Shayne O'Cass's Tamworth, Taree tips: Friday, August 15, 2025

The Australian

3 days ago

Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Tamworth and Taree on Friday.
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TAMWORTH TIPS
BEST BET
Race 3 No.11 OAKFIELD VIRGINIA: Blue-blood filly who placed in a deep trial at Gosford last month.
NEXT BEST
Race 7 No.6 OCCULT: Has got Country Championships contender written all over him.
VALUE
Race 1 No.1 GREAT COSMIC: Local gelding who has trialled up nicely ahead of the debut.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 3,5,7,11
Race 6: 4,5,10
Race 7: 6
Race 8: 1,2,6,12
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Grant 'Bucko' Buckley will be popular in the TAB Jockeys Challenge
TAMWORTH INSIDE MAIL
RACE 5: Benchmark 58 (1600m)
CROATIAN MADAME (11) has been nominated for other venues so is not a guaranteed starter. On top if she comes otherwise all roads lead to BIG SHORT (5), who is trained locally by this year's Grafton Guineas winning conditioner Wayne Brown. Big Short's three wins are from 1000m to 1200m but he has placed four times from right 1600m runs. SUIT DAY (3) has only managed two wins from 20 starts but he has placed nine times. Best of all, he is a win and a third from four Tamworth visits.
BET: BIG SHORT (5) each-way.
RACE 6: Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
RELEASE POINT (4) was an impressive debut winner at Narromine in late April, 2024. The Rodney Northam trained gelding hasn't won again since but he has finished second, four times, in those subsequent nine starts. Been competitive in better races and gets Aaron Bullock. HINUNE (5) has accepted for Bathurst Monday. Big chance wherever she goes. CRUSADER RAZOR (10) has drawn wide but will come in plenty with the scratchings! Beaten 3-lengths by a good horse (Bonnie And Bruce) at Bathurst last time.
BET: RELEASE POINT (4) to win, CRUSADER RAZOR (10) to place, Daily Double 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 1.
RACE 7: Class 3 Handicap (1200m)
OCCULT (6) was $1.24 into $1.12 when he made his Cody Morgan stable debut here on June 27 and won accordingly. One can only assume that he was bought (off Godolphin) with the Country Championships in mind and London to a Brick-on, he'll be in the Heat if they want him to go that way. OENOLOGY (3) has a wide draw and is first-up but he's a pretty reliable horse. TOUGH GUY (5) (Bullock's ride) is on such a rapid, upward trajectory. So too NIMBLE STAR (2) who has won 3 from 4 and lost the rider at the other.
BET: OCCULT (6) to win, box trifecta 2,3,5,6.
RACE 8: Benchmark 58 (1000m)
SPIRIT OF PLUTO (1) has won five times with eight placings from 32 starts. He has placed twice here, twice at the distance and twice first-up. He was on a hat-trick prior to a creditable effort in the Newmarket at Armidale. gets 'in' okay now after the claim. THE AFFIRMATIVE (12) has a really compelling set of numbers right across the board apart, maybe, by her first-up stats. The Anthony Manton-owned, Craig Clegg-trained local races well here at home but was dealt the visitor's draw! Can imagine LA PELAGO (6) making full use of the inside draw.
BET: SPIRIT OF PLUTO (1) each-way.
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TAREE TIPS
BEST BET
Race 2 No.3 LYKOS: Big run with no luck on debut at Tuncurry on the Heavy 8.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No.7 SHALAMIYNA: Beat a decent Maiden field here on a Heavy 9.
VALUE
Race 7 No.7 THE YOUNG YEARS: Her 'best' is good enough to give some cheek in the right Highway.
TAREE INSIDE MAIL
RACE 5: Benchmark 82 (1007m)
BUCK PHAROAH (5) gets the conditions to suit, big time, on Friday keeping in mind that his record on the Heavy going is nine starts for four wins and three placings. Four of his six career wins are circa this short trip and he races well at Taree. Nine of ZOE SHARK (3)'s last 11 starts have been at her home track at Newcastle. She's won two of them and one of those she beat Dark Glitter no less. LADY TULESSA (6) has nine wins on her resume which is not easy too in any era let alone in the Benchmark system.
BET: BUCK PHAROAH (5) to win.
RACE 6: Class 1 Handicap (1007m)
VEECEE (1), the $750,000 Gold Coast yearling in 2022, sold online in 2024, has got lengths on these. In fact, I would be happy to back him in most Highways BUT with that said, I am not sure about him on really wet tracks. GOT THE SMARTS (5) has accepted for Ballina on Monday but drew poorly (13) as opposed to (2) here. She is a 6YO with just nine starts under her belt but she is loaded with talent. There is a scenario where both are absent which could pave the way for the Paul Snowden-trained CASH AND CARDS (2).
BET: CASH AND CARDS (2) to place.
RACE 7: Class 2 Handicap (1412m)
THE YOUNG YEARS (7) is one of those horses whose 'best' is good enough to win most races that she runs in, even a Highway if things really fell into her lap that is. She goes well enough at Taree, she goes particularly well on Heavy tracks and has run okay in some rather strong 58's of late. HYPOTHERMIA (6) ran way above his $41 SP when fifth, beaten a diminishing three-lengths, in a 58 at Grafton last start. Both wins were on Soft. KAYZ TIME (1) has Sammy Conquers All and Bodhi Boy form.
BET: THE YOUNG YEARS (7) each-way.
RACE 8: Hopkins Livermore Cup (Open Handicap, 1412m)
OSTRACISED (4) is racing so well this prep. For the record, he is '822117'. That last run was in the Coffs Harbour Cup. He wasn't great by any stretch but this is more his go on Friday. Two things weigh heavily in his favour IMHO, one is back to 1412m and the other is that he is a muddie par excellence. LEASE (8) commemorated his 50th career start with a win and what a determined win it was too from a horse who has a distinct preference for wet tracks.
BET: OSTRACISED (4) to win, quinella 4,8.