logo
Tamworth best bets, inside mail for Friday, July 4, 2025

Tamworth best bets, inside mail for Friday, July 4, 2025

News.com.au03-07-2025
Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets, value selection and race-by-race analysis at Tamworth on Friday.
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer.
TAMWORTH TIPS
BEST BET
Has multiple provincial placings and has won twice over the track and trip.
Hasn't fired as yet but trialling like a brand new horse.
VALUE
Race 4 No. 6: ARTIE'S MAGIC
Local who turned in a most encouraging debut here last month
BEST LONGSHOT
Race 3 No. 13: PRIDE OF NATIONS
Could be a sharp improver off a blunt debut.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 3, 4, 11, 13
Race 6: 3, 4, 18
Race 7: 1, 2, 5
Race 8: 2
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
KODY NESTOR could give the TAB Jockeys Challenge a shake.
INSIDE MAIL - TAMWORTH
RACE 1: Dutton Electrical Mdn Plate 1000m
SHE CAN DANCE (7) was sold for $100,000 to Tracey Bartley at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Born and raised at Newhaven Park. This stunning black coloured filly is by Lonhro and is a full-sister to Group 2 winner Heatherly. Form reads poorly but she is first-up off a very nice Wyong trial. CAPSITY (8) is a two-year-old taking on older horses, on debut as well, but has shown enough in her trials to suggest at least some degree of talent.
Bet: She Can Dance to win
â– â– â– â– â–
LIBBY (7) has placed at five of her nine starts. Ridge Wilson has given the daughter of Reliable Man the beautiful lead-in to 2100m. IMEZAAKI (2) has been with Craig Clegg here at Tamworth the last two of his 19 starts. So far as his resume is concerned, the son of Ocean Park is a Hawkesbury winner and was third in the Group 3 Grand Prix no less. Gives the impression he wants 2100m now. SHAMISTER (5) was beaten an inch over 2200m at Dubbo last Sunday.
Bet: Libby to win, box trifecta 2, 5, 6, 7
â– â– â– â– â–
PRIDE OF NATIONS (13) is trained here by Sue Grills. The filly was $11 to $26 on debut here on June 16 and only beat one home. Only a hunch but she is surely better than that. Hunch number two is; the Kermadac progeny are mostly swimmers so maybe this filly will go better on the Heavy. YANABAH (7) has run nine times for four seconds and a third and a few of those seconds were by very slender margins. HALLE BEE (9), likewise, is consistent.
â– â– â– â– â–
ARTIE'S MAGIC (6) is another of the Sue Grills brigade. This one is by Flying Artie (naturally) from a Pins mare out of a pretty good New Zealand family of milers, 2000m and even the odd two-miler present. Artie's Magic was $6 to $8.50 on debut here on June 16 and held his ground admirably when midfield. Won't be a maiden for long. LOUISBURGH (2) and JUSTICE WARRIOR (1) have been nominated for other races next week closer to their homes. If they're out, SNAP DECISION (4) goes in.
Bet: Artie's Magic to win
â– â– â– â– â–
BETTER TOMORROW (3) has drawn wide and doesn't have the best record on wet tracks so we could see this Lonhro gelding saved for Saturday's Mungindi Cup. In the event he is absent, all roads lead back to the local ARRABBIATA (11) who, quite literally, hasn't put in a bad one for Melissa O'Gorman and regular jockey Mikayla Weir. Not saying she can't win on Heavy but any improvement would be of great benefit. THE GREAT ARMADA (4) has been running well in some very strong races lately.
Bet: The Great Armada each-way
â– â– â– â– â–
CRESTA RUN (4) is a daughter of Your Song who won his Group 1 by panels on a Heavy track. This filly has finished runner-up at her only two starts on a Soft so the track perhaps is less of a worry than it might be. Same goes for the wide draw, there will be plenty of scratchings. ATOKA (18) is one of the best roughies on the day in my opinion, but only if it is Heavy. TAKEOVER LAD (3) from the astute Wayne Brown camp has all the form and consistent nature to play a major role
Bet: Cresta Run to win, Atoka each-way
â– â– â– â– â–
RACE 7: L & K Electrical & Air Conditioning (Bm58) 1200m
CHEAP GAS (5), the cleverly-named son of Santos, is trained at Mudgee by Derek Piper who has managed to secure Aaron Bullock for the ride here. He's also managed to find himself on the receiving end of a desirable barrier and on top of all that, Cheap Gas was a monumentally impressive winner at his only Heavy run. HOLLYWOOD GOLD (1) is an emergency for Saturday's Highway which illustrates how well this talented son of Casino Prince is going at the moment.
Bet: Cheap Gas to win
â– â– â– â– â–
ZAKOR (2) has been a good horse dating back to when he broke his maiden status at this track over this same 1000m trip. He has gone on to win three more together with 10 placings, some of them in provincial company. Slow is better than heavy for him seemingly. OUR BOY OLLIE (1), the local with Bullock on, is such a genuine and consistent racehorse. Handles the Heavy without being a muddie. WHO GOES THERE (3) is unbeaten in all three starts at this (home) track and trip.
Bet: Zakor to win
TAMWORTH
BEST BET
Race 8 No. 2: Zakor
Has multiple provincial placings and has won twice over the track and trip.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No. 7: She Can Dance
Hasn't fired as yet but trialling like a 'brand new horse'
VALUE
Race 4 No. 6: Artie's Magic
Local who turned in a most encouraging debut here last month
BEST LONGSHOT
Race 3 No. 13: Pride Of Nations
Could be a sharp improver off a blunt debut.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 3,4,11,13
Race 6: 3,4,18
Race 7: 1,2,5
Race 8: 2
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia

The Advertiser

time2 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia

As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.

Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs
Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs

The Advertiser

time5 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs

The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow."

Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia

Perth Now

time7 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia

As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.

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