Race-by-race preview and tips for Friday’s meeting at Tuncurry

3 days ago 6

By John Schell

September 11, 2025 — 4.47pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

6. Septimus is a lightly raced but talented galloper that ran fourth at Newcastle two starts ago before breaking his maiden as favourite at the same track last time out. He looks to be on an upward spiral and should be difficult to hold out again. 7. Justifiably has been racing well with a couple of recent placings and a last-start fourth at Gosford. This looks within reach. 3. Casino Bear has hit winning form again of late having scored at Taree and Grafton in three of his past four starts. He looms as a chance again. 8. Spiritly has not been too far away since scoring at Port Macquarie and is not out of this.
How to play it: Septimus to win.

Racing heads back to Tuncurry on Friday.

Race 2

1. Alaskan Bay is on debut and a son of Pariah. He’s had one trial leading into this and finished second in that hit-out at Port Macquarie. This looks a nice race to start his career in. 3. All Inked Up is also on debut and has had two solid trials to prepare for this. He’s drawn the rails and should be prominent. 11. She’s A Wild One has been placed in two of six starts and was midfield at Grafton last time out behind a subsequent winner. 14. Varazze battled on well when a last-start second at Taree and warrants respect.
How to play it: Alaskan Bay to win.

Race 3

4. Andale Andale is an All Too Hard mare having her first race start. She’s had two trials and has won both. She’s drawn awkwardly, but has the ability to give a bold sight. 8. Fierceness has been placed in one of three starts and comes into this on the back of a barrier trial. 2. The Warrior was not too far away when unplaced at Scone when last produced and has been running well before that. 9. Emalyn was down the track on debut at Newcastle. She resumes here after a trial win at Gosford and is not out of this.
How to play it: Andale Andale to win.

Race 4

10. Princess Mary had been down the track in a few runs before showing improvement when a last-start second at Scone when beaten less than a length. She’s drawn the rails here with Anna Roper taking the ride. 11. Trois was a winner at goods odds on debut at Tamworth and has been placed in both runs since. She should run well again. 9. Arambys has been in the placings in his past two Tamworth starts and is not out of this, while 5. Scotland has ability at best and can get into the minor money.
How to play it: Princess Mary each way.

Race 5

7. What A Gent has been placed in two of six starts and can bob up here without surprising despite finishing eighth after leading at Newcastle when last produced. 5. Cool Rupert is on debut after two trials, and a bold showing wouldn’t surprise. 4. Paralia has finished third in two recent Port Macquarie efforts and is well worth including among the main chances. 10. Nikody’s Casper has finished third in two of his three starts and can get into the minor placings again.
How to play it: What A Gent each way.

Race 6

12. Khant Fail has shown ability with a win and seven placings from 14 starts. She’s drawn the inside gate, and with the apprentice claim, looks hard to hold out. 11. Ghayoor made her debut with a strong Taree victory, and the stable is going well. 8. Great Idea won two on end at Tamworth before a last-start midfield effort in Highway grade at Rosehill. 9. Thebes won at Hawkesbury two starts back and followed that up with a fourth at Gosford. He’s drawn to get a good run in this event.
How to play it: Khant Fail each way.

Race 7

4. Formal Display is an import that has adapted well since joining the new stable. He had two trials before winning at Eagle Farm on his Australian debut and he is poised to go on with the job here. 6. Galano has been racing well with two straight wins, at Muswellbrook and Canterbury, since resuming and has the talent to give this a shake. 8. Lugh was a winner at Randwick two starts ago and his form has been solid of late. 10. Mornington Pier looked good winning his first two starts for the new stable and was not far away when a last-start fourth at Randwick.
How to play it: Formal Display to win.

Race 8

3. Rockbarton Max was a strong winner on debut at Newcastle and followed that up with a third at the same track before a last-start second there. He looks talented and this looks a nice race to get back into the winner’s stall. 2. Miss Passion made her debut for the new stable with a last-start fifth at Tamworth when not beaten far. 6. Cluedo wasn’t too far away when last produced and has claims again here, while 9. Toomuchinformation has been close up of late and isn’t out of this.
How to play it: Rockbarton Max to win.