Tips and race-by-race guide for Tamworth on Monday

1 hour ago 1

By Neil Evans

March 1, 2026 — 6.00pm

Track good 4 and rail out 3m from 1000m to 300m and true the remainder.

Race 1

2. Damascus Gate is hard fit and well placed in an even and open battle to grab a second win from his last three, despite rising sharply in trip. Reloads on a quick six-day back-up after sticking on stronger against classier opposition at Scone and can get a soft enough run on speed from this barrier, with a 4kg claim again pivotal. Watch the betting on Gold Coast visitor 3. Giddy Gan’s Joy, which has run home well in three starts this prep, either side of the border. 1. Descending Mist drops back to his rightful grade deep into the prep, but still under the odds from an awkward draw and carrying plenty of weight. 5. Bill Peyto has also been up for a long time and hasn’t won for a while, but he did hit the line from well back in a deeper race at Mudgee only nine days ago, and again advantaged at the weights. 4. Eject goes in all trifectas and first four plays.
How to play it: Damascus Gate to win.

Race 2

4. Breukelen is a three-year-old by Golden Slipper winner Farnan on debut for an under-rated home stable. Was strong through the line in winning a recent trial and drawn to advantage. 3. Our Boy Tom is trained on the course and a threat second-up with gear changes from a low draw. 2. Moke Lake has a clear race fitness advantage after placing in his last three, and drawn to get a soft run behind the speed. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Justo’s Rocket, improving further fourth-up, and lightly raced local 10. Cosmolicious dropping back from provincial company.
How to play it: Breukelen to win.

Race 3

1. Excessor is a provincial-based three-year-old which has what looks a weak maiden at his mercy. Didn’t attack the line when unplaced on debut here after being hampered at a crucial stage, yet still finished less than a length away. With that experience behind him and a far superior and stronger jockey taking over, he can open his account. Scratched from Coffs on Sunday to be saved for this. 10. Our Miracle Girl is drawn to find a nice trail second-up with a gear change after closing off well from a long way back fresh. 4. Speedy Pete can improve back in a race with less depth, while 7. Lobbyist resuming for a new stable is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Excessor to win.

Race 4

11. Ole Miss, a lightly raced filly by Ole Kirk, is primed to break through second-up in a moderate affair. Comes through that same Super Maiden here 17 days ago as the previous on top selection when powering home to miss by a long head. Drawn to settle closer in the run here and only needs clear air from the 350m. 5. Literature Tycoon can improve sharply second-up off a long break. 2. Power Cruise is a betting watch first-up behind two quiet trials for a leading trainer-jockey combination. 12. Varius, a stablemate of the former and back in a weaker maiden at her second start, is capable of running into the minor money.
How to play it: Ole Miss to win.

Race 5

6. Stern Dispute is a progressive three-year-old in the Kris Lees yard well placed to go back-to-back at his third outing. Came off only a fair debut to sweep home as a hot favourite and open his account at Taree. Looked to have plenty left that day, and this isn’t much harder. The one to beat. 2. Jason Darren can give a sight second-up after sticking on for a long way in a deeper provincial race. 9. Meddlesome has to tuck in from a wide draw third-up, with a very inexperienced apprentice on, but she’s been in the money nine times from 12 starts and has a consistent record at home. 12. It’s A Written is an each-way chance dropping back from a deeper race, although her strike rate is poor. 1. Manwe, down in class third-up, and 8. Ichika, which has run home OK in two starts back from a break, head the rest.
How to play it: Stern Dispute to win.

Race 6

8. Instead is a tough and improving mare ideally suited to claim a fifth win from only 16 starts, second-up off a freshen. Won two straight up to Class 3 level before that let-up, then returned with a strong finishing effort in a deeper Country Championship Qualifier. Drawn to get cover off speed and suited getting up to the mile, she only needs a clear passage from the turn. 4. Pensativa is knocking on the door fifth-up after an unplaced effort in Highway company before chasing home a runaway winner in a similar race here 17 days ago. 3. Invincible Red is over the odds deep into the campaign coming through that same race as the former when beaten a long way, but jockey change is significant. 5. Ring Ahoy, backing up quickly from a fast-finishing effort in the Quirindi Cup, adds value into wider exotics, along with 10. Bolt Away Now back up sharply in grade, and 9. Aussie Nation at bigger odds second-up.
How to play it: Instead to win.

Race 7

5. Equitable is a sparingly raced five-year-old which can go back-to-back in a very open sprint. Worked home OK in a handy maiden when resuming before sweeping home from midfield here to open his account after being backed from $3.80 into $3.20. Stays at the short trip and has plenty of upside. 8. Brighella is an honest home-tracker which hasn’t been out of the money in his last four. 2. Canny Prospect is well over the odds down in grade from a sound draw, with gear changes in play. 1. Master Gee has to overcome a tough draw, but has won two of his last three and boasts early tactical speed. 9. Broken Wings third-up and 12. Yes Yes Boss deep into the prep are the best of the rest.
How to play it: Equitable to win.