Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Wagga Wagga
Track Soft 5 and rail True
Race 1
2. Buckeye, a Randwick-based colt by Zousain, can claim a very competitive battle for the two-year-olds third-up in his first full prep. Hit the line to miss narrowly when fresh at Scone in heavy ground before failing to run home in a deeper provincial race. Much better suited here, drawn to get to the outside of runners, and any rain is a bonus. 5. Wonderful Mistake has to get across from a wide barrier, but is primed after twice finishing a half-length from the winner at Canberra, the latest 13 days ago as a well-backed favourite. 1. Deekaygeebee is a lightly raced Victorian and over the odds after scoring a smart win here 18 days ago.
How to play it: Buckeye to win
Race 2
3. Riverbend Unicorn is an honest and improving local four-year-old who represents outstanding value, resuming off a four-month spell in a tricky race. Has placed five times from seven starts, draws to get a soft run inside, and fitted to run this trip out off a solid 1000m trial on the Riverside track. 5. Doc March is also trained here, and a natural improver after rushing home late to beat all bar the winner second-up, but still shapes under the odds jumping from a wide gate. 1. Dita Von is also trained on the track and hasn't missed a place in four consecutive runs, chasing home a smart one at Albury a week ago, but is also drawn wide. 9. Hot Toddy is desperate for this longer trip third-up. 11. Deebaa at her third start, and 16. Cinephile deep into the prep; can both add plenty of value into wider exotics.
How to play it: Riverbend Unicorn to win
Race 3
It doesn't get any easier here in a wide maiden sprint, with a few key first starters on show. One of them 4. Explosive Style, a five-year-old mare by Carravaggio, makes the trip over the border and is ready to strike on debut. Careered away to win a trial on the Riverside track here a fortnight ago, and is bred for speed on both sides. 1. Brucedale is a local three-year-old by Shaft on debut in winkers off a handy trial, but draws wide. 3. Der Blaue Reiter is a lightly raced improver, and over the odds second-up coming through that same Federal Maiden in Canberra as one of the better chances in the opening race.
How to play it: Explosive Style to win
Race 4
7. Due Calzini is a progressive three-year-old well-placed to claim a second career win coming back in class and depth third-up. Did his best work late from the back when resuming in a BM 58 after being backed from $3.70 into $3.00 before catching the eye again running home late in the deeper Guineas Prelude here run at BM 65 level. Again drawn to drift back, but that run tops him off nicely for the step up to a mile, and will carry 1kg less. 6. Dubai Warrior is a big threat, hitting peak fitness fourth-up with gear changes from the inside draw, and dropping significantly in grade from his last two. Keep safe 8. Jamacri, a Warwick Farm-based mare, who also has claims dropping back sharply in distance fourth-up, with blinkers being added.
How to play it: Due Calzini to win
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