We turn our attention back to New South Wales on Friday for the running of the Listed Wyong Cup.
We’ve cast our eye over the entire eight-race program and offer our best bets below!
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 12:50PM – Priority Business Lawyers 4YO&UP Maiden Plate, (1350m)
Not the easiest race to start the day with only a few looking up to it on recent form.
Different Strokes has placed in two runs to date and was seen doing his best work late at Hawkesbury two weeks ago when runner-up to Tycoon Hallie.
He won’t want to give away too big of a start again, but the son of Hinchinbrook gets James McDonald back on board from an identical gate and clearly has the turn of foot to put most of these to bed.
Race 2 – 1:25PM – Winning Commercial Maiden Handicap, (1200m)
Another tricky one with not a whole lot of exposed form to go off, but this does look another winnable race for the lightly-raced Amathuba, who faces the starter for the third time out of the Freedman stable.
The three-year-old out of Pride of Dubai has missed the start in both runs to date but has still shown plenty of ability to battle home and run a place.
She’s in nice and light with only 55.5kg’s of Regan Bayliss on her back and will likely take some catching from a forward showing.
Race 3 – 2:05pm – 3&4YO Benchmark 64 Handicap, (1300m)
Akihiro strips fitter for two runs back and is worth forgiving on his latest effort on the Randwick Kensington track two weeks ago up in class.
Gary Portelli’s colt missed the start and struggled to find cover from the wide gate, but this does look a nice race for him atone down in grade.
The three-year-old won over this track and trip third-up from a spell last time in work, and although he’ll carry an extra 3kg’s around, I think he’ll be tough to beat with some fitness on his side.
Race 4 – 2:40pm – Bishop Collins Benchmark 64 Handicap, (1600m)
Chateaux Park has placed in four of his five starts this time in work and appears to be headed back to the winner’s circle sometime soon.
Jason Coyle’s five-year-old flew home to run a nose second to Bazooka two weeks ago from the rear of the field at Hawkesbury and should appreciate getting back to Wyong where he’s won previously.
This is a step back up in class for him, but barrier 3 should allow Sam Clipperton ample time to get back and run on.
Race 5 – 3:20pm – Hunter Petroleum Products Class 1 Handicap, (1100m)
Jaytees won his maiden at Gunnedah two weeks ago by an impressive four-length margin and has claims stepping out over further now in his second run back.
Carrying 60kg’s, the Stephen Farley-trained Jaytees settled just off the speed last time out and proved too strong late.
He’s likely going to be prominent again in the run, and with the class of Hugh Bowman in the saddle, rates as a decent each-way chance at double-figure odds.
Race 6 – 3:55pm – Listed Wyong League’s Group Mona Lisa Stakes, (1350m)
The first black-type race of the day looks to be a good one with a field of 15 stepping out in the Mona Lisa Stakes.
There’s a case to be made for a handful, but it’s hard to get away from the favourite Great News following last week’s narrow second to Fituese first-up in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick.
Kim Waugh’s mare let down beautifully after racing four-wide the trip, and now looks as though she’ll handle the rise to 1350m in her stride on Friday.
She’s already won at Wyong in the past, and since this is a step back in class, she should prove hard to beat.
Race 7 – 4:35pm – Carlton Wyong Gold Cup, (2100m)
This is a cracking edition of the Wyong Gold Cup with a capacity field stepping out for a share in the prize-money.
There is a case to be made for several, but Inverloch rates as the winner for mine following last week’s third to Harpo Marx in the Group 3 Premier Cup at Kembla Grange.
This is obviously a step back in class for him, while I also like the fact he won the Easter Cup last year at Caulfield on the quick backup.
He’ll like take up a share of the speed with Taikamochi, and after battling home well on-pace last week, it wouldn’t be surprising if he makes every post a winner.
Race 8 – 5:10pm – The Doylo Springtime Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap, (1100m)
Pearl Roan has hardly put a foot wrong this prep and finally got reward for effort three weeks ago with a big two-length win at Newcastle.
Stepping back to 1100m now looks a lovely option for her at this stage of her prep, and I think she’ll prove very tough to beat stepping back in grade off a freshen-up.
Tim Clark has been booked to ride for the first time and he should have plenty of options at his disposal from the soft draw.