Australian Racing: Thursday 17 June 2021 –Wyong

Race 5

OAKFIELD CHEROKEE has put in two solid last performances, the latest when stepping up to this c&d, finishing second, one and a half lengths behind the winner. He finished strongly that day and from gate six, he looks very difficult to topple in this line-up and, as such, is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

DUNLEE jumped awkwardly, but then made good late progress to end up in fourth place last time out over a mile, 6.7L back from the winner. He gets gate eight and has his peak run after returning from a 19-week break.

YAK has consistent staying form to his credit and was not disgraced when finishing third last time out over ten furlongs, just under a length and a half adrift of the winner. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice to aid his cause.

Race 6

OSAMU has cracked pole position and followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a fourth-place finish next time out over the same trip, just over three lengths behind the winner. He overraced in the middle stages of the race and had to be restrained off the heels of other runners at the 700M mark, so that effort was encouraging, especially as two runners out of that contest have subsequently won. In addition, he will get 3kg removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.

PRINCE INVINCIBLE had his consistency rewarded with his maiden win last time out over 1100M by one and a half lengths. He went from jump to wire that day and from draw five, he is likely to attempt to do the same here.

SON OF SAMPSON has consistent form lines to his name, having finished second in his two runs prior to ending up in third spot is his latest outing over five furlongs, just under a half-length behind the winner. He is drawn one outside the latter and should be right up there when they hit the line.

Race 7

BUDHWAR showed solid improvement when finishing second last time out over this c& d, just a head back from the victor. He jumped awkwardly that day but recovered well to look the likely winner before being collared in the shadow of the post. He has a handy draw two and could be the one that they all have to beat.

ASSAULT’N’BATHORY showed marked improvement when trying to go from gun to tape last time out before ending up in fifth spot, 1.8L behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He is drawn one outside the top choice and with the 2kgs apprentice allowance in his favour, he could prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages of the race.

SIAN has shown steady improvement in his last three outings, culminating with an almost half-length victory last time out over a mile. He has his first run for his new trainer and has a wideish draw nine, but will have an even greater 3kgs removed from his back for the services of his claiming apprentice.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, SONIC TYCOON missed out on his hat-trick last time out when finishing a disappointing seventh over a mile, 7.9L behind the winner. He was however returning from an 18-week absence that day and may well have been in need of the outing. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate thirteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways here.

MANDALONG TAPIT made sudden improvement when finishing second last time out over a mile, just a short-head behind the victor. He was friendless in the betting markets that day and raced four wide into the home straight and then was bumped at the 200M pole. He has not fared too well with his gate eleven, but he is likely to be doing his best work late.

DUNDEE LEE on the other hand has drawn a cosy gate four. She is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys and finished ninth last time out over 1300M, five and a half lengths back from the winner, but she won over 1500M three runs back and should find this trip to be more to her liking. As such, she should be included in all bets.