Race-by-race preview and tips for Wednesday meeting at Wyong
By Mark Brassel
Selections based on a Good 4 track.
Race 1
Snitzel colt 4. Congressman made his debut at Warwick Farm with a strong finishing third behind subsequent Canberra Black Opal Stakes winner King of Pop. Sure to strip fitter now and the step up from 1100m to 1350m should be even more suitable and with James McDonald riding, the Chris Waller-trained youngster will take plenty of holding out. 7. Onmalone is making his debut but has impressed in three barrier trials and expect a forward showing, despite drawing the outside gate. 2. Frostfire won well over 900m at Newcastle before boxing on solidly when third at Warwick Farm (1100m) and the rise in distance here also looks suitable. 1. Cobra Club was outclassed in the Inglis Millenium at Randwick before a solid second at Canterbury Park and must be respected.
Racing heads to Wyong on Wednesday.Credit: Fairfax
How to play it: Congressman to win
Race 2
2. Faceoff was well-supported when resuming from a lengthy break when a sound fourth at Kembla Grange over 1000m. That was only his third outings so he’s still learning to race and appears as though the additional 100m will be more to his liking. Nash Rawiller jumps on and should be thereabouts at the finish. 8. Shivermepink was heavily backed into long odds-on in a small field at Gosford but after sharing the lead to the turn, weakened to be beaten more than a length in third spot. She should have derived plenty of benefit from the run and an improvement is expected. 3. Now Is The Hour battled on gamely when resuming at Canterbury Park and had plenty of support and is another who will be fitter with J-Mac the pilot.
How to play it: Stand-out exacta 2/8-3
Race 3
7. Joiselle was having her second run from a spell and had support ($19 into $16) when a courageous third behind two smart ones in Clear Thinking and Highway Strip at Randwick. She’s a speedy mare on the way up with three wins from just six starts and should be suited dropping down from 1200m to 1000m around this circuit. 1. Wondereach led throughout to score at Warwick Farm last start after being challenged turning for home. He was pulling away from his rivals at the finish and could go on with the job here. 6. Photographics has been racing well with two wins at Randwick from her past four starts. She is sure to be fancied with J-Mac to be legged up. 5. Bomareawas disappointing in the Port Macquarie Country Championships and can do much better in this.
How to play it: Joiselle to win
Race 4
Street Boss gelding 2. Mission Giant improved sharply at his second start when he chased hard for a closing 2nd to Sum Invictus at this course after seemingly appearing a little lost in patches down the straight. He races like the additional 250m here will suit him perfectly and from the lovely draw (barrier 2) should get the run of the race from Josh Parr. 4. Existential Bob has not been seen since last December when runner-up at Canterbury Park but had a nice, quiet trial recently. No doubt the booking of J-Mac will ensure he is fancied. 10. Literature Tycoon had a chequered run down the straight when a close 2nd as the short-priced favourite at Newcastle. She peaked on her run late so expect further improvement. 6. Amplify showed up at Rosehill until halfway down the straight then weakened but with just two starts under belt, will improve.
How to play it: Stand-out exacta 2/4-10-6
Race 5
Grey import 4. Mistressofillusion should now be nearing her peak following two runs this campaign. Last start she was hitting the line nicely when fourth to Bacio Del Mist at Warwick Farm (2110m) when beaten just over two lengths. Can assume she will improve further after that effort and should be thereabouts at the finish with Jason Collett replacing an apprentice rider. 9. So You Are has only raced four times for two wins and two placings. Last time out he outstayed his opponents at Scone (2200m) and connections must have a decent opinion as the gelding is nominated for the Australian Derby & Sydney Cup. 5. Seven’s has a similar record (4/2-0-2) and drops 3kg on his latest effort when third in that Bacio Del Mist race. Topweight 1. Fulfilled has been placed in his past two starts over 2400m so he’s rock hard fit.
How to play it: Stand out quinella: 4/9-5-1
Race 6
1. Imperial Force was outstanding last start in his first appearance since September, and for a new stable. The colt peeled around the leaders then turned in a dazzling sprint to put nearly three lengths on his rivals. Will be fitter for the effort and makes plenty of appeal in a very strong form race. 8. Tuned is resuming but couldn’t have done much more last preparation with two wins and a narrow second at Kembla. He looks very promising. 10. Koios ran fifth at Warwick Farm last start but had to be checked 250m out, so the run was better than it looks on paper. 3. Struck Gold is a consistent Victorian visitor who has won first-up in the past and boasts a record of 12/3-4-2. Led to win a recent Randwick trial and sure to be primed for this. 4. President broke through for his first win at Rosehill last time and the runner-up has since bolted in at Kembla so warrants respect.
How to play it: Stand out trifecta 1/8-10-3-4
Race 7
Landing with 9. Sigiriya Rock first-up having not finished beyond second placing in five starts. Has not started since January when beaten on the post by Thedoctoroflove at Flemington over 2000m. That horse has since gone to New Zealand and taken out the group 2-Avondale Guineas and was runner-up in the group 1-NZ Derby so not beaten by any slouch. Had plenty to offer when fifth in a Rosehill trial and expect a forward showing fresh. 2. Sydney Bowler won his first three starts then resumed with a good fourth to Mafia at Canterbury when he didn’t have the best of luck securing clear running until late in the race. Zac Lloyd replaces an apprentice and with better luck here looks tough to beat. 3. Pleasure Artist was runner-up to Swiftfalcon in the Listed-Dulcify Stakes last preparation and showed good speed to win the Rosehill trial that contained Sigiriya Rock. 5. Black Duke was placed at big odds when resuming at Doomben and has the perfect record of one from one at Wyong.
How to play it: Sigiriya Rock to win
Race 8
Nash Rawiller holds the key here. He will partner 7. Weeping Woman for the first time having ridden Hallett when they met at Canterbury. Weeping Woman ran home well for second to Gangsta Granny while Hallett finished fourth some 2.4 lengths in arrears. Weeping Woman won her previous start at Canterbury, is rock hard fit after three runs from a spell and with even luck here, looks the one they all have to beat. 4. Hallett was first-up at Canterbury so she should be fitter but will need to be to turn the tables on the favourite. 11. Wild Gypsy returned to the winner’s list after leading all the way at Newcastle and can go with the job here with Josh Parr aboard. 5. Little Jeanie is a consistent mare with J-Mac aboard but with one win in 12 starts, it’s hard to get too carried away with her winning prospects. 9. Mahsay has reasonable form down south so watch for any market support.
How to play it: Weeping Woman to win
Best bets
Race 6: (1) Imperial Force
Race 7: (9) Sigiriya Rock
Best value
Race 4: (2) Mission Giant
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au