Wyong, Armidale best bets, inside mail for Thursday, February 27, 2025

Form analyst Adam Sherry presents his best bets and inside mail for Thursday’s NSW meetings at Wyong and Armidale.

Last Druid returns to Wyong looking to claim his second career win. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry presents his best bets and inside mail for Thursday’s NSW meetings at Wyong and Armidale.

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WYONG TIPS

BEST BET

Race 7 No.1 LAST DRUID: Won his maiden at this track and trip first-up last June. Can kick off with another win.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.5 QUEEN STRADA: Just pipped after leading first-up. Can go one better.

VALUE BET

Race 8 No.5 ENTER THE DRAGON: Scored a tough win first-up from a long lay-off. Drawn well and a good chance again.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 3, 5
Race 6: 1, 2, 6
Race 7: 1, 8
Race 8: 2, 3, 5, 10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Jay Ford can land a race-to-race double with Otono and Angel In The Wind.

RACE 1: 2&3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

UNCLE BARRY (3) makes his Australian debut off a handy second to Indecisive in a Kembla trial on Feb 10. Had two runs in New Zealand for a fourth and a third at Tauherenikau. MLINZI (4) was slow away and settled three-wide back in the field on debut at Kembla. Made ground in the straight to finish just over a length from Ghielmi in sixth place over 1000m. Will appreciate the step up in trip. IMAREALAMERICAN (1) finished close seconds in both runs of his first prep over 1450m.

BET: UNCLE BARRY (3) to win.

RACE 2: 4YO+ MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

MEET ME IN BONDI (4) resumes from a long lay-off for a new stable off a nice Warwick Farm trial win from The Black Cloud and a fourth to Noises at Rosehill. Showed handy ability previously including a second at Warwick Farm and a fourth to Territory Express. PUZZLER (7) sat three wide and four-wide for a gutsy half-length third to Ghielmi when resuming at Kembla was runner-up at her only second-up run. ZOOMORPHIC (9) is first-up for a new stable. Nice trial win at Scone and gets in well with 54kg.

BET: MEET ME IN BONDI (4) to win.

RACE 3: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1350m)

SUM INVICTUS (5) was hampered and raced keenly early when seventh to King Of Dragons on debut on the Kensington. Tracked the leaders finished third behind the very promising Written Gold over this track and distance. Can improve again and go close. SHERIFF’S STAR (4) battled away first-up when fourth at Newcastle before a second to Buenos at Canberra after being held up on the home turn. Drawn well and big chance to break through. RHEGION (3) has trialled well in both heats and can give a bold sight.

BET: SUM INVICTUS (5) to win.

RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)

QUEEN STRADA (5) was good winning her Randwick trial after sitting wide throughout and followed it with a gutsy nose second to Island Dream at Hawkesbury on Feb 12. Can go one better. LIVEWIRE LASS (7) was okay in her first campaign including a third at Moe over 1628m. Resumed with a handy second to Flaming Moon at Nowra over 1400m and extra trip suits. MAISON LOUIS (3) debuted with a fifth to Island Dream at Hawkesbury. Settled ten lengths off the leader and made up ground after coming from last out very wide on the bend.

BET: QUEEN STRADA (5) to win.

RACE 5: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m)

OTONO (3) broke through for her maiden win second-up at Orange over 1400m on Jan 10. Changed stables and stepped up to 1500m when fourth to Calyx Rose at Newcastle on Feb 1. Can improve off the run. KONING (1) was hampered on jumping and settled well back and beat just one home when resuming over 1250m at Newcastle on Feb 15. Form last campaign was solid once he got to a mile and beyond. Look for an improved run here. GOOD ONCE (5) went back from a wide gate and worked home well for third at Newcastle last start.

BET: OTONO (3) to win.

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1350m)

ANGEL IN THE WIND (6) was held up from the 400m to the 250m then had to change course near the 100m when third to the Mahogany Girl at Hawkesbury last week. Was a handy third at Newcastle and made ground when seventh at Kembla before that. LUGARNO (2) was very consistent last campaign up to 1600m including a smart win at Kembla. Handy third in his Randwick trial on Feb 13. LAVALIER (1) was just behind the placegetters in three stakes races last campaign. Will be better over further but can run a cheeky race first-up as a gelding.

BET: ANGEL IN THE WIND (6) to win.

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 64 (1000m)

LAST DRUID (1) was disappointing at his only run in the Spring at Flemington. Scored a first-up win at this track and distance before consecutive seconds in Victoria at his previous campaign. Resumes as a gelding. KANTISHNA (8) resumed with an impressive win over 1000m at Tamworth before following up with a Class 1 win over 900m at Gunnedah. Jumped up to a Bm66 and game in defeat when second to Fuld’s Doubt back at Tamworth. PARTY DOLL (9) won first-up last campaign before a second to Headwall.

BET: Last Druid to win.

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 64 (1200m)

ENTER THE DRAGON (5) led all-the-way on at debut at Canberra then was wide throughout there at his next start. Off the scene for a year, he was tough sitting wide without cover to score at Kembla. MAGNUCAT (10) was trapped out six-wide throughout when ninth first-up at Bathurst. Began well then took a sit when a close third to Just Glamourous at Canterbury. MONEY TEAM (2) has won nicely in her two starts since coming to NSW including one over this track and distance.

BET: ENTER THE DRAGON (5) each-way.

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ARMIDALE TIPS

BEST BET
Race 4 No.3 DESCENDING MIST: Local gelding who won over this track and distance two starts back.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.3 WINGED: Closed strongly for third first-up. Can give this a shake from a good draw.