Race-by-race preview and tips for Wyong on Saturday

Race 1 – 11.05PM MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS 2YO HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

5. Royal Exile has the benefit of racing experience, and he did beat older horses in good fashion at Taree just before Christmas. If there’s a concern it is that he was quite green, baulking on the post, but he showed a nice turn of foot to pick them up from midfield. If he’s learnt from that, and can be handy to the pace, he could get away with it. Wary of the Waterhouse-Bott colt 4. Proton, which has trialled twice over the 850m or thereabouts and there was significant improvement into the second. Imagine he leads from the inside gate and the 1200m will suit. There was nothing wrong with the latest trial by 3. Gold Globe over 1030m. He looked to lengthen quite well late there. It might be a bit too soon for 2. Audit, looking at his latest trial, but it is a small field and he could run well.
How to play it: Royal Exile to win.

Accredited wins at Randwick in June. He has been right around the mark this preparation and can return to the winner’s circle at Wyong.Credit: Getty Images

Race 2 – 11.35PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

9. Zumbo on top in a wide open Highway. Won her first two starts nicely before jumping to Highway grade in September and running a very nice second behind a handy one that wound up in The Kosciuszko. She had a shot at stakes level after that and beat one home, but wasn’t entirely disgraced behind Marhoona. Sets up well for her from a nice gate and she can be effective. 11. Move She Can enjoyed a nice run second up and finished a bit too well to win at Newcastle in a country BM66. Consistent mare that can be competitive. 10. Lady Olenna was excellent when resuming at Rosehill at this trip, but has not run up to expectations in two starts since then. Gets into a race that should suit if she can settle and finish off. 13. Grassburn is good odds, and she’s been solid in three runs for the new stable. Threw the race away at Taree last time, but comes back in trip and draws to get her chance.
How to play it: Zumbo to win.

Race 3 – 12.05PM BRONTE SIMPSON MEMORIAL MIDWAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

4. Charleroi is very well placed coming back to Midway grade after a couple of runs at BM78 level where he’s been more than competitive. Unlucky two back, then had his chance at Randwick two weeks ago and was only nailed for second late. Peaks now on his home track right back in grade. 3. Motoscafo is a backmarker that does not often have things go her way, but she signalled she’s racing well with a much-improved third in what looks a strong Midway two weeks ago. Kinder draw and a claim, so she gets her chance. 1. Cape Byron raced handy and when headed in the straight he fought hard to be beaten narrowly by Missile Strike, which has run well again since. Will push forward from the gate, and if he gets the right run, he’s in the mix. 7. Oakfield Saturn won well at this track and over this distance before starting favourite in a Midway at Randwick and things did not really pan out for her in the run, but she finished off nicely. Blinkers go on and she’s entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Charleroi to win.

Race 4 – 12.35PM WYONG EQUINE CLINIC BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP (2100 METRES)

Hard not to be impressed with 4. Unlimited, which ran right up to some good support when scoring easily at Randwick against similar opposition. Rises 3kg, but looks to be right at his top now, draws to get the right run and only has to hold his form to be right in the finish again. Stablemate 8. Sounds Unusual hit the line strongly to claim second over the mile when second up signalling he’s on target for a win soon. Did win third up last prep, though at a mile on heavy, and he’s not been beyond 1900m. Whether he needs this before breaking through remains to be seen, but should be difficult to beat. 5. Bacio Del Mist often gives away a big start and runs on, and she did that at big odds behind Unlimited second up. She doesn’t win out of turn, but expect her to be hitting the line. 3. Elliptical ran his best race in some time when placing in the same race at his third run back from Hong Kong and an 18-month break. He could be ready to go on with it.
How to play it: Unlimited to win.

Race 5 – 1.10PM CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY NEWS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

9. Slinky started solidly in the market first up and had little chance from last on the fence with no runs opening up for her. Went to the line with a bit to give. Fitter, and if she can hold a position from the inside gate this time around, she can be a lot more effective. Good each-way chance. 5. Huon is often under the radar, and he’s been going well in similar races, beaten just over half a length at Randwick a month ago behind Axius and can see him being somewhere in the finish. 7. Princess Que is a big query, coming from Victoria with a couple of jump-outs under her belt. Hard to line her form up, but all wins are at the 1200m, and she was placed up to BM84 last prep. No stars here and she can be competitive. 8. Mailata is a bit hit and miss, but gets the blinkers on for the first time and if he’s on, then he can show up.
How to play it: Slinky each way.

