logo
Wagga, Wyong best bets, inside mail for Thursday, May 1, 2025

Wagga, Wyong best bets, inside mail for Thursday, May 1, 2025

Mercury30-04-2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and quaddie analysis at Wagga and Wyong on Thursday.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WAGGA TIPS
BEST BET
Race 1 No.2: BUCKEYE
Just beaten a Scone first-up and not a lot of luck last start.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No.6: DUBAI WARRIOR
Made ground late at Kembla last start. Drops in grade and gets his chance from the pole.
VALUE BET
Race 5 No.8: GROUP CHAT
Was good winning last start and looks suited stepping up in trip.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 2, 6, 8
Race 6: 2, 3, 4, 6
Race 7: 2, 3, 6, 7, 14
Race 8: 3, 7, 8
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
ASH MORGAN has some nice rides and is a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. WAGGA INSIDE MAIL
RACE 5: CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1400m)
GROUP CHAT (8) was fifth behind One Hard Lady on debut at Albury. Took benefit from the experience with a nice win over 1200m here last start. Got clear at the 250m and extended smartly over the final 100m. Extra trip look ideal. WEXFORD MISS (6) won her maiden over this trip at Kembla last September. Will appreciate a drop in grade from her eighth to Empress Of Japan at Goulburn. XCEPTIONAL FELLA (2) scored a handy win from Ghost Walker before a third to Canadian Ruler, both at Canberra.
BET: GROUP CHAT each-way.
RACE 6: BENCHMARK 66 – HEAT OF THE WAGGA STAYER SERIES (2000m)
EXTRAVAGANT CHOICE (2) is on a quick back-up from a smart win over Devils Daughter over 1800m at Bathurst last Friday. Led all the way at the Sapphire Coast two starts back with close seconds either side. Stablemate FINAL COMMENT (3) is also backing up from a half-length second to Jannik over 1600m at Albury last Thursday. He is a winner over the 2000m and just pipped over 2500m on a heavy track here last October. SACRED MISTRESS (6) is chasing a sixth consecutive win. Goes to 2000m for the first time.
BET: EXTRAVAGANT CHOICE each-way.
RACE 7: WAGGA TOWN PLATE (1200m)
FELIX MAJESTIC (2) ended last campaign with a gutsy short half-head second to Briasa in Group 2 The Hunter over 1300m at Newcastle after leading. Was slow out and made steady ground late when fourth to Eagle Nest first-up over 1100m. Is a second-up winner and will give this a shake. THE INSTRUCTOR (3) scored a big first-up win at The Valley on Mar 22 then was kept fresh to win the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington on Apr 19 both over this trip. COMPELLING TRUTH (6) returns from a Queensland campaign with a win and two placings.
BET: FELIX MAJESTIC each-way.
RACE 8: 4YO+ BENCHMARK 66 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1600m)
EXCEEDINGLY HOT (8) raced outside the leader when he beat The Predictor over 1400m here on Mar 1. Was off a five-week break when third to the progressive Win The Day at the Sapphire Coast before a second to the smart Villasaurus. DARK VADOR (7) scored a nice win at Port Macquarie before handy placings at Canberra and Newcastle. Battles away when fifth at Eagle Farm before a fourth to Fiftyfivechevy at Newcastle. PERSIAN DANCER (3) was a nice second to Arthur The Great here first-up. Is a winner this track and trip.
BET: EXCEEDINGLY HOT to win.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WYONG TIPS
BEST BET
Race 7 No.1: JUST FEELIN' LUCKY
Came from a wide gate to win first-up and can repeat it.
NEXT BEST
Race 5 No.5: NIGHT SKY
Smart win on debut here and can go back-to-back. WYONG INSIDE MAIL
RACE 5: F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)
NIGHT SKY (5) was very good winning her two recent trials and took that to the races with an impressive win from Lunaite in a Super Maiden over this track and distance. Hard to beat again. Stablemate GLORIOSO (1) came from last at the 400m with a strong run down the outside to finish a half-length third to Oakfield Badger over 1000m here first-up. Raced just behind the speed and battled away when fifth at Caulfield last start. CORDINA (7) won well on debut at Kilmore before a third at Ballarat and a third at Canterbury on Apr 21.
BET: NIGHT SKY to win.
RACE 6: CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1100m)
UP THE FRONT (3) was badly bumped on jumping and settled well back when fifth to Shall Be here first-up. Is a second-up winner. LIVIN' THING (4) debuted with a stylish win at Hawkesbury. Resumes for a new stable and trials have been good including a second to Photographics at Randwick on Apr 14. READY TO SHINE (2) ran a nice race first-up when second to Metallic Ruler over 1200m here on a Soft 5. Disappointed when last behind Sizzler on a Good 4 at Kembla. Gets his preferred wet conditions.
BET: UP THE FRONT to win.
RACE 7: BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1350m)
JUST FEELIN' LUCKY (1) was a close second to One Last Shot at Hawkesbury first-up last preparation before breaking his maiden with a four-length win from Squeezebox at Kembla. Kicked off this campaign with a handy win at Newcastle and can go back-to-back. TITANIUM MISS (2) was third to Money Team on the Provincial-Midway Qualifier at Gosford before a wide when ninth in the Wyong Qualifier. Drops in grade from her last in the Group 3 James Carr at Randwick. WEXFORD MISS (8) can sneak a place.
BET: JUST FEELIN' LUCKY to win.
RACE 8: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1600m)
SISU SPIRIT (2) went forward from and outside gate to lead but stayed off the fence in scoring by a length from Tempranillo when resuming over 1500m at Newcastle. Drawn out again but will go close. INCANTATION (10) won nicely first-up at Goulburn before coming from a long way back right down the outside when midfield to Rockbarton Angel at Newcastle. Handy third to Let's Fly at Kembla last start. TACT (5) and OAKFIELD SATURN (6) have genuine claims.
BET: SISU SPIRIT to win.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trainer Clayton Douglas unlikely to target The Everest with Giga Kick
Trainer Clayton Douglas unlikely to target The Everest with Giga Kick

