MANNING Valley Race Club will conduct a seven event TAB card at the Bushland Drive complex on Monday May 25.
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The track likely around Soft 7 and rail true, so expect on or just off the speed early before a late trend wider and from further back
Race 1 at 12.40pm TAB Maiden Handicap (1600m) - min weight 55kg and apprentices can claim:
We start with the maidens over a mile, and this looks breakthrough time for for 5YO Wyong mare 1. Oakfield Tickets (Damien Lane/Grant Buckley; 58.5kg) is deep into the prep, and close-up in her last two. Will find this easier with leading country jockey booked.
Main dangers: Wauchope 3YO 4. My Sonny's Faith didn't fire a shot fourth-up this trip at Coffs, but can improve sharply back on rain-affected ground; while include in exotics improving Gosford 3YO 2. Hay There McNair fourth-up and down in weight.
Likely tempo: Moderate to fair.
My betting attack: oakfield Tickets to win and tri 1/2,4/2,4
Race 2 at 1.15pm Stacks Law Firm Maiden Handicap (1400m) - minimum weight 55kg and apprentices can claim:
Bigger and naturally far more open field. Like the value about 3YO Newcastle gelding 2. Excelsa (David Atkins/Ms Amelia Denby; 59kg) got home nicely behind a good one at Quirindi, and the extra trip looks ideal fifth-up in his first prep. Untried in this ground, but sire is a renowned soft track producer, and he did win his debut barrier trial on a Soft 7 in February.
Main dangers: Stablemate and progressive 3YO 1. Dr Copper has been edged out in two runs here this prep, and steps up further in distance. Looks a nice race for him, but does concede up to 4kg to some handy ones. Consistent Wyong 3YO 5. Buckin' Rippa is bursting to break through having run five placings from 10 starts. Missed by a nose at Tamworth two starts back before sticking on okay after leading at Wellington under a bigger weight. Drawn to either lead, or sit right behind. Gosford 4YO 3. Little Rocket Man will need to slot in somewhere just off the speed from the outside barrier, but has shown strong improvement in bis last couple, and hard fit fifth run in. Watch the betting on 3YO Wyong gelding 4. Underboss (Animal Kingdom x Lobster by Redoubte's Choice) who has been only fair at the trials, but debuts in blinkers, and stable has a smart fresh record.
Likely tempo: Moderate to good
My betting attack: Excelsa each way and tRI: 1,2,5/1,2,3,4,5/1,2,3,4,5
Race 3 at 1.50pm Tooheys Maiden Plate (1000m) - set weights and apprentices can claim:
Tricky affair, with a couple of local first starters, and some key ones resuming. One of those, 6YO Wyong gelding 2. Montana Thunder (Damien Lane/Jake Hull 59kg) hasn't race for more than a year, but is the one to beat fresh off a strong trial. Showed good ability on rain-affected tracks early in his interrupted career.
Main dangers: Local 2YO gelding 2. Zaru held his ground on debut in a handy maiden at Scone. Has good early speed, and dam was a heavy track winner. Gosford filly 6. Naughty Nicci is first-up for more than nine months, but trialled well, and stable is renowned for getting them ready early. Home track debutant 3YO 1. Lobban Leroy (Dane Shadow x Jivali Lobban by Filante) looks ready to go off a nice Tuncurry trial, and bred to get through wet ground.
Likely tempo: Good to strong
My Betting Attack: Montana Thunder to win
Race 4 at 2.25pm Iron Jack Class 1 Handicap (1000m):
Strong race for this grade. Won't be getting off 3YO Gosford gelding 1. Devan (Adam Duggan/Andrew Gibbons; 62kg) after he finally broke through in dominant fashion as a hot favourite from well off the speed at Quirindi. Has to cart a career high weight, but finished close-up in three previous efforts in tougher company, likes soft ground, and drawn to get the right trail off the fence.
