Wagga – Friday 4 June 2021

Race 6

TULLAGHAN has only had the three runs to date, finishing third on debut, second next time out and then winning his last start over a mile by 1.3L. He finished well that day suggesting that the step up in distance should not be an issue. He takes on stronger here, but from his handy draw two, he looks to be the one that they all have to beat.

SAINT HENRY made good late progress when stepping up to nine furlongs last time out, finishing second, 1.8L back from the winner. On that effort, he too should have no problem dealing with the extra ground on offer today. He faces a wideish draw nine, but he nevertheless should be right up there when they hit the line.

STREET CRED hit the front on entering the home straight and then fought off all late challengers to win his last outing over 1500M by 1.8L, despite being friendless in the betting markets. The form of that race has been franked and although drawn one outside the latter, he should be included in all bets.

Race 7

Today’s value bet, RED KANZI is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she missed out on her hat-trick when finishing tenth last time out over six furlongs, just over four lengths behind the winner. She was however checked at the 800M mark that day, so should have finished closer to the victor as a result and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She returns from a 16-week rest and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but she has a cosy gate two and should give the boys a good run for their money.

REVOLVER and LENNOX ROAD renew their rivalry here and there could be a reversal of form. The former finished second behind the latter in their last clash over five furlongs, 0.8L back, but he is 2kgs better off at today’s weights (even though the latter will have the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice), which should be enough for the tables to be turned. He is also better drawn in gate three, as opposed to gate eight for LENNOX ROAD. The latter did go from jump to wire that day and should not be afforded too much start. 

Race 8

Even with the four late scratchings in the race, finding the winner has not been made easier, so some caution is suggested. A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could fight out the finish and complete the exacta, with the tentative first choice going to SMOKIN’ SALMON who is seldom too far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, just over one and a half lengths back from the winner. She stayed on well after racing up with the speed that day and jumping from gate six, she should be right up there in the mix.

VINNIE’S GIRL made solid improvement to win her last start over 1100M by just under a half-length, despite being friendless in the betting markets. She battled all the way down to the finishing post that day and from draw nine, if showing the same determination here, she could prove good enough to chalk up a quick double.

Although CHOCCY GAF is recorded as finishing seventh in his last outing over a mile, he was only 3.6L adrift of the winner. He was returning from a 17-week rest that day and from a kinder draw three, he should keep the fillies honest.

Race 9

SWAGGER had his consistency rewarded with a short-head victory last time out over seven furlongs, despite coming three-wide into the home straight. He has cracked pole position and seems likely to turn in another honest performance today. As such, he is taken to be the best bet on the card.

MAD AS ZARIZ hit the front as the field turned for home and then finished off his race strongly to hold off all the late challengers to be a length and a half to the good when he hit the line. Judged on that effort, he should have little difficulty going the extra distance of today’s contest. He will have to deal with a wider draw eleven out of fourteen, but he should be doing his best work late and looks the immediate threat to the top pick.

TEMOIN CHAUD is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she tried to go from gun to tape to tape before ending up in third place last time out over this c&d, just under two and a half lengths back from the winner. She jumps from gate nine and should be involved in the finish.