Race 6 – 1.45PM LAWRIE MCKINNA MAYOR’S CUP F&M BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

11. Beside The Ocean is lightly raced and arrived just in time to win over 1000m when resuming on Boxing Day. Up in class into this, but looks progressive and sure to be strong late. 7. Be Quiet is way over the odds from a nice draw down in the weights on an easy win in lesser grade at Gosford a few weeks ago. She ran well at Canterbury before switching stables and no surprise to see her run a cheeky race. 9. Heat Missile is a market watch resuming, having taken on a couple of stakes races before a spell. Chance the 1100m is a bit sharp, but have to keep safe. 12. Indefensible is more than likely going to give a start, hopefully not as much as last time, but she has the blinkers so on that’ll help. Capable if she gets it right.
How to play it: Beside The Ocean to win.

Race 7 – 2.20PM DE BORTOLI WINES 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

10. Bella Corazon should be forgiven for her unplaced run at Randwick last time when she ran right into a dead end. Not sure where she finishes, but overlook that and go on her easy win two starts ago where she sat off the speed from a good gate and was too strong. Draws well and a good each-way hope. 5. Loving did little first up, but got the confidence back with an easy win at Gosford sitting right behind the lead and racing clear. Up in class again, but with that win on the board she could go on with it. 7. Shelstein showed improvement second up when a nice third at Randwick two weeks ago in a BM78. Extra 100m looks ideal and gets every chance to continue lifting this time in. 13. Sequista broke through at Gosford second up when the favourite and looked to have her chance at Randwick on Boxing Day after having a nice enough run. Just a bit weak late chasing the winner. Racing well, just may be under the odds.
How to play it: Bella Corazon each way.

Race 8 – 2.55PM DOMELAND WYONG TOWN PLATE BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

1. Accredited has been right around the mark this preparation, and while he was a little disappointing in Brisbane last time out, this looks a perfect race for him to get back on top. He ran a game second in The Hunter second up and again ran well behind Yorkshire after that, so with a soft draw and a designated leader, he should have no excuses. 7. Rhythm Of Love is one to be wary of first up from a spell. She was due to resume at Randwick last month but was scratched at the barriers and sent back to the trials. It may have been a good thing for her to have the extra hit-out, and she won that trial easily. Goes well fresh. 4. Whinchat gets complete control of this race if he can get the first 100m or so right as the only natural leader engaged. He couldn’t find the front last time but did box on well to be beaten less than two lengths. Back to the trials again and this is a good chance for him to fire. 5. Xidaki is another more than capable of winning a race like this if things go his way. Found himself well back in a race where nothing made ground at Randwick last time, so can overlook that. On his first-up effort he’d be in the mix.
How to play it: Accredited to win.

Race 9 – 3.35PM LIMITLESS LODGE LAKES MILE (1600 METRES)

3. Know Thyself is the logical horse to beat. He just keeps raising the bar, and he was strong winning first up at 1400m three weeks ago with a good ride off a tricky gate. Fitter, unbeaten second up and landed a perfect draw to get a great run. Can’t punch any holes in his form. 2. Amor Victorious draws to lead them from gate two after he just held on to score in a listed mile at Eagle Farm. Now he’s found winning form again he could well hold it and any control he gets makes him difficult to run down. 1. Robusto was runner-up in this race last year and backs up after another brave effort over 1300m at Eagle Farm last week behind Need Some Luck. Placed in The Ingham before that. Just needs the breaks from a wide gate, and if he gets them, he will be thereabouts again. 6. Gallant Star steps up to the mile after going down in a close finish behind Know Thyself last time out. Does meet him on relatively similar weight terms and less than favourable draw, but he’s racing well and difficult to leave out.
How to play it: Know Thyself to win.

Race 10 – 4.15PM ASAHI GROUP BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

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7. Althoff is screaming out for this sort of trip and gets it after two eye-catching runs over 1200m this time in. He’s done a lot of promising to date in his career, and though he has a slightly tricky gate, all he needs is a bit of tempo and a back to follow, and he should be closing in on them late. Good chance. 4. Puntin hasn’t done a lot wrong and is effective when fresh. If he finds the lead he should be difficult to run down. Fitter for two trials and one to be careful with. 8. Bojangles produced a forgiveable run at Randwick two weeks ago off a wide gate. On his previous couple of efforts he’s a major chance to break a long run of outs. Hasn’t raced on his home track for some time, but won both attempts. Each-way chance at least. 9. Cross Tasman is a progressive type coming off an easy win on Boxing Day, making light work of a wide gate. Stable won this race with Yorkshire last year. Must be wary.
How to play it: Althoff to win.

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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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