Race-by-race preview and tips for Kembla Grange on Wednesday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 - 2PM PFD FOOD SERVICES PROVINCIAL MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m)
3. Margaret’s Missile has to handle the conditions but it was a promising return at 1400m here a few weeks back. She was strong through the line there and can only be fitter for the run, which she’ll need to be with a heavy track. Go well.
Racing heads to Kembla Grange on Wednesday.Credit: Fairfax
Dangers: 2. Cohesive comes through the same race at her second start and thought she just held her ground to grab third on the line. Also hasn’t seen a wet track but has the right platform with two runs now to step to the mile. 4. Quinky Deel has been around the mark of late with placings in three of his last four starts. Drifter in betting at Gosford last time and was safely held but worked home okay. Handles wet tracks so stays under notice. 9. Paziah ran fourth in the Kembla race on December 14 that a few of the chances come through. Been thereabouts and not out of it.
How to play it: Margaret’s Missile WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 2 - 2.35PM CANADIAN CLUB CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2000m)
3. Denarau looks well suited getting up in distance now. Just missed at Moruya two back then sound in a Highway over the Randwick mile just over a week ago. Proven in heavy ground and with few rivals, will have every chance to break through.
Dangers: 2. Whatadilemma was a popular maiden winner at Newcastle on a soft 6 two back then had excuses at Gosford where he was stuck wide and didn’t get into the race at all. Placed at 2300m before a break and looks the major threat. 8. Electric Tigress is fitter for a couple of runs back though both have been a shade disappointing. Led last time at Newcastle and weakened but has the chance to improve. 11. Prince Of Arandell hasn’t been placed in eight starts to date but did run a somewhat improved race at Gosford when up to 1900m third-up. Place chance.
How to play it: Denarau WIN.
Race 3 - 3.10PM PERONI SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
3. Restonica went under at $1.30 at Gosford last time but had a tough run there and probably didn’t do a bad job to run third. Blinkers go on and a wet track is no issue, certainly won’t get caught wide from the inside gate and has a good chance to atone.
Dangers: 10. Late Night Talking gets in with a light weight on debut on the back of a sound trial win at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago. Not a lot to go on regarding a wet track but she’s well worth keeping safe. 12. Thaibeefsalade tried hard when runner-up on a heavy track here last Saturday and has backed up well in the past. Worth including in the main chances. 8. Kimono was safely held by the winner but fought hard with the runner-up when third at Canterbury in her best effort in three starts to date. On the up and if she copes with the ground she’s in the mix.
How to play it: Restonica WIN; trifecta 3/8,10,12/8,10,12.
Race 4 - 3:45PM CARLTON DRAUGHT 4YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)
1. Seton Hall has a bit against him with the 61kg on a heavy but does look the horse to beat on what we’ve seen to date. Made some ground at only run last time in behind Royal Tribute and had to like how he found the line in his trial. Any luck he goes close.
Dangers: 2. Zaragoza appears the logical danger though there’s no wet track credentials to speak of. Loomed up on debut at Warwick Farm when favourite then sound at Wyong with both races at 1100m. 12. Gigi Fille has been around the mark in three runs back and while beaten six lengths at Gosford last time she did run on and that was a soft 7. Each-way. 5. Proceed returns as a gelding after three runs in his first prep, best effort was a third at Hawkesbury on a soft 6. Trial was quiet and could show up fresh.
How to play it: Seton Hall WIN; trifecta 1/ 2,5,12/2,5,12.
Race 5 - 4.20PM ELITE SAND & SOIL MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m)
2. Katsumoto looked to do it quite easily on debut over this course a few weeks ago and that was on the back of one trial. Obviously needs to handle the ground but should roll forward and put himself in the right spot to have his chance to go back to back.
Dangers: 8. Cani Cancan won on debut on a heavy track at Wagga then just fair here at only other start before a spell. Looked to travel nicely behind them in her trial and wouldn’t surprise to see her run a big race fresh. 5. Diamond Lucy is trained here and shows some promise. Broke through for a maiden win before a break and scored a nice trial win a couple of weeks back. Yet to see a heavy under race conditions but worth keeping safe. 4. Narrative had excuses at Randwick last start getting back from a wide gate and not ever coming into it. Won well at Hawkesbury prior and entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Katsumoto WIN.
Race 6 - 4.55PM MWN SHEETMETAL 20 YEARS F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1400m)
3. She’s Unusual took a long time to wind up and couldn’t run down the winner first-up at Goulburn when favourite. Fitter for it and her only other start in NZ was on heavy ground and she won comfortably. Blinkers go on and she’ll get her chance here.
Dangers: 5. Zarrose kicked off her career with a couple of smart efforts including a maiden win at Wyong then even on a soft 6 at Newcastle. Expect she’ll be running on strongly at the finish. 10. Underground Music has been just behind the placings in her last four starts and is down in weight on a close up fourth at Nowra when back to 1200m. Close up in this grade prior and isn’t without an each-way chance. 7. Rapid Outlaw didn’t really fire last time in but is one to keep an eye on fresh after a nice third behind Either Oar in a Kembla trial recently.
How to play it: She’s Unusual WIN; trifecta 3/5,7,10/5,7,10.
Race 7 - 5.30PM EVERGREEN TURF AUSTRALIA CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1400m)
3. Gelatin had run some handy races and broke through on a heavy track when resuming at Warwick Farm in quite a tough performance. Was headed and fought back strongly with a decent gap to third. Strikes a winnable race and no surprise if he backs it up.
Dangers: 4. Louie’s Legacy just went under behind Ballistic Therapy on a soft 7 at Mudgee before tackling a Highway and just holding his ground. Does handy the wet well and gets in nicely with the claim so can show up. 1. Tipitina hasn’t raced since March 2022 so has obviously had issues so must be showing something to remain in the Godolphin colours. Two recent trials haven’t been eye-catching but he does handle a wet track and trip suits fresh. Big market watch. 9. Noble Attack is a local with good wet track credentials who won on a good track here in November before a fair effort last time. Could lift sharply.
How to play it: Gelatin WIN; trifecta 3/1,4,9/1,4,9.
BEST BETS
Race 3: (2) Restonica
Race 6: (3) She’s Unusual
BEST VALUE
Race 1: (3) Margaret’s Missile
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au