This was published 4 years ago
Race-by-race guide and tips for Cessnock on Monday
By Neil Evans
Track likely Heavy 9/10 with plenty of lead-up ran and rail out True so on or just off the speed early before trending wider
Race 1 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2125m):
We start with a modest group of stayers on a rain-hit track. Progressive three-year-old gelding 2. Elder Price from the Waterhouse-Bott stable at Randwick would only need to reproduce his recent form to have these covered. Led all the way to claim his maiden over the mile at Newcastle before boxing on okay in a deeper race at Gosford. Looks well treated at the weights in a thin field.
Dangers: Newcastle mare and perennial place-getter 3. Tessa Burrito is the logical threat rising in trip third-up, and fancies wet ground; while Hawkesbury filly 7. Flatout Elle won her maiden at massive odds two runs back before getting home late in a stronger BM 64 provincial class. Big gap to the rest.
How to play it: Elder Price to win and trifecta 2/3,7/3,7. Odds and Evens: Split.
There are plenty of options for punters on a heavy track at Cessnock.Credit: Morgan Hancock
Race 2 CLASS 2 HCP (1570m):
Open and strong battle over the middle distance, with plenty of hopes. Keen on Newcastle three-year-old 2. The Borough from the Paul Perry stable. Beat a handy one at Scone two runs back in a real arm-wrestle before powering home under a big weight at Tamworth. Taking on some useful ones here, but draws to get cover, and at only previous heavy-track run careered away to win by more than six lengths.
Dangers: Wyong filly 4. Light Of Uluru is on a quick back-up and out a little further in trip. Has been finishing off well all prep, and was stiff last start at Scone when forced back to the inferior inside ground in the straight. Improving Hawkesbury filly 1. Witchety Grub was strong through the line in making it two straight in a BM 58 at Mudgee, and only needs to get across from the wide draw to be in the finish. Improving Scone three-year-old 3. Hustled has won his last two in dominant fashion and stable is going great guns, but won't want it too heavy. Rival Scone three-year-old 5. Rich And Shameless stuck on well in a good BM 66 at Scone, and trainer has made key gear changes; while expect Newcastle filly 8. Dissenter to improve sharply after failing first-up at Mudgee.
How to play it: The Borough to win and first four 1,2,4/1,2,4/1,2,3,4,5,8/1,2,3,4,5,8. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 3 BM 58 HCP (900m):
Hard to see Newcastle three-year-old 2. Star Raider from the Kris Lees yard being beaten first-up as a gelding provided he leaves the barrier okay. Finished ahead of Le Romain in the second of two trials on a Soft 7 despite a tardy beginning, and on debut last spring bolted in as a hot favourite at Moree.
Dangers: Doubt there are any, but two-year-old filly 4. Pink Beau is a big watch resuming for the Hawkes camp off a nice heavy-track trial; while Port Macquarie filly 6. Sylvia's Memory draws inside and is best of the rest.
How to play it: Star Raider to win and quinella 2 and 4. Odds and Evens: Evens a special.
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (900m):
Still at the scamper trip for the maidens. Very keen on two-year-old filly 14. Superel again from the Lees stable on the limit weight from a good draw. Led a much better maiden field on debut at Newcastle before being swamped, but that experience on a more leader-friendly track makes her the one to beat. Had previously trialled well on rain-affected going and was scratched from Tamworth last Friday to be saved for this.
Dangers: Tamworth three-year-old 4. Rubic Honour returns off a lengthy break as a gelding in first run for the Cody Morgan stable, and drawn to get cover. Big gap to the rest headed by Wyong mare 7. Love Wins who has handy early speed.
How to play it: Superel to win. Odds and Evens: Evens.
Race 5 CLASS 3 HCP (1150m):
Plenty of chances in this sprint. Lightly raced five-year-old 4. Perfect Style from the Brett Partelle yard has been freshened up since being run down late here in a BM 66. Looked good winning a Soft 7 trial at home, and generally comes to hand early in the prep, especially on preferred rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Consistent Wauchope three-year-old 1. Tallis had been competitive in tougher metro and provincial company before fighting on to land a Highway last start, although as we know the Kensington track was a red-hot leader's delight that day. Sharp rise in weight, but already a two-time heavy track winner. Newcastle filly 2. Illecebrous is also in the best form of her career charging home from midfield to win her last two, although more depth here, and inside draw may be a pattern hurdle. Newcastle mare 5. A Fortunate Lass is another with solid claims over this trip and in these conditions. On the quick back-up after hitting the line hard to miss by a whisker in weaker grade at Scone.
How to play it: Perfect Style to win and box trifecta 1,2,4,5. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 MAIDEN HCP (1350m):
Debutant three-year-old gelding 1. Kowloon Treasure (Stratum x Gigas by Dubai Destination) from the John Sargent yard at Randwick has spent plenty of time preparing at the trials. Draws a nice gate for what looks a weak maiden, and bred to be strong in wet ground.
Dangers: Scone three-year-old 3. Mr Whitacre has shown steady improvement in three runs this prep, but drawn off the track; while Muswellbrook four-year-old 12. Neanderthal will find this a little easier than his last few.
How to play it: Kowloon Treasure to win. Odds and Evens: Odds.
Race 7 BM 58 HCP (1350m):
We close the card with an open battle. Scone four-year-old mare 3. Modernity from the Rod Northam stable will have to overcome the widest barrier, but late in the day that might not be too big a disadvantage. Has been competitive enough against tougher opposition this prep, and stuck on well at home behind high-class Eiger who then romped in the Highway at Rosehill on Saturday.
Dangers: Randwick three-year-old 1. Most Welcome can roll forward and lead from the inside draw and is well placed back in trip. Won his maiden here easily three runs back as a long odds-on favourite. Newcastle three-year-old 5. Mbappe knocked up resuming in a good-quality Class 1 at Scone but can improve sharply, and only win so far was second-up. Port Macquarie filly 6. Money Heist is another who should improve lengths second-up after an average return at Grafton, but will need luck from a wide draw. Newcastle four-year-old 9. Swordsman improved significantly to snatch his maiden at 16th start on a bog track at Muswellbrook, and likely to get the same conditions here.
How to play it: Modernity each way and trifecta 1,3,5/1,3,5,6/1,3,5,6,9. Odds and Evens: Odds a special.
BEST BETS
Race 4: (14) Superel
Race 6: (1) Kowloon Treasure
BEST VALUE
Race 5: (4) Perfect Style
Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au