Race-by-race tips and previews for Monday’s Kempsey meeting
By Neil Evans
Track Soft 7 and rail True
Race 1
4. Turning Circle has the fitness and map edge deep into her prep, having placed in her last three runs up to provincial level where she boxed on okay after leading over the mile. Will likely jump favourite back in trip from a handy draw, and suited on a track starting to dry out. 1. Shoot’em Up will also relish the drop back from provincial grade well into his first prep. Blinkers go back on, and the top country jockey takes over as well. 2. Fireup is an improver who ran home well at big odds last start coming off a freshen-up. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Turning Circle to win
Racing returns to Kempsey on Monday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
2. Warbreccan has to overcome a wide draw at only his second start, but showed more than enough in a strong closing debut at Tamworth in heavy ground. Fitter now staying at the distance, and jockey change is significant. 1. Vendemmia resumes off a 24 week break in his first outing for the new northern NSW stable. Missed narrowly as a heavily backed favourite at Ipswich in mid February when first since spring, and has trialled steadily. Keep safe 4. Hayley’s Rocket at good odds also improving into her second start. 3. River Biscotte who beat the top selection home when resuming, and 8. Apache Jack returning off a solid trial; can both run into the minor money.
How to play it: Warbreccan to win
Race 3
6. Ofcourseiam is an honest and lightly raced filly, and terrific value improving second-up with a gear change. Worked home late at Port Macquarie when having her first run since early last spring after being backed from $4.00 into $3.40. Gets more ground here, and again will settle back off a wider draw and be strong late at good odds. 10. Totally Underrated is the natural threat drawn inside and deep into the campaign. Held her ground okay in a stronger maiden last start, and the 11 day back-up is a solid pointer. 9. Torque Ti Amo is an emerging filly and likely the most talented in the race.
How to play it: Ofcourseiam to win
Race 4
9. Aleishka is a talented and imported filly well placed to land an overdue maiden win third-up. Finished off okay when having her first run Down Under off a nine month break before being ridden very quiet at Coonabarabran and thundering home late to miss by a nose. Naturally bred to thrive over this longer journey, and just needs a clear crack at them from the 400m to produce a dominant final burst. 6. Justice Please is a provincial-based filly banging on the door for a second win from her last three starts. Tracked the speed before driving home best at Gosford, then stuck on okay in a deeper race at Wyong. Drawn off the track, but finds a weaker race.
How to play it: Aleishka to win
Race 5
2. Written Fame is a progressive enough four-year-old from a leading country stable, and well placed to strike second-up off a lengthy break in what is an open race. Was in and around the money against tougher opposition last spring, and beaten under two lengths closing off okay first-up in a deeper CL3. The one to beat. 6. Got The Smarts faces a tricky draw, but is also a second-up improver. Watch the betting on 14. Mofeed if he gains a start. Has ability and drawn well.
How to play it: Written Fame to win
Race 6
1. Tanglewood Jimmy is a tough and improving four-year-old ready to find his best third-up in a thinner and very open race with many chances. Twice tackled tougher city races last prep before hitting the line late at Muswellbrook when coming off a 27 week break. Failed to finish off three weeks ago at the same track in a deeper CL3, but came through inferior ground that day on what was a very shifty and unreliable surface. Winkers go on, and despite a weight hike, he’s drawn to get cover er around midfield and be taken wider out at the top of the straight. 4. Punch One Out is hard fit and bursting to win a second race deep into the prep. Has missed narrowly closing off in his last two in and around this grade, but will have a task tucking in from a wide draw.
How to play it: Tanglewood Jimmy to win
Race 7
1. Champonnet is another improver from the Matthew Dunn stable tracking to peak fourth-up over a bit further. Dominated a Super Maiden three starts back before outclassed in metropolitan company over the border, then ran home late in a deeper CL1 at Grafton. Importantly drawn to get the right run just off speed, and reasonably well weighted after the jockey’s claim. 2. Ready And Lucky will likely jump clear favourite with a key jockey booking, and coming back from two solid efforts in smarter races at Scone, but a shade under the odds drawn off the track.
How to play it: Champonnet to win
Race 8
3. Miss Uchitel hasn’t quite found her true finishing ability this prep, but a drop in trip fourth-up behind a month-long freshen is the right recipe to strike, and seal a big day for the Dunn stable. Was never far away in three runs prior to start this campaign, and a far superior jockey takes over now at the right time. Stablemate 2. Our Silver Linings finds a weaker and very winnable race second-up after a handy closing effort at the Gold Coast. 1. Crowie’s Shout is also well placed fourth-up coming back from a tougher assignment at Grafton, despite carrying a big weight.
How to play it: Miss Uchitel to win
BEST BETS:
Race 4: (9) Aleishka
Race 5: (2) Written Fame
BEST VALUE:
Race 3: (6) Ofcourseiam
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au