Wyong and Mornington are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With quality racing at both venues and plenty of prizemoney on offer, find out who our experts expect to take home the Christmas loot!
Wyong Race 4
#7 Zealously
Zealously is chasing a hat trick of victories. The Harry Angel gelding has been towelling up his rivals for fun this campaign, and he looks well placed in this company. The longer trip will suit at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he will push forward from the awkward barrier. He has plenty of upside, and he looks incredibly hard to toss.
Bauhinia turned heads recently at the trials. The Hellbent filly has form around some serious gallopers, and I suspect she will occupy the box seat throughout from a perfect inside draw. The Tommy Berry factor must be respected, and she has been heavily supported since markets opened. If the gaps appear as they swing for home, she will make her presence felt late.
The Novelist was an impressive last-start winner at Kembla Grange. The Written By gelding was rated perfectly on top of the speed, and he held off a wall of rivals in the shadows. The Gai Waterhouse-trained four-year-old is a 1200m specialist, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a rock-solid campaign. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Zealously @ $3.60
Wyong Farm RACE 6
#6 Tempestuous
Tempestuous looked classy on his Randwick debut. The big boy sprouted wings late and entered most punters’ little black books. The Extreme Choice colt cost a pretty penny at the Magic Millions sales, and I suspect he will cover his purchase price many times over. A recent barrier trial looked ominous, and a victory here could set up a date with the Gold Coast in January. Any quote in the black represents great value.
Memo was a good first-up in a hot-form race. The Capitalist filly strips fitter after her debut outing, and she has trialled extremely well since. The longer trip will suit, and she has been nibbled at in early betting. From barrier ten she will drift back, and if she can stay in touch with the peloton throughout, she can figure in the finish. I am unsure if Wyong will suit her racing pattern and style.
Offenbach went down swinging on debut at Newcastle. The Snitzel colt draws the cherry on Wednesday, and I suspect he will pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers. The camp is training winners for fun, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Tempestuous @ $2.10
Mornington Race 6
#1 Tax Free Prophet
Tax Free Prophet is the class runner of the field. The Nostradamus gelding meets easier opposition, and he is a Mornington track specialist. The 4kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning conversations, and I suspect he is ready for the longer trips after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. He looks great each-way value dropping down in class.
Mystic Mac looks over the odds. The Encryption gelding had a successful winter campaign in Brisbane, and his recent barrier trials should give his rivals sleepless nights leading into Wednesday’s event. His record at the distance must be respected, and I suspect he will handle the step up in grade. Too consistent to dismiss.
Tacito will start race favourite after a dominant victory fresh at the track and distance. The Showtime gelding meets similar opposition, and the 2kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke. The enigmatic four-year-old strips fitter after his first-up heroics, and I suspect he still has plenty of improvement and progression to come for the campaign. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Tax Free Prophet @ $6.00
Mornington Race 7
#2 Rockabilly Rebel
Rockabilly Rebel looks one of the better bets on a tricky program of mid-week racing. The Street Boss mare is flying this campaign and looks poised to strike again from a perfect inside draw. The drop in distance is advantageous, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. She may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
High Tor has made an impressive start to her racing career. The Toronado mare deserves her shot at this level, and she excels over the six furlongs. From the middle gate she will roll forward and pilot the field, and if she is allowed to control the clock throughout, she may prove hard to run down. Over the odds.
Cilento finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday. The All Too Hard mare drops back sharply in grade, and it may pay dividends to forget that she went around at Moonee Valley first-up. She won her debut at Cranbourne in sizzling time, and I expect the camp will have her ready to bounce back after her recent flop. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Rockabilly Rebel @ $3.80
