Raceday focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Taree
A good draw and a wet track can prove key to a handy Wayne Wilkes-trained sprinter bouncing back to winning form. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
Trainer Wayne Wilkes saddles up runners in all bar one race on his home track with a number of leading chances but rates his final runner for the afternoon as his best chance.
With plenty of rain falling over the past three days, the rail at Taree out 3m and an ideal barrier draw, Wilkes is confident Outreach To Henry will prove a tough nut to crack in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1007m).
“I think he is my best chance for the day. He will jump out and put himself in the race,” said Wilkes.
“A little bit of speed in this race will allow him to sit in the box seat and I think he will be hard to beat.”
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The son of Outreach raced in good form last campaign including two TAB Highways at the Hawkesbury and Gosford stand-alone meetings.
He resumed with a fifth at Scone on October 16 after being left in front but is ready to bounce back to his best this weekend.
“He was a bit unlucky in those Highway runs,” he said
“He drew the outside gate at the Gosford stand-alone meeting and had to work to get across and lead but he still gave a kick on the turn.
“Andrew Gibbons said he was entitled to drop right out but he still trying.
“It wasn’t our intention to lead first-up but the circumstances on the day played out that way.
“I’ve been very happy with him since and this looks a nice race him.”
Wilkes had his sights on the Country Championships with Reateros earlier this year and while that plan didn’t come off, he is eyeing the 2024 edition with the gelding.
The son of Artie Schiller resumes in the Class 1 Handicap over 1007m but has a wide draw to contend with.
“He’s first-up over 1000m like last time in,” he said.
“We are heading into this race without a trial and he has drawn wide.
“We have had quite a bit of rain up here this week, somewhere between 70ml and 100ml but I don’t want the track to be too wet and this race be a gut buster.
“I think he could be in for a really good preparation if he can ease himself back into racing.”
The five-year-old has one win and four seconds from eight starts but that record could easily have been better.
He closed off last campaign with back-to-back second placings behind Sir Ravanelli and The Fossil at Port Macquarie and Taree.
“You could put a couple of those runs down to luck in running or a lack of maturity at the time,” he said.
“He’s definitely a horse with plenty of upside.”
Wilkes has both Duble Memory and Curracabundi in the Country Boosted Benchmark 58 (1614m) and feels they are capable of fighting out the finish.
Duble Memory drops back from a Class 3 at Scone on October 16 where he finished a length fourth behind Justfour.
Curracabundi was ridden back for the first time at Taree last week, also in a Class 3, and flew home for a half-length fourth to Rossy’s Typa Girl.
“I would have loved to have split them up because I think they are both going well and are good chances,” he said.
“We will just have to see how the track plays being wet and rail out.
“Double Memory will probably be up there on the speed while Curracabundi has raced on speed before but last start, she got back and work home nicely so it’s a catch twenty two.
“I’m really happy with both of them are going and I wouldn’t be surprised if they quinella the race but things have to go their way.”
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 4 No. 4: Waterworld
The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding has placed in three of his four runs since joining the stable. Handy second at Scone last start and will take beating.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No. 2: Gripping
The improved with the blinkers on and stepping up top 2000m when a close second at Coffs Harbour last start. Can go one better here.
VALUE BET
Race 7 No. 8: Outreach To Henry
Will be improved by his first-up run over 1100m and returns to a track and distance where he is one from one.
QUADDIE:
Race 4: 2, 4, 9
Race 5: 2, 5, 6, 7
Race 6: 1, 2, 8
Race 7: 1, 4, 8
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW:
Andrew Gibbons has a strong book of rides and looks hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL - TAREE
RACE 1
Gripping got the blinkers back on stepping back up to 2000m second-up and was caught by Fine Example near the line after racing outside the leader. Placed at his only other run over this trip and has won over 2200m. Waikato Flyer made a mid-race move and was caught three-wide when a two length seventh to Sovereign Express at Hawkesbury last start over 1600m. The lightly-raced son of Savabeel goes to 2000 for the first time and should appreciate the trip. Mr Luke was held up in the straight and lost his momentum when fifth over 1600m at Newcastle last start. He has placed three times at this trip. Cynic dropped back from 2100m to 1600m last start when fourth here.
