Dubbo preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, February 16, 2025

Trainer Alison Smith would love the chance to contest the Country Championships Qualifier on her home track and a win by One More Thing could make that a reality.

Trainer Alison Smith saddles up several strong chances at Dubbo. Photo: Racing NSW

With the upcoming Country Championships Qualifier on her home track, trainer Alison Smith is hoping One More Thing can book his place in the race with a victory this weekend.

A lightly-raced five-year-old, One More Thing has two wins on his resume and is likely to need another win – and lift in his benchmark rating – to lock in a spot in the February 28 Qualifier.

The son of Snitzel ended last campaign with a fast closing second behind Broadway Follies at Dubbo before a tough win from Mrs Bull at Orange.

He kicked off his latest preparation with a long neck second behind Santorini Sun at Parkes on January 25.

“I was hoping he would have won first-up at Parkes but he just missed out there,” said Smith.

☝️ The last at Orange today goes to One More Thing in a tight one! pic.twitter.com/O48bXnHFa8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 10, 2024

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“My husband and I bought him online for $3,000. He’d had five starts before we bought him and in the 10 starts he’s had with me, he’s had two wins and four placings so he has done very well.”

The gelding lines up in the Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m).

“Fingers crossed for a bit of luck this weekend and I feel he has the ability to be very competitive in Championships,” she said.

“If he doesn’t make it to the Qualifier, it is what it is. There are other races we can look at like TAB Highways.”

Smith is hoping a drop in weight can help honest mare Brief Statement breakthrough for a well-deserved win in the Benchmark 74 Handicap (1000m).

The six-year-old was runner-up in two runs at Orange last month before finishing midfield at her last two starts.

“This is the lightest weight she has carried all preparation and I expect her to be very competitive,” she said.

“I wasn’t displeased with her run at Bathurst the other day.

“She couldn’t do any more. She tried hard but just wasn’t good enough.

“She always runs well at Dubbo and he work has been good.”

Four-year-old mare Feimazuo has always shown Smith she has her fair share of ability but hasn’t been able hit the line first, placing in five of her nine starts.

After a nose second at Bathurst last start, she is certainly a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1400m).

Sashabella JUST holds off the favourite to win at Bathurst for Michael Mulholland 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8VzB4DDDps

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 31, 2025

“In her first trial, she was beaten a nose by Fletchlo who has come out and won five races,” Smith said.

“Last start, she was in front a stride before the post and stride after it but just not on the line.

“Nick (Heywood) said she never handled the track one bit.

“She’s a big girl and the 1400m will suit her.”

Smith warned not to under estimate D’Oro Choice when the gelding steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).

Although down the order in his three runs this campaign, his first two were over unsuitably short distances while last start, he actually hit the line well in seventh place at Dubbo in a Benchmark 66 Handicap.

“I really like this horse,” she said.

“I was a little disappointed in his last run at Dubbo behind How’s It Kev but I wasn’t disappointed in his last 100m.

“He is back in grade this week and I’ve put my apprentice, Jordan Quince, on this weekend who claims 4kg.

“He is looking for a bit of ground and a couple of his wins last time in were impressive.

“I thought about taking him to the Highway at Randwick this weekend but elected to give him another run over the mile first.

“He can run a very cheeky race.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 5 No. 2: Northern Exposure

Closed strongly for second on debut. Up in trip and can go one better.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 10: Onyspeed

Good run for third when resuming. The one to beat.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No. 7: One More Thing

Got better throughout last prep. Narrowly beaten first-up and will give this a shake.

BEST EXOTIC

Exacta Race 6: 2 / 4, 11

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 8, 11

Race 6: 2

Race 7: 4, 5, 7

Race 8: 1, 3, 5, 6

Clayton Gallagher looks hard to beat in the jockey challenge. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Clayton Gallagher has a good book of rides and looks hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – DUBBO

RACE 1

Nimble Star was backed from $4.80 into $3.30 on debut but came out bucking and lost the rider in the race won by Straand Care at Scone on Jan 30. He has since trialled very nicely to win his Gilgandra heat by nearly three lengths. My Boy Scout is a debutant by Territories from a stakes-winning mare. Worked home smartly to win his Dubbo trial on Feb 3. Silver Chair is a first starter by D’argento. Was second to My Boy Scout in that trial.

