Race-by-race preview and tips for Dubbo on Sunday
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 12:10PM ELLSBERG AT MURRULLA STUD CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1418 METRES)
1. Scopics showed he was close to a win and probably earned a shot at provincial grade when a narrow second at Bathurst last month. He ventured to Kembla last week and was far from disgraced beaten a length. With even luck he’s a good chance.
Dangers: 4. Keep On Going is another not far off a victory and he’s been game on the pace when second in both runs back from a spell at this track. Held on well when up to this trip last time and could be harder to run down now. 2. Magnus Red had his first run for the new stable when a closing third over 1118m here a couple of weeks ago. Should appreciate getting up in distance and looms as a threat. 3. Keikoku was an impressive Coonamble winner two back then even effort when getting back again and charging into fifth at Muswellbrook in a Class 3. Kept fresh and isn’t out of this.
How to play it: Scopics WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,3,4/2,3,4.
Racing returns to Dubbo with an eight-race card.Credit: Fairfax
Race 2 - 12:50PM CHILL-RITE REFRIGERATION & AIR-CONDITIONING MAIDEN PLATE (1118 METRES)
3. Vinlago has had his share of chances but he’s been super competitive in his last couple here and went down fighting in a similar race last time. Drawn well again and if he can hold that form he’ll be in the finish somewhere.
Dangers: 7. Damascus Gate is a big watch on debut. Formerly with Brett Cavanough and he led when runner-up in his latest trial at Muswellbrook about six weeks ago. Any support for him would be significant. 9. Hammoon Summer looked to have her chance when placed at Wellington at her second start but she did race handy and stayed on well. Sure to be better for it and is one of the chances. 8. All Too Sneaky hasn’t raced since April where she contested a strong 2yo race at Orange on a heavy track. Since trialled okay and no surprise to see her show up.
How to play it: Vinlago E/W.
Race 3 - 1:30PM EVERGREEN TURF VINCENT GORDON FLYING HANDICAP CUP SPRINT PRELUDE (1118 METRES)
1. Two Ya Got is a talented sprinter who won well at Lismore before tyring his hand in a Listed race at Eagle Farm. Freshened up and trialled nicely enough. Not badly in with the claim and sure to prove hard to beat.
Dangers: 6. Possibly So will be much better when he gets out toward 1400m but he can run a nice race fresh. Runner-up in the Country Championships at Mudgee but didn’t make it to the Final. Fitter for a recent trial and will be running on. 5. Billabong Isle is a consistent type who has a handy record at this track and will appreciate a 5.5kg weight drop. Is up in class but capable of running into a placing. 3. Beauchamp was a shade disappointing at Forbes last week in a small field. Won only start this track and distance and could fare better here.
How to play it: Two Ya Got WIN; Trifecta 1/ 3,5,6/3,5,6.
Race 4 - 2:10PM SIGNVISION DUBBO BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1118 METRES)
3. Divine Sinner was an eye-catcher first up at Scone charging into second then favourite and wasn’t quite as sharp when fourth beaten two lengths at Tamworth. Back in class here and well worth another chance.
Dangers: 1. Obey impressed scoring at Scone two runs back then at the same track a few weeks back she didn’t hit the line with the same gusto. Forgive that on previous solid form. 7. Ithicus didn’t do a whole lot in his first three runs back but gave a huge sight when runner-up here two weeks ago. No match the for winner but still a big lift and if he can repeat that he’s in the mix. 4. Hardly The End has won three of her last five and resumed with a solid win at Warren albeit by a small margin. Fitter and likely goes forward from the wide gate. Could show up with luck.
How to play it: Divine Sinner WIN; Trifecta 3/1,4,7/1,4,7.
Race 5 - 2:50PM MARK HUGHES FOUNDATION BEANIE FOR BRAIN CANCER BM58 HANDICAP (1118 METRES)
4. Feirme Prince shrugged off a disappointing run at Scone over a mile to win like a very nice horse here back in trip. He’ll settle back from a wide gate and if he can reproduce that last performance he will be hard to hold out again.
Dangers: 1. Sting Jet ran right up to his first-up effort when scoring at Muswellbrook two weeks ago where he didn’t go around a horse from last on the turn. Extra ground is a plus for him and he should be hitting the line hard. 6. Pyramid Of Fire was well supported first up here and while safely held in second he did run on okay. Fitter for it and sure to be around the mark. 2. Kimmylee ran well in a similar race here two runs back then outclassed at Canterbury but not beaten too far last time. Wouldn’t leave her out of the chances.
How to play it: Feirme Prince WIN.
Race 6 - 3:30PM DUBBO CITY TOYOTA & GILGANDRA TOYOTA DUBBO GOLD CUP PRELUDE (1418 METRES)
2. Island Press is a talented on pacer who showed plenty of fight to win first up over this trip at Wellington. No harder here and can only be fitter. Drawn to roll across and if he gets comfortable can be hard to run down.
Dangers: 3. Red Beryl is always a chance in this sort of race. Hit the line from well back when runner-up at Moree just over a week ago. Smart winner at Gunnedah prior and will be competitive. 9. Majority is another consistent type and she’s resuming after a string of placings culminating in a second over a mile here back in early June. Gets in light with the claim and goes well fresh. Keep in mind. 8. Watch Me Rumble is finding it a little hard to win but she’s usually around the mark and boxed on okay on a heavy track at Wagga in her latest. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Island Press E/W.
Race 7 - 4:10PM MARK HUGHES FOUNDATION MAIDEN HANDICAP (1418 METRES)
2. Bulla Vinaka had some specking on debut and found the trip a bit sharp but ran on strongly into fifth at this track. Will appreciate the extra trip and while drawn wide if he can blend into the race he should hit the line hard again. Each-way.
Dangers: 1. Hammoon Sky has been placed at his last three starts and third in both runs this time in including an even third here when hard in the market. Did have his chance but might also be looking for more ground. 9. Kirameki is a 22 start maiden but is a pretty honest type with nine placings including a closing second at Bathurst in her latest. Will need some luck but no surprise at all if she’s among the major players. 7. Darcy’s Ace shapes as a big improver third up with the blinkers on and up in trip. Made some ground late at 1100m last time at big odds. Could surprise.
How to play it: Bulla Vinaka E/W.
Race 8 - 4:50PM MAAS MILE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1618 METRES)
2. Raiding is racing in excellent form and was too good at Warren two runs back over the mile then favourite and just failed over this course two weeks ago. Extra 2kg off here is handy and he should be right in the finish.
Dangers: 1. Epic Poem found Raiding a bit too good two starts back then led all the way for a popular win at Wellington. Will be right on the speed again here and looks the logical danger. 4. Oh No Bro rounded them up from near last to win at Coonamble in this class then favourite and close up third at Gunnedah a month ago. Hard to fault his resolve at the moment and has to be considered. 6. Yehbut is down in class after a fair effort in a Class 2 here and he was in the market in that event. Returns to a mile and is open to some improvement in this grade.
How to play it: Raiding WIN; Trifecta 2/1,4,6/1,4,6.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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