Gunnedah preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 25, 2025
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Trainer Scott Singleton's 400th winner, Fiorsum Fred, could go from Highway winner to Gunnedah Cup to potential Big Dance participant should he be successful in the town feature.
The son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente was the first leg of a Highway/Dark Jewel Classic double for Singleton at the annual Scone stand-alone.
The emphatic Highway win of Fiorsum Fred propelled his trainer to a milestone, both welcomed but not entirely unexpected.
'It didn't surprise me that he won,' Singleton said.
'It might have surprised me a little bit that it was easy work for him.
'He had his ears pricked the last furlong.'
There are 163 days until the first Tuesday in November and even further from a current Highway winner to Big Dance winner but Singleton is looking no further away than the Gunnedah Cup.
'Even with the Big Dance eligibility it is just a suitable race for him,' Singleton said.
'I think he'd be in that sort of race right up to his eyeballs if he gets the run right.'
Jenny Duggan will steer Fiorsum Fred in his Cup quest, she'll also have the reins of stablemate Insightful Award who tackles the Pursehouse Rural Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap (1250m).
A daughter of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Insightful Award was a six lengths winner at home at Scone on March 4.
She clocked in midfield at Quirindi at her most recent appearance but lost few admirers despite her somewhat costly defeat.
'She just got a bit too far back there last start and had to scout wide,' said Singleton.
'It was actually not a bad run, a better run that it will look on paper.
'I had a quick look at it and I didn't think it looked an overly deep race.
'I think she would be well in a race like that, particularly from a good gate.'
Singleton's remaining runner of the Gunnedah Cup undercard is the speedy Outishka whose sole visit to the venue prior to this weekend saw her run her rivals off their legs to win a 900m Class 1 by five lengths.
The daughter of Canonbury Stakes runner-up Outreach will no doubt find this assignment considerably easier than her May 7 mission at the midweeks where she beat one home but with excuses.
'I thought it was a pass mark,' Singleton said.
'She got taken on from the get-go and they were already going too quick so she was entitled to stop I thought.
'She had to go down there, and even though we claimed, she had topweight so she will carry less weight at Gunnedah.
'Back to country grade and those tracks like Moree and Gunnedah, places that she has run well at in the past, are her go.'
Outishka wears a familiar set of colours; those of her breeder Dr Max Kowalczuk, and her two most famous equine relatives.
One of those was Singleton and Kowalczuk's Hawkesbury Guineas winner, Shazee Lee.
The other was Melody Again, now also known as the reigning Group 3 Dark Jewel winner.
SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 4 No.14: TROUNCE
Million dollar yearling who should be able to play a prominent part in the outcome.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No.1: GEMOLOGIST
Comfortable winner of the Star Kingdom debut. Drawn 1 and Aaron Bullock again.
VALUE BET
Race 5 No. 14: FULL COMMITMENT
Reliable type who sent out all the right signals first-up that a win was close by.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 5, 6, 14
Race 6: 1, 6, 9
Race 7: 4, 8
Race 8: 1, 10
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Aaron Bullock will be short odds to win another TAB Jockeys Challenge.
Aaron Bullock looks set for a good day at Gunnedah. Picture: Getty Images
INSIDE MAIL - GUNNEDAH
RACE 1: ULTRA LUBRICANTS 2YO SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1000m
GEMOLOGIST (1) knocked off a $1 million yearling, namely Jet, when winning the coveted Star Kingdom at Muswellbrook on debut. Happily for trainer Mark Minervini, the son of Graff drew barrier 1 that day and has gate 1 of (max) 11 here with Aaron Bullock again. The Kris Lees pairing, CORNERBACK (2) and FORGING AHEAD (3), are both well-bred two-year-olds whose trials indicate that they won't be maidens for long.
Bet: Cosmologist to win, box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 8
RACE 2: COURTHOUSE HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE MAIDEN HANDICAP 1250m
INJAIR (14) started out in Victoria where he did some good things without winning. He is in fact still a maiden after 16 starts but he hasn't run a bad race in his seven runs for Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth. Resumes off a trial win here 11 days ago. CURRUMBIN ALLEY (1) is a Vancouver gelding out of a Savabeel mare so there's a bit to look forward to. Kicks off in a winnable race from a good draw and Bullock riding.
