Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Nowra
Trainer Matthew Smith is confident talented mile Colour Sergeant is ready to peak in his bid to claim the Nowra Cup and a spot in next year’s Big Dance.
A drop back to his ideal trip and a quick back-up can prove key factors in Colour Sergeant saluting in the Nowra Cup.
The six-year-old needed his first couple of runs back from a spell to get into the groove before a third to the very promising Tavi Time at Newcastle on The Hunter Day.
Trainer Matthew Smith was more than happy with the gelding’s second placing behind Toesonthenose at Rosehill last Saturday and feels this is the perfect race for the son of Kingman.
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“He needed those first couple of runs and even that run at Newcastle just topped him off,” Smith said.
“He was really good the other day at Rosehill and I think he is in great form. He is back to his best and he looks great too.
“This looks a really nice race for him and the back-up is good for him too.
“I looked at the market when it first came out and I thought he would be shorter than what he was.”
While winning the Nowra Cup is it’s own reward, there is an added bonus with it carrying Big Dance eligibility.
“The race just fits in perfect to his program,” said Smith.
“The mile is his best trip and this would be a really nice race to win.
“To be able to qualify for next year’s Big Dance if he happened to win would be a fantastic bonus.”
Smith is hoping lightly-raced four-year-old Noble One can put his best foot forward and claim his maiden win in the opened race on the card.
The son of Satono Aladdin has placed third in two of his three starts with one of those placings coming behind the promising Midnight Opal on debut over 1100m at Scone on September 22.
After stepping up to 1200m then 1400m at his next two starts, Smith has freshened the gelding and drops him back to 1100m.
“I have been a tad disappointed him to be honest. I thought he was going to be better than what he has shown so far,” he said.
“I’m still working out what is going to be his best distance and maybe the 1400m last start was just a bit too far for him.
“We have freshened him up and he trialled well at Newcastle last week.
“On his work, he should be winning.”
Smith went to Scone with Split Decision on November 20 expecting her to be right in the finish.
While she was beaten two and a half lengths by Satin And Silk in the 900m dash, he thought she could have done a little more on the day.
He feels she can run a better race when she steps out in the Class 1 Handicap over 1000m.
“Her first-up effort was a pass mark but I thought she would finish a bit closer,” he said.
“She has come on from then run, her work since has been quite good and I can’t fault her.
“I don’t think she will be too far away. She should be in the mix.”
Smith will decide on race morning if Dark Vader run in the final event on the day, the Super Maiden over 1200m, or heads to Tuncurry on Monday.
“He is going very well the horse. He was beaten narrowly first-up at Scone and will be better for the run,” he said.
“If he drew a better gate, he probably wins that race.
I’m really happy with him and if he can settle in the field couple of horses, he will be strong late and sure to be in the finish again.”
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 5 No. 1: Line Of Law
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly had her chance when a close second first-up at Orange but will take benefit from the run and can go one better here.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No. 6: Discreet Miss
Smart win first-up from a spell over this track and distance before a close third in TAB Highway. Will go close again.
VALUE BET
Race 7 No. 3: Colour Sergeant
Backing-up from a handy second at Rosehill last week and dropping back to his favourite trip. Ready to peak and will give this a shake.
BEST EXOTIC
Quinella Race 3 Nos: 6, 7
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 5, 7
Race 6: 2, 5, 9, 12
Race 7: 1, 2, 3, 9
Race 8: 1, 3, 7, 9
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Robbie Downey has a solid book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – NOWRA
RACE 1
Noble One has been freshened since a battling fifth behind Invincible Whip over 1400m at Scone on Oct 27. Worked home well for a three length third to the smart Midnight Opal over 1100m on debut. Back to that trip here and win his Newcastle trial on Nov 30. Mr Showman has found form with two close seconds at his last two starts. Tried hard when beaten a half-length by Long Memory at Hawkesbury on Nov 23. Pretty Sassy has trialled nicely and found a nice race and draw to make her debut. Reward With A Rose has also trialled well.
