He can lead again and take some running down. Gulf Of Panama spent close to a year and a half on the sidelines but is showing improvement with every showing.

Verdict: Skylight Song to win

RACE 3

Leipzig can make a dramatic turnaround of form after failing to beat a runner home first up. She had legitimate excuses after racing wide the trip before being eased down late. She gets a superior draw here with her two best career runs coming on heavy surfaces. She’s worth a small play at odds. Beetson is only lightly-raced but just missed out breaking his maiden last time. He won’t be a maiden for long if he can overcome barrier 12. A strong debut showing from Miss Moorooduc wouldn’t surprise.

Verdict: Leipzig each way

Reece Jones rides Leipzig on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Aunt Roberta looks like one of the better bets on the program. The Pierro filly looks a nice staying type and should appreciate the step up 2100m after close second at Hawkesbury last time over 1800m. With the blinkers on and a gun draw, she will be hard to beat. John O’Shea-trained Iberian Ruler looks her danger on the strength of his second Kembla last time. The conditions could be his concern. Itsagoodeel has been racing consistently this prep and gets over a trip now.

Verdict: Aunt Roberta to win

RACE 5

By Nine ticks a lot of boxes in his quest to double his win tally. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding finished on the winner’s heels last start at Hawkesbury and should appreciate the distance rise by 100m here. He gets the gun run from the draw while he handles it wet. Xtrarevz should have some residual fitness from his last preparation after only having a short let up. He’s talented enough to win if he can overcome the sticky 10 gate. Street Gossip will find this easier than the metro grade she’s been racing consistently in.

Verdict: By Nine to win. Trifecta 1, 2, 4

RACE 6

Lehndorff was last seen finishing near the back in a Group 1 Victoria Derby but that was at just fourth start. His most recent trial behind Queen Of The Turf favourite Alcohol Free was sharp enough to suggest he can produce a forward showing her first up, albeit short of his best. Expecting him to be strongest late. Flying Destiny has never missed the placings in four starts. He’s a consistent type and can take the shortest route home again. If Jovita can replicate her debut win, she has to be among the chances.

Verdict: Lehndorff to win

Trainer Mark Newnham and jockey Josh Parr combine with Lehndorff at Wyong. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Peace Officer was competitive in Group company as a two-year-old but has had a stop start career since. With that said, the Clarry Conners-trained gelding returned from his latest sabbatical in some style when winning Hawkesbury back on March 14. He has trialled since and is capable of doubling the dose here. Wrathful is a promising galloper with bright prospects. It will be a matter of how forward he is first up from a break. The Empire is a model of consistency that shouldn’t be far away again.

Verdict: Peace Officer to win

RACE 8

Cappelletti only won a maiden last time but there was some style to the way he went around his business. The Capitalist gelding was taken straight to front and proved impossible to run down while the runner up has won since. Expecting Tim Clark to do the same here from the tricky gate. Passistas was scratched from Wednesday at Hawkesbury for this. She is a nice mare that can produce a bold showing fresh from a break. Athena Nyx should reap the benefits of having a few runs under the belt now.

Verdict: Cappelletti to win

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