Bet: Nimble Star to win

RACE 2

Feimazuo was unlucky not to break her maiden last start when beaten a nose by Sashabella at Bathurst. Was a close second here last campaign. Ready to peak third-up. Miss Adamas has placed 13 times, nine of them seconds. Was runner-up at Orange first-up as favourite and three runs later, was third to Only Need One here last start. Wotastatement comes out of the same race when fifth after leading. Battled away for third to Platinum Warrior here on Dec 21.

Bet: Feimazuo to win

RACE 3

Hard To Impress sat behind the leader and got out at the top of the straight to win his maiden win at Bathurst on Dec 23. Has been just behind the placegetters in his two runs since including a fifth here on Jan 14 after racing wide throughout. Mrs Bull has only won twice in 40 starts but she has 23 minor placings. Beat all bar Autumn Song here on Dec 21. Will be prominent again. D’Oro Choice settles well back but picked up the last 100m to hit the line well.

Bet: Hard To Impress to win

Hard Too Impress waits patiently before striking late to win the opener at Bathurst! 👏@RacingBathurstpic.twitter.com/TgIMddAh8y

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 23, 2024

RACE 4

Onyspeed settled well back before closing strongly along the rails to finish third behind La Pelago. Scored a nice win on debut and was a close third in her first campaign. Champ De Mars ran a handy race at big odds first-up when fourth behind Shall Be over 900m at Newcastle. Beaten less than a length when second to Daze Off and third to Senalda last campaign. Naval Officer has been very good in both run since coming from Victoria.

Bet: Onyspeed to win

RACE 5

Northern Exposure trialled well at Gunnedah and was backed from $5.50 into $3.50 on debut here on Feb 3. Settled well back before closing well between runners for second to Dig Bee over 1000m. Extra trip suits. Harry Tudor was off the scene for more than 12 months when he resumed with a three-quarter length third to Crown Legend at Scone on Jan 30. Form prior to the lay-off was solid. Take The Chance was third in that race and won’t be far away again.

Bet: Northern Exposure to win

RACE 6

Zoubeauty is having a terrific first campaign winning three of her six starts. Raced keenly early and came off heels to sit outside the leader when a neck third to Ardonaugh at Tamworth under 61kg. Drops in weight and can bounce. Brief Statement is a very honest mare who always gives her best. Has been carrying a lot of big weights including when runner-up in consecutive ruins at Orange recently. Will appreciate the 55kg. Press Forward has placed three of his last four and will be thereabouts again from a good gate.

Bet: Zoubeauty to win

🚨Winner🚨

Zoubeauty makes it 3 wins from 5 race starts🔥

Congratulations to our team of Triple Crown owners, @AlyshaCollett & @ANeashamRacing 🥇👏🥂

🎥 Sky Racing pic.twitter.com/V225hGVGcV

— Triple Crown Syndications (@TripleCrownSynd) January 12, 2025

RACE 7

One More Thing started to put things together well last campaign culminating with a nice win at Orange. Got a long way back and made a sustained run when just beaten by Santorini Sun at Parkes first-up. Chico Casino followed a first-up third at Orange with a big win from Commando Jack at Bathurst after pressuring the leader. Drawn well and the hardest to beat. Zahdi was a winner here in early December. Made ground when third to Pensativa at Gunnedah last start.

Bet: One More Thing each-way

RACE 8

Grins followed a couple of handy placings with a nice win from I’m Scarlett at Cowra on Jan 19. Went to town for a Highway at Rosehill and faded to last after working outside the leader. Back in grade and gets a 4kg claim. Deion also finished down the track in a Wyong Highway before a close fourth to Upwardly Mobile at Scone. Strong chance. Beauty Edge was a big maiden winner here in December. Drawn well and won’t be far away.

Bet: Grins to win