Our Trots man Lucas Rando has put together an in-depth preview for tonights meeting at Penrith!
Good Luck & Happy Punting!!!
Race 1. Penrith HRC Futures Heat 1
An interesting 2125m affair to kick of proceedings, with a couple progressive runners engaged. 2. HEZ ON THE BUZZER is drawn ideally in barrier two, and should likely lead the race given his market position and the services of trainer-driver Jack Trainor. Third-up since crossing the Tasman, he’s been in the market at both runs this time in which is a positive indicator. The hardest to beat could prove to be 9. RICKOSHAY who is a colt that was solid enough on resumption last start, and will have derived a great deal of fitness from that outing. Although he maps awkwardly, the Blake Fitzpatrick trained-and-driven three year old is blessed with great natural talent. 7. YUKO has been competitive in stronger Menangle company of late, and should appreciate the drop-back to Penrith grade this evening; however she will need luck in transit from the awkward alley. The others are headed by 5. BETTORZ BEACH, 6. BARRET and 8. LOUIS LITT.
Selections: 2-9-7-8
Suggested Bet: 2. Hez On The Buzzer (Win)
Race 2. Penrith HRC Futures Heat 2
No selections available as I am driving in this event.
Race 3. Penrith HRC Futures Heat 3
The third heat of this series shapes as a two horse race between 4. STICK MAN and 8. CHEVRON ART, with the latter having a slight edge. Although nearly two points wider in the market, largely due to the fact Stick Man maps as the likely leader, Chevron Art has continued to make improvement in each run since joining the care of Jack Trainor. The son of Art Majors’ latest effort saw him salute comfortably over this track/distance in fast time after leading throughout. Although he will likely have to do the chasing this evening, he appears tough to toss. The hardest to beat is obviously Stick Man, who was a victor around this circuit last outing as well. 3. SIR SIMON has been racing well without winning of late, and from the low draw; he should ensure a comfortable position in running and will be thereabouts at the finish. The next best is 1. HIGHVIEW SADLER who is drawn to settle handy on the speed with Cam Hart doing the steering, followed by 7. TEAM OF STARZZ and 9. MISS DAYTONA.
Selections: 8-4-3-1
Suggested Bet: 8. Chevron Art (Win), Quinella 4 + 8.
Race 4. NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS HEAT
A simply outstanding field of juveniles has assembled for this $10,000 event this evening; with all runners engaged having been prominent at all starts throughout their limited affairs. The scratching of star gelding My Ultimate Byron has opened this race up greatly. 9. RAINBOW TITAN has been in a rich vein of form this season, finishing in the top two at all of his last five runs. At his first start for the Jason Grimson barn he chased home this evenings favourite runner 2. SMALTESE at Menangle, going down only 7.5m in fast time. Given the likely improvement he’s made since, it would be no shock to see him turn the tables on the favourite runner. The son of Grinfromeartoear also sees the return of trainer Jason Grimsonto the race driving ranks, having not driven since February of this year. Admittedly Smaltese looks hard to beat given the brilliance he has shown thus far throughout his short career, however the Portelli trained-and-driven gelding has at times raced immaturely throughout his career, including a recent trial performance at Penrith which saw him break late in the piece. His last 100m tends to be his worst, unlike 5. OFFYAROCKA CROCKER who has a brilliant finishing burst. This was put on display last outing when the Michael Doltoff trained gelding was a brilliant victor of a quality event at Menangle. Luke McCarthy drove him on that occasion, and he does so once more this evening which is a positive. Stablemate 6. DUGGEE SLOY was a brilliant victor seven days ago at Penrith, reeling off the best closing splits of the meeting in doing so. He will likely be hitting the line late. 1. IAMBECAUSEOFYOU, 4. MY ULTIMATE RONNIE and 11. MAHOMES are also not without claims.
Selections: 9-2-5-6
Suggested Bet: 9. Rainbow Titan (E/W)
Race 5. NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Fillies Heat
Another quality line up of juveniles take their place in the fillies heat, headed by star filly 11. MADRID. A runner from the camp of astute juvenile trainer Jarrod Alchin, this daughter of Bling It On has been simply sensational this preparation, winning her past two starts by a combined margin of 41.5 metres. She has beaten largely similar opposition of late, in fast time, with Cam Hart doing the steering at both of her recent victories. Although this is her first start around the tight Penrith circuit, and she is drawn appallingly, it is anticipated she will be too good for these. The next best is 1. LETS PARTY BABY who should be able to lead and control the race from the inside barrier. With the nations premier reinsman Luke McCarthy doing the steering, she has the best chance of beating the favourite runner. Following the scratching of the 7, 8. SOLAR EXPRESS should be able to retain the position behind the likely leader, and will not disgrace herself. 9. MISS EX was Group One placed last campaign, and is likely to improve second-up here this evening. Next best are 5. SUGAR FOR MY HONEY and 12. TWILIGHT HEAVEN.
Selections: 11-1-8-9
Suggested Bet. 11. Madrid (Win)
Race 6. Jab Long May We Play Pace
The fast class event of the night sees a few well graded runners engaged with concession drivers allowing them to run in this event, as well as an interesting up and coming runner. 9. TAROONA BROMAC has not been racing to the best of his abilities of late, however this former Western Australian pacer will almost certainly appreciate racing around the Penrith course in lieu of Menangle. The Narrelle McCarthy trained five-year-old was a multiple winner around Gloucester Park, which is a similar track to Penrith, and with young star Jack Callaghan doing the driving this evening, a more forward showing is expected. 4. STARZZZINTHEMAKIN is the fresh runner on the scene, with the auspicious gelding now a five time winner throughout his eleven start career. The Paul Fitzpatrick trained gelding was a brilliant winner at this meeting last week, winning a similar event. Drawn to lead this week, the Gavin Fitzpatrick driven runner will take a lot of catching. 8. ART TUTOR was uncompetitive in a strong event at Menangle last start, which was on the back of a strong Penrith victory the start prior. Likely to make a mid-race move with aggressive reinsman Seaton Grima aboard, the Joe Connolly trained gelding will be thereabouts. 1. PRINCE SYNTAX returns off a 14 month break this evening off the back of two Menangle trials, but is drawn to receive a good trip throughout which should make up for a lack of race fitness. 2. GOTTASHOPEARLY and 5. MATAI VALOUR also have each way claims.
