John Schell
July 20, 2026 — 4:43pm
Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1
6. Autafinna settled off the speed at this track on debut at the end of last month, finishing off well to be a close second on the line. He is quickly up in distance for this event but gives the indication it will suit, and he should get every chance from the inside barrier. 8. Elite Delight was placed at this track two starts ago before finishing fifth at Muswellbrook when last produced. Improvement is on the cards. 5. Smokey Saint has been placed in his past three starts and led them up when third at Grafton last time out. 4. Send A Telegram was fourth last start at this track when racing in a forward position.
How to play it: Autafinna to win.
Race 2
1. Dream Invader is an Invader gelding on debut and did the job well when winning his only trial leading into this on a heavy track at Wyong. It was only a small field that lined up, but Dream Invader scored by a big margin. 2. Don’t resumed from a spell here for a new stable and has taken on provincial grade in each of his only three starts. 4. The Crusher is a stablemate of Dream Invader and is also having his first start. He’s had two trials and ran well in the second of them when finishing second. 10. Na Hamah gave a good sight when finishing second at this track last time out and can give cheek again.
How to play it: Dream Invader to win.
Race 3
1. Tact is handy on his day and looks set to peak here after having two runs back from a spell. He’s finished sixth in each of those starts at Newcastle and gets his chance. 3. Dark Stratum ran well when second at Casino before not being disgraced at Grafton when last produced. He can race on the speed and take running down. 5. Incantress has not been far away of late, and a forward showing would not surprise in this from the inside barrier in a small field. 4. Darn Deadly was placed here last time out and is a winner at this track.
How to play it: Tact to win.
Race 4
4. Airburst is a former Chris Waller-trained galloper that has had three starts since joining the Paul Snowden stable. She followed a fourth at this track with a last-start second at Port Macquarie and can break through here. 2. Sunny Quarters has been placed in her past two starts and can be thereabouts again. 1. Cannystep ran third here last time out in the same race where Sunny Quarters was second. 8. Fashion Spree is another last-start placegetter at this track with solid claims.
How to play it: Airburst to win.
Race 5
7. Charmed Destiny has had three starts back from a spell and has been beaten less than four lengths in each of them despite being unplaced. He was fifth last start at Port Macquarie and steps up in trip for this. 5. Nikody’s Binks led throughout to score here two starts back and then finished fourth as favourite at this track at his latest effort. 1. He’s Godspeed led when a placegetter last start here and can give cheek again. 3. So You Ready is second up from a spell and is capable of showing up on best form.
How to play it: Charmed Destiny each way.
Race 6
12. Red Spector had performed well with a second and a fourth at this track before settling back and charging home for an impressive last-start win at Grafton. He’s building a good record with two wins and a second from six starts, and can go on with the job. 5. Woodrow has been racing well before breaking his maiden at Doomben in April and returns to racing here for a new stable. A bold showing is on the cards. 3. Reflecting Fame raced on the pace and fought on well for a last-start fourth at Muswellbrook, while 2. Calypso Rocket was only beaten four lengths when a resuming 10th in a Rosehill Highway.
How to play it: Red Spector to win.
Race 7
3. Exceed Me has had two starts back from a spell at Port Macquarie for a second and a seventh in mid-June. He has been kept up to the mark for this with a trial at Port Macquarie earlier this month and looms as a leading contender if anywhere near his best. 5. Dirty Does It resumed with a solid finishing second at this track before a midfield finish at Muswellbrook and beats close watching. 6. Miss De Blaas raced on the speed and won with ease on a wet track here when last produced and can take beating again. 8. Mosgiel Crystal won at this track at her second start in April.
How to play it: Exceed Me to win.
Best bets
Race 4: (4) Airburst
Race 6: (12) Red Spector
Best value
Race 5: (7) Charmed Destiny
Supplied by Racing NSW





















