Wyong takes charge for Thursday racing in NSW.
The Wizard of Odds is licking his lips ahead of the best bets as we get ready for a competitive eight-race program.
Wyong Race 3
#4 Kouklara
Kouklara is set to fire on all cylinders third-up.
The three-year-old filly trained by Joe Pride was sent out a $2.70 elect over 1400 metres at Goulburn and after sitting outside the lead her fitness just tapered away late in the race.
That run will bring her perfectly for this 1600-metre maiden ay Wyong and she draws an ideal barrier which will see her out of trouble.
Tom Sherry should be able to ascertain the lead at will and with a fitness improvement of anywhere between two to three lengths this filly will be winning.
Suggested Bet: Kouklara win at $3.2
Wyong race 4
#5 fragore
Fragore had plenty of improvement to come from his debut effort after running fourth over 1200 metres at Newcastle.
He was smashed in betting from $5 into $3.5 just before the jump but had to sit out wide on the course and did a bit too much work in the run.
The three-year-old gelding trained by Richard & Michael Freedman will strip much fitter for the run and the rise is distance might just see him amble to the lead and control the race.
Looks a nice each-way bet given the way the map pans out and with the senior jockey taking the ride.
Suggested Bet: Fragore each-way at $5.5 the win and $2.05 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 5
Wyong race 6
#5 Prince Invincible
Prince Invincible has a short starting price over this track and distance last start which needs to be taken in account here.
The three-year-old I Am Invincible gelding started a drifting $3.5 favourite but went amiss when being defeated by nearly five lengths in Class One company.
That run was on June 17 and he has been freshened up with a trial in between runs in an attempt to keep his fitness levels up to scratch.
It was a stylish trial over 900 metres at Rosehill and suggests he is back to the winning form he showed when breaking through for a maiden victory two starts ago.
Suggested Bet: Prince Invincible each-way at $5.5 the win and $1.90 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 5, 9/ 5, 6, 7, 9/ 1, 5, 6, 7, 9
Wyong RAce 7
#8 Edge of Darkness
Going against the two favourites here and siding with Edge of Darkness who represents great each-way value.
Mark Newnham has his three-year-old gelding up and about and running well at provincial level but this race looks to set him up with a great winning chance.
He has been racing in Class One grade for the last two starts which is usually considered tougher than Benchmark-68 level.
His third-placed effort when running behind winner Duke of Buckingham is definitely good enough to win this if jockey Tom Sherry can muster up the early speed to lead.
Suggested Bet: Edge of Darkness each-way at $6.5 the win and $2.4 the place