Selections: 9-4-8-1
Suggested Bet: 9. Taroona Bromac (E/W)
Race 7. Penrith HRC Futures Ladyship Heat 1
Another apparent match race, this time between 4. AMERICAN FLYER and 8. THE WOLF, this race over the flying 1720m appears to be the stronger of the two heats of this series. American Flyer is a genuine mare who is deep into her campaign, which gives her a slight edge over The Wolf, who is first up since May without a trial. Prepared by leading trainer Belinda McCarthy and to be driven by husband Luke, American Flyer will likely lead and be highly competitive, given she has been placed or won at eight of her last ten starts. The Wolf probably has more natural ability and is likely to improve since joining the care of Jason Grimson, but she does have a few attitude issues which could bring her undone. 7. HAWKE EYE is a runner from the Michael Reed camp which has good ability but will need luck in running to figure from the awkward alley first up. 10. BELLA CLARE is another runner who on her day would give this race a shake, but is drawn atrociously. 2. HOT WIRE has trialled well leading into this event, and also cannot be dismissed.
Selections: 4-8-7-2
Suggested Bet: 4. American Flyer (Win), Quinella 4 + 8, trifecta: 4,8/4,8/2,7,5,10/1,2,5,7,9,10
Race 8. Penrith HRC Futures Ladyship Heat 2
The second heat in this series is a wide open affair, with little seperating the key runners. The favourite 6. DASHING CHEDDAR is a filly who was a brilliant winner on debut at Penrith last preparation, prior to being competitive in strong Menangle company at her following two starts. A versatile runner, David Morris will have to make a decision early whether to press forward on this Reed trained filly, who is first up following an encouraging Penrith trial win. The daughter of Betterthamcheddar appears to be the best horse in this race going forward, but does give away race fitness to her rivals. 4. MERRYWOOD LYNN comes into the race second up this evening, being unplaced behind Jay Bracken first up after settling in the second half of the field. The Wayne Dimech trained filly was beaten only 10.5m in relatively fast time there, and is aided by the booking of Blake Fitzpatrick. 10. IM PRESI BELLE is another talented filly engaged here, who was good after doing a power of work early in a strong race last outing, however driver Will Rixon will be required to weave some magic from the poor draw if she is to be winning. 5. WALKAMILEINMYSHOES and 9. THE MAHARANI will both be in the finish as well.
Selections: 6-4-10-5
Suggested Bet: 6. Dashing Cheddar (Win)
Race 9. Sinclair Ford Pace
An open affair for the up to NR53 runners here, with 1. ED MENDES and 2. JAY BRACKEN heading the market. 10. NEW YORKER however appears to be another key figure, given he is a likely improver this evening with Luke McCarthy aboard. Although drawn poorly in barrier 10, this Belinda McCarthy trained gelding has displayed strong enough talent thus far into his career, albeit with some mannerism issues attached. If he is on his best behaviour this evening and McCarthy can do what he does best, he should be competitive. Ed Mendes has been a model of consistency this campaign, missing a place for only the fourth time this preparation last outing. Drawn ideally in barrier one, driver Ellen Rixon will either lead or take a sit behind Jay Bracken, which puts her in good stead. The hitherto mentioned Jay Bracken is a gelding who is also very talented, but his tendency to over-race makes him hard to tip. 7. SARGE will likely be in the finish once more this evening, having his first race start at Penrith off the back of three Menangle placing. 4. SIGHT TO SEE and 6. MY BUZZ LIGHTNING are next.
Selections: 10-1-2-7
Suggested Bet: 10. New Yorker (Win), boxed trifecta 1,2,7,10
Race 10. Iso-Hungry At Club Paceway Pace
The final event on the card shapes as a fierce contest, with most runners engaged with some chance. 2. ONLY ONE DON was good when finishing second at Bankstown two starts ago, before struggling in a fast run race at Penrith last outing. The Ross Adams trained gelding is a likely improver this evening however, with Luke McCarthy taking the reins. The sizeable son of Heston Blue Chip could potentially cross the favourite and inside runner 1. TONY SLOY to lead, or at worst settle just off the pace. The lone two year old engaged in this event, Tony Sloy was a victim of poor luck last week in a similar event, reeling off good late sectionals to finish third. With even luck in running tonight, it is likely he will be very hard to beat. 3. HALLOWEEN is another progressive runner engaged, but first up it is hard to see him troubling the two on top selections. The talented but troublesome 4. HEZ ALL TICKER and ever consistent 7. ART OF GRANGE are the best of the remaining runners in what is likely to be an on pace dominated event.
Selections: 2-1-7-3.
Suggested Bet: 2. Only One Don (Win), trifecta 1,2/1,2,3,7/1,2,3,4,7
Best Bet: R5-11. Madrid
Next Best: R1-2. Hez On The Buzzer
Best Value: R10-2. Only One Don
Best Roughie: R4-9. Rainbow Titan
Quaddie 1: 1,8,11/4,8,9/4,8/4,5,6,10
Quaddie 2: 11/4,9/4/4,6
Yeah The Punt 