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Trainer Clayton Douglas unlikely to target The Everest with Giga Kick

Giga Kick is unlikely to have a third crack at The Everest this spring with trainer Clayton Douglas preferring to negotiate one hurdle at a time. Giga Kick posted an amazing win in the 2022 edition of The Everest to complete a five-race winning streak to start his career before returning in the autumn of 2023 to win the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. But, surprisingly, Giga Kick hasn't won a race since. An injury derailed his 2023 spring before he went down narrowly to Bella Nipotina in last year's Everest. Giga Kick ran second in the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide in May but finished three lengths from classy mare Joliestar at his last run in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at his last run in June. Douglas said Giga Kick's recovery from his latest Queensland trip delayed his start to the spring. 'He was a bit flat after his last run in Queensland so we haven't got up him at this stage,' Douglas said. 'Therefore, it's more than likely he won't be going to The Everest this year. 'He'll potentially just have a Melbourne spring but you never know. 'He's six now so he's not getting any younger and he hasn't won a race since he was three.' Douglas said Giga Kick hasn't reached the galloping stage but he would ramp up the gelding's work leading up to a possible return in a Group 2 race during the Caulfield Cup carnival. 'There's potentially a race like the Schillaci for him first-up,' Douglas said. 'We're just going to poke along with him. 'He's a star horse but I'd love to see him get back to his best form and winning races. 'The 1100(m) should be good for him first-up.' Douglas hadn't locked in Giga Kick's spring program but noted he had many options for the winner of more than $12.8m over the next three months. 'What he's done is what he's done and he's been a star of the sport but there's so many sprint races around,' Douglas said.

Ray Thomas's best bets and inside mail for Warwick Farm on Wednesday
Ray Thomas's best bets and inside mail for Warwick Farm on Wednesday

News.com.au

time5 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Ray Thomas's best bets and inside mail for Warwick Farm on Wednesday

