The Clarence River Jockey Club’s Jacaranda card is run at Coffs Harbour on Wednesday, with eight races headlined by the Jacaranda Cup, a BM82 over 1200m. The track was rated a Soft 7 this morning. There have been several scratchings, including Gold Puma (Races 5 and 8), No No No No No and Trackhawk (Race 6) and Insain Chaos (Race 2), so check the final fields.
Latin Lights in the Jacaranda Crown is our best bet. Zweigelt in the opener and Prince Of Prophets in the last are also short-priced runners we rate highly. Rich Star is our pick in the Cup.
Race 1 - CRJC AGM 25 November Class 1 Plate (2000m)
Selection: Zweigelt Current odds: $2.15
Zweigelt was beaten by only half a length at Lismore last start and has been honest all campaign. The 2000m suits, and he looks the one to beat. Swift Sovereign is the danger after leading all the way to break his maiden on a heavy track at Eagle Farm, and he is still improving. Chayse ‘N’ Penny should be finishing late, and Crunch Time is coming off a maiden win at Toowoomba.
Selections:
- Zweigelt - $2.15
- Swift Sovereign - $2.80
- Chayse ‘N’ Penny - $5.00
- Crunch Time - $8.00
Race 2 - Remembering Shirley Kelly CB Jacaranda Maiden Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Bravo Six Current odds: $3.90
Bravo Six ran second at Grafton on a soft track last time, has drawn barrier 1 and is still improving, so he looks the value in a race that should be between three runners. Atadcheeky is the favourite and has placed four times from seven starts this preparation. Sarmat finished well at Port Macquarie and has a good jockey and trainer combination.
Selections:
- Bravo Six - $3.90
- Atadcheeky - $2.80
- Sarmat - $3.00
- Jieba - $21.00
Race 3 - Remembering Victoria Moorhead BM58 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Hard Jakka Current odds: $3.80
Hard Jakka has placed three times this preparation and was disappointing at Port Macquarie last start, but he has a strong finish and can bounce back, even with more weight. Mosgiel Crystal is the main danger, first-up after ten weeks off a win at Tuncurry. Monaco Flyer ran second here on a heavy track and should be on the pace, and Dirty Does It can bounce back.
Selections:
- Hard Jakka - $3.80
- Mosgiel Crystal - $4.80
- Monaco Flyer - $3.90
- Dirty Does It - $5.50
Race 4 - Remembering Gae Palmer Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Our Red Ripper Current odds: $2.70
There is not much form in this race. Our Red Ripper makes his debut after winning a trial at Beaudesert in May, and the market rates him highly. Sideact resumes after running second on debut at Taree and has good early speed. Prestige Blue returns from a long break but has trialled, and Cerano Magic should improve on an eighth at Taree.
Selections:
- Our Red Ripper - $2.70
- Sideact - $4.20
- Prestige Blue - $4.60
- Cerano Magic - $5.00
Race 5 - Jacaranda Crown Fillies & Mares BM58 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Latin Lights Current odds: $2.30
Latin Lights placed second at Lismore last time, has drawn barrier 1 and has been consistent since resuming. She should get a forward position and is our best bet of the day. Tara Koda finished fifth here last start and is the main danger. Highwire Girl ran second at Lismore and is fitter for her recent runs, and Hotzino races without blinkers again.
Selections:
- Latin Lights - $2.30
- Tara Koda - $4.40
- Highwire Girl - $6.50
- Hotzino - $5.00
Race 6 - CRJC Life Members Super Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Stormy Martini Current odds: $2.15
No No No No No and Trackhawk are both scratched. Stormy Martini ran second at Port Macquarie at her second start and should be fitter after her debut. She should get forward from the wide barrier and looks the one to beat. Opine wears blinkers for the first time after a quiet first-up run and is the danger. Last Metaphor ran on well for second at Taree before a break, and Magic Snitzel has blinkers off.
Selections:
- Stormy Martini - $2.15
- Opine - $4.00
- Last Metaphor - $8.00
- Magic Snitzel - $8.00
Race 7 - Jacaranda Cup BM82 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Rich Star Current odds: $4.00
Rich Star returns after a short freshen-up. She ran third at Taree in a stronger race and has won three times at Grafton, so local conditions suit her. Kingdom Undersiege drops back to country company after a run at Eagle Farm and has a good jockey booked, although he carries more weight. Lady Wardell was narrowly beaten at Lismore, drops in grade and has the inside draw, so she could lead. Grassburn has won his last two and is a place chance.
Selections:
- Rich Star - $4.00
- Kingdom Undersiege - $5.00
- Lady Wardell - $5.00
- Grassburn - $11.00
Race 8 - Remembering Rowan Wicks CB BM58 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Prince Of Prophets Current odds: $2.80
Gold Puma is scratched. Prince Of Prophets was just beaten here first-up and has placed in two of three runs at the track. He should be finishing strongly and looks a strong chance. Star Of Winston returns from a let-up with two wins from six runs this campaign, and Who Loves A Harley has won at the track this preparation.
Selections:
- Prince Of Prophets - $2.80
- Star Of Winston - $3.50
- Who Loves A Harley - $3.80
