Race-by-race tips and previews for Thursday’s meeting at Kembla Grange

Track Good 4 and rail out 3m.

Race 1

3. Missie Lee is a tough closing mare primed to break through second-up in just her second prep. Let down strongly from well back to miss by under a length when resuming at Hawkesbury, and drawn to get cover off speed before cutting loose with a superior finishing burst. 1. Ex Wife is a big market watch resuming off a year-long break for only his second start, with winkers added. Was strong through the line in a recent trial. 5. Cheeky Sort is a filly by Tassort on debut for the local Joseph Ible stable off a smart trial, and draws the fence. Big gap to the rest headed by 8. Star Venture resuming off two trials.

How to play it: Missile Lee to win

Racing returns to Kembla Grange on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images

Race 2

1. Attica is a promising and well bred colt from the Joe Pride yard who looms as the clear one to beat stepping up a little in trip off a dominant debut win at Warwick Farm where he swept home from just off speed. Has a tonne of scope, and a provincial Class 1 in a small field should be a simple stepping stone. 3. Wounder chased home a smart winner at a much deeper metro level on the same day as the top selection, and can run the quinella. 4. Horizons worked home strongly from well back at Newcastle in her first run since autumn, although a query back on firmer ground. 2. Squeezebox hit the line impressively first-up at Wyong, and draws inside.

How to play it: Attica to win

Race 3

14. O’Sheamus is a lightly raced three-year-old who can improve sharply from a disappointing and awkward first-up effort at Goulburn as a solid favourite where he suffered a barrier mishap at the jump. Got well back that day before making some late ground, but the extra trip and even more so return to a much firmer surface are big plusses. Bred to get further, and from a draw where he can find cover off speed, only needs a clear crack at them from the 350m to land at big odds. 5. Decalogue is a lightly raced and progressive metropolitan colt who only missed by a long head in that same race as the top selection, although under the odds from a wide draw in what is an open race. 11. Lady Giovanna has been given 23 days and a steady trial since doing her best work late in a handy maiden at Newcastle. 9. Breeders Sun is a lightly raced filly who made a solid return here 19 days ago. Metro-based fillies 10. Fashionable and 13. Lupa Capitolina, both improving into their second starts, can figure in the minor money; while 2. Buckenara resuming off two trials and a stablemate of the top selection, and 7. Reflect fourth-up over more ground; can add plenty of value into trifecta and first fours.

How to play it: O’Sheamus to win

RACE 4

8. Cool Drinks is a talented Kiwi-bred three-year-old from the same city stable as the previous on top selection, resuming off two improving trials. Hasn’t raced since charging home late in a good quality provincial maiden as a two-year-old in winter when backed from $7.50 into $4.80, and has been held back to find the right race fresh. 4. Onmalone is a lightly raced improver on drier ground after folding up late from the front at Newcastle when resuming. 6. Orange Tsunami hit the line nicely on debut at Wyong, and the second horse from that maiden has since broken through at Canterbury. 2. In And Out is over the odds third-up after a strong closing run at Gosford; while 3. Phoenix Legend second-up from a softer draw, and 14. Rajwa who was close-up in that same race as Orange Tsunami; head the rest.

How to play it: Cool Drinks to win

RACE 5

1. Jacob’s Ladder is a Randwicv-based four-year-old with more than enough ability to put this moderate field to the sword second-up. Enjoyed a solid prep earlier in the year, placed twice at Warwick Farm before a strong maiden win at Canberra as a hot favourite. Resumed with a fast-finishing effort in a deeper race at Wyong, and back on a more suitable bigger track over 100m further, he’s the one to beat. 3. Change My Address is drawn wide, but drops significantly in grade third-up and blinkers go on. 8. Dusty Bay ran home okay first-up at Warwick Farm; while 4. Smart Cry third-up, and 7. Tong Ho second-up off a five week let-up; are the best of the longer-priced runners.

How to play it: Jacob’s Ladder to win

RACE 6

10. Whatalegacy is an emerging metro colt who led from barrier to box on debut at Wyong, running slick sectionals, and will likely jump clear favourite staying over the same trip. 13. All The Way Mae resumes for just her second start behind a handy trial after sweeping home for a dominant provincial debut win in heavy ground in late May. 2. Madrina is an ex-Victorian mare and big market watch resuming since early April for the new country stable. Given a solid trial, and gear changes have been made. 6. Sociable is another former Victorian, and naturally betting watch, having his first outing for the new Ciaron Maher stable off a near 11 month spell behind two quiet trials.

How to play it: Whatalegacy to win

RACE 7

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3. Cosmic Lad has been up for a long time, mixing his form since a sweeping home to win a CL1 at Wyong in late June, but will relish a drop in quality and depth. Given 22 days between runs to off-set a significant drop in distance against tougher metro opposition at Doomben, and draws to get a soft run behind the speed. 1. Perfect Play resumes off two improving trials, with significant gear changes, and was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday to run here. Couldn’t win last prep, but did take on much tougher metro races up to BM 84 level over further, and wasn’t far off a coupe of very promising staying types. Normally comes to hand early, and this shapes as an ideal starting distance. 8. Irish Bliss is trained on the track, and backs up quickly from a poor effort in heavy going here last Saturday, with blinkers back on. 2. Le Mans is an each way watch, first-up since autumn and switching from a Victorian campaign behind two quiet trials. 11. Greygenta reloads nearly three weeks after a tough CL1 win here, and goes in all trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Cosmic Lad to win

BEST BETS:
R2 1. ATTICA

R5 1. JACOB’S LADDER
BEST VALUE:
R4 8. COOL DRINKS

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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