Race-by-race preview and tips for Narromine on Sunday
By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 - 1:00PM THREE RIVERS MACHINERY CASE IH CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
7. Informed is on debut here and he’s had three recent trials in preparation. He’s been placed in the latest two of them at Hawkesbury and Scone, and Braith Nock takes the ride in this. He looks to have the ability to give this a shake.
Dangers: 3. Naval Destroyer is having his first start for a new stable having previously campaigned in Victoria where he was placed in three of six starts. He’s had two trials to prepare for this and should be primed to run well from the inside gate. 9. Release Point is on debut and has had a couple of solid trials in preparation. He’s drawn well and should figure prominently. 6. Hutt Street is also on debut after a couple of trials and should not be underestimated.
The Dramatist (Diggers Cup) wins a Highway at Rosehill in November.Credit: Getty
How to play it: Informed EACH WAY.
Race 2 - 1:35PM THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHTHORSE COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
2. Big Wandji was resuming from a spell at Wellington last time out and he led them up and battled on well when finishing second. That was his first placing from four starts but he had finished fourth in his first two starts. He should give plenty of cheek again in this.
Dangers: 1. Naval Destroyer is also engaged in the opening event and should be hard to hold out should he contest this race instead on the back of his two solid recent trials. 5. Specula resumed from a spell with a midfield Tamworth effort and has place claims here, while 3. Goodbye Stranger has been just behind the placings in both his starts and is not the worst here.
How to play it: Big Wandji WIN.
Race 3 - 2:10PM NARROMINE USMC ALL VETERANS F&M MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
10. Wotastatement has had two barrier trials this month in preparation for this debut performance, and she’s shown enough in each of them to be rated a top chance in this. She ran sixth in the latest of them at Warren, and only needs to overcome a wide barrier here in order to give a great sight.
Dangers: 7. I’m Independent started an odds-on favourite when finishing second at this track before being spelled and has since resumed with a fifth at Wellington when not beaten far. This looks within her reach. 2. Rift ran well on debut at Scone midway through last year then failed at Taree before being spelled. She’s had two trials to prepare for this and warrants thought fresh. 8. Our Celebrity debuted with a third at Moree and only needs to run up to that effort to be a place chance again.
How to play it: Wotastatement EACH WAY.
Race 4 - 2:48PM NARROMINE SHIRE COUNCIL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)
12. The Great Armada started at big odds at Scone when last produced and battled in strongly after leading to finish a solid second behind Super Story. The Great Armada finished fourth at Moree before that, and from the wide alley he looks set to push forward again and take plenty of running down.
Dangers: 8. Miss Italiana has had two starts since joining a new stable from Victoria and she has performed well in both of them, finishing second at Moree earlier this month before winning at Warren by a big margin when leading. She has good claims again. 4. Shamister won on the Riverside at Wagga two starts ago and has a chance on that effort, while 6. I’m Scarlett defeated Miss Italiana at Moree and can figure here with a repeat of that form.
How to play it: The Great Armada EACH WAY.
Race 5 - 3:22PM JOEY DOUEIHI MEMORIAL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Giving Delight won a couple of races on end at Dubbo last September, then was spelled after failing at Muswellbrook. He won a trial at Muswellbrook leading into his resuming run when a close-up sixth at Scone, and then backed that up with a solid fourth at the same track last time out when hitting the line well.
Dangers: 10. Dublin is having his first run for a new stable and has a win and two placings from just the six starts. He’s had a trial leading into this and is primed to run well. 1. British Statesman tackled Highway grade three starts ago and since ran in a tough race at Mudgee before finishing a last start fourth at Orange. 14. Prometio Mas is having his first start for a new stable and has shown talent.
How to play it: Giving Delight WIN.
Race 6 - 3:56PM NARROMINE USMC DIGGERS CUP (1300 METRES)
2. Scorched Land is a handy performer at his best and won the Coonabarabran Cup last October. He wasn’t disgraced in listed grade at Hawkesbury following that, then failed to fire in two more runs at Newcastle and Canterbury before being spelled. He had a recent trial at Scone in which he scored by a big margin.
Dangers: 5. The Dramatist was a Highway winner at Rosehill last November then contested a couple of tougher city races before having a break. He returned with a solid sixth at Scone and has had a trial to be kept up to the mark for this. 6. Elson Boy won at Dubbo before scoring in the WRA Country Championships at Coonamble. He won a trial at Mudgee then had to be scratched from the County Championships Final at Randwick due to injury. He should be ready to run well in this. 1. Moetta was down the track in the Town Plate at Wellington last time out but her previous form was sound enough.
How to play it: Scorched Land EACH WAY.
Race 7 - 4:35PM QUBE AGRI NARROMINE BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
8. Sin City Belle has a horror barrier but ran well when racing on the speed and finishing second at Warren last time out. If she repeats that effort, she’ll take plenty of beating in this.
Dangers: 2. Bean Hot has finished fourth in each of his latest two starts at Coonamble and Dubbo, and looks set to run well again with a repeat of those efforts. 3. Nest In The Hills showed improvement to run second at Mudgee two starts ago, then was beaten less than two lengths when midfield at Wellington last time out. 5. Whataboutscotty ran well at Wellington when last produced and could sneak into the placings.
How to play it: Sin City Belle EACH WAY.
Best Bets: Race 5 (2) Giving Delight; Race 6 (2) Scorched Land.
Best Value: Race 4 (12) The Great Armada.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au