Form expert Ray Thomas analyses Wednesday's seven-race card at Warwick Farm, presenting his best bets, quaddie picks and inside mail. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET Race 1 No.3 BURMA STAR: Just missed when resuming, strips fitter and is suited coming back slightly in trip to 1100m. NEXT BEST Race 4 No.4 PRIMA BELLA: She was very impressive at Warwick Farm, her third win from four starts this campaign, and is a superior mudlark. VALUE Race 2 No.9 SPICE PRAWN: Improving filly who wasn't suited by the race tempo last start but still hit the line well. She's ready to win. QUADDIE Race 4: 3,4,7,9 Race 5: 2,3,7 Race 6: 1,4,7,13 Race 7: 3,4,13,14 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Jason Collett has a good book of six rides including leading chances Beside The Ocean, Prima Bella, Fairway Star and Signor Tortoni. TRAINER TO FOLLOW Bjorn Baker will be trying to utilise his home track advantage when represented by promising first starters, Defiance and Senjutsu, and the in-form Shalaa Gold, Fairway Star and O'Invincible. BURMA STAR (3) was easy in betting and had his chance to win first-up when run down by Tyreek at Canterbury two weeks ago. Burma Star got through the heavy track conditions that day well which should stand him in good stead for this race. Trainer Chris Waller has decided to take the blinkers off and put visors on, James McDonald stays with the Godolphin colt and coming back slightly to 1100m is in his favour. I liked the way GUS THE GREAT (5) finished off in a recent trial and he should go well on debut. WEST OF SWINDON (1) is talented but has a big weight and wide barrier to overcome. DEFIANCE (4) is another trailing well. BET: BURMA STAR (3) to win, saver on GUS THE GREAT (5) each way. SPICE PRAWN (9) gets her chance here. She was very good first-up when a close second to promising Without Peer then ran on without threatening when fourth to Tyreek and Burma Star at Canterbury. Spice Prawn will appreciate going to 1300m and is ready to win. First starter MEAN AS (5) is the danger. He has an extravagant action but sailed through heavy going to impressively win a recent Warwick Farm trial by an increasing margin. BESIDE THE OCEAN (8), by champion sire Zoustar, is a half sister to Golden Slipper winner Farnan and she ran very well on debut when second at Kensington. Drawn wide but that might be to her advantage given the very heavy track conditions. BET: Box quinella 5,8,9. KIMBERLEY SECRETS (1) has never missed a place in four previous first-up runs, winning twice, and she resumes here off two easy trial wins. Smart mare who handles soft tracks although she's a query on this testing track. She looked trained up for her return. MERGEILA (2) is a promising mare by unbeaten US triple crown winner Justify. She ran only eighth in a recent Rosehill trial but was held up in the straight and went to the line going half pace. CHIDIAC (4) has won four of her five starts and cruised home at Scone first-up last month. She has trialled well since and has a fitness edge over her two main rivals. SOUTHERN HEIRESS (7) has won both her starts and deserves consideration. BET: Box trifecta 1,2,4,7. PRIMA BELLA (4) is in a rich vein of form. She attacked the line strongly to win over the Warwick Farm 1000m course last start, handling the heavy 8 conditions with ease. She has won three of her four starts this campaign including a Newcastle win on a bottomless track. Superior mudlark and the one to beat. CAMBAR (7) showed promise winning his first three starts then had excuses with successive defeats over summer. Resuming off two impressive trial wins and he has won in heavy going. DESI EMPEROR (3) is also racing in very good form while SHALAA GOLD (9) has been improved by two runs back and handles these conditions. BET: PRIMA BELLA (4) to win, watch betting moves for CAMBAR (7). KAPAKIRI (2) was back in the field on the inside and held up for a run at the top of the straight before working home strongly to finish fifth, beaten a length at Kensington. Eye-catching first-up effort, fitter here, gets out to 1600m and James McDonald goes on. ISLAND DREAM (7) came off heels and charged home to win at Canterbury. Improving mare who handles wet tracks. FAIRWAY STAR (4) ran on well to win over the Warwick Farm 1600m course last start but the very heavy track is a concern. INVESTMENT (6) does enjoy these wet conditions but she is coming back slightly in trip. BET: KAPAKIRI (2) to win. SIGNOR TORTONI (4) won his maiden at Gosford, backed that up with a tough effort on a heavy track at Canterbury before going to Saturday grade where he ran third at Randwick. He was beaten last start by smart types Glorious Moments and Codetta and is well suited back in midweek grade. FORMAL DISPLAY (1) is an interesting runner. A two-time winner from seven starts in Ireland, he has shown plenty of speed in two recent barrier trials. ICEMAN (13) has only one win from 18 starts but he's racing consistently of late and handles these conditions. DIMITROV (7) has been competitive in two runs back and he did win over the Warwick Farm 1400m course at his third run in last campaign. BET: Box trifecta 1,4,7,13. METAPHORICALLY (3) jumped to the front, controlled the race and scored a comfortable win over La Roja and The Replicant at Canterbury last start. The minor placegetters have both come out and won since to frank the form. Metaphorically has drawn well and looks the one beat provided he handles the very heavy conditions. SESSIONS ROAD (4) comes off successive minor placings in Melbourne and he is a good wet-tracker. RINGAROSA (14) is another who handles wet tracks well and is working up to a win. O'INVINCIBLE (13) is also racing in good form but has a wide barrier to overcome.

