Race-by-race preview and tips for Armidale on Sunday
By John Schell
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 1:30PM ARMIDALE SERVICES CLUB COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
1. Peninsula was backed as if unbeatable on debut at Tamworth just under two months ago on the back of two good trials and he ran home well enough to finish third. He disappointed punters in that event but the effort was good enough for him to be rated the one to beat here.
Racing returns to Armidale on Sunday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 3. Hardash ran well enough when placed at Grafton last time out and that followed a Wyong run when down the track against tougher opposition. 10. Preachabull hasn’t been disgraced in any of her recent runs and wouldn’t need to improve much in order to be placed here. 6. Charlie Bali was placed at this track at his last start and a repeat of that would have him figuring prominently.
How to play it: Peninsula WIN.
Race 2 - 2:05PM KELSO SERVICES/ELDERS INSURANCE CLASS 1 & MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1900 METRES)
9. Moon Treaty has been racing well of late with two placings at this track from his last four starts and he comes into this on the back of a last start second at Grafton when hitting the line well.
Dangers: 5. Suit Day led them up and fought on well enough to finish second at this track when last produced when beaten by Finger Bun. He should play a part in the finish again here. 8. Finger Bun hit the line well to score at this track over Suit Day at her latest start and she should be in the thick of things again with a repeat of that performance. 1. Anazarli ran fourth at Kempsey last time out. He’s only won the one race from 47 starts but bobs up in the placings every now and again.
How to play it: Moon Treaty WIN.
Race 3 - 2:40PM MARIA RIVER CATTLE SUPER MAIDEN SHOWCASE PLATE (1100 METRES)
6. Solitario is a Pariah gelding on debut here and he has had a solid grounding for this having had a barrier trial in June and then another two recent trials leading into this. He won the latest of them at Tamworth and a bold showing is on the cards here.
Dangers: 11. Sharpen The Knives has been placed in nine of her 13 starts and comes into this having finished third at this track last time out. She’s knocking on the door for a win and is worth plenty of thought. 2. Territory Magic is on debut and has had a total of three trials to prepare. He shows talent and bears close watching. 1. Northern Boogie was placed here at his last start midway through last month and could sneak into the money again.
How to play it: Solitario WIN.
Race 4 - 3:15PM JOCK MCPHEE AM COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 66 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
4. Exonumia has had two runs back from a spell and he followed a solid second at Coonabarabran when resuming with a last start third at this track when favourite. He comes into this after a second in a recent Tamworth trial and he is ready to break through with another victory.
Dangers: 1. Rasay Factor resumes from a spell here and he has a good record with four wins to his name from 13 starts. He was in good form before the break with a win at Tamworth and then two placings and he’s had two solid trials leading into this return. 3. Leica Model was a winner at Tamworth two starts ago then ran fourth at this track when last produced. She can be placed in this grade. 5. Mazita was midfield in Highway grade at Newcastle last time out and can be a factor in this.
How to play it: Exonumia WIN.
Race 5 - 3:50PM DEBORTOLI WINES ARMIDALE NEWMARKET HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
1. Ezekeil is classy at best and is resuming from a spell here having not raced since finishing third at Scone behind Dollar Magic back in May. His previous two starts before that were solid. He’s had two trials leading into this and can be expected to sprint well fresh.
Dangers: 4. Mystery Lad has won his latest two starts at this track and then at Tamworth and he has the advantage of barrier one here. He can figure prominently again. 2. Epic Ranger resumes from a long spell here and is a first-up winner and also a winner at this track. 8. Spirit Of Pluto has won his latest two starts at this track and is racing well enough to be considered a leading chance.
How to play it: Ezekeil WIN.
Race 6 - 4:25PM TONY WILLIAMS MACHINERY CLASS 2 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
5. Artic Panther has hit his straps of late having broken through with a maiden victory at this track two starts ago and then backing that up with a last start win at Inverell. He is an on-pace galloper that is suited by the inside gate here.
Dangers: 3. Wild Flash was a winner at this track when resuming from a spell and that was on the back of two good trials. He’s talented at best and well worth including among the main chances here. 1. I Am Sugoi has been placed at his latest two starts and only needs to run up to those efforts to be a top hope in this. 2. Need A Miracle was a Scone winner before a down the track Highway effort and a last start sixth at Muswellbrook when resuming. He’s not out of this.
How to play it: Artic Panther WIN.
Race 7 - 5:00PM TOOHEYS BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY ARMIDALE CUP (1900 METRES)
4. Macleay won the Coonabarabran Cup in good style three starts ago then ran well again in the Narromine Cup before a solid fourth at Tamworth. He’s racing well and should take beating again.
Dangers: 2. Dreamdeel did the job well when leading throughout to score at Newcastle three runs back and then wasn’t beaten far when sixth at Canterbury before a third behind Guzumped at Wyong. He can give plenty of cheek again here. 1. Vincenzo has been racing well with placings in the Coonamble Cup and Narromine Cup of late and he can figure prominently. 4. Point Counterpoint was down the track at Rosehill last time out but his previous start there was solid when finishing third and he has claims here with a repeat of that.
How to play it: Macleay EACH WAY.
Race 8 - 5:35PM ROBERTS & MORROW BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
2. Nights Inferno has had two runs back from a spell and has done the job well in each of them to score at Muswellbrook and Scone as favourite each time. He can complete the hat-trick.
Dangers: 1. Lease is returning from a let-up here and is a talented galloper when at his best. He ran a close-up fourth here when last produced in September and can sprint well fresh. 4. The Lupercal was a Noree winner three starts ago and has been placed at this track and Tamworth in each run since then. He can be placed again. 7. Purple Esprit has been midfield in each of her latest two starts either side of a spell and she was racing well at this track before that.
How to play it: Nights Inferno WIN.
Best Bets: Race 4 (4) Exonumia.
Race 5 (1) Ezekeil.
Best Value: Race 7 (4) Macleay.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au