Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Moruya meeting. Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 - 1:06PM MORUYA GOLF CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (1020 METRES)
1. Soho Sushi is on the back up after being run down at Nowra on Monday as an odds-on favourite. This is her 11th start but coming back just a little in trip suits and blinkers go on so she's entitled to another chance.
Dangers: 6. Serial Offender showed a bit of promise last time in with a narrow first-up defeat before a shade disappointing second-up. In top stable and bears close watching fresh. 2. Christmas Star may have been in need of the run when resuming at Sapphire Coast three weeks ago as she weakened at the finish. Still disappointed as favourite there. 3. Completely Package was a beaten favourite first-up over this course then sat handy and didn't go on at Forbes. Include in the chances.
How to play it: Soho Sushi WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 2 - 1:41PM MORUYA BOWLING CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2010 METRES)
1. Amarantz hasn't won for a while but she looks to have an excellent chance back from Highway and provincial grade of late. Ran on when it was all over at Kembla last time, smaller field here and with the claim is nicely weighted.
Dangers: 3. Another Fortune steps up in distance after finishing close up over a mile here a couple of weeks ago, working home okay into fourth. Good chance if he handles the trip. 7. The Boomerang has been freshened up since an even effort at Queanbeyan over 2000m in June, form is a bit mixed but tends to run well on his home track so has a show. 5. Threw wasn't suited at Kembla last time but previous effort was solid at Canberra and could get into a placing.
How to play it: Amarantz WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 3 - 2:16PM BATEMANS BAY SOLDIERS CLUB CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1020 METRES)
2. Fourth Spargo was a dominant winner at her first run for the new stable over this course when well supported on August 5. No harder here though she's up a grade, she's drawn okay to get a similar run and should be hard to hold off.
Dangers: 6. I'm A Steel is coming back to the short course after being outclassed at Randwick three weeks ago. First-up run was sound and if she's in touch at the business end will be charging home. 4. Mount Warning won here in May and then Sapphire Coast before failures at Wyong and Queanbeyan. Freshened up and could give some cheek. 8. Selhurst Park has run well at his past couple on his home track and chased Fourth Spargo home here in his latest. Can be thereabouts again.
How to play it: Fourth Spargo WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 4 - 2:51PM TOMAKIN SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB / MILTON ULLADULLA EX SERVOS SOUTH COAST SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1210 METRES)
3. Invade And Conquer is having his tenth attempt and looks ideally placed back to country grade after placings at Hawkesbury and Wyong recently. Favourite when fifth at Hawkesbury last time but freshened up and big chance to atone.
Dangers: 12. Dekadance has done nothing wrong in two starts with placings at Wagga and here a couple of weeks back. Did start favourite and was narrowly beaten, going to this trip should suit. Definite chance. 2. Ghaznavi hasn't raced since February and did show some talent running third at Warwick Farm at his second start. Quiet trial and bears close watching. 4. Master Riley is another lightly raced type who shaped up well in his first prep. Nice trial winner recently and is a definite chance.
How to play it: Invade And Conquer WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 5 - 3:30PM MILTON ULLADULLA EX SERVOS SOUTH COAST / TOMAKIN SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUBS CUP BM82 HANDICAP (1435 METRES)
5. La Sante will appreciate coming back in class after a midfield finish at Canterbury just over a week ago when up sharply in trip. Placed at only start on this track and distance much better for her. One of the main chances in an open race.
Dangers: 8. Best Intent had support and led all the way under 60kg over this course in a BM66, holding on to score narrowly. Big weight drop here and will go forward so could be hard to run down. 7. Dubai Centre also drops handsomely in weight after just failing to pick Best Intent up in that race. If he can repeat the effort he's in the finish. 1. Cream Rises was always back in the field when resuming at Warwick Farm and will be fitter for that run. Drops in grade and look for improvement.
How to play it: La Sante WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 6 - 4:10PM MOLLYMOOK BOWLING CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1660 METRES)
8. Mystic Diva has come back in good style with placings at Sapphire Coast and Wagga when hitting the line nicely. Stays around the mile here but should be close to her top fitness wise and this is a winnable race. Go well.
Dangers: 3. Dressel is crying out for this sort of trip after three runs back and was only getting warm at the end of 1400m when placed at Wagga last week. Must be respected here. 5. Mariner's Dream was almost two months between runs when a close up fourth at Forbes two weeks ago. Did start favourite there but entitled to another chance. 7. Stand In Line resumed with an even effort at Moruya over 1435m holding his ground, suggesting the extra trip will be a plus. Include in the chances.
How to play it: Mystic Diva WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
Race 7 - 4:50PM CLUB NAROOMA BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1210 METRES)
2. Fire And Gemstone is racing well and just failed when back to the 1000m at Sapphire Coast three weeks ago. Extra 200m no worries for him and he's again in well with the claim coming back in class. Should give a good account again.
Dangers: 3. Straight Fire got the job done when resuming at Gundagai on a heavy track at a similar trip. Draws the inside and stays in BM58 grade so has to be respected again. 4. Fourcade is coming off a nice on pace win at Sapphire Coast and was game in defeat here first-up. Has a wide gate to contend with but is in the mix. 9. Peruno had good support when running an improved race in a similar even here two weeks ago. Can be around the mark again.
How to play it: Fire And Gemstone EACH-WAY ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
