Shayne O’Cass previews the NSW meeting of Quirindi

The Sportsman’s O’Cass says the key to her success rests in those two trials and she should present in excellent order.

QUIRINDI

Davies is Single-minded

ANGELA Davies is confident that she has found the perfect races for her two Quirindi-bound gallopers on Tuesday — Single And Free and Magic Name — but wishes she had the chance to swap their barriers around.

Single And Free has drawn three in her race, while Magic Name hasn’t fared anywhere near as well out in gate 12.

Both four-year-olds are first-up and present in tremendous order off the back of some terrific trials and with experienced jockey Andrew ­Gibbons to steer.

First to go is Single And Free, who lines up in the Mulaazem @ Emirates Park Handicap (1200m) and who won at Taree on debut before finishing unplaced, yet close-up, at her next two.

“She looks fabulous and she’s been working really well — I expect her to be hard to beat,’’ Davies said. “She will be fine at the 1200m, she is fit enough with the two trials and she didn’t have long out, either.

“She had the one run then the break and she’s been back a little while now.’’

Single And Free was last seen ­finishing a 2.8-length sixth of the 12 runners at Port Macquarie on July 29.

“She pulled up a little sick after Port Macquarie,’’ Davies said. “I was a little bit surprised. I thought she’d go down there and win but she was just flat. We got her home and did her blood and she had a virus, so we put her straight out.

“She’s just had a few injuries. She had a bit of a back problem also, but we seem to have got it all sorted out, fingers crossed.’’

Magic Name looks ready and able to go one better than his second on debut on the heavy track at Muswellbrook on July 1.

“He looks terrific as well and he’s really thrived since he’s come back into the stable,’’ Davies said.

“He is just going to need a bit of luck from that gate and I don’t know that he has the speed to cross them. It could be a concern. But you can’t just keep scratching them.’’

Magic Name’s encouraging first- and-only run was on a wet track when he came home the last 600m in 40.47s for the 1280m. But Davies is not worried at the prospect of firmer footing.

Davies has also tweaked the gear a little, electing to race the son of Magic Albert without the blinkers on Tuesday.

SHAYNE O’CASS’S BEST BETS

BEST BET: SINGLE AND FREE (Race 5, No. 3)

A 4YO mare by Not A Single Doubt that won on debut at Taree and has run quite well at the other two. Key to her success on Tuesday is those two outstanding trials in recent weeks. Clearly the one to beat.

NEXT BEST: HOT VINNI (Race 4, No. 3)

Handy sprinter from the Rod Northam yard at Scone that will appreciate this step back to country racing after finishing third at Warwick Farm last time out. He has won 5 races, 4 of them with Robert Thomspon in the saddle as he is today.

VALUE BET: SCIENTA (Race 6, No. 16)

A horse that is effective up to a mile and resumes here in a 1200m maiden off the back of some eye catching lead-up work. Gets the 2kgs off and will be hitting the line hard at generous odds. Makes each-way appeal.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW: ANDREW GIBBONS

Has five rides at Quirindi this afternoon, three of them are almost certain to start favourite in their respective races. He’ll more than like kick off the day with a win in the first on Brooklyn Lass.

TRAINER TO FOLLOW: ANGELA DAVIES

Has two horses headed from Gosford to Quirindi and she could not have found a better race for each for the pair. They are both first-up trialling very well indeed.

Originally published as Preview: Best bets for Quirindi