Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Wyong

Form analyst Matt Jones is confident in a three-year-old filly to peak third-up and break her maiden status at Wyong.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

BEST BET

Race 3, No.4: KOUKLARA

She looked home and hosed at Goulburn last start before one came from nowhere to nab her. She beat the third-placed horse by three lengths so she’s in form.

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.2: BARRICHELLO

He drops back in grade and will get all the favours from the inside gate under Tommy Berry. He’s fourth-up and ready to win.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.5: CURTIS ISLAND

He ran third last start at Gosford but the form out of that race looks like it will hold up and 1200m now is ideal for him to cause a minor upset.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 5, 11

Race 6: 2, 3, 5, 9

Race 7: 2, 4, 6, 8

Race 8: 2, 6, 12

Tommy Berry has a great book of rides at Wyong on Thursday and will be hard to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Tommy Berry will drive up to Wyong thinking he’s got winning chances in all five races he’s riding in and he’s got good gates in four of them.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Joe Pride could easily walk away with a winning double with Kouklara (race 3) and Silent Agenda (race 7). Both look primed to peak.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR WYONG

RACE 1

In these 4YO and Up Maiden races, you generally want to be going with a lightly raced horse and that one happens to by the import Rockamo who goes around for the third time off a fifth and third placing in New Zealand. His only Australian trial was a pretty good one as he races for the first time since being gelded. Interesting horse. Em Cee Gee is by 1998 Victoria Derby winner Arena who is about to turn 26. She was honest last star at Gosford and will take benefit off that run and keep them honest here. Rubielie will look to come at them late.

Bet: Rockamo to win

RACE 2

Mister Ripley has placed at his past three and was a close enough fourth at Gosford four runs back so he’s building towards a win and gets a crucial 3kg off her back with a claim. If he holds his form, he’s in the finish. Sombre Prize has also run second at his past two and likes to race on the speed which is the right formula for this track and he should be better than he was last time off a shorter break between runs. The blinkers are back on River Tycoon after running last here six weeks ago. He’s going to be better fresh.

Bet: Mister Ripley to win

Tom Sherry will ride Kouklara for trainer Joe Pride. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

RACE 3

Kouklara looked the winner last start at Goulburn before another came from the clouds to beat her. The third placed horse was many lengths back too. She’s peaking now third-up. Contamination will enjoy getting onto a firmer track now which might be the key to her breaking through. Carlisle Bay has been threatening for a while now and has form around Alvin The Bold who has run in town on a Saturday. It wouldn’t surprise to see Fine Ruby and Who Fancies You to run boldly in a race not containing a hell of a lot of form.

Bet: Kouklara to win

RACE 4

Barrichello has gone close to winning twice in town this preparation and gets the gun run in behind the speed from barrier two under Tommy Berry. He’s got to go close. I’ve tipped Cat D’oro a few times like most punters probably have but he’s yet to get the job done. Like his stablemate, he’s going to appreciate dripping back to the provincials. The booking of Berry on the stablemate probably tells a story though. Miss Checkoni doesn’t have the form of the two Chris Waller runners mentioned but she dies handle this tight turning track so she might be the value runner. Whatever I say didn’t get the clearest run in the straight on debut at Newcastle but looked promising and the blinkers go on.

Bet: Barrichello to win

Louise Day was second on Curtis Island two starts back and they can go one better at Wyong on Thursday. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

RACE 5

Sebrenco got beat by an older horse on a bog track last time when odds on. She was far from disgraced though and races on her home track for the first time. On Her Word ran second at Gosford last time and was good and off no trials you expect her to be at her best third-up and with a bit more luck in the run. Curtis Island has only won once from 10 starts but he’s better than that and you’d expect him to be a tough challenger if he gets a touch of luck from an awkward gate. The form around him from last time out is pretty good too.

Bet: Curtis Island each way.

RACE 6

Sniper Legend should enjoy getting back to a firmer surface and he’s been consistent from day one. It is the first time he’s drawn a double figure gate though so Kerrin McEvoy’s ride is key to his chances. Agrum is the other horse on the rise after two good runs to kick off his career and he should race positive and look the winner at some stage. It will be interesting to see how well he goes on a dry track. Prince Invincible doesn’t mid racing here and was a good barrier trial winner off a four-week freshen up so look for a bold performance.

Bet: Quinella 5, 9

Tim Clark will again partner Prince Invincible for trainer Gary Moore. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

RACE 7

Go Gazza won at this track and distance last start and Tommy Berry wanted to stick with him for this one and his horse is a pretty east ride to just make things a bit easier. Silent Agenda drops back in grade off a good run in town when he didn’t get the best of luck. He doesn’t win out of turn but his best if good enough to take this out. Lake Tai goes back up in trip which won’t bother him at this stage of his preparation and the drying track is in his favour for an in-form stable.

Bet: Go Gazza to win

RACE 8

Lake Kastoria looks to stay undefeated after two Hawkesbury wins. She’s an on-pace type so Wyong shouldn’t bother her and the extra 50m won’t either. Big Surprise has won two of his past three and he loves getting his toe into the ground but has won three times on a Good surfaces and he may lead them into the straight. Vanilla Sky will be better suited to a harder track after two heavy surface runs and her trainer thinks she’s not far off going to a Stakes race. If that does happen, she should just about win this.

Bet: Quinella 6, 12

Originally published asWyong tips: Double on the Agenda for Pride

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