Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1415m)
Provincial-based 1. Naahro is ready to win fourth-up coming back from a string of solid closing efforts in deeper Super Maiden fields, especially with the stablemate coming out in what is now a weakened race. Just may need to get away from the fence in this going if he settles in his customary position well off the speed.
Dangers: 6. Idol Shot looks suited getting up to this distance at her third start. Gap to the rest headed by 8. Saskatoon Berry, who draws to get cover fourth-up, and relishes wet tracks.
How to play it: Naahro to win.
Race 5 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2015m)
6. Oakfield Hawk put the writing on the wall two runs back charging home late at big odds on heavy ground before coming with a similar surge to claim a class 1 at Taree after being backed from $3.40 into $2.60. Even better suited here up in distance and on a bigger track where he can settle back and get to the middle.
Dangers: 7. Rumeur will need to find cover but can rebound sharply having his second start for the new Gold Coast stable after crossing the Tasman. 2. Highland Raider struggles to win but is hard fit and looking for this trip now.
How to play it: Oakfield Hawk to win.
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1615m)
Underrated five-year-old 8. Global Sensation can mix his form, but is very comfortable on rain-affected ground, and gets a significant weight drop for the rise in grade.
Dangers:Another one well in at the weights is 13. Rahaan whose best form is predominantly on wet tracks, and is on a six-day back-up. 2. Rossy’s Typa Girl is drawn to get cover with a 4kg claim, while 6. My Sonny’s Faith coming back in distance and improving 7. The Young Years are both each-way chances at good odds.
How to play it: Global Sensation to win.
Race 7 WOOLGOOLGA DIGGERS CUP BENCHMARK 82 HCP (1315m)
Another one from the Kris Lees yard at Newcastle, 1. French Marine is tough, and although not having won for a while, is much better placed here coming back from deeper provincial and metro fields where he was placed in his last two. Boasts a very solid record on rain-affected ground, and drawn to settle back and get to the middle in the straight.
Dangers: Locally trained 7. Fun Enuff rarely runs a bad one, and shoots for a fourth win – all at Grafton – from his last five starts. Down in weight too, but this is a significant step up in class. 2. Butch ‘N’ Bugs is tracking nicely to peak third-up in preferred ground off a seven-week turnaround, while at big odds, last-start CL2 winner at this track 10. Clipper Ship can add plenty of value into wider exotics.
How to play it: French Marine to win.
Race 8 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1012m)
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8. Nicci Knee Knack held his own taking on better fields over last prep and returned with a solid closing effort in this grade, missing by a neck after being backed from $4.40 into $3.20. Even better suited here, drawn to settle well back behind a strong tempo and get to the middle of the track late. Has only missed a place once from five starts in heavy going.
Dangers: 10. Theregos comes back from a race with more depth. So too does 2. Speedy Target who draws to get cover, and the big weight is offset by a 4kg claim.
How to play it: Nicci Knee Knack to win
BEST BETS: Race 3 (8) TALMA I LOVE HER; Race 5 (6) OAKFIELD HAWK
BEST VALUE: Race 8 (8) NICCI KNEE KNACK
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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