Forbes preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, August 3, 2025

The Australian

2 days ago

Brad Widdup is a Group 1 winner and a leading provincial trainer but he is still a country boy at heart and loves getting back to his roots when the right opportunities are there.
The Albury raised Widdup heads wet with a trio of capable runners ready to shine, none more so than High Dandy in the Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup (1600m) which is also a Big Dance Qualifier.
The John Camilleri-bred and owned gelding has improved with each run this campaign starting off with a seventh to Nana's Wish at Canterbury before a fourth to Walking Painting and a second to Glad You Think So both in Randwick Midways over 1600m.
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'He has taken a while to get to his peak for one reason or another but his last two runs have been really good,' said Widdup.
'Hopefully he can continue on with that now.
The son of Camilleri's own Group 1 winner Ace High looks well placed in the Cup being a 71 rater with 56kg, just a kilo above the minimum.
Heading the weight for the race is Another One with 65kg although he comes down to 62kg after the claim.
'He gets in well at the weights which is not often the case when you take a horse out to the country,' Widdup said.
'He has good Sydney form and the fact he gets quite a bit of weight off those couple of well-performed, higher benchmark rated horses, I would like to think he will be very competitive.
Widdup has gained the services of Hawkesbury-based jockey Chad Lever who has been on great form since returning to the saddle late last year.
'I was surprised that he is going out there but when we seen his name down for some rides, we were lucky to be able to get him,' Widdup said.
Widdup and lever will also team up with lightly-raced mare Initiate in the Walker Family Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1300m).
The four-year-old is closing in on her first win after a close second to Divo and third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong before a last start fourth behind Denial at Kembla.
'She is only a little filly but she tries very hard,' he said.
'She is probably still another preparation away from really being at her best but she is going well.
'Hopefully she can knock her maiden off this weekend.
'I don't think barrier eight is a bad draw for her.
'She's doesn't have real early toe so drawing there, hopefully she can slot in somewhere midfield or maybe a bit closer.'
Widdup's final runner for the day is Party Doll in the Club Forbes Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1100m) who will be ridden by stable apprentice, Poppie Gorton.
Gorton was having her first day riding at Bathurst two weeks ago when fourth on Party Doll.
'She drew awkward at Bathurst last start and was slow to begin before she took off around them,' said Widdup.
'She just did a lot of work but it was a good effort to finish where she did.
'She is better on top of the ground and is finding it hard to win a race but John (Camilleri, owner) has been good enough to give Poppie a couple of rides on her and her four kilo claim brings her into this race.
'Hopefully she can begin well and be in the race and I'm sure she will run really well if that's the case.'
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ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 3 No. 3: INITIATE
Has strong provincial form and gets his chance to break through.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No. 10: ZOUTASTIC
Good win last start and can go back-to-back.
VALUE BET
Race 2 No. 11: LOST YA SOCK
Nice efforts at both runs from a spell. Chance to break through.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 4, 5
Race 6: 1, 2, 3
Race 7: 3, 11, 13
Race 8: 1, 5, 6, 7
Chad Lever looks set for a good day at Forbes. Picture: Bradley Photos
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
CHAD LEVER has a strong book of rides and looks a top chance on the TAB Jockey Challenge.
LAY OF THE DAY
Race 8 No. 5: ROMANTIC LOVE
Safely held in both runs this time in, the latest on a heavy track.
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INSIDE MAIL – FORBES
RACE 1: Shead & Nicholson / Daikin / Seeley International Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1100m
CARAVANSERAI (1), the half-brother to Alizee and Astern, resumed for the Natalie Jarvis stable with a second to Spice Baby at Moruya when coming from well back on the turn. Will strip fitter for the run. PERFORMING DIVA (4) over did it in front on debut when fourth at Nowra. Took a sit and ran on well when second to Lombardi Lass at Goulburn. Resumes here and looks for a forward showing. RITA RED (5) has placed in three of her four runs this campaign and will be thereabouts again.
