Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Gilgandra

Trainer Dar Lunn is confident Daredevil can bounce back from his last start defeat where he had excuses when he drops in grade at Gilgandra.

The Dar Lunn-trained Daredevil looks a good value chance at Gilgandra on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Daredevil may be one of the roughies of the field but trainer Dar Lunn suggested to forget the gelding’s last run and take him on his previous two performances where he wasn’t far away.

The seven-year-old dwelt at the start at Narromine back on December 5 and the race was all over from there according to Lunn.

In his two runs prior, he finished just over two lengths from Frisson in a Benchmark 66 over 1100m at Wellington Oct 30 and was just under two lengths from Din in a 1000m race at the same track 20 days later.

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Chelsea Hillier will partner Daredevil for trainer Dar Lunn at Gilgandra. Picture: Bradley Photos

This week, he finds himself in a Benchmark 58 over 1100m.

“He just had no luck last start. He came out a couple of lengths behind them and was hunted up. You can’t do it at both ends,” said Lunn.

“He’s the type of horse who races handy so once he missed the start, it was the end of the section for him.

“Dropping back to a (Benchmark) 58 will help him. I know he has a bit of weight but he carries it alright.

“He had been going in (Benchmark) 66’s and Open Handicaps before that.

“If he can jump better and lob second or third or even lead, around a tight turning track like Gilgandra, he would be hard to beat.”

Chelsea Hillier will ride the son of I Am Invincible and she is looking to maintain her perfect record with Lunn.

“She rode a winner for me at Dubbo just before Christmas on a mare called Pants On Fire,” he said.

“I thought I would put her on this horse and she claims 1.5kg so that helps him a little bit too.”

Another of Lunn’s horses ready to bounce back off a less than her usual customary consistent performance is Praline in the Gilgandra Town Plate 1100m.

The grey daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was last behind Transplant at Orange on

Praline can cause a minor upset in the Gilgandra Town Plate. Picture: Bradley Photos

December 11 but prior to that, she was a Dubbo winner after racing three and four-wide before a handy fourth to Moetta at Warren and second to Memories at Orange on November 24.

“She got back last start in a slowly run race and was pulling for about two furlongs (a400m),” he said.

“It left her wanting in the straight. I thought it would have been better to let her roll.

“It was one of those runs that I think is worth forgiving.

“Before that, her form was quite good. She won nicely at Dubbo then ran fourth at Warren and second at Orange.

“She hasn’t been to Gilgandra before but she has drawn nicely alley, she has no weight on her back with Braith Nock claiming 1.5kg to bring her weight down to 55kg and he has won on her before.

“She likes the speed on in her races, she can really find the line.

“With Beauchamp in there, the speed with be on which will make the race for Praline.

“She is a real live chance in the race.”

Lunn starts the day with Sensei Jackie who is chasing his first win in the opening event after a close second at Orange last start.

“I know he is a 54 start maiden but he is consistent and has won $71,000 in prizemoney,” he said.

“It was a handy effort at Dubbo last start. I think Gilgandra will suit him being a tight little track.

“He will jump and be in the speed. If he’s not leading, he will be running second and won’t be far away again.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 8 No. 2: Ms Reeves

The Garry Lunn-trained mare has been good in all four runs, winning twice, including a strong closing effort at Scone last start. Can go on to bigger things.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 7: Not Too Bad

He is racing in great form. Won at Narromine on a three day back-up before a handy third at Bathurst last start. Drops back to his best distance.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No. 4: Praline

Forget her last run when she overraced back in the field. Won well at Dubbo in early November and wasn’t far away at her next two. Drawn well and can give this a shake.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 5 Nos: 4, 5

QUADDIE

Race 4: 2, 3, 5

Race 5: 1, 3, 6, 9

Race 6: 2, 3, 10, 11

Race 7: 2, 8, 11

Braith Nock looks hard to beat in the Jockey Challenge at Gilgandra. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Talented apprentice Braith Nock has a strong book of rides and looks a great chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – GILGANDRA

RACE 1

Crux Rebellion sat just off the speed and ran to the front on straightening before being caught of the line by More For Us over 1600m at Tamworth on Dec 12. Raced wide throughout when fifth to Erelle over 1300m at Score on Dec 19. Back up to the mile here.

