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

A drop in class has Scott Singleton’s handy mare I’m Not Slew well placed to return to the winners’ circle.

I'm Not Slew can bounce back from a handy run in town when she heads to Tamworth on Sunday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Scone trainer Scott Singleton couldn’t be happier with I’m Not Slew is just hoping the Tamworth track continues to dry out as he chases an early Christmas present with the mare.

The five-year-old has been unplaced at her past two starts but her efforts have more merit to them than she was rewarded for.

She worked early to lead when beaten a length and a half by Zakor in an Open Handicap at Muswellbrook on November 7 before sitting outside the leader when sixth to Afterlight in a Benchmark 72 at Canterbury on December 8.

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!

Trainer Scott Singleton is chasing an early Christmas present when he heads to Tamworth on Sunday with some handy chances. Picture: Bradley Photos

She drops back in a country Benchmark 74 this weekend where she is one of the leading chances so long as the track isn’t too wet.

“If the track is a Soft 5, I will probably run her but not if it’s any worse than that because she does hate it wet,” Singleton said.

“To only be beaten two lengths in town like that is pretty good when she is dropping back to a country race. She’s in this race right up to her eyeballs.

“One of Gai (Waterhouse) and Adrian’s (Bott) led and she had to sit outside it.

“It was a good effort when you consider how quick they went and the amount of work she did.

“I have a pretty healthy respect for the favourite, Custo, he’s a good tough horse but if she lines up, I’m really expecting her to be in the finish.”

In the same race, Singleton will also saddle up last start winner Aquarter.

The gelding came from off the speed with a run between horses and held on to beat Pull The Tail by a half-length at Gunnedah on December 2 to take his record to three wins and two placings from just 11 starts.

“It was a good tough win,” he said.

“He is probably getting up to a level as good as he is now against some solid opposition.

“I would just rather run him with not a lot of weight on his back. I don’t think he is a real weight carrier.

The 6YO I Am Convincing breaks through today as favourite!!@singletonracingpic.twitter.com/P5bQ3oJsGp

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 3, 2023

“I will use this a guide as to where he measures up. Sometimes they can surprise you.

“I’m going into this race expecting him to run well, maybe not win, but to be thereabouts in the finish.”

Lightly-raced six-year-old I Am Convincing is chasing back-to-back wins after breaking his maiden at Armidale on December 3 at just his third start for Singleton.

The son of I Am Invincible steps up to the Class 2 Handicap over 1400m where he has drawn nicely in barrier 4.

“I’ve been happy with him. He was really good first-up then probably raced bit flat at Scone second-up but it was still a pass mark,” he said.

“At Armidale the other day, it was a good win. Admittedly, it wasn’t a crash hot race but didn’t just fall in either; he won quite well. It was a pretty soft win in the end.

“It’s not a bad race but I think being down in the weights from a fair gate gives him a hope in it.”

Singleton fourth runner is Oodles in the Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1600m.

The gelding has placed in three of his last four starts although he was unlucky at Quirindi two starts ago according to Singleton.

“He is racing really well and was probably a little stiff not to win two starts back at Quirindi,” he said

“He just couldn’t get out at the top of the straight when he needed to.

He is going well and if he gets the right run, he is going to be around the mark.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 5: Smokin’ Crazy

The Cody Morgan-trained gelding raced a little keen at Mudgee last start after a let-up but got to the line well for third. Will be better for the run and hard to beat.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 6: Chestime

Flew home from last to finish a close second when resuming at Tuncurry on December 11. Can go one better.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 9: Turbo Charged

Has only placed at two of nice all up but that was in provincial company. Resumes for Cody Morgan here and trialled nicely recently.

BEST EXOTIC

Exacta Race 7 Nos: 6/3

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 5, 9

Race 5: 4, 5, 9

Race 6: 8, 9, 11

Race 7: 3, 6,

Aaron Bullock looks set for a big day at Tamworth. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Aaron Bullock has an envious book of rides and should pick up a few Christmas presents.

