Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for the Gunnedah program – Daily Telegraph

Both respective camps saddles up two runners with older brother Cody chasing his first win with the former Chris Waller-trained Bajan Gold and later on, saddling up the in-form Over And Above, who wears the Australian Bloodstock colours.

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Irish-bred import Bajan Gold will no doubt take a power of beating in the Verdict Coffee Open Handicap (2050m) after a closing second at his new home track at Tamworth over a similar trip 13-days ago.

As for Luke, the first of his two runners is Khalija Dreaming who tackles the Tooheys XXXX Gold Maiden Plate (1000m) subsequent to her encouraging debut third at Muswellbrook over the distance back on November 5.

“She is a four-year-old who has had just the one start but she came to us a little bit later on and just took a bit of time to get to the races,’’ Morgan said.

“She was broken-in then had one prep and had five months off so she had a long break. We gave her one trial knowing that she would improve out of her first start going into this one.

“She had her chance at Muswellbrook but what she has done in the meantime, we’re pretty happy with her, and I think she shouldn’t be too far away on Tuesday.

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BEST BETS WITH SHAYNE O’CASS: GUNNEDAH

BEST BET: FUSSDINADO (Race 8, No. 8)
Won back to back races over the 1000m before just failing to see the 1200m out at Tamworth last time. Back to the 1000m, barrier 4, and Greg Ryan in the saddle.

NEXT BEST: BAJAN GOLD (Race 3, No. 1)
Former Chris Waller trained stayer who finished a game third at Tamworth recently having his first run for the new trainer Cody Morgan. Meets a similar line-up today having had the benefit of a recent hit out.

VALUE BET: HARDYO (Race 4, No. 1)
All Too Hard bursting to breakthrough now having run well at all four starts this campaign getting home with purpose each time. Just need luck from the inside alley.

BEST EXOTIC: QUADDIE

Race 5: 3,4,6,11

Race 6: 5,9,11,12

Race 7: 3,5,7

Race 8: 8

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW: GREG RYAN
Has six rides, the best of which appear to be Fussdinado whom he won on three starts ago at Muswellbrook over the same trip as Tuesday afternoon’s race.

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“She has drawn soft enough. You’ve only got the one turn at Gunnedah and doesn’t look to be an overly strong maiden.’’

Khalija Dreaming is a well bred mare being by Choisir won, Dreamscape, who won the Stan Fox and Up And Coming Stakes in 2008.

On top of that, her third dam is My Brilliant Star who won the 1992 AJC Oaks and went onto to deliver two stakes winners, one of which was John O’Shea’s 2002 Toorak Handicap winner, Shot Of Thunder.

Morgan’s other runner at Gunnedah on Tuesday is in the last, namely Fussdinado who won back to back races at Muswellbrook and Warren over 1000m before fading late when tried over 1200m at Tamworth on December 3.

“I probably put that loss down to myself a little bit,’’ Morgan said. “She has taken a little while to work out and I think she is better at a 1000m and fresh sort of horse.

“She was good enough to win a Class 1 over 1200m but when you get into a Benchmark 66 against horses that have won six and eight races, I think they get a bit stronger.

“She worked across and pulled a little bit in the mid-stages and Greg Ryan said she’d be better off back at the 1000m where there is a little bit more speed on. She won’t pull as much as can settle in behind them and have one last crack at the.’’

Fussdinado, a mare by Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini, has drawn favourably in barrier 4 in Tuesday’s MPC Earthmoving Equipment Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000) with Greg Ryan sticking solid with her.

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INSIDE MAIL WITH SHAYNE O’CASS: GUNNEDAH

RACE 1

More Than A Samba has placed at four of his 13 starts including back to back seconds at Muswellbrook before his last start sixth of 10 at Gosford where he held his ground reasonably well. Go well this grade. Bon Vavont has placed at three of his seven runs. Plenty to work with in his first-up fourth, Kennywyn is winless after 32 starts but has placed 16 times. Greg Ryan mount Nevercan is a watch.

BET: MORE THAN A SAMBA WIN, QUINELLA 2,7

RACE 2

Khalija Dreaming only had the one trial in the lead-up to her debut at Muswellbrook when she finished off dutifully when 2.5-lengths third over 1000m. Better for the outing and should run well. Miss Mircea is on debut and has claims on her ‘easy’ trial when beating half the field home in a Tamworth heat on December 3. Market watch advised. Trip To London is invariably thereabouts.

BET: KHALIJA DREAMING WIN, QUINELLA 1,13

RACE 3

Bajan Gold was trained by Chris Waller up until recently when he switched camps to Cody Morgan. Sometimes unlucky in town when stabled at Rosehill, Bajan Gold gave a good account of himself when closing off for second at Tamworth. House Wins was almost 2-lengths behind Bajan Gold when they clashed 13-days ago. Racing in great form. New Endeavour is a player.

BET: BAJAN GOLD WIN, EXACTA 1 TO BEAT 4

RACE 4

Hardyo has run creditably in all four starts at this his first campaign. His ‘worst’ run was when he ran sixth last start at Scone but he was closing off as well as anything and better than most. Ready and able. Wickmo has the services of Greg Ryan here and his three runs have all contained merit to varying degrees. Chick In Charge is a natural on-pacer who should be considered.

BET: HARDYO WIN, EXACTA 1 TO BEAT 11, BOX TRIFECTA 1,4,10,11

RACE 5

Pat Farrell and Greg Ryan combine here as they did last start when Euroaire was 4.8-lengths off the winner at Quirindi. Prior to that the son of Eurozone had come from a long way back to run a close third at Scone. Guided has only won two from 32 but he has placed eight times including last start at Scone. Third-up now and liable to peak. Danspur has won three races all of then have been here at home.

BET: EUROAIRE EACH-WAY, BOX QUINELLA 3,6,11

RACE 6

Gayna Williams has a great hand to play here in the feature via her two Redirect and Iona Nicconi. Redirect has placed at his last two starts and bear in mind that he won three of his last four at his last campaign. Is ‘1’for 1’ at the track and distance. Iona Nicconi has won seven races, three at this trip. Moree Dreaming is absolutely flying at the moment with two wins and a second from three runs.

BET: REDIRECT WIN, QUINELLA 11,12

RACE 7

Mick’s Regret has to overcome a very wide barrier first-up but he is a horse with some talent. The Sue Grills trained son of Arlington has won once and been runner-up three times from just eight starts. Look for him late. Love Me Quietly is also first-up today, the son of Trusting has run some nice races in his six starts highlighted by his second in the Silver Goblet at Dubbo. Starring finally broke through first-up at Dubbo and could go on with it albeit from a dud alley.

BET: MICK’S REGRET EACH-WAY, BOX TRIFECTA 2,3,5,7,11

RACE 8

Fussdinado looks the bet of the day here given that she is coming back from 1200m to 1000m which is her best trip evidence by the fact that she has won three from six at the distance. Drawn perfectly. Rubel was three of his final four runs last prep. Didn’t do much at Coffs first-up but could be the sharp improver. He’s Our Toy Boy was placed at this track/distance back in late October.

BET: FUSSDINADO WIN