ATC City racing @ WYONG

WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER

TRACK:                        GOOD 3                       RAIL:    +3M

BEST BET:        Race 4             No.3     HILLARY STEP

BEST VALUE:   Race 6             No.8     SMOOTH WHISKEY

Race 1

1 – 3 – 4 – 7

I was taken with the debut effort of PLAGIARIST when third at Randwick on Melbourne cup day. That was at 1400m and the step to the mile today should be an added bonus. If there is a concern it’s the outside gate around a small circuit like Wyong. Zeppelin has been ultra consistent and from a good gate will likely tag the stablemate and look the winner on straightening. Moonmo was super at Hawkesbury when narrowly beaten but spruik horse Tiki Bar so keep her safe against this line up.

Race 2

8 – 1 – 5 – 3

Very open race with Chris Waller holding the key with four of the seven runners. I have nothing between MISS SHANTI and AFRICAN ACADEMY but they are by no means good things. African Academy was good at Gosford when getting a good run in transit and will need luck from the outside barrier here. The task has been made easier with the scratching of the expected leader this morning. Miss Shanti is the one who should get a nice run in transit with Brenton Avdulla choosing where they sit in the run. She was very good on debut when hitting the line solidly to finish second and with that run under her belt she will have improved.

Race 3

4 – 2 – 5 – 6

A few promising 3yo fillies line up in this event. I have a good rap on the Kris Lees prepared girl VALERIA who was impressive on debut and I thought a little unlucky not to make it two from at Gosford last time out. The step up a 100m looks ideal and with an expected genuine tempo she will get her chance to charge home. Tiki Bar will get the right run tucked in off the speed and only has to taken improvement from her last start win to be a player here. Dyslexic got back on debut and really savaged the line to win suggesting she is full of potential. Gracefilly finally debuted following plenty of trials and got the job done at Gosford. She will bounce and likely lead and must be considered a player again.

Race 4

3 – 4 – 2 – 6

If HILLARY STEP was trained by a bigger and more fashionable name I think she’d be a point shorter. She comes off a terrific run last start behind Bon Amis when chasing on a limb all the way. Bon Amis should have won again in tougher grade last Saturday. I think the step to 1200m is ideal yet incredibly she has raced six times over the distance for no placings but she has won at 1300m albeit in weaker grade. If she has luck early she will be there for a long way. Mollyfried was good at Canterbury last start when second behind Noire and from a perfect gate is the one you know will get the right run.

Race 5

2 – 5 – 1 – 3

A race when a good case can be made for the top three picks in the market. Difficult To Get would have gotten my nod except for the bad barrier. She is first up when she usually races well and turns up here off a solid trial win at Newcastle. Geneteau is also first up and has trialled very well especially the latest one at Kembla. From gate one she will get every chance but what worries me is the one win from 12 starts. FANNING from barrier two will hopefully go bang and find the fence and lead and is sure to be hard to run down. The worry is if he’s quick enough in the first 100m as he is dropping back from 1200m to the flying 1000m. That said if he can’t lead he still should get a good run in transit.

Race 6

8 – 3 – 1 – 4

SMOOTH WHISKEY at double figure odds seems great value especially if you can put his last run out of your mind when disappointing at Randwick. That said I found it astonishing he was driven to the lead a role that I think he resented. McEvoy takes over and if he relaxes early I think he will be amongst the spoils. Beijing Board was good winning at Hawkesbury second up and looks capable of continuing his winning form. Wallangarra is a promising horse having won three on the trot and must be given serious thought here but at 6/4 I thought he was under the odds.

Race 7

3 – 9 – 4 – 10

VICTIME DE L’AMOUR drops back from 1850 to the mile and from barrier two and early speed he should jump and settle handy. I expect San Pablo to press forward and find the front giving Victime De L’amour the ideal tag. High Point looks a handy progressive type and is capable of going on with the job following his maiden win last start. Don’t underestimate San Pablo if he is able to find the top without too much of a fight.

QUADDIE:

1^st leg:             3 – 4

2^nd leg:             1 – 2 – 5

3^rd leg:             1 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 8

4^th leg:             3 – 4 – 9 – 10

Cost $36 = 25%