INSIDE MAIL – TAMWORTH

RACE 1

Oakfield Zena had a couple of runs at Newcastle to teach her about racing then went to Tuncurry last start where she battled away for fourth behind Dark Vader over 1300m. She will appreciate stepping up to 1600m. Lady Brulee came from last and made steady ground when fifth to Djapana over 1600m at Gosford on Dec 7. Was fifth to Magnatear at Newcastle before that. This is easier. Infourdavictory is coming off a couple of handy second placings at Gunnedah and Moree. Drawn well and won’t be far away again.

Bet: Oakfield Zena to win

RACE 2

Macleay went back from a wide gate and ran on well for third when resuming from a spell at Tamworth on Dec 24 last year before heading back to the paddock for an extended break. Resumed with a closing three-quarter length second to Arrabbiata at Armidale on Dec 3. Has since won a trial here. Vis I Do has placed in all three runs at the track including his most recent outing over this trip when a long neck second to Burraneer Buoy who he meets 1.5kg better. Burraneer Buoy is unbeaten at the track and will be right there in the finish once again. I Am Convincing is a chance at odds.

Bet: Macleay to win

RACE 3

An open race with some strong trial form among the unraced runners. Off The Press sat last and was never let off the bridle in beating Fantastic Beast in his 900m heat here on Dec 13. Don’t Call Me Honey has been trialling very impressively. Won his Scone heat on Nov 22 by a length and a half and his Tamworth trial on Dec 13 by over three lengths. Vercelli finished last off the four in her Tamworth heat behind Dances With Hooves on the same day but was kept on the back of the winner under a strong hold and had a lot more to offer. French Comet resumes after a nice trial here recently and can sneak into the placings.

Bet: Off The Press to win

Smokin' Crazy looks well placed to land a second career win. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 4

Smokin’ Crazy raced a little keen back along the fence with a slow tempo before picking up in the straight to finish a half-length third behind Bliss over 1400m at Mudgee on Dec 1. He looks like he will relish stepping up to the mile here. Oodles is very consistent and won’t be far away. Was a little unlucky at Quirindi two starts back when a close third before battling away for third to Candy Kiss at Gunnedah last time out. Seahaven has been good in finishing third in his two runs for Jane Clement in Open company. Back in grade and drawn nicely.

Bet: Smokin’ Crazy to win

RACE 5

Custo is a very promising type who has won three of his six starts. Was scratched from the Highway at Randwick last weekend after drawing wide and again from an 1100m race at Gosford on Thursday. The 1000m here is perfect for him and drawn ideally in gate 5. I’m Not Slew raced outside the leader on a strong tempo before finishing a two length sixth behind Afterlight at Canterbury on Dec 8. Was third at her only run at this track and will be right in the finish again. A Shooting Duck went two from two in her first campaign back in July. Resumes off a handy third to Macleay in her Tamworth trial on Dec 13.

Bet: Custo to win.

RACE 6

Turbo Charged placed twice in five runs last campaign in provincial company and wasn’t far away with a couple of fourth placings as well. She was excellent in her recent trial behind Dances With Hooves here on Dec 13 when sitting three-wide throughout and going to the line under a strong hold to finish a short neck second. Drawn to get a nice run. Dances With Hooves makes his debut here and is a leading contender off his two recent trial wins. My Riviera is another stepping out for the first time on race day. Worked home without pressure in her trial here two weeks ago.

Bet: Turbo Charged each-way

RACE 7

Chestime went back from the wide gate to settle last of the 11 before charging home right down the outside for a close second to Oakfield Badger with 59.5kg over this trip at Tuncurry first-up. Drawn wide again and steps up in grade but drops to 55.5kg. Mr Wallace ran a nice race first-up when second to Sightseer at Muswellbrook back in October but was below his best second-up when down the track at Scone. Much better last start when a close second to Dune And Dusted here on Dec 12. Rapid Ruby is resuming from a spell for a new stable. Trialled nicely here recently and look for a bold showing.

Bet: Chestime to win

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