Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Kembla Grange Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Race 1

Main meeting in NSW this weekend comes from Kembla Grange with ‘The Gong’ the feature. Chance of a shower or two or perhaps three about however nothing major according to the BOM. What better way to get the day underway than with a wide open Midway, if we can land the winner here surely we’re in for a big afternoon… (18) SATNESS wasn’t fancied at all first up when placed in town at this level, fitter & with 5 of his 8 wins here on this track he should run well. (1) ROLLING MAGIC was very good first up however draws horribly, many of the main chances do though. Can make cases for 7, 8 & 10 amongst others.

Numbers: 18 – 1 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet: Wide exotics, as wide as you possibly can!

RACE 2

A very open looking Highway. The Goulburn trained (10) WRITE YOUR OWN has been a victim of bad gates his past 2 starts which has seen him settle too far back before finding the line late. Today he draws in & although back in trip has had a month’s freshen up, I’ll lean his way. (3) ALOTTOSAY is only lightly raced holding a good record, heads to town in good form & likely should have finished in the placings last start. (6) TOMMY FLYER is also sparingly raced, going great guns out of town, deserves a crack at this level.

Numbers: 10 – 3 – 6 – 11

Suggested Bet: WRITE YOUR OWN EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 3

Locally trained (7) ZARAGOZA put in a cracking run first up at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day charging home from a clear last in a race not run to suit at all. Suggest there’s more tempo about here & his record on his home track is a very good one. Big weight for the resuming (1) SPYWIRE however he’s never far away & has trialled impressively. (3) BUNDEENA & (6) CASSIEL can figure in the placings at least; the latter won a recent trial which is always a good lead from the Snowden yard.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet: ZARAGOZA TO WIN.

RACE 4

Good competitive race for the fillies & mares. (7) SPIRIT OF WEALTH led throughout to win at Hawkesbury two back before racing off speed & closing well in a race not run to suit at all (sprint home) last start. Beaten by (1) WEEPING WOMAN who raced on the lead that day there’s a 1.5kg turnaround in favour of SPIRIT OF WEALTH for the 1.17L defeat, I’m going with her to turn the tables. (2) JELLICIOUS was another beaten by race tempo last start, she’d won three straight prior & can bounce back with a better effort here.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 1 – 5

Suggested Bet: SPIRIT OF WEALTH TO WIN.

RACE 5

Going to have something each-way on the very consistent (2) OCEANFRONT here. Only lightly raced he’s progressing nicely & couldn’t have been any more impressive winning at Randwick last start to make it three straight. Yes, this is a tougher task however on what he’s showing of late he’s well up to it & the additional trip shouldn’t concern. (1) HURSTVILLE ZAGREB can bounce back off a disappointing effort last start when favourite, he’s better than that. I’ve been a wrap for (8) BRAVE CALL however in all fairness he had every chance last start.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 11 – 8

Suggested Bet: OCEANFRONT EACH-WAY.

RACE 6

(7) SHADY THINKER wasn’t the best to begin at Rosehill last start & ended up posted wide the entire trip. He didn’t shirk his task at all & although never looking like winning in the straight he did clock the quickest final 200m. Gut feel is he’s looking for further however I’ll take the punt he can get away with this should things pan out more favourably. (2) TUNED won well fresh, is a second up winner in the past & the claim is a big help. (14) SOCIABLE is only lightly raced & now really hitting his straps, Zac Lloyd to steer from a good draw is very positive.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 14 – 5

Suggested Bet: SHADY THINKER TO WIN (small bet).

RACE 7

(3) ZEALOUSLY holds some handy form lines & will get the right run here from the rails gate. His pattern is to settle on speed & he won’t spent a cent getting there today, he’s also unbeaten at this venue & did run into a smart one down south last start. (8) SUNRISE was never going to win at Randwick second up however somehow dug deep late to get the money, like that fighting spirit. (1) DRAGONSTONE always in the mix.

Numbers: 3 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: ZEALOUSLY TO WIN ($2.75 or better).

RACE 8

He one-million-dollar ‘The Gong’ is the day’s highlight, big numbers which will be culled to a max of 16 on Saturday morning. Can’t tip against (1) GRINGOTTS who of course is a Group 1 winner, simply too good in the Big Dance he drops 1kg for this & that form is strong with the second placed Vivy Air winning the Five Diamonds 4 days later. (2) DUKE DE SESSA maps well, is twice a first up winner & must be included. (3) ESTADIO MESTALLA again draws poorly however did catch the eye in last week’s Hunter, faces a task from out the back however nothing is impossible when you’re in the Joe Pride yard!

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 15

Suggested Bet: GRINGOTTS TO WIN.

RACE 9

I’ll lean to the resuming Waterhouse/Bott trained (10) COLLECT YOUR CASH here however the market action close to race time will be all important. Only lightly raced we haven’t seen him since May when pulling up lame at Randwick, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t ready to go fresh from this yard. (12) ASGARDA the main danger, solid in the Little Dance just needs to see the mile out strongly. (6) LORD OF BISCAY always a chance, rises in weight however will find this easier than last start.

Numbers: 10 – 12 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 10

I’m with the consistent (8) BARTOLF in this closing race who should lap up the 1400m trip. A strong 1300m midweek winner two back he stepped up to Saturday grade last start running home well when dropping back to 1200m. This looks ideal. (14) STARMAN an interesting runner, complete change of tactics ridden forward last start he gave a good kick down the straight to go down only narrowly at odds. Well drawn should he go forward again he may prove harder to get past. Stable mate (13) INVADER ZIM a likely improver.

Numbers: 8 – 14 – 13 – 4

Suggested Bet: BARTOLF EACH-WAY.

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