Race-by-race preview and tips for Kembla Grange on Saturday

Race 1: 12:35PM MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1400M)

8. Callistemon is a reliable mare resuming on her home track and kicks off at a trip that should see her be very competitive. Placed in her first three last time in, including at 1200m fresh, before winning easily over the mile in June. No doubt she’ll improve on whatever she does but the stable won this last year and she’s been well positioned to go close. 1. Rolling Magic will have to offset that wide barrier but he can roll forward in his races so it’s not impossible for him to do that. Fitter for a promising return where he hit the line behind an in-form horse in this grade. With luck he’s in the finish. 17. Bojangles disappointed a little last week at Newcastle, albeit in a much stronger grade, as he looked to have the right run just off the speed but didn’t run on. Beaten under two lengths and comes back from Benchmark 94 to Midway so give another chance. 2. Vintage Choice is an interesting runner, he’s an on-pacer resuming and did run a close second in a Provincial-Midway Championships heat at this track and trip earlier in the year. He could run a cheeky race.
How to play it: Callistemon EACH-WAY

Callistemon wins at Randwick on Saturday earlier this year.Credit: Getty Images

Race 2: 1:10PM TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1400M)

Matt Dale looks to have a strong hand with two horses that haven’t had a lot of luck. Leant to 10. Write Your Own who has been excellent from the back in three Highway starts, the last two off wide gates. Looks the type that doesn’t have a long sprint on him so drawing nicely is in his favour and on the fresh side with a month between runs he can run well. 5. Big Opinion lost the rider second-up then was trapped wide on an unsuitable surface in a Highway. Can forgive both of those, he does have a wide gate to deal with but can show up. 4. Hell Of A Fox went around the outside fence at Canberra second-up and she was still game enough to make a dash early in the straight before the run ended. Ready after two runs back and looks a big improver. 3. Alottosay missed a place for the first time when fourth at Moruya last month but she was running on strongly late. She’s trialled in between and gets a soft draw. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Write Your Own EACH-WAY.

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Race 3: 1:45PM ALTUS TRAFFIC BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1000M)

1. Spywire is a handy type resuming from a solid winter where he ran well fresh behind King’s Secret, narrowly beaten, and got a win on the board before a break in Queensland. He looked very strong in winning his recent trial, while he has drawn out a bit there should be good speed and he can feature in the finish. 6. Cassiel is a speedy type resuming and you have to forgive his defeat at Randwick before a spell when favourite. Raced three wide on the speed there and was a sitting shot. Trialling well as you’d expect and should be hard to beat. 7. Zaragoza has likely been set to run well at this meeting and his first-up placing at Randwick, where he turned last and sailed down the middle to be beaten a length. No harder here and he’s a definite chance. 9. Couples Retreat was scratched from a winnable race on Wednesday to run here and she was sound when placed at Rosehill two weeks ago. Won twice at this track and trip in easier grade prior so she stays in the mix.
How to play it: Spywire WIN

Race 4: 2:20PM CARLTON DRY 3.5 F&M BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200M)

1. Weeping Woman might look a bit vulnerable with 61kg and an outside gate but she certainly wasn’t when she had everything served up to her before breaking away to win easily first-up at Rosehill. Has the speed to get across into a similar position and if that’s what happens she’ll take stopping. 7. Spirit Of Wealth was excellent in running second off a confidence boosting Hawkesbury win. The ear muffs are still on which is a small concern but they didn’t stop her last time. Logical threat. 8. Amreekiyah is a real wild card first-up after disappointing when favourite in August. She did pull up with some EIPH which is a genuine excuse and she brushed home well in her recent trial showing she’s in good order. If they overdo it up front she’ll be there to pounce. 2. Jellicious was never in the race when in the market at Randwick three weeks ago, it was slowly run and not a lot made any ground. If she can get back onto a bit better surface as well it’d be a plus but have to forgive last time.
How to play it: Weeping Woman WIN

Race 5: 2:55PM PFD FOOD SERVICES BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (2000M)

1. Hurstville Zagreb has a good chance to bounce back after he was rolled as favourite at Rosehill two weeks ago. Had genuine excuses there, having to work hard from the outside to get on the speed and was left vulnerable late. Beaten under a length so it was hardly a failure. Perfect set up for him from the inside, any sting out would be a plus, and he can bounce back. 2. Oceanfront is coming through the classes nicely chasing four on end after scoring in Midway company on a wet track at Randwick earlier this month. Hard to fault at present and should run well. 12. Natoya started favourite in that race and while the winner was too good she was strong enough late to suggest 2000m is a plus for her. Is 3kg better off so worth including. 11. Bestower can be a bit slow out which doesn’t help her but if they do get along up front she can produce a late burst as she did when runner-up at Rosehill in the same race as Hurstville Zagreb. Each-way again.
How to play it: Hurstville Zagreb WIN

Race 6: 3:30PM ABAX CIVIL CG&E BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200M)

