This was published 4 years ago
Race-by-race tips and preview for Cessnock on Monday
By Neil Evans
Track likely improving to around Heavy 8 and rail true so expect on or just off the speed pattern.
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1570m):
We start with a testing maiden where there's not much speed on. Randwick three-year-old 2. Cosmic Sands from the John Thompson stable got home okay at big odds on debut in a stronger maiden at Scone, and can improve further over more ground. Pride of Dubai is an emerging star sire-line.
Dangers: Port Macquarie mare 4. Machali is on the quick back-up after working home okay in a maiden that could prove a handy form reference. Newcastle four-year-old 6. Omaka who drops in weight, and Wyong six-year-old 8. Superbank who showed improvement second-up; are best of the rest.
How to play it: Cosmic Sands to win and box trifecta 2,4,6,8. Odds and Evens: Even a special.
There are plenty of options for punters on a heavy track at Cessnock.Credit: Morgan Hancock
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1350m):
Randwick mare 1. Lake Marion from the Pat Webster stable has run four placings from five starts this prep, and looks ready to break through in a thin race. Hard fit, and 4kg-claiming rider on gets him in very well at the weights.
Dangers: Wyong seven-year-old 2. Montana Thunder had produced three handy efforts before failing to run on in a better quality maiden at home, so prepared to forgive with blinkers added. Warwick five-year-old 3. Haunting Spirit has also been bursting to break through, placed 10 times from 21 starts, and found the line okay third-up in a handy maiden at Wyong.
How to play it: Lake Marion to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 3 CLASS 2 HCP (1150m):
Keen on four-year-old mare 1. Xiaoli's Ying from the David Atkins stable at Newcastle who has to cart 60kg first-up off a long break, but has the quality to take care of these. Her two controlled trials were more than enough to suggest she'll handle the conditions.
Dangers: Consistent Newcastle mare 2. A Fortunate Lass has been close-up all prep, including beaten a whisker at Scone before tiring late in a strong CL1 at Wyong, and draws to get a lovely trail. Gosford six-year-old 3. Khitaamy has a poor winning strike rate, but hit the line nicely in his last two, and looks well placed down 3kg on his last effort; while Scone mare 7. Artie's Rose comes out of that same class 1 behind Heredero when working home late, and can peak third-up.
How to play it: Xiaoli's Ying to win and quinella 1 and 2. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 4 CLASS 1 HCP (900m):
This looks at the mercy of four-year-old Newcastle gelding 2. Star Raider second-up for the Kris Lees yard. Just peaked on the run resuming at Moree when heavily backed, but fitter now, and senior country rider goes on.
Dangers: Newcastle mare 3. Redlight Dancer had been beaten under a length in two handy consecutive efforts before run off his feet behind the flying Remlaps Gem at Scone. Not as much heat on here, and is well treated under 55kg. Be shocked if one of those two don't win; but include improving Wyong four-year-old 1. Amiens, and Wyong five-year-old 8. Whaler Bill who gets a stack of gear changes; in wider exotics.
How to play it: Star Raider to win and quinella 2 and 3. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 5 MAIDEN PLATE (1150m):
Back to the maidens in an open and tricky sprint. Capable wet track mare 6. Pizzly again from the Lees yard looks primed resuming off two smart trials. Mixed it in much tougher autumn company, and has early tactical speed.
Dangers: Well bred three-year-old stablemate filly 12. Shootforthestar also returns off two provincial trials, but draws the outside gate. Rival Newcastle filly 13. Two Gems has chased home some useful sprinters in her last two at Tamworth, and the longer trip is a plus. Watch the market on resuming Randwick four-year-old 3. We All Agree who resumes off a seven month spell via a nice trial. Will likely drift back from a wide draw and be strong late. Wyong mare 4. Love Wins has shown good improvement in her last couple, although faces a test to slot in from a wide barrier; while Wyong three-year-old first-starter 8. All Words (Star Witness x Castigate by Street Cry) is a big watch off a recent forward trial. Include debutant Newcastle filly 11. Shakti (Sepoy x Vimala by Viscount) in trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Pizzly to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 6 BM 58 HCP (1570m):
Gosford five-year-old 1. Dundee from the Kylie Gavenlock yard is suited coming back sharply in trip off a near six week freshen-up. Ploughed through the ground to win his maiden at home two runs back, and prefers wet tracks.
Dangers: Hard to believe Hawkesbury seven-year-old 6. Eeerised has only won twice from 55 starts, but he's capable on his day, and top country rider is a significant booking. Has been freshened, with several key gear changes; while Wyong seven-year-old 2. Equilibrium needs to find more, but drops back to a weaker race third-up, and has some form in heavy ground.
How to play it: Dundee to win. Odds and Evens: Split.
Race 7 BM 58 HCP (1350m):
Good-quality race for this grade. Like progressive and consistent mare 4. Dream Song for the Lees stable with blinkers going on. Has attacked the line all prep from midfield positions, and only has to run up to her strong closing effort in a deeper class 2 at Scone last start to be the one to beat.
Dangers: Warwick Farm six-year-old 1. Damit comes back a long way in grade after being run over in a metro BM 72, and sharp weight rise has been crucially off-set with a 4kg claimer aboard. Previously wasn't beaten far in consecutive class 3s on the North Coast. Scone mare 9. Stellar Blaze has been hard in the market and consistently around the money since winning her maiden easily at Dubbo four runs back. Draws to get cover and pounce late. Warwick Farm mare 3. Light Charge ploughed through the heavy to win her maiden at Goulburn, and draws to do no work on the fence behind the speed. Wyong six-year-old 5. Midi did his best work late in that same race at Scone as the top selection, but is weighted to his best; while Randwick five-year-old 6. Hard Reality can improve third-up after failing as a well backed favourite this grade at Goulburn.
How to play it: Dream Song to win and first four 1,4,9/1,3,4,5,9/1,3,4,5,6,9/1,3,4,5,6,9. Odds and Evens: Split.
BEST BETS
Race 4: (2) STAR RAIDER
Race 5: (6) PIZZLY
BEST VALUE
Race 7: (4) DREAM SONG
Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au