Tamworth runs six races on Thursday, starting at 2:10pm, with the Manilla Cup over 1600m as Race 4. The form across the card is modest, and several favourites come off unplaced runs, so we suggest small stakes all day. Prices are early markets from Wednesday night. Check them again before betting, along with the track rating and scratchings.
Our best bet is Rivaldo in Race 5.
Race 1 - Class 1 Plate (2100m)
Selection: Quirky Princess Current odds: $2.50
None of the main chances ran well last start, so this is a weak race. Quirky Princess was sixth at this track last time, but has drawn well and is clearly on top in the market. Kojak backs up quickly after fading to finish eleventh at Dubbo and rises in distance. Share Our Secret ran fourth at Armidale but tired late, which is a worry at 2100m. We would not bet much here.
Selections:
- Quirky Princess - $2.50
- Kojak - $3.80
- Share Our Secret - $4.20
- Memphis Blue - $10.00
Race 2 - Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Soobring It Current odds: $11.00
This is a speculative each-way bet. Soobring It ran third at Barraba last start and is the only one of the main chances coming off a placing. The barrier is wide, but Soobring It has the early speed to cross. The two at the top of the market, Fabulous One and Little Duke, finished eighth and seventh at their last starts. Fiery Bee is a five-year-old first starter, so watch the betting.
Selections:
- Soobring It - $11.00
- Fabulous One - $4.80
- Little Duke - $5.50
- Fiery Bee - $7.00
Race 3 - Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Ominous Current odds: $3.20
Ominous ran on well for third at this track last start and should race closer to the lead here. Zac Wadick rides for David Hatch, and they work well together. The favourite, Grafology, faded to finish seventh at Kembla Grange last start and is having a first run for a new trainer from the inside barrier. That was a stronger race, but we prefer the horse with good recent form at the track. Denise’s Gal led and was beaten less than a length at Wellington.
Selections:
- Ominous - $3.20
- Grafology - $2.10
- Denise’s Gal - $6.00
- Royal And Ready - $9.50
Race 4 - Manilla Cup (1600m)
Selection: Pensativa Current odds: $2.30
Pensativa ran sixth at Scone last start and backs up quickly. Pensativa has good form at 1600m, and the Scone race was stronger than this one. Macleay drops in class after a fifth at Moree, has drawn well and is the main danger. Shamedy was eleventh at Newcastle last start but had been racing well before that, and Ben Looker rides.
Selections:
- Pensativa - $2.30
- Macleay - $5.00
- Shamedy - $4.40
- Delrico - $18.00
Race 5 - Benchmark 50 (1400m)
Selection: Rivaldo Current odds: $3.80
Rivaldo ran third at this track last start, beaten three-quarters of a length, and now drops in class. Rivaldo should be in the first few in running. A recent placing at the track and an easier race is the best profile on the card, so this is our best bet of the day.
Risk Assessment ran third at Barraba and comes back in distance. Injair won by more than three lengths at Collarenebri last start, and Sidenay ran second at the same meeting. Both are at double-figure odds and are worth including in exotics.
Selections:
- Rivaldo - $3.80
- Risk Assessment - $6.50
- Sidenay - $12.00
- Injair - $17.00
Race 6 - Class 1 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Maxandus Current odds: $3.40
Maxandus ran second at Collarenebri last start and has good early speed, which matters over 1000m. Maxandus is fit, while the favourite, The Dux Nuts, is resuming after 10 weeks and was beaten into third when first-up last preparation. Yanabah is also resuming and drops in class. Rembroy won first-up at this track last preparation and is a rough chance at $26.
Selections:
- Maxandus - $3.40
- The Dux Nuts - $2.60
- Yanabah - $4.80
- Rembroy - $26.00
