The Insider – Australian Analysis April 2 Edition

Wagga hosts a pair of $100,000 Riverina Championships Finals on Saturday night.

The first is race five on the nine-race program which is for mares only and will be followed by the sixth race on the card which is for entires and geldings.

Gloucester Park and Launceston also host their respective Easter Cup feature races with both held as standing start events.

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Wagga (Saturday, April 4)

Race 5

A capacity field of 12 mares will battle it out in the Listed Riverina Championships Mares Final (2270m). Last week, they competed in two heats with the first six runners across the line qualifying for the rich $100,000 final, that sees $54,500 go to the winner. Heat one was a surprise result with the Codi Rauchenberger-trained and driven five-year-old Kimcando who raced behind the leader to defeat My Little Bo and Smirkin Serene. In the second heat, it was Gunna Reload who proved too tough from the breeze, winning by 6.5m from Peace Out. Isla Rochelle was 13.2m from the winner in third place.

It was a horror watch for Seaton Grima’s CERISE RAINBOW (7) in the heat as she handed up the lead and when trying to get past the struggling SUGAR PIE HONEY (13), they locked wheels which put an end to her chances. From barrier seven, Grima will almost certainly drive aggressively searching for the top, and there may be no hand up this time around. Prior to that run, she has been a minor placing behind Lochinvar Jag twice, the smart Tokyo Rose and FARFALLA STRIDE (9). Should prove hard to beat if she can lead.

GUNNA RELOAD (14) is a smart mare having won 12 of her 21 starts, including her last four starts. Prior to a spell, she won the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 3YO Fillies Final (1609m) last season. She is going to have to do some work in the run here but her class will see her prove to be a huge threat. SIREN SEA (4), KIMCANDO (6), SMIRKIN SERENE (10), PEACE OUT (11) and PLATINUM JEWEL (12) all have each-way claims.

Selections: 7-14-4-10

CERISE RAINBOW (7) to win

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Race 6

The Listed Riverina Championships Entires and Geldings Final (2270m) also saw two heats run with Russell Jack and Nathan Jack combining to win the first heat with four-year-old gelding Sanchez who narrowly defied the Emma Stewart-trained War Dan Buddy. My Ultimate Barney was a good run in third place. In the second heat, Sweet On Lexy caused a major upset as he defeated Sinaloa and Double Lou. Race favourite Hesitate scraped into sixth place to qualify for the final.

Trying to overcome barrier 12 will not be easy for class runner WAR DAN BUDDY (14) but his form is top-notch with a third placing in the Group 1 Kilmore Pacing Cup (2180m) won by Leap To Fame, as well as a narrow fifth behind The Janitor and Swayzee in the Group 2 Bioworma Sprint (1609m) earlier this prep. Both defeats since then have been excellent and he has strong claims with his versatility and class.

MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (10) can punch through from the second row to try and land a prominent position – it depends what the front-line speed of stablemate SOHO DARKNSTORMY (4), THALASSOPHOBIA (7) and SWEET ON LEXY (8) does at the start. SANCHEZ (2) lacks early speed which is the biggest concern for his contention in this race. HESITATE (11) and DOUBLE LOU (12) are big contenders in this race despite the second row draws.

Selections: 14-10-12-11

WAR DAN BUDDY (14) to win

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Gloucester Park (Friday, April 3)

Race 5

The Group 3 Easter Cup (2503m) is a standing start event that sees The Nullarbor contender Franco Motu from the Gary Hall Snr stable compete off a 40m handicap. He resumes last week off the same mark when obliterating rivals by 15.7m in 1:59.1. He is $1.50 to repeat the dose on his way to The Nullarbor where he will be thrown into the deep end against Minstrel, Magnificent Storm and Bulletproof Boy. Standing in his way in the Easter Cup is Aiden De Campo’s Last Hard Copy who has a 20m handicap in the race.

There is no doubting the talent of FRANCO MOTU NZ (13) but $1.50 is short enough about a horse that has to overcome a 40m handicap with a capacity field of 12 runners. I’m happy to back two runners in the race with LAST HARD COPY (9) almost running identical splits to the favourite in his own stand which was won by Petes Honour. De Campo will try and use a head start to give himself the best chance of causing a small upset.

ROCK ME OVER (6) is a veteran for Matthew Scott, having raced 295 times for 31 victories and 86 minor placings. He is racing in consistent fashion and the 10m handicap gives him value place claims. Will back him the win just in case everything goes right, but it’s the place that appeals with him at massive odds. CAPTAIN RAVISHING (14) has the 50m backmark which could prove too much. SPYGLASS NZ (10) can definitely bob up in this too at odds. I better mention CHASE ME NZ (12) but place claims look best.

Selections: 13-9-6-10

LAST HARD COPY (9) to win

ROCK ME OVER (6) each way

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Launceston (Saturday, April 4)

Race 7

Tasmania hosts its own Group 3 Easter Cup (2698m) which is also a standing start event. The Tammy Langley-trained four-year-old Horatius Speculo is the favourite after winning his heat as a $1.60 favourite ahead of The Shallows and Maebee. Southern Luck caused a massive shock winning his heat at $101 when narrowly beating Stepping Stones and Vanquish Stride. Horatius Speculo has drawn barrier one on the front line and will try to take full advantage of that as he chases a fourth stand win from just five attempts.

HORATIUS SPECULO (1) gets the good draw and will be trying to hold up from the inside barrier as he has shown that he is enjoying the stands. He has won 11 races from 21 starts and continues to race well despite the opposition in front of him. Should be hardest to beat in the event.

MAEBEE (8) was a good third behind the favourite in the heat and he has each-way claims once again from the 10m handicap for Conor Crook. PARDOE PLUGGA (5) can be scratchy from behind the tapes but when he gets it right, he always has strong claims. THE SHALLOWS (12) looks next best but others in the race can win too.

Selections: 1-8-5-12

HORATIUS SPECULO to win

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For complete race fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink