Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Sapphire Coast meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

1. Grand Lusitano doesn’t have any wet track exposure or a recent public trial but on form he’s the horse to beat. Has sat on the speed in both starts and tried hard, if he’s come back a better horse this is a good chance for him to break through. Market moves will be a good pointer.

Dangers: 7. Feminine Mystique was a big drifter at her only start at Mornington back in August and must have been amiss to be beaten out of sight. Blinkers on and she has had a jump out, where she was held together, at Cranbourne earlier this month. Keep safe. 8. Merc was run down by a handy type at Leeton two runs back and spelled after an ordinary effort at Narromine. Has placed on a soft 5 but last run was only heavy track experience. Could give a sight. 6. Blood Ties has only had the one public trial and that was back in September where she ran an even race a couple of lengths off the winner. In good hands and if there’s support it might be worth noting.

How to play it: Grand Lusitano WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Grand Lusitano runs third at Moruya on October 2

5. Magico Hombre is proven in the wet and resumes with a handy trial win under his belt. Yet to win first-up but didn’t run badly fresh last time in before winning second-up. Expect him to run a nice race.

Dangers: 1. Tickler won on debut on a heavy track at Warwick Farm and has been a little mixed since then. Chased Kattegat home on a soft 7 then beaten favourite back onto a good track at Wagga. If he’s a Country Championships contender he needs to go close. 12. The Burning is unknown in the wet but he’s showing promise. Started Winx odds when scoring at Corowa second-up. Probably presses forward from a wide gate and is one to keep an eye on. 7. Tornac turned his form around with a solid on pace win at Moruya on a soft 7. If he runs up to that performance he’ll have a show despite skipping a grade.

How to play it: Magico Hombre E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Magico Hombre wins a trial at Kembla on January 13

11. Sestina is a very consistent mare who can find one better but importantly handles all conditions. Fitter for one run back where she did have her chance, likes this track with placings in all three attempts and she can be in the finish again.

Dangers: 6. Salome found her best on a good track at Moruya a couple of weeks ago and you’d expect her to hold her form. Unplaced on a heavy two runs back but has largely handled it. Has to be considered. 12. Judge’s Daughter had plenty of support and ran right up to it beating Sestina at Queanbeyan. Up 2.5kg for that win but also fitter and if she gets through the ground is a good chance. 4. Run Like A Rebel is an interesting runner who hasn’t raced since winning a Highway at Rosehill in November 2019. Has performed fresh previously and rarely runs a bad one. Watch betting.

How to play it: Sestina E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Sestina runs second at Queanbeyan on January 18

4. Erwin went down narrowly on debut on a wet track then back on top of the ground was a little disappointing at Wagga as an odds-on favourite. Blinkers on here and he should run to his debut effort at least.

Dangers: 13. Danzadel won’t be a maiden for too long judging on her three starts to date. Two month break before she closed within half a length at Moruya earlier this month. Wet tracks are no issue and she should run well. 14. Fuchsia Rose hasn’t seen anything other than a good track but she is shaping up well. Fair to say she had her chance off a break at Canberra but fitter here and wouldn’t be leaving her out of the chances. 10. Tsarina is a big watch on debut for the Price stable. She trialled in Sydney back in July and not seen since. Any support should be noted in a winnable race.

How to play it: Erwin WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Erwin runs fifth at Wagga on January 19

7. Garros is shaping up well to break through after three runs from a freshen up. Made some ground at Moruya and meets the winner 3kg better at the weights. He does relish a wet track and can only see him being competitive.

Dangers: 5. Shoot For Coomaah has some mixed wet track form and jumps in distance from a close second at 1765m at Geelong but worth respecting. 6. Devil Dan generally gets through a wet track and it was a gutsy effort at Canterbury last week at big odds. He’ll likely be up there on the pace and has been out to this sort of trip previously and run okay. 10. Bulwark has been racing well enough without winning and was right in the market finishing a length off Garros at Moruya. Each-way.

How to play it: Garros E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Garros runs fourth at Moruya on January 14

8. Revitup Rednut is a very competitive type and has placed each time he’s raced here. Charged late at Moruya then again hit the line well at Canterbury. Just missed on a heavy in October last time he struck that ground. Should run well.

Dangers: 5. Easy Beast will find this a bit easier than his last couple in Melbourne and he has proven adept in the wet in the past. Unbeaten in two runs at this track and looms as a threat. 4. Coolotta is a city winner who often puts himself in the finish though doesn’t tend to love very heavy ground. If it’s not too bad his recent form is good enough to entertain as a chance. 7. Ruthless Agent hasn't won for a while but he is rarely too far away. Midfield but only beaten a length at Moruya last time. Gets back and will be running on.

How to play it: Revitup Rednut WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Revitup Rednut runs third at Canterbury on January 8

1. Monegal won this race last year and has come back in excellent touch. Won first-up on Gong day at Kembla, close up in a Group 3 on a heavy track two runs back and ridden upside down so ignore last run. Not badly weighted after the claim and likes the wet. Go well. Read trainer Theresa Bateup's comments on her three runners here.

Dangers: 2. Peyton Place is yet to win over a mile but he comes off a dominant win in the Moruya Cup where he led and held a comfortable margin. Wet tracks are no issue and if he gets control he’ll take running down. 14. Jarrett is unbeaten in four starts at the 1600m here and only beaten once in seven starts at the track. His recent form doesn’t look overly appealing but this is a suitable race and he can improve. 4. Golly I’m Lucky doesn’t want it too heavy as he caught the eye in the Moruya Cup running into fourth from near last. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Monegal E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Monegal’s fifth in a G3 at Gosford on December 29

9. Clay Pan Boogie hasn’t done a lot wrong in five starts though was a beaten favourite at Moruya last start on a soft 7. Close up so not disgraced and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 12. Earp was big firmer at Wagga a few weeks back and didn’t ever look like being beaten. His wet track form is a little mixed but on the strength of that win is one of the main hopes. 1. Nieces And Nephews is right back in class on all three assignments this time in where he’s run very well each time. Heavy track might be a bit of worry but only seen it once so wouldn’t be leaving him out as the claim brings him in only 7kg over the limit. 10. Quiano Queen is hard to fault with two wins from her last three though all on good tracks. Wet form is mixed but flying and has to be considered.

How to play it: Clay Pan Boogie E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Clay Pan Boogie runs fifth at Moruya on January 4

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Sapphire Coast meeting