Australian racing tips – Sunday 09 February 2025 – Taree

Race 5

TALMA I LOVE HER has finished third in his last two runs, the latest over 1600M, just over a half length behind the winner, this after racing wide throughout. He was only run out of it late that day and from his handy draw three and with him having his peak run after returning from an 18-week rest, he looks to be the one to side with in this line-up.

A 4-year-old filly and a 5-year-old mare could chase him home, with the slight preference going to EPIC STATEMENT who has cracked pole position and who has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when third over 1600M, 0.7L behind the victor, but she did overrace in the early and middle stages that day and then hung in from the 700M mark, so she had her excuses.

GUINEVERE’S SPIRIT jumped awkwardly bumping another runner and then came four wide into the home straight when finishing fourth in her latest outing over 1400M, just under five lengths behind the winner. It should however be noted that she was returning from a 67-week spell on that occasion and having her first run for her new trainer. The fact that her connections have brought her back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that she still has something more to offer them and although drawn wide in gate eleven, she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 6

TIME RULER followed up his penultimate run victory over 1400M with a fourth-place finish next time out over the same journey, just a lengths back from the winner, but he bumped another runner when shifting inwards over the closing stages. The gelding faces a wide gate nine, but he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

TOY STORY also won his penultimate start, but in his case over 1250M and then finished eleventh next time out over 1200M, just under six lengths back from the victor. He was, however, forced to race four wide from midrace and whilst drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve, he will be having his peak run after returning from a 12-week rest and he should be doing his best work late.

SAVOCA made good late progress over the latter stages when finishing fifth last time out over 900M and on that effort, he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here. By contrast, he gets a useful gate four and should be included in all bets.

Race 7

EDGE OF MIDNIGHT came five wide into the home stretch, but then delivered a powerful finish to end up in second spot last time out over 1000M, just two lengths behind the winner. The gelding will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and is sure to put his pole position to good use. As such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

WATER LAD struck the front at the top of the home straight and then battled courageously all the way down to the wire, just lasting long enough to record his second career victory last time out over 1100M by a head. The gelding is drawn one outside the top pick and will have 4kg removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice and could emerge as the biggest danger to the former.

BOAMBEE BEACH is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys and was returning from a 25 week break when finishing sixth in her latest outing over 1000M, just under four and a half lengths back from the winner, but it should be noted that she was slow away in that event and then hampered at the 200M mark. She gets gate seven, the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice and she should give the males a good run for their money.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, NYALI SANDS is a 4-year-old filly bumping boys, but she won over 1200M three runs back, finished thirteenth in her penultimate start over 1400M and then eighth in her latest outing over 1200M, 3.8L behind the winner, when returning from a 29-week spell. She was checked at the 700M pole in that event, but still managed to finish off her race well and the form of that contest has been franked. The filly has pulled gate five and will have a 1.5kg claiming apprentice in the irons.

KAIHOKO was returning from a 26 week break and came five wide into the home straight before chasing hard to finish third in his latest start over 1250M, just under a length back from the winner. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw fourteen, but he should be doing his best work late.

TSUNODA also won over 1200M three runs back, finished fifth in his penultimate start over the same sprint trip and then tenth in his latest outing over 1000M, just under six lengths behind the victor, when returning from a 25-week spell and having his first run for his new trainer. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and although not drawn that much better in gate twelve, he should be involved in the finish.