There’ll be a host of nice horses stepping out on Sunday, and hopefully there’ll be some winners to be found. Here are my five plays for the afternoon.
Bet 1: Each-way – Gundagai Race 1, number ten: Whickler
I reckon there is real value about this David Blundell runner. She’s a four-year-old mare that debuted at Wagga, where she got well back on the rail and was never really in the hunt, but I liked the way she closed off to finish just under four lengths from the winner. Her form out of that race has been franked, and I can see her getting three-wide cover here and launching on the turn, which is the A1 style for this track.
Win odds: $11; place odds: $3.2 (BetEasy)
Bet 2: Each-way – Muswellbrook Race 4, number 5: Cricklewood
He’s hard to follow, but really anything goes when it comes to the Brook and wet ground. I’m happy to put the line through his last run at Tamworth – he just got too far back and was never really in the hunt behind Our Winnie, who won earlier in the week at Gosford to frank the form. Having the tongue tie back on suggests she wasn’t 100 per cent last time. She’s right down in the weights and I think is worth an each-way ticket at the odds.
Win odds: $14; place odds: $4.2 (BetEasy)
Bet 3: Win – Sale Race 8, number 4: Truly High
I like him here. Darren Weir trains this gelding, which ran over 2100 metres at Sandown last time out and seemed to really appreciate the decent clip, and once Johnny Allen popped him into clear air it was game over – he won with real authority on the line. He’ll eat up the extra 100 metres, and any give in the track is certainly no issue.
Win odds: $2 (Bet365)
Bet 4: Win – Sunshine Coast Race 5, number 11: De Lady Deluxe
She’s getting near D-day, but I think if she brings her best, she’ll be too good for them. On first look I thought she was pretty poor last time at Ipswich when third to Osmosis, but she was a month between runs and I’m not sure she was 100 per cent happy on the tight track. Now fitter and in more spacious surroundings, she looks the one.
Win odds: $3.20 (Bet365)
Bet 5: Win – Devonport Race 5, number one: Prince Of Virtue
He’s going through his grades and faces his toughest test to date, but I think he’s a beauty and could well be a horse we’ll see in Melbourne for the off-season races. Two wins from two to start his career, both coming at this track and distance, the latest being last Sunday when Teaghan Voorham pushed the button from the wide gate and burnt the candle to find the lead. Though he tired late, he did a good job to win. He can do what he pleases from gate one.
Win odds: $1.95 (Sportsbet)