2025 TAB Eureka: Last chance saloon for hopefuls ahead of $2.1m harness feature
2025 TAB Eureka: Last chance saloon for hopefuls ahead of $2.1m harness feature

News.com.au

time5 hours ago

  • News.com.au

2025 TAB Eureka: Last chance saloon for hopefuls ahead of $2.1m harness feature

Crunch week for slots in the world's richest harness race starts today. Six of the 10 slots still remain in the $2.1 million TAB Eureka, run at Menangle in just 18 days. Leviathan Queensland owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hope to have two runners – both three-year-olds – and the first of them, Path To Greatness, gets his last chance to impress in the eighth race at Albion Park today. The feature race winner is a $1.30 favourite from gate six. Fate Awaits will also have his final lead-up race against his own age at Albion Park on Saturday night. The Seymours have a slot of their own, but are holding off confirming a runner while they explore interest for a second runner with other remaining slot owners. Champion pacer Leap To Fame ran second for the Seymours in the inaugural 2023 TAB Eureka and last year they used their slot on Bay Of Biscay, who flashed home for a luckless second. 'We're desperate to go one better, that's why we're holding off as long as we can to settle on our runner. Both horses are good enough to be very competitive, especially with the preferential draws the three-year-olds get,' Kevin Seymour said. The Emma Stewart-trained Bay Of Biscay, is $3.50 favourite to return and go one better than last year, also has his last lead-up run at Melton on Saturday night. Stewart and co-trainer Clayton Tonkin opted to keep him at Melton rather than make another trip to Menangle, where he ran a slashing third last start. It could mean a clash with Jess Tubbs' $5 TAB Eureka second favourite Fighter Command if she elects to race at Melton, too. Stewart and Tonkin, who won the 2023 TAB Eureka with Encipher, look set to have multiple runners again. ðŸ'¥ TAB Eureka power rankings ðŸ'¥ Fighter Command stays #1, Bay Of Biscay & Fate Awaits close behind. Royal Cruiser climbs, Fox Dan debuts in top 10. Who’s your tip? ðŸ'¨ @SkyRacingAU @ClubMenangle @HRNSW_Harness @tabcomau #TABEureka #harnessracing — The TAB Eureka (@eurekarace) August 12, 2025 • Although Bay Of Biscay, who will run Rob Watson's Soho Standardbreds slot this time, is their only confirmed runner, they have Fox Dan, War Dan Buddy and Go Miki in serious contention for some of the remaining slots. Fox Dan and War Dan Buddy won impressively at Melton last weekend and their owners Danny and Jo Zavitsanos will take one of them in their own TAB Eureka slot. The Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing team are sure to use their slot on a Stewart/Tonkin runner, with Go Miki and War Dan Buddy the likely frontrunners. The most intriguing TAB Eureka lead-up race of the week will be the Discovery Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night. With so many exciting pacers chasing the last few slots, most of them will clash in the do-or-die Discovery. The slot owners most likely to wait for the Discovery include Cordina Racing and, possibly, TAB. Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer John Hawkes is among those sweating on a slot with his untapped three-year-old Seathestars, a brilliant Menangle winner last Saturday night. Other pacers like Bernie Hewitt's pair Royal Cruiser and Our Goat, Jimmy Rattray's Our Luciano, the much-improved Glitter Aint Gold, along with classy Queensland pair Attachment and French Fries remain right in the mix.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store