Narrandera preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, July 13, 2025
Both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the race were run and won by Prince Of Helena and the Wangaratta-based conditioner has that galloper back for a third straight win and in similar form.
The eight-year-old son of Sidestep finished third two starts ago in the Swan Hill Cup prior to running on for fifth at Flemington behind subsequent Winter Championship Final winner Jimmy The Bear.
And while not winning since last year's edition of the Narrandera Cup, Weeding is happy with how he's going and thinks the race might even be a touch easier this year.
Prince Of Helena wins the Narrandera Showcase Cup and makes it into the Big Dance again! � pic.twitter.com/gyqdXMEhDE
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 14, 2024
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
'I think he's probably coming in with similar or maybe even better form than he has over the last few years,' Weeding said.
'He hit the line pretty good last time in a strong race at Flemington and the form out of that race has been pretty good too.
'Running on well behind a horse like Jimmy The Bear should be a good measuring stick for a Narrandera Cup and just looking at the numbers, it is probably not as strong as last year's Cup.'
With the Narrandera Cup winner being eligible for the Big Dance, Prince Of Helena has headed to Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day previously but he's no certainty to target that race again, even if he were to win at Narrandera.
'We've gone the last few years and haven't measured up for various reasons and I think even if he was to win this year, we probably may not go down that path this year with him,' said Weeding.
'We just weren't quite up to it and he's getting older now so we would just be happy to win this race.
'I'm not saying he's 100 per cent not going to push on if he were to win but I've just got that in the back of my mind.'
Weeding has one other runner in the $70,000 main event at Narrandera with four-year-old gelding Yam looking to increase his winning streak to four.
Vegas Dream dives at Yam and gets there in the nick of time! @AlburyRacing pic.twitter.com/Y5MH2Elv40
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 29, 2024
It's a big step in grade but Yam will get in with a light weight after the claim for Mitch Beer's apprentice, Holly Durnan.
Yam has enjoyed racing in the wet conditions and Weeding is hoping the track remains a Soft 6 for his latest test.
'He's going great and has just been loving these wet tracks,' Weeding said.
'If he can get a wet track on Sunday I reckon he'll come right into it and be tough to beat.'
Both of Weeding's brigade had plenty of fortune following the barrier draw with Prince Of Helena set to jump from the inside while Yam was handed gate three.
A field of 12 plus one emergency accepted for the Cup and there's formlines across multiple states.
South Australian galloper Not Usual Glorious is set to add plenty of intrigue in the race but is asked to carry 62.5kg while Zouatica is a last start narrow placegetter in Sydney behind Thunderlips.
While Weeding has two in the Cup, he's got Big Day Out chasing win number 11 at his 80th start in the fourth race.
'He's been a great horse for the stable and has won more than $300,000 throughout his career,' Weeding said.
'It was good to see him show that he's still got it and win impressively last start so hopefully he can do it again.'
JETT HATTON'S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 8 No. 2: ZOUATICA
Just run down last time. Can chalk up another win.
NEXT BEST
Race 3 No. 5: FIRST DAY
Won by a big space last start and can win again.
VALUE BET
Race 1 No. 1: MO SPIRIT
Made ground for fourth on a heavy track last start. Better barrier here.
WORTH A RISK
Race 8 No.6: COUNTY KILKENNY
Won't get this his own way here.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 7
Race 6: 4, 6
Race 7: 1
Race 8: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
NICK HEYWOOD has only three rides but they all look like winning chances.
INSIDE MAIL — NARRANDERA
MO SPIRIT (1) is going better than the formguide would suggest. Got a long way back last start at Wagga on a very heavy track but made good ground to run fourth. Better barrier here, something he hasn't had at the last few starts. GIOLA RIVER (6) ran on well last start at Wagga. Drawn well here in barrier one and should be rock hard fit on the quick back up. DANTAINS PRIZE (4) missed the kick last start and couldn't get into the race from there. Form prior reads super for this.
Bet: Mo Spirit to win
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DEKADANCE (7) hasn't raced in about 46 weeks. Last sighted finishing third to Highway Strip and Ghost Walker, which are super formlines for this contest. Liked her latest trial and think she can return with a win. TRIPTOLEMUS (12) finished third in Dekadance's trial. Looks to have a bit of upside. SPICE OF DUBAI (10) had two trials before changing stables to Tim Donnelly's yard. Won her latest trial but thought the piece of work was just OK. Rolled forward in that heat and would expect her to do something similar here.
Bet: Dekadance to win
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FIRST DAY (5) won by a big space last start at Wagga over the 2000m. Looks like a promising staying mare out of Ben Brisbourne's yard and she can win again. DOC MARCH (10) is an 11 start maiden but matched it with Due Calzini last start and he did it tough too, trapped four wide without cover across the journey. I think he'll really enjoy the extra ground for this. DUE CALZINI (4) has enjoyed getting out over a trip and now Danielle Seib steps him up again to 2100m. Should be thereabouts on the speed from barrier three, but needs to do a bit to turn the tables on First Day.
Bet: First Day to win again
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PERIGEAN (5) has some solid form on the board prior to heading for the spelling paddock. Won two straight before tackling metro and provincial company. His record at the distance and when first-up would suggest he's going to be hard to beat for this. DANCEENUFF (7) has been racing well without winning. Should get every chance to break through from gate two with a winnable weight on her back. HELLS SON (9) was trapped wide the whole way last start at Wagga and under the big weight, couldn't tack on. With the rise in grade here he drops 7.5kg but has a poor barrier again.
Bet: Perigean to win
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SWEET PAREE (3) has run two good second placings coming into this. Held up for a bit at the top of the straight last start before getting clear at the 250m mark. Suited by the step up to 1400m as well. GRACEFUL ELLEN (1) got back at Moruya last start and couldn't get into it but was a strong fresh winner before that. Drawn better here and think she's looking for the 1400m now. MAJOR DESIRE (5) did too much work from a double digit barrier last start and tired late. Now from barrier one, she can bounce to the front and have a bit more in the tank over the concluding stages.
Bet: Sweet Paree to win
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ZOUWASE (6) won by three at the Sapphire Coast last time out before heading for a break. Judging by his latest trial, he's returned in good shape. Tricky barrier to overcome but the son of Zoustar has all the talent. INVASIVE (2) tackled a Highway last start and didn't disgrace himself. Got back to the rear and went past a few to run midfield. Form prior is super too. SLATE RIPPER (4) will appreciate the drop in grade. DUBAI CENTRE (1) is in the mix as well.
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COUGARS (1) wasn't far off in a very strong Highway last start. Up in weight and drawn off the track but expecting him to have too much ability for them here. ROLLO (2) tackled a Country Championships Qualifier at start five and handled himself well. Was a strong heat too and he finished seventh of 16. Drawn well but just might need the run. HELLINDA (3) took the sit behind the leader last start before pouncing away to win well. Has a super record at the distance.
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Only Thunderlips was able to run down ZOUATICA (2) last time out and that horse is stakes quality. Can speed across to lead again here and with those types of horses not chasing, he can chalk up a win. PRINCE OF HELENA (3) has won this race the last two years and is going as good, if not better. Hit the line strongly behind Jimmy The Bear last start and that horse has come out and franked the form by winning the Winter Championship Final. COUNTY KILKENNY (6) is ticking away nicely.
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