Wellington races: Preview, best bets and inside mail
A drop back in distance can prove to be key in Clint Lundholm’s Vancouver gelding Vanoureuce finding winning form. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
Trainer Clint Lundholm has a strong hand to play this afternoon including a couple of horses he is quietly confident can trump their rivals.
Lundholm starts his day with Vanoureuce in the second race, the Maiden Plate over 1100m.
The son of Vancouver is coming off an eight and a half-length defeat at Dubbo three weeks ago but he was game in defeat when a close second at Narromine the start prior.
“I think the step back to 1100 metres is the key for him in this race,” said Lundholm.
“We tried to step him to 1300 metres thinking that was what he wanted but he got swamped and was a bit disappointing.
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“If you go back to his Narromine run, he was super that day and was strong through the line.
“He has freshened up well and I think he’s a nice chance.”
He also has Venatic in this race but she will be scratched according to Lundholm.
“She will likely be scratched from the wide draw,” he said.
“If she gets a run in 900 metre maiden (race 4), she will go around. If not, she will be saved for Dubbo next week.”
Beauchamp will resume from a let-up in the Benchmark 66 over 900m.
The five-year-old contested the Wellington Soldiers Town Plate over 1100m at his most recent outing on March 26 when a two and a quarter length fifth behind Moetta.
While he has a big weight here, he will appreciate the drop back in grade.
“He is a very nice horse and we have had a lot of luck with him,” Lundholm said
“He’s a horse with a few feet issues which is why he has been in and out a few times.
“I think we have got him right and with the 3kg claim off his back from our stable apprentice Hollie Hull, he sneaks into a race like this nicely.
“He gets around Wellington quite well and looks a good chance in this race.”
Notabadidea is getting towards the veteran class now but is still performing well and Lundholm feels he is a chance in the Benchmark 74 over 1400m.
The seven-year-old gelding resumed from a spell at Parkes on May 14 and although he finished sixth in the field of seven, he was only beaten just over a length and was a little unlucky.
“The old boy didn’t get a lot of room down the straight. He was boxed in between runners and just didn’t get his head through the gap.
“It was a great return to racing from him and dropping back to a in grade with our other stable apprentice Ronny Simpson claiming 2kg, it looks a very winnable race for him.”
In the final event of the afternoon, Lundholm saddles up Sin City Belle and Obey and gives both runners a genuine chance.
Sin City Belle is coming off a first-up win at Dubbo three weeks ago but Lundholm said she has taken improvement from the run.
“She is a consistent type; a very tough little horse,” he said.
“She’s got an awkward alley to contend with on Sunday but she gives you 110 per cent every time she goes around.
“If she can just get a bit of luck from the draw, she will be in the finish again.”
Obey was also resuming when she finished fifth behind Sin City Belle and she too has made the necessary improvement.
“She is a nice mare and gets into this race really well,” he said.
“If she can be three wide with cover, she will definitely be rattling home.
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 5, No. 9: MAJORITY
The Brett Robb-trained mare has placed in all three starts this campaign and is knocking on the door for a win. Solid effort when third at Moree last start.
NEXT BEST
Race 7, No. 9: OBEY
The Nicconi mare closed off strongly from well back to finish less than a length from the winner when fifth at Dubbo first-up.
VALUE BET
Race 2, No. 12: CHESTIME
The filly’s debut fifth at Tamworth had plenty of merit to it. With the benefit of the experience, she will figure prominently.
BEST EXOTIC
Race 5 Quinella Nos 2, 9
QUADDIE:
Race 4: 5, 9, 14, 16
Race 5: 2, 4, 7, 9
Race 6: 1, 2, 5, 7
Race 7: 6, 7, 9
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW:
Apprentice Ronald Simpson has a good book of rides and will prove tough to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WELLINGTON
RACE 1
The Cameron Crockett-trained Songbird Star was slightly easy in the market on debut when runner-up to the favourite Pants On Fire at Mudgee on May 7. She drops a little in weight here and despite a wide draw, can go one better. Romantic Rock was runner-up to long odds-on favourite Choose Your Words at Queanbeyan before a sixth at Nowra last start. Drawn to get a nice run. Snow Star is now in the Jeremy Sylvester stable. Was third at Deniliquin at her most recent outing on Apr 25. Felis raced keenly when a length and a half fourth to Jackyy Dee at Narromine on Apr 20 before a three-quarter length second to Ravalawa at Gunnedah on May 2.
