Race-by-race preview and tips for Taree on Tuesday
By Neil Evans
Selections based on a good track
Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
5. Criminal Art is on the rise and gets out to a peak distance fourth up. Ridden much quieter last time when also up in trip and rattled home from near last to be beaten only a neck. Again should find cover in the second half of the field and be very strong from the 500m.
Racing returns to Taree on the horses’ birthday with a big eight-race card.Credit: Phil Carrick
Dangers: 9. His First Lady is very fit deep into the prep and draws to get ideal cover just off the speed. 4. All Too Rosey has also been up for a while and looking for this longer journey. 2. Oakfield Macka and 10. The Coat Hanger can run into the money.
How to play it: Criminal Art to win
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1300m)
2. Rox’n’rol rates on top at her third start. Has beaten all bar the winner in two runs at Grafton against slightly deeper opposition, the latest ridden further back and finishing well. The extra furlong now is the big key.
Dangers: 1. Corvalist is also ready to win third up in his first full prep after tracking the speed and holding his ground behind an odds-on winner at Scone. 6. Cynic draws to peak fourth-up and 26 days between runs after charging home into a place here when backed from $3.40 into $2.60. Former Victorian 5. Highland Raider comes back in trip fifth up for his first run for the new home track stable. Draws to get a soft run, and gear changes have been made.
How to play it: Rox’n’rol to win and exacta 1,2,6
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
This shapes up well for 3. Noci Di Cocco second up off a five-week freshen-up. Took on better maiden opposition in the early part of winter before being beaten narrowly here off that short spell on what was a deteriorating surface. Less depth in this, and the top country jockey in NSW takes over.
Dangers: 4. Star Emblem is the clear threat from a soft draw and on a quick back-up well into the prep. 9. Serifice is hard fit and has not missed a place in her last four. 10. Spirits Burn Deep resumes and can fight for the minor money.
How to play it: Noci Di Cocco to win
Race 4 FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
4. My One can return from a 19-week spell with a bang. Hasn’t publicly trialled but comes to hand quickly and only two previous wins so far from 17 starts have come fresh. Was competitive enough in much deeper races last prep and likes to settle off speed and come with a rush.
Dangers: 1. The Neon Knight is well placed on the map just behind the speed fifth up and has a rock solid record over this trip. 2. Lady Tulessa has to get over from a wide barrier but comes off a tough all-the-way win fourthup. 3. No Filter from a soft draw and a month between runs, and 6. Cotton Caper backing up quickly from the inside gate go in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: My One to win
Race 5 CLASS 2 HCP (1250m)
Lightly raced five-year-old 4. Zanardee’s Lane can make a significant step up from a dominant maiden win to this class over 150m further. Loved the way he sat off the speed and put them to the sword first up off a 19-week spell. Despite the class rise, looks well placed carrying 1.5kg less and all being equal he’s destined to go on and win much smarter races.
Dangers: 5. Tayla’s One hasn’t finished further back than second in four runs this prep, including back-to-back wins here at home. Handles all ground and also shapes well after the claim. Be surprised if one of those two doesn’t win, but watch for any money around 2. Zetarita dropping in class second up for the Kris Lees yard. 9. Berkinson is also in the each-way mix third up and drawn to get cover back in the field with winkers being added.
How to play it: Zanardee’s Lane to win
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m)
3. Pippen can put two wins together stepping up in grade. Overcame a wide gate and big weight ro rush home and claim a weaker race fourth up. Rarely runs a bad one, and is drawn to get a lovely position just better than midfield with cover.
Dangers: 1. Miss Shalaa draws off the track but has been in and around the money all prep in better races. Over the odds is provincial staying mare 6. Cristalino resuming off two very quiet trials. Draws to get a soft run back in the field and will be strong late. 9. Tornado Light draws the fence second up and comes through a race with more depth. 8. Curracabundi can improve sharply third up over more ground.
How to play it: Pippen to win
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m)
Like 7. Enterprise Lassie dropping in grade second up over a touch further and 33 days between runs. Didn’t finish off when fresh in deeper company over the border, but this is far more to her liking settling further back with cover.
Dangers: 3. Stratum Chief has the ability to make it three straight after a dominant front-running CL2 win here, but not as effective on dry ground and up in weight from a tougher draw as well has him under the odds. Watch for improving 11. Stellar Style running home second up. 10. Herne Hill from the inside draw and 12. White Arendelle off a second-start maiden win go through the exotics.
How to play it: Enterprise Lassie each way
Race 8 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Back to the five furlongs is the ideal pointer for tough four-year-old 2. October Revolution off a four-week freshen-up, despite drawing wide. Was right in the money, including a win in this grade, in three runs around the region before doing it too tough in a much deeper grade over the Grafton carnival and failing to finish off. Better placed back in this company.
Dangers: 8. Cluny Road comes off a dominant win in a weak class 1 and draws to get a soft run just behind the speed. Drawn wide out, 4. Uncertain Terms is also better placed fourth-up while provincial-based 9. Titan Star can figure in the minor money.
How to play it: October Revolution to win
BEST BETS: Race 3 (3) NOCI DI COCCO; Race 5 (4) ZANARDEE’S LANE
BEST VALUE: Race 4 (4) MY ONE
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au