Bet: Caravanserai to win
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RACE 2: Bankstown Sports Since 1995 Showcase Mdn Plate 1600m
LOST YA SOCK (11) resumed with a handy second behind Highland Eightgee over 1300m at Dubbo before leading when a half-length third to Gioia River at Corowa. Suited up to 1600m. DANTAINS PRIZE (7) finished close seconds at Narrandera and Wagga before missing the start by three lengths when seventh to Pride Of Jezza. Backed up six days later when fourth at Narrandera. PONTIAC (3) settled near last before motoring home to finish third to Darken over 1660m at Moruya last start.
Bet: Lost Ya Sock to win
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RACE 3: Walker Family Showcase Super Mdn Hcp 1300m
INITIATE (3) followed a length second to the promising Divo with a third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong after being bumped at the start. Forced to race wide early when fourth to Denial at Kembla last start. Solid form for this. THE CONTRACTOR (2) was spelled after a neck fourth on debut at Dubbo on Apr 7. Handy third at Dubbo first-up then races wide and pulled up lame when fourth at Bathurst on July 21. BLACKFISH (6) makes his NSW debut for the Brett Robb stable. Has claims in three placings in Victoria.
Bet: Initiate to win
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RACE 4: Club Sydney The Amazing Ben Hall Bullet (Bm82) 1200m
ZOUTASTIC (10) resumed with a fourth at Hawkesbury behind Regimental Colours who won at Randwick last weekend. Went to Grafton and scored a solid win from Stratafy. DEION (6) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently with two wins and four placings from his last six starts. Led all-the-way to beat Eilrahc at Warren before a third to Smooth Esprit in the Coonamble Cannonball. Carried big weights last two starts and drops to 54kg. CASTLEBAR ROAD (3) was a month between runs when fourth to Durova over 1000m last start. Loves it heavy.
Bet: Zoutastic to win
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RACE 5: Forbes Shire Council Showcase Country Boosted (Bm58) 1400m
SORRY SUNSHINE (1) ran home nicely under 61kg to beat Freddy's Shock over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts back. Sat closer and laid out in the straight when fourth to Sunray Lass at Albury. STREET SWAGGER (5) is racing well with a win and two thirds. That Cowra win was his fourth from five ruins on heavy ground. MOTORBOAT (4) raced wide without cover when down the order behind Shropshire Lad in a Highway at Rosehill on July 19 at his first run for a new stable.
Bet: Sorry Sunshine to win
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RACE 6: Forbes Scrap Metal / Carlton & United Breweries Showcase Hcp (C1) 1400m
DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) defied a betting drift from $5 out to $10 when he came with a closing run down the outside to beat Speed Of Thought over 1175m at Albury. His last 100m suggests he will appreciate the step up to 1400m. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) followed back-to-back placings on the Acton track at Canberra with a handy win from Metal Magic over 1400m at Bathurst. THOUGHTFUL (3), a relation of fan favourite Happy Clapper, was fourth over 1100m in a Bm58 on the heavy at Goulburn last start. Blinkers off and nose roll on.
Bet: Deepwater Artist to win
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RACE 7: Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup 1600m
HIGH DANDY (3) ran a nice fourth behind Walking Painting in a Midway at Randwick second-up. Led and just caught late when runner-up to Glad You Think So in another Randwick Midway. Drawn well and will give this a shake. LOUIE'S LEGACY (11) resumed in Federal Open at Canberra without a trial when a half-length second to Craving magic over 1280m. Stepped up to 1600m with a third to Hot Bandit in the Narrandera Cup. Is a winner on the heavy. 13. MORITZ GIRL (13) was doing her best late over 1400m on the Kensington last start. Loves the 1600m.
Bet: High Dandy to win
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RACE 8: Club Forbes Showcase Hcp (C2) 1100m
ABSTRUSE (6) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to Selhurst Park at Moruya before coming from a long way back when runner-up to Sutton Vella there last start both over 1010m. The 1100m helps. ROYAL BOMBADIER (7) raced ungenerously in the straight when resuming at Port Macquarie. Much better effort last start when a half-length second to Calido Magic at Gosford. PARTY DOLL (1) did it tough when fourth last start. Handy provincial form before that.
Bet: Abstruse to win