Bet: Songbird Star to win
RACE 2
Chestime was beaten five lengths on debut behind all-the-way winner Villa Treville at Tamworth on May 15 but there was plenty of merit to her performance. She had to come wide on the bend on a day it was hard to make ground but her sectionals were among the best on the race. Vanoureuce didn’t see out the 1300m at Dubbo last start after leading. Nice effort when runner-up at Narromine the start prior over 1100m. Will appreciate dropping back in distance and will make full use of the inside gate. Press Forward resumed for new trainer Brett Robb with a long neck second to Aquarter at Dubbo on May 6. Genuine chance. Serifice has placed at her three starts including a third to Villa Trevilla at Tamworth last start.
Bet: Chestime each-way
RACE 3
The Clint Lundholm-prepared Beauchamp ran a handy race first-up from a 35 week spell when a two and a quarter-length fifth in the Wellington Soldiers Town Plate in Open company back on Mar 26. Has been kept fresh and given a nice trial when a close third to Beau Factor in a Dubbo trial on May 6. Billabong Isle is first-up from a long spell without an official trial. Has placed second twice from three first-up runs including finishing a short neck behind Beauchamp at Dubbo last June. Nosey blundered on straightening before finishing a length and three-quarter sixth behind Schiller Bay in a Benchmark 74 at Taree on May 8. Will appreciate a drop in grade. Daredevil battled on for third behind Choice Deel here on May 1. Won’t be far away again.
Bet: Beauchamp to win
RACE 4
Venatic needs a few scratchings to get a run but if she does start, she will be hard to beat. The filly has placed in four of her eight starts including her past two outings. Was runner-up to $1.55 favourite Loving Angel here on May 1 before a three-quarter length second to $1.20 favourite Ida’s Rules at Parkes on May 14. Break Over was fourth to Aquarter when resuming from a 16 month spell. Will take plenty of improvement from the run. Freycinet makes his debut for the Garry Lunn stable. Won a couple of trials back in South Australia. Keep safe. Shotgun Sophie returns from a spell. Raced wide without cover when a three length sixth to Emerald Reach at Gilgandra back on Feb 4.
Bet: Venatic to win
RACE 5
Majority has placed in all three runs this campaign. She carried 58.5kg when a length third behind Roussos at Moree on May 18 and will appreciate the drop in weight. Notabadidea kicked off his campaign with a length and a quarter sixth behind Invincible Dash over 1200m at Parkes on May 14. He will appreciate stepping up to the 1400m. Almost Persuaded has placed in 13 from 19 and been close in a several others. Won a trial at Canberra on the Acton track on May 19. Dubbo Wanderer took a big step up in grade when dead heating for eighth to Athelric in the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone on May 13. Was a length third in an Open Handicap at Muswellbrook the start prior.
Bet: Majority to win
RACE 6
Vain Rich was a half-length second to Indy Rose Warrior at Armidale on Apr 11. He wasn’t far away when sixth to Starliner at Tamworth 10 days later. Settled last when a three length seventh at Taree last time out. Pants On Fire was disappointed for a run near the 150m when a half neck second to Bellucci Babe here on May 1 before a big win at Mudgee a week later. Was wide throughout when fourth to Brief Statement at Dubbo last week. Barcoo River get a long way back when fourth to Hello Jack at Parkes two weeks ago. Placed his previous two runs including a short neck second to Hammoon Money at Dubbo on May 6. Strategic Charge is coming off a last start win at Parkes.
Bet: Vain Rich to win
RACE 7
Obey was back into a $4 favourite when she worked home strongly from well back for a three-quarter length fifth behind stablemate Sin City Belle over 1000m when resuming from a spell at Dubbo on May 6. She takes her on again here where she meets her 2kg better. Sin City Belle raced on speed and held on to score by a short neck from Snowdrop in that Benchmark 58 at Dubbo. Wide draw doesn’t help but will figure prominently. Shamalie raced very well last campaign with a win and three placings. Sat back and wide in a recent Muswellbrook trial and wasn’t extended when fifth. Assiduity will take benefit from his first-up run behind Contemporary in a Scone Class 1 on May 12.
Bet: Obey to win
Originally published as Wellington races: Preview, best bets and inside mail
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