7. Shady Thinker had no favours at his Sydney debut two weeks ago, he somehow found himself trapped wide and working. Was still coming at the end of the race beaten just over a length. He’ll be better for that experience and with a slightly more economical run he can be in the finish. 2. Tuned won that event with a saloon run on the fence and in doing so ran up to some support at his first run as a gelding. Has less favours this time but he only has to hold form to be competitive. 3. Mogul Monarch was super at Rosehill two runs back, and a shade unlucky, but didn’t fire at Randwick three weeks ago. That’s unlike him, perhaps the ground wasn’t to his liking, and he’s more than capable of being placed at least. 12. Quietly Arrogant contested some major two-year-old races last season and resumes with a strong trial win under his belt where he tagged the leader and edged away late. Might need a bit of luck but any support is significant.
How to play it: Shady Thinker WIN

Race 7: 4:05PM MCR THE WARRA (1000M)

2. Barber is a little underestimated as he did a good job in his first prep for the new stable earlier this year. He was excellent in a solid race first-up, going down narrowly, then sustained a run to win the Takeover Target at Gosford. Good effort in the Ramornie before spelling. His two trials have been nice in behind the pack and any rain would be huge for him. Expect he’ll run well fresh. 1. Dragonstone has contested the past three editions and was unfortunate to bump into Headwall when runner-up last year. His last effort at Randwick was enormous after going out way too hard in front. He boxed on strongly to be beaten a length. Down in weight, draws well, likes the track. Definite chance. 3. Zealously is going to be hard to beat, though he does become vulnerable if there’s some rain around. Too quick first-up at Warwick Farm before a close third as favourite in a Group 2 at Caulfield. Short trip, inside gate, limit weight all say he’ll be tough to beat. 7. The Black Cloud is another who would appreciate a bit of give in the track. She hasn’t won for a while but has had a couple of close calls and she’s not to be discounted.
How to play it: Barber EACH-WAY.

Race 8: 4:45PM THE ILLAWARRA MERCURY GONG (1600M)

1. Gringotts is hard to tip against. He won this race last year in a canter and since has won at Group 1 level and made light work of 62kg in winning the Big Dance. Weight is no issue, he’s down 1kg, he handles wet or dry and he’s drawn a gate where he can be wherever needed. A worthy favourite. 3. Estadio Mestalla has been handed a task from the outside but he is versatile and can adapt to whatever plan is in place. Showed how well he’s come back by winning at 1100m under 63kg fresh then backed it up in the Hunter last week steaming home from last. Won the Benchmark 88 at this meeting last year in faster time than the Gong. He’s flying and if there’s a danger he’s the one. 7. Territory Express is very much a take on trust proposition but he showed a glimpse of his best when third at Hawkesbury up on the inside section in the Ladies Day Cup. Started $7 in this last year and blew the start. Good odds if he can get everything right. 4. New Endeavour wasn’t beaten far when resuming at Flemington off a wide gate where he had to go back which isn’t really his style. Can land a lot closer here, handles all ground and shapes as a big improver.
How to play it: Gringotts WIN.

Tommy Berry riding Gringotts in The Illawarra Mercury Gong at Kembla Grange last year. Credit: Getty Images

Race 9: 5:20PM EVERGREEN TURF BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (1600M)

5. Well Timed has been pretty good since winning first-up and back onto his home track he finds a race where he looks very hard to beat. Was being hailed the winner at Hawkesbury two weeks ago only to be swamped on the line, he draws nicely and gets every chance to run out a strong mile. 12. Asgarda found herself in front in the Little Dance and she did quite a handy job to hold on and run fourth there. Doubt she will be forced to lead this time from a better draw, if they get some rain her chances soar as well. Can feature. 3. Our Gold Hope is more than good enough to win this if she gets the breaks because things really haven’t worked out that well this time in. Another forced into leading off a wide gate last time and she wasn’t disgraced at Randwick over 2000m. A mile on her home track is fine and she has a good chance. 6. Lord Of Biscay wasn’t disgraced in the Big Dance after getting back worse than midfield. Only beaten three lengths by Gringotts, this is a bit easier and he’s going well enough to be a player.
How to play it: Well Timed WIN.

Race 10: 5:55PM ELITE SAND & SOIL BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1400M)

6. Midnight Dynamite has the right scenario to repeat his winning effort from two starts ago where he found the front from the outside and just kept going over 1300m at Randwick. Then back to 1200m at Rosehill he wasn’t as effective. Two weeks between runs, he’ll look to lead or be right there and if that’s the case he takes beating. 14. Starman hasn’t won for 1413 days but he has been right around the mark of late including a sound second at Rosehill two weeks ago where he found himself in front somehow. You know he’s going to be competitive. 4. Yes Lulu jumped out of the ground when she charged down the middle from last to win at Rosehill. Likely has to repeat those tactics from a wide gate, and at a shorter price, but hard to leave out. 1. Mickey’s Medal rarely runs a bad race. In the mix somewhere. Last run in this grade was a winner and he’s had two nice trials in the lead up. Will need luck but capable on his day. 8. Bartolf is a good chance if it stays dry and 13. Invader Zim a good chance if it becomes wet.
How to play it: Midnight Dynamite WIN.

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