Race-by-race tips and previews for Tamworth on Monday

Track Good 4 and rail True

RACE 1

2. Grandini is a progressive enough mare who can bounce back hard here after being given way too much to do from back in the field third-up at Dubbo as an easing favorite. Prior to that had finished hard to beat all bar the winner in consecutive maidens. Stepping out to the mile now is a further boost. 1. Taipan Legend is hard fit after four runs back, boxing on well into a place last start from on speed in a deeper maiden than this. 4. Storm Park can improve sharply after a poor run on debut as rock solid favourite.
How to play it: Grandini to win

Racing returns to Tamworth on Monday..Credit: Getty

RACE 2

8. Tavros is a progressive local four-year-old and the one to beat. Stays at the distance fourth-up, and was a dominant off-speed winner here in weaker grade two starts ago. 1. Titled Tycoon is very fit, and wasn’t far away against similar opposition at Dubbo last start. 3. Zoffany’s Gaze loves to settle well back and finish hard, and is suited by a significant rise in trip. 4. Ollie’s Secret scored an overdue win in similar company at Armidale last start, and drew to get a good run on speed, although a query running out a strong mile.
How to play it: Tavros to win

RACE 3

8. Apparently is a lightly raced mare trained on the track and emerges as the one to beat, resuming off a smart trial win. Stable has made a string of key gear changes, and the leading country jockey goes on. 3. Takeover Lad is well placed second-up and back a shade in distance. Showed solid improvement in deeper races through winter, then was close-up when returning in a handy maiden at Armidale. Natural improver drawn to settle right behind the speed. 2. Wezza is an improving mare resuming behind two easy trials. 1. Gigaton first-up for a local yard, and lightly raced 6. Kantishna resuming off a trial win; head the rest.
How to play it: Apparently to win

RACE 4

9. Peninsula is a lightly raced and progressive Scone three-year-old primed to break through at his third start in a weak race. Has let punters down so far as a hot favourite both starts, despite finishing close-up, and a jockey change here is key. Back on a roomier track and under set weight conditions are further plusses, and he only needs clear air from the 400m. 11. Xerxes is a big market watch on debut for the Brett Cavanough stable behind a very quiet trial. 10. Ronny Bee, a colt by Justify having his second start, and 14. Myalaby who hit the line impressively first-up off a long break; both go in exotic plays.
How to play it: Peninsula to win

RACE 5

5. Very Sharp is a talented mare who can be hard to catch at times, but maps well and gets in nicely at the weights here in what is an open race. Was beaten narrowly at this track two starts ago in a similar grade before failing to run home in a stronger field at Scone. Drops 3.5kg after the jockey’s claim, and will be strong over the final 300m. 4. Mystery Lad is an ultra consistent sprinter who won consecutive races up to BM 74 level before being outgunned in the tougher Newmarket at Armidale. Tricky draw, but fit and relishes dry ground. 8. Aquarter is a market watch from a low draw and down in weight second-up. 6. Yukan Rose shoots for three straight wins this prep, but is drawn wide; while 10. Who Goes There can run into the minor money third-up.
How to play it: Very Sharp to win

RACE 6

12. Lightning Speed is best suited to strike here in a wide race, down on the limit weight and deep into her prep. Tracked the speed before finishing best here two starts ago, then chased home a smart metro winner at Mudgee who has since bolted in again under lights at Canterbury. That form reads big for this from a handy draw. 5. Deebo gets blinkers third-up, serious weight relief, and must be kept safe. 2. Lord Protector won two straight before a poor effort here in deeper company three weeks ago. 9. Cantolago is over the odds coming off a dominant CL1 win.
How to play it: Lightning Speed to win

RACE 7

2. Tornado Express is trained on the track, and well placed to go back-to-back staying at the distance. Tracked the speed before blitzing her opposition in BM 66 grade here three weeks ago, and is headed for much better races. 4. Up The Country is a locally-trained mare with ability reloading off a tough first-up win in weaker class. Gap to the rest headed by home track mare 9. Crimson Bonnet improving second-up, and 11. Himorher resuming from a handy draw.
How to play it: Tornado Express to win

BEST BETS:
Race 3: (8) APPARENTLY
Race 4: (9) PENINSULA

BEST VALUE:
Race 6: (12) LIGHTNING SPEED

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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au