Bet: Noble One to win
RACE 2
Flic En Flac worked to the lead before fading in the straight behind Heads You Lose over 1600m at Warwick Farm last start. Boxed on for a handy to Mosgold at Goulburn when resuming before that. Back in grade, draw well and can turn it around. Justela is coming off a big win from Really Motivated over 1600m at Hawkesbury on Nov 29. Her maiden win at Gosford in June also came over the mile. Dawn Issue led before finishing a length third to Memories in a Bm74 over 1310m on a Heavy 9 at Orange on Nov 24. Steps up to 1600m for the first time.
Bet: Flic En Flac to win
RACE 3
Miss Givings showed an electric turn of foot to win her maiden easily from Beograd Boy over this track and distance back on Sept 17. Returned from a let-up with an unlucky fourth at Canberra before bouncing back with a good win from Papaver Miner over 1200m at the Sapphire Coast on Nov 27. Drawn perfectly and hard to beat again. Toes In The Water followed a neck second at Canberra with a smart two length win from Big Ray over 1400m at the same course on Nov 25. I’m Not Leaving had turned in some handy runners when just behind the placegetters before breaking through with a length and a half win at the Sapphire Coast last start.
Bet: Miss Givings to win
RACE 4
Discreet Miss was terrific winning first-up by nearly two lengths from Santorini Sun in a Class 1 over this track and distance on Oct 15 before a handy three-quarter length third behind Tribecca Star in a Class 3 TAB Highway at Rosehill. Drawn well ideally and will go close. Underground Music has been fourth in her past three runs, the latest behind Herb over 1400m at Kembla on Nov 18. Drop slightly in trip, back against mares and gets a good run from the draw. Mrs Ed yet to win over 1200m but has been fourth in her three goes at the trip and she won her only start here on Sept 17. Wasn’t far away when fourth to Buck Pharoah at Kempsey last start.
Bet: Discreet Miss to win
RACE 5
Line Of Law ended her last campaign with a handy win from Energized over 1000m at Kembla on June 17 after racing wide. Was a shade slow away and settled back on the fence when a half-length second to Ida’s Rules when resuming at Orange on Nov 24. Will be better for the run. Split Decision was okay when fifth to Satin And Silk over 900m first-up at Scone. Expect improvement from the run and can figure prominently. Riva D’Amor was good in her first campaign including a win at Goulburn in June and can run a bold race first-up.
Bet: Line Of Law to win
RACE 6
Big Ray made his debut here with a second behind Outback Angel over 1100m on Oct 15 and followed up with a tough fourth at Queanbeyan two weeks later. Led and finished a two length second behind Toes In The Water who looks promising over 1400m at Canberra on Nov 25. Maktabi started favourite on debut at Warwick Farm on Feb 8 when beaten just over four lengths by Tom Kitten. Changed stables and resumed with a seventh to Lady Boss at Canberra on Nov 25. Better than that and look for him to show that here. Laguna Seca has placed at his three runs this time in over 1200m. Should appreciate the step up in trip.
Bet: Big Ray to win
RACE 7
Colour Sergeant has been building with each run this campaign and is ready to peak. Was third at Newcastle on The Hunter Day behind Tavi Time who looks very promising before a second to Toesonthenose over 1800m at Rosehill last week. Back to 1600m which is his perfect distance. Clear Choice is a progressive type who scored a tough win from Hokkaido over 1500m at Rosehill on Nov 15 before just being pipped by Buillt at Canterbury last start. Wide draw is the only query. Peace Office is racing in terrific form. Gutsy third behind Super Helpful at Canberra last start. Won over 1400m at Randwick three starts back. Just has to stretch out to 1600m.
Bet: Colour Sergeant each way.
RACE 8
Picasso’s Dream drifted back to second-last from the outside gate before closing nicely for a half-length third to Field Of Myrtle on debut over 1010m on a Heavy 8 at Orange on Nov 24. She looks like she will appreciate stepping up to 1200m and will give this a shake. Prince Of Sepang resumes from a long spell but has been trialling well including a heat win at Randwick on Nov 28. Drawn well also. Wymark placed third at Canterbury and Newcastle before a fourth at Warwick Farm behind Ravello in March. Wide barrier is the query.
Bet: Picasso’s Dream each-way
Originally published as Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Nowra
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