Bet: Gripping to win
RACE 2
Former Victorian Detoron made her race debut for Kris Lees at Hawkesbury on Oct 8 with a grinding third behind new stablemate Pier Pressure over 1400m. She looks like she will handle the step up to the 1614m here. Shemran was disappointed for run in the straight when sixth to Hasty Honey at Newcastle over 1600m before working home out wide from near last for length and a half fifth to Ramble On at Kembla last week. Stella Simone ran a handy fifth behind Dead Of Night over 1500m at Goulburn at her first start for Fabio Martino and followed with a length second to Eighty Eight Stars over 1400m at Tamworth. Placed over a mile at Wyong in January.
Bet: Detoron to win
RACE 3
Working Capital is knocking on the door for his maiden win. Placed in five of his eight starts, three of them at this track including a career best run last start when a neck third to Richattack after racing three-wide without cover. Drawn ideally. Scud raced outside the leader in the same race and just held out Working Capital by a nose for second. Drawn outside his rival this time. She has placed in four of her five runs and is the main danger. Thedaythemusicdied raced well in all four runs last campaign including a close second first-up. Ready to kick off with a big run after winning her trial on Oct 20.
Bet: Working Capital to win
RACE 4
Former Victorian Waterworld has been good since joining the Nathan Doyle stable with three placomngs from four starts. Beat all bar Captain Wise at Scone last start. Drawn to get the right run. Reateros is a promising horse who could be headed for bigger targets this season. Resumed last campaign with a win over this distance at Tuncurry. Does have a wide gate to contend with. Bear’s A Star was a big drifter from $8 to $15 on debut but ran a bold race for a half-length second to Coal Fire here on May 1 and followed with a narrow win from Thedaythemusicdied. Resuming here from a good draw and sure figure prominently. Kembla mare She’s Jessie also starts her campaign. Placed at all three runs at the trip and both runs first-up.
Bet: Waterworld to win
RACE 5
Duble Memory has been good in each of his four runs this preparation including a close fourth behind Justfour in a Class 3 over 1400m at Scone last start. Back in grade and steps up to his favourite distance. Will have no problems with the wet ground. Stablemate Curracabundi had a change of tactics last start when ridden back in field. After having to be eased on straightening, she closed off strongly for a half-length fourth behind Rossy’s Typa Girl over 1600m. Apache Doc is racing in terrific form with two seconds and a last start win here since joining the Ben Lees stable. Can’t be taken lightly. Oodles has drawn well and has place claims.
Bet: Duble Memory to win
RACE 6
Wilkshire ran a couple of close seconds at Nowra and Canberra before breaking through with a nice win in the Mollymook Cup (Bm66) at Nowra on Oct 15. Has drawn wide but gets a 2kg claim. Mr Tabasco ran a much better race last start when he finished a neck fourth behind Imprinted at Coffs Harbour after racing three-wide without cover. Has good form at this track and distance and can make his presence felt. Imatruestar resumed over 1000m here three weeks ago and was a little unlucky when held up in the straight and eased near the 100m. Will appreciate stepping up to 1200m where he has placed at both.
Bet: Wilkshire to win
RACE 7
Outreach To Henry was left in front when resuming over 1100m and Scone on Oct 16 before finishing fifth behind Sharp Shock. Drops back to 1007m here at home where he has had one start for one win. Drawn to get a sit and will go close. Scone mare Sussu has been narrowly beaten into the placings at both runs since scoring a half-length win from Barney Rabble at Dubbo. From an astute stable. In A Step is a very honest mare who doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Was a length third to Adamdeeant three starts back and meets him 4.5kg better here. She loves this track and will be in the finish again. Adamdeeant has been good in both runs this campaign and is a chance again.
Bet: Outreach To Henry each-way
Originally published as Raceday focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Taree
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