Sensei Jackie tried hard to catch runaway leader Power To Deceive when beaten a half-length over 1400m at Dubbo last start. Drawn well and has placed at the mile. Boys Cry worked forward to eventually get the front when a length second to Best Of Maher at Taree two starts back. Took a sit when third to More For Us in that same Tamworth race.

Bet: Crux Rebellion to win

RACE 2

Off The Press stalked the speed and was pushed three-wide approaching the bend when a length and a quarter third to Soaring Phoenix on debut over 1000m at Tamworth on Dec 24. Will be better for the experience and a step up in trip. He’s All Style had his first start for the Paul Clisby stable when runner-up to Ready For Lift Off as a short-priced favourite at Warren on Dec 15. Meet In Brazil pushed up to lead that race before finishing third. Was again in the minor place behind Gypsy Mountain here last weekend.

Bet: Off The Press to win

RACE 3

Seahaven resumed from a let-up for new trainer Jane Clement with a third to Indifference in the Guyra Cup over 1400m on Nov 12 before a third to the same horse in a Tamworth Open over 1600m 16 days later. Battled away for fourth to Danza In The Dark at the same track two weeks ago. Drawn well and looking for the 1800m. Mr Invincible has placed third in his three runs since winning at Narromine over 1200m on Oct 21. His latest two placings were over 1600m. Stockholm won his maiden very impressively by over six lengths over 1400m at Cowra before winning a Class 1 next start by a length and a half over 1600m at Warren.

Bet: Seahaven to win

RACE 4

Turbo Charged resumed from a length break for the Cody Morgan stable at Tamworth on Dec 24 where he came from second last with a closing run to finish a two length fourth behind My Riviera over 1200m. Had some handy provincial form last campaign. Former Victorian mare Mrs Bull ran a handy third behind Go Isla Go at Coonamble first-up on Dec 17. Will be prominent again. Takemine hasn’t been far away in her two starts. Backing-up from a two and a half length fifth to Zippo Idea at Muswellbrook on Thursday. Bit Of A Step has claims on his narrow second at Mudgee two starts back.

Bet: Turbo Charged to win

Former Sydney trained gelding Turbo Charged can win for new trainer Cody Morgan. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 5

Praline overraced in the early stages back if the field when down the track behind Transplant at Orange on Dec 11. Won nicely at Dubbo on Nov 4 followed by two solid efforts when fourth at Warren and second at Orange. Drawn to get an ideal run and can sprint quickly off a fast pace. Raging Rush is first-up since his sixth behind Disneck at Hawkesbury on Oct 19. Was wide throughout when a close third to Transplant at Dubbo first-up last campaign. Stablemate Beauchamp led and finished a three-quarter length third to Driving Force at Coonamble last start. Will roll along in front.

Bet: Praline each-way

RACE 6

Wasted Days debuted with a handy win from Mr Independent over 800m at Narromine on Dec 5. Came from last in a field of 11 and was doing his best work late to finish a and a half length seventh behind Benyatta over 1100m at Bathurst 13 days later. Daredevil missed the start by a couple of lengths at Narromine last start and was out of play from there. Handy efforts when third and fourth at Wellington before that. Normally raced closer to the speed and can run a big race if he steps better. Tacho is the first emergency and is a big chance if he gets a start. Tracked speed and drew away to win his maiden by over four lengths at Bathurst last time out.

Bet: Wasted Days to win

RACE 7

Not Too Bad is racing in terrific form with two wins and two placings from his last four starts. Moved up midrace to sit outside the leader before wearing down Zounile in the run home to win at Narromine on Dec 5 before a length and a quarter third to Foxy Baroness at Bathurst on Dec 18. Drawn to get an ideal run again. Athena’s Lad resumes from a long spell. Hasn’t raced since coming from back in the field to win an Open Handicap from Majority over 1600m at Dubbo on June 9. Has a solid first-up record with two wins and three placings from seven runs. Turgenev wasn’t far away at Coonamble two starts back before a win at Orange last start.

Bet: Not Too Bad to win

RACE 8

Ms Reeves closed strongly along the fence to win over 1100m at Scone back on Nov 8. That was her second win from just four starts. Back from a let-up and looks hard to beat. Nannu boxed on for second behind Obsessive Nature when resuming in a Bm50 at Warren on Dec 15. Is a second-up winner previously. Jo Jo Sun raced on speed to win his maiden at Muswellbrook on Nov 24. Taken on in front was beaten two lengths by Treasure at Gosford last start.

Bet: Ms Reeves to win

Originally published as Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Gilgandra