Main dangers: Promising 3YO Newcastle filly 2. Cool Missile just has to get over from her outside draw to be a threat. Was well tried in betting careering away to win on debut at Coffs Harbour, and looks destined for bigger prizes. Big watch on lightly raced Grafton 3YO 4. Special Union who resumes as gelding off a smart maiden win at home in late January. Include in exotics both Pt Macquarie 4YO 3. Sebago who has been freshened via a smart trial win here; and rival Port filly 5. Sylvia's Memory who let punters down in a blanket finish first-up at Grafton, but that was her first run in more than a year, and blinkers have been applied.
Likely tempo: Strong
My betting attack: Devan to win and first four: 1,2,4/1,2,3,4,5/1,2,3,4,5/1,2,3,4,5
Race 5 at 3.05pm XXXX Gold Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) - min weight 55kg and apprentices can claim:
Very even battle over the longer trip, with several chances. Progressive 3YO Grafton filly 10. Al Me Gal (John Shelton/Raymond Spokes; 55kg) only has to tuck in somewhere from the wide draw to be in the finish. Swept home to claim a Class 1 in dominant fashion at home despite stepping up sharply in trip, and has far more scope than most of these.
Main dangers Local mare 3. Good Excuse worked home nicely in a deeper Benchmark 58 at Coffs last start, but he's been doing that for much of this prep, and will relish the extra journey. Coffs 7YO 8. Mister Maker only has an ordinary strike rate, but is rock hard fit working home okay in his last couple over further, and will be running on again; while include on-speed Kempsey mare 12. Komachi Force in exotics.
Likely tempo: Moderate to Solid
My betting attack: Al Me Gal to win
Race 6 at 3.40pm TAB Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m):
Back to the sprint trip, and lightly raced 5YO Gosford mare 7. Miss Devinci (Greg McFarlane/Ashley Morgan; 56.5kg) looks hard to beat off a little freshen-up. Cruised home for an easy win at Queanbeyan two runs back before held her ground here last start in a much deeper sprint. All her best form is on soft tracks.
Main dangers: Big watch on 4YO Wyong gelding 3. Chosen Monarch resumes in winkers for smart stable off a nice open trial effort. Draws to get a cosy run on or just behind the speed. Capable 4YO and stablemate to top selection 5. Geotime has more than enough ability, but doesn't always switch on. Did his best work late at Quirindi second-up, but will likely be forced a long way back from a wide gate, so will need a tonne of speed on up front. Pt Macquarie 4YO 8. Just Sizzling has charged into third place in three of his last four, and back on softer ground is a further plus.
Likely tempo: Good
My Betting Attack: Miss Devinci to win & tri: 3,7/3,5,7,8/3,5,7,8
Race 7 at 4.15pm Kennards Hire Taree Benchmark 58 Handicap (1250m):
Stack of chances to finish in what is bound to be a wide open market. Like the value here about 4YO Pt Macquarie mare 8. Nicconi Lass (John Sprague/Kyle Wilson-Taylor, a2kg; 55.5kg) which has hit the line hard in her last two after winning first-up at home, and even better suited well into a soft rating.
Main dangers: Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. Mr Piquet resumes with a big weight, but he has plenty of class, and fitted with two quiet trials. Would like it a little firmer, but has won fresh in the past. Port Macquarie mare 5. Nashian is much better suited back to this trip after being easily swamped leading in a stronger Highway at Rosehill. Good in the ground, but has a tough task from a wide gate and right back up in weight. Watch the betting on resuming 3YO Wyong filly 7. Light Of Uluru who has trialled strong. Newcastle 3YO 6. War Cat has only been fair in two runs back, but can improve, although far from convinced the inside draw will be to his advantage.
Likely tempo: Solid to good
My Betting Attack: Nicconi Lass each way and tri: 1,5,8/1,5,6,7,8/1,5,6,7,8
My best bets: R4 1. Devan; R6 7. Miss Devinci
My best value: R2 2. Excelsa; R7 8. Nicconi Lass
Trainers to follow: Damien Lane**; Greg McFarlane*
Jockeys to follow: Andrew Gibbons*