Armidale preview: Tips, best bets and inside mail

Trainer Lesley Jeffriess’ last 10 runners have yielded five winners as stable stalwart Call Me Brad aims to increase the tally in Sunday’s feature Guyra Cup (1400m) at Armidale.

A grandson of 1989 Galaxy winner Snippets, Call Me Brad has come a long way since he finished fifth on debut at Walcha in a 1200m maiden back in February 2016.

Since then, the now eight-year-old has amassed 68 starts winning ten times with 16 placings and earnings fast approaching $200,000.

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“He is a real good little trier that’s for sure,’’ Jeffriess said.

“He has got a great lot of owners. They are all country people and most of them live down around Singleton/Muswellbrook, they are sort of mine workers.’’

Despite his almost 70 runs and advancing age, Call Me Brad is showing no signs of wear and tear, far from it in fact, with four wins out of his five starts including a now trademark all the way victory coincidentally in the Walcha Cup five years to day after he made his debut there.

“He had a little bit of a setback after the Walcha Cup, he had a little bit of a strain at the top of his back behind his wither,’’ Jeffriess said.

“So it’s been nearly five weeks (between tuns) so it is a bit of a task I suppose but he only had five or six days off and has done plenty of work ever since so hopefully he will be right for Sunday.’’

Yvette Lewis rides Call Me Brad (not pictured) in the Guyra Cup for trainer Lesley Jeffriess.Source:News Regional Media

Call Me Brad has won from 900 up to 1440m but it is only in recent times that he has been able to sustain his pace and speed up to a ‘trip’ as Jeffriess explained.

“I’ve had from day one and in those early days we tried to stretch him out but he wouldn’t go past 1200m. I don’t want what got into him over the last little bit but he likes it a bit further now in his old age.’’

And while none of Call Me Brad’s ten career wins have been on heavy tracks, he has a 33 per cent winning strike-rate on Soft going (3 wins from 9 starts).

“I guess they have all got to go through it, but he doesn’t mind the sting out the track so I don’t think the wet will worry him but it is quite a while between runs, that would be the only thing I would put against him,’’ his trainer said.

Call Me Brad will be in Sunday’s Guyra Cup by Yvette Lewis, who turned 21 during the week.

Lewis has an uncanny affinity with the Rick Hore-Lacy bred Call Me Brad with five wins from eight rides on the gelding.

Shayne O’Cass’ top selections

BEST BET

Race 1 No.3: POINT COUNTERPOINT

Locally trained gelding who ran well at Eagle Farm last start. Very fit and is a genuine stayer who might just be better than these.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No.7: BETHPAGE

Nothing finished as well as she did when she raced at Scone last start, several weeks after her booming win at Albury. Ben Looker on for this one.

VALUE

Race 7 No.10: EMMY’S OUR GIRL

Another Ben Looker ride, this Taree housed mare won back to back races in January and has been quite creditable in her two runs since. Drawn perfectly today.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 9

Race 5: 4, 7, 10

Race 6: 1, 2

Race 7: 3, 10, 12

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Country Championship Final winning jockey Ben Looker will give the TAB Jockeys Challenge the proverbial shake.

Ben Looker has a good book of rides at Armidale. Picture: The Daily ExaminerSource:News Regional Media

Inside Mail: Armidale

RACE 1

Point Counterpoint is a locally-trained son of Golden Rose placegetter Bull Point with

obvious staying credentials. You wouldn’t find a fitter horse in this 1900m race; this fellow is back from a creditable run at Eagle Farm. Hard to go past. His danger, if any, appears to be his Stirling Osland trained stablemate Wazena who is likewise very fit and well equipped to make an impression over the longer trip today. Subtly Spring seems to be looking for the 1900m now.

BET: POINT COUNTERPOINT win, exacta 3 to beat 4

RACE 2

Alkaamel has run some nice races in his four starts since he joined the Dwyane Schmidt stable. This son of Golden Slipper winner Sebring wasn’t beaten far at home at Grafton 14 days ago and looks as though 1400m is tailor-made now. Drawn well. Scatman has placed four times from six starts at the trip and goes OK fresh. His issue may be the wide alley but otherwise all good. Bullawa Creek sent out some positive signs with that debut third at Moree.

BET: ALKAAMEL win, quinella 1, 8

RACE 3

Kingstar Bullet ran well on debut at Tamwoth then struck a Heavy track the next time at Moree and battled away somewhat but wasn’t going backwards either. Has her first run at her home track and has gained enough experience to put her best foot forward in a suitable race. Stablemate Desmos has placed at four of her 10 and has gone awfully close to winning before. Certainly gets her chance to break through again. Ourasianprincess is winless after 32 starts but is a player nonetheless.

BET: KINGSTAR BULLET win

RACE 4

Tough As Nails looks a pretty promising filly off her trial. She only won by a nose that day at Moree but had them covered a long way out. She will have to run right up to her potential however with the wide draw. Worth sticking with regardless. Nice Water is another one on debut that has impressed at her (many) trials. Hails from a prolific winning stable and should medal. Isham showed marked improvement from her first to her second run so seems to be headed the right way.

BET: TOUGH AS NAILS win

RACE 5

Bethpage was having her first run under new management and really caught the eye with that fifth at Scone coming from last. Nothing was finishing better than her in the race that day and she was an easy winner at Albury before that. Ben Looker on! Factorize has to overcome a wide draw but she did beat Bethpage home (just) when they met at Scone. Worthy contender. Tools Down is arguably – in fact, probably, the best horse in the race but has a very wide gate.

BET: BETHPAGE win

RACE 6

Call Me Brad lines up for his 69th start in search of his 11th race win. The Rick Hore-Lacy bred grandson of Snippets has won four of his last five including the Walcha Cup at his most recent appearance on February 5. Likes to lead in his races so the small field suits and he races very well here at Armidale. Herzegovina is a Gerry Harvey-owned gelding who will find this easier than his creditable fifth at Wyong. In Hearts Wake, the local, has been beaten twice in recent times by Call Me Brad but has the home ground advantage. That said, Brad loves this place like home.

BET: CALL ME BRAD win, box trifecta 1, 2, 6, 7

RACE 7

Emmy’s Our Girl is another grand ride for Ben Looker at Armidale. This Taree trained mare has drawn perfectly to take up a prominent role and has been going well all preparation notably those back to back wins – leading throughout both times – in January. I’m On Break has 2kg off and jumps from a good alley. Has run some good races including that last start fourth over 1200m. back to 1100m is a positive for him. Savana Jeune has trialled well. Old Lennie is a major contender.

BET: EMMY’S OUR GIRL win, box trifecta 3,4,10,12

Originally published asArmidale tips: Jeffriess’ stalwart can keep hot streak going

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