Wagga, Muswellbrook best bets, inside mail for Friday, May 2, 2025

Robert and Luke Price can get Wagga Cup Day favourite backers off to the right start should their lightly-raced and progressive mare Me Me the opening race. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Me Me can break through for her first win. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and analysis Wagga Cup Day and best bets for Muswellbrook on Friday.

WAGGA

BEST BET

Race 1 No. 12: ME ME

Boasts superior formlines to her rivals. Midweek type.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 3: JATO

Neville Begg’s Wagga Guineas type who arrives in great shape.

VALUE

Race 7 No. 10: MEDATSU

Performs best at 2000m, just needs things to go his way.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2, 4, 9, 11

Race 6: 5, 15

Race 7: 2, 10, 11, 16

Race 8: 1, 11, 12, 22

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Blaike McDougall could rack up enough points to win the Jockeys Challenge

Blaike McDougall looks hard to beat in the Wagga Jockeys Challenge. Picture: Getty Images

MUSWELLBROOK

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 1: DIVO

Trialling like a bomb ahead of his debut. In top yard.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 1: GENTILESCHI

Ortensia’s granddaughter who has the best form in the race.

VALUE

Race 8 No. 10: YOU HAVE TO GO

Gets back and flies home; most times anyway.

INSIDE MAIL – WAGGA

RACE 1: WAGGA RSL CLUB SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1200m

ME ME (12) has finished second twice in four career starts. One of them was behind a subsequent Highway winner in Urafiki. The other was first-up at Kembla on April 15 where he was passed late after a willing duel over the last furlong. Go well here. SUPER NIC (4) is a Gary Colvin-trained local with a favourable alley, Blaike McDougall, and trialled rather well. KURRAJONG (2) did some good things in his first preparation. The jumpouts of SMART ASSET (3) have been good.

Bet: ME ME to win, exacta 12 to beat 4, trifecta 4 / 2, 3, 4

RACE 2: TOYOTA FORKLIFTS CLASS 3 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1000m

SPARKLENGLITTER (6) was bought online for $2,500 in May last year. The Pat Murphy-trained mare has won $34,700 in two starts, both easy wins. In fact, she won her Maiden by a three-quarters of a length then went to the Class 1 and won by four-and-a-half lengths in fast time. XSPIRITOUS (7) has a compelling set of numbers; not least that she has a win and a third from her four runs at this track and trip. Should be the main challenger to this favourite.

Bet: SPARKLENGLITTER to win, exacta 6 to beat 7

RACE 3: GALLAGHER INSURANCE BROKERS CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1200m

PAPARAZZO (5) is a Craig Weeding-trained three-year-old by Holler who was runner-up to Black Caviar’s daughter, Persian Caviar, on debut. Ran second again after that, spelled, and resumed a popular win at Benalla on April 14. Tyler Schiller, good draw and easy to like. SHERIDAN STREET (12) is a Doug Gorrel-trained filly who drew 12 of 12 on debut at Gundagai of all places but was still able to lead all the way, beating the subsequent winner Isaguru. Horrible draw again but has Molly Bourke on.

Bet: PAPARAZZO to win, quinella 5, 12

RACE 4: JRC ELECTRICAL SERVICES MTC GUINEAS - 3YO BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP 1600m

JATO (3) was bought for $25,000 as a weanling by Neville Begg. He is by Starcraft out of a Zabeel mare so he has been waiting all his life to get to a mile and gets there at the perfect time given he is third-up off a very classy win in a 1400m Class 1 at Albury on April 24. DUPLI KATE’s (2) barnstorming win (and wow, what a ride) here in the Guineas Prelude took her record to four wins and three thirds from 11 starts. TACT (7) is a lightly raced last start winner. Another one wanting a mile.

Bet: JATO to win, exacta 3 to beat 2

RACE 5: BYRNE TRAILERS QUEEN OF THE SOUTH - F&M BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1400m

BON HOLLER (9) has two wins and a fourth from his three starts. That fourth was to Spicy Lu who ran in the Champagne Stakes soon after. As for Bon Holler’s next, and last start, he was a big winner here over 1300m with a substantial weight. Drawn well and gets B-Mac. (Blaike McDougall). PROPHET’S DAUGHTER (2) has run some good races in some good quality races and without luck from time to time. LOVE ON DISPLAY (16) was fantastic at her first NSW run.

Bet: BON HOLLER to win, quinella 2, 9. LOVE ON DISPLAY to place

RACE 6: WALSH & BLAIR COUNTRY MAGIC BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP 1200m

SO YOU PENCE (15) was ‘2, 1’ first prep, long spell, then ‘2, 1’ this prep, winning the last one by panels. Should also point out that she was a neck second on debut (November 2022) to the future Wagga Town Plate winner, The Prodigal Son. KEIKOKU (5) is purpose-built for a fast run 1200m at Wagga. Famous for being slow early but fast late as he was in the Wagga Town Plate Prelude last start.

Bet: SO YOU PENCE to win, KEIKOKU each-way, quinella 5, 15, boxed trifecta 5, 7, 8, 12, 15

RACE 7: WAGGA RSL CLUB WAGGA WAGGA GOLD CUP 2000m

MEDATSU (10) is a Chris Waller-trained gelding who has been competitive to varying degrees when tried in some good races; examples one and two being his sixth in of the Rosehill Cup and the recent fifth to stablemate Matsulem in the Albury Cup. Kerrin McEvoy is two rides for one win on Medatsu. HELLUVA SOIREE (16) is two from two at Wagga, sure in easier grade than this, but she is a mare in rare form. Way overs at $61/16.

Bet: MEDATSU each-way

RACE 8: PLUMBING SERVICES AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1300m

LOVE ON DISPLAY (22) may have already run, if so, all roads lead to SALUTE AGAIN (1) who has some rock solid Highway form. On top of that, she was fourth in the 2024 SDRA Qualifier at Albury; the one where the Final winner, Asgarda, was runner-up. Third-up here, gets 3kg off. PRINCE PAPA (12) has only won three from 27 but he is two starts for a win and a third at Wagga and better still, is one for one at the track and distance. CASHBURN (11) and JAZZ ALL KNIGHT (15) have claims.

Bet: LOVE ON DISPLAY each-way or if scratched SALUTE AGAIN to win