Bet: Injair each-way, quinella 1, 14
RACE 3: H&M REFRIGERATION BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 2150m
HIDEYO (11) gave a very good account of herself at her first run past the mile when she closed off rapidly to be beaten a neck in a 2000m Benchmark 58 at Mudgee on May 11. This is 2150m so in some ways is even more suitable. Same jockey, same (great) barrier too. NATURE BOY (1) has won his 119th and 120th starts - wow. How can you knock a horse on a hat-trick and with Gunnedah form. DESCENDING MIST (2) has finished runner-up in all visits to this venue.
Bet: Hideyo each-way
RACE 4: DONOGHUE VALUATIONS SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1400m
TROUNCE (14) has the honour and distinction of being a million dollar baby. He was knocked down for seven figures at Easter, mostly because she is an I Am Invincible half-sister to Oakleigh Plate winner Booker. This is her first run for Kris Lees. Her debut run for Ciaron Maher was passable. Won a trial on May 7. IT'S A WRITTEN (8) is quite a reliable mare; seems like 1400m is suitable to her strengths. Neville Begg-bred RESUME (12) has looked the part in her trials.
Bet: Trounce to win, box First 4 Nos. 5, 8, 12, 13, 14
RACE 5: COOL BLUE ICE CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1400m
FULL COMMITMENT (14) has a win and five placings from 10 starts. Worth noting that she has a couple of fourths and a fifth there too, just to say that she almost never runs a bad race. Runner-up at her only Gunnedah start and hit the line hard, first-up over 1280m; 1400m today. WILLINGA KARISMA (6) has 'a winning draw' here if she is good enough to take advantage, which she certainly seems to be. OAKFIELD MERCURY (5) won in debut at this track and this trip on May 5.
Bet: Full Commitment each-way, box trifecta 5, 6, 12, 14
RACE 6: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUTOSMART DOM LIGHTNING SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1000m
ZAKOR (9) has posted four wins and nine placings from 27 starts which is an admirable strike-rate but could have been even better with a bit of luck on his side. He finished off last campaign with a win at Muswellbrook and a second at Wyong. Clayton Gallagher a key and welcome booking. IRON HAT (6) is somewhat similar to Zakor in that luck hasn't always been on his side. He is quite a formidable sprinter when things do go his way. OAKFIELD DUKE (1) has a lot going for him.
Bet: Zakor each-way, Daily Double 1st leg 9, 2nd Leg 10
RACE 7: ***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY*** ULTRAFLEET & MANNION DRILLING GUNNEDAH SHOWCASE CUP 1600m
FIORSUM FRED (8) has finished on the podium at 10 of his 19 starts. An even more impressive example of his talent, versatility and placement is that the son of the Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has won from 1000m to 1600m. Even so, when it is all said and done, he's a miler from nose to tail. These Oakfield horses have been absolutely on fire right across the board for a while now it seems. Enter OAKFIELD PRINCE (4) who won at Newcastle last start with 61.5kg and Aaron Bullock on his back. He doesn't look too badly treated here.
Bet: Fiorsum Fred to win, quinella 4,8
RACE 8: PURSEHOUSE RURAL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1250m
ATENTA (10) is a blue blood of sizeable proportions being the sixth foal of the mighty Streama. This daughter of Lonhro had trialled rather well prior to her debut at Muswellbrook on May 2 which she won handily, beating Naftali. Such a hard thing to win next time out for most horses but may be up to the task aided by the favourable draw. The 'best' NYALI SANDS (1) would just about have all these others covered. Just on the ratings; she is 67 and the next best is 62.
Bet: Atenta to win, Nyali Sands to place
BEST BETS
GUNNEDAH
BEST BET
Race 4 No.14: Trounce
Million dollar yearling who should be able to play a prominent part in the outcome.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No.1 : Gemologist
Comfortable winner of the Star Kingdom debut. Drawn 1/Bullock again.
BEST VALUE
Race 5 No. 14: Full Commitment
Reliable type who sent out all the right signals first-up that a win was close by.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 5,6,14
Race 6: 1,6,9
Race 7: 4,8
Race 8: 1,10
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Aaron Bullock will be short-odds to win another TAB Jockeys Challenge.
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