Wagga Tips – 6 May 2021

Race 5

THIS SKILLED CAT followed up his improved performance in his penultimate start over this trip with a 0.8L victory next time out over the same distance, notwithstanding being friendless in the betting markets. He hit the front at the 150M mark that day and fought off all challengers over the closing stages despite his jockey dropping his crop at the 100M pole. He has cracked pole position and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. As such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

SHENANDOAH on the other hand attracted plenty of market support when showing good improvement to finish second last time out over a mile, just a head back from the winner. He set the pace that day and looked a likely winner before being collared in the shadow of the post. The form of that race has been franked and although facing a wide draw twelve out of fourteen, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

TOCATCHACOD also showed solid improvement when attempting to go from jump to wire before ending up in second place in his last outing over a mile, just a half length back from the winner. He will have to negotiate draw nine, but he should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

HIMIKO is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she battled all the way down to the wire when showing marked improvement to win her last start over ten furlongs by half a length. She jumps from draw five and a repeat of that last performance would see her right up there when they hit the line.

CALL ME ARTIE finished eight in his latest run over ten furlongs, 13.2L adrift of the victor, but that was in a Group 3 race. He also jumped awkwardly that day and with the drop in class today, he could make his presence felt in this line-up. He will have to overcome draw eleven, just should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

NIECES AND NEPHEWS is seldom far off the action and had to be held up between the 450 and 150M mark before finishing strongly to end up in second spot last time out over nine furlongs, a length back from the winner. He has an even wider gate eighteen, but with better luck in running today, he should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 7

OPEN MINDED completed his quartet of victories when winning his last start over six furlongs by just under a half-length. The last three wins have all come over today’s sprint trip and although having the widest draw of them all, he could go on to record five wins on the trot.

MARWAY has won two of his last three outings, the latest over six furlongs by 0.8L. He overraced in the middle stages that day, but still managed to stay on well over the latter stages of the contest. He has a kinder draw eleven and should turn in another honest effort here.

SOUTHERN LAD is a speedy sort who has consistent formlines to his name, finishing second in his last outing over six furlongs, two lengths off the winner. He returns from an 11-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest to showcase his well-being. He will have to beat a wide draw sixteen, but he should still be included in all bets.

Race 8

KIBOSH is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she had her consistency rewarded with her maiden victory last time out over six furlongs by a half-length. She skipped clear of the opposition as the field entered the home straight that day and then fought off all the late challengers over the closing stages. She has a wide draw eleven, but she should give the boys a good run for their money.

PONTMAIN has only had the two runs to date, winning over a mile on debut and then finishing second in his next outing over nine furlongs, beaten just a short-head. He was then rested for a lengthy 115 weeks and returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing third in both of them. The fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after over a two-year absence would suggest that they believe that he has still got something left to offer them. He jumps from gate two and should not be overlooked today.

SLY SONG is a 6yr old mare who won her last start over this distance by a half length. She sat just behind the leaders that day and then hit the front at the 200M mark and then showed plenty of determination to keep the chasing pack at bay. She is drawn one outside the latter and should be right up there in the firing line.