Race-by-race preview and tips for Dubbo on Sunday
By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 - 12:25PM FRIENDS OF MACQUARIE HOME STAY COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
1. Gigaton has had 10 starts and been placed in five of them. He’s been placed at Mudgee and Gunnedah at his latest two starts and looks set to justify short priced favouritism to score a maiden victory here.
Racing heads to Dubbo on Sunday.Credit: Fairfax
Dangers: 6. High Charge has only been placed in three of 14 starts but has shown enough ability in those runs to be rated a chance here. He wasn’t beaten far at Warren when last produced and has the ability to give this a shake. 4. Bling Empire has been placed in four of her eight starts and warrants plenty of place thought. 2. Dashing Vision raced on the pace and finished fourth at just her second start when resuming from a spell. She could be placed.
How to play it: Gigaton WIN.
Race 2 - 1:05PM AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB FOUNDATION BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
1. Encompass resumed from a spell with a safely held third on the Acton track at Canberra at his latest start. He’s a well-bred galloper that has the talent to lift in this and he has barrier one which should help his cause.
Dangers: 5. Zounile has finished third in each of her last two starts and she’s been placed in more than half of her 31 starts. This looks well within her reach. 4. Outback Crumpet was a winner at Gunnedah two starts ago, and since then was midfield at Randwick in Highway grade. This is easier.
How to play it: Encompass WIN.
Race 3 - 1:45PM VALE BRIAN MEDLEY | MEDLEY REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
7. Le Pelago has only had six starts and has finished second in one of those at Wellington late last year. She was spelled after failing to beat a runner home in two runs before and has won two trials at Scone and Wyong leading into this resuming run.
Dangers: 14. Prince Of Sorts looked good winning a couple of trials at Hawkesbury and Newcastle before debuting with a sixth at Wyong when not beaten far. He looks to have the ability to perform well in this. 2. Let’s Go Leo has hit form of late and been placed in each of his latest three starts. He’s racing well enough to be in the thick of things again.
How to play it: Le Pelago WIN.
Race 4 - 2:25PM XXXX GOLD VINCENT GORDON FLYING HANDICAP CUP SPRINT PRELUDE (1100 METRES)
5. Custo had solid form with four wins and a couple of placings before changing stables and joining the Cameron Crockett stable. He won a trial at Scone before resuming with a close-up second at this track after leading, and looks set to go on with the job in this.
Dangers: 3. Blitzar hit the line well for a second behind Miss Jennifer at Forbes last week and a repeat of that would bring him into contention here. 7. Outback Ringer won well at Scone two starts ago and wasn’t beaten far at Tamworth last time out.
How to play it: Custo WIN.
Race 5 - 3:05PM DUBBO CITY & GILGANDRA TOYOTA DUBBO GOLD CUP PRELUDE (1400 METRES)
2. The Hungarian has a great record with five wins from 13 starts. He resumed from a spell with a close-up effort at Muswellbrook when hitting the line well on the worst part of the track. He can bounce back to winning form here.
Dangers: 6. Lady Tino debuted for the new stable under race conditions here on the back of a strong trial performance. This looks a nice race for the four-time winner. 3. Dream Game has looked the goods winning three of his latest four starts including the latest two at Wellington and this track. He can go on with the job here.
How to play it: The Hungarian WIN.
Race 6 - 3:45PM MACQUARIE HOME STAY CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Tapa Kick is yet to miss a place from seven starts with two wins and five placings to his name. He’s had two trials leading into this resuming effort and is worth plenty of thought against this opposition.
Dangers: 7. Feirme Prince ran well when finishing second at Bathurst at his latest start and at his best he should give this a shake again. 2. Naval Destroyer broke his maiden at this track back in May and his form before that was sound. This looks within his reach. 14. Chesteray comes into this on the back of a last start Bathurst placing and is capable of figuring in the minor money again.
How to play it: Bliss EACH WAY.
Race 7 - 4:25PM ELSON BOY – KOSCIUSZKO CONTENDER COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Legolas has been racing in great form with placings in each of his latest two starts at Tamworth. He was third behind subsequent city winner Lonhro’s Queen before the latest effort there. He looks to have the ability to give this a big shake.
Dangers: 3. Sanzeno has only had three starts since joining the new stable and ran second at Tamworth before a Mudgee win as a dominant favourite and then running third at Gunnedah last time out. That form looks strong enough for him to make an impact in this. 4. Champers Girl was just behind the placings at Scone before a last start midfield Highway effort at Rosehill. That’s good form for a race like this.
How to play it: Legolas WIN.
Race 8 - 5:05PM GALLANT STAR – KOSCIUSZKO CONTENDER COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
11. Barry The Poet won his only race at this track last November. He resumed from a spell and hit the line well to finish second at Warren and only needs to maintain that to be a leading contender here.
Dangers: 3. Press Forward has been placed in his latest two starts at this track and then at Forbes. He’s drawn gate one in this and should figure prominently if the breaks go his way. 2. Pyromania was a Wellington winner in May and was then placed twice at this track before a last start seventh at Bathurst.
How to play it: Barry The Poet EACH WAY.
Best Bets: Race 3 (7) Le Pelago; Race 4 (5) Custo.
Best Value: Race 8 (11) Barry The Poet.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au