Cowra Monday: Your Winning Race Guide

The track conditions are set to be soft with the rail in the true position, shaping up for an interesting day of racing.

Race 1: A Promising Start

In the opening race, 7. Nafanua stands out. Despite being lightly raced, she’s part of a formidable team from Bjorn Baker’s Warwick Farm stables. While she disappointed late when second-up at Goulburn, a drying track for her third start, coupled with a less competitive field, presents a significant advantage.

6. Magic Iris is another to watch, coming off a provincial race that was considerably tougher. Her second-up form is typically strong, and the drop in class should see her perform well.

3. Deluce, also lightly raced, could see improvement as the track continues to dry. Her second-up run is often better, and firmer ground will suit.

2. Kneel Down has shown promise in weaker picnic races, securing placings in both starts. A substantial weight drop further enhances her claims.

How to play it: Back Nafanua to win.

Race 2: The Glen’s Chance to Shine

2. The Glen hasn’t set the world on fire in his two starts to date. However, his last start at Goulburn, finishing within five lengths of a talented stablemate, reads well for this field. The addition of winkers and an increase in distance are expected to be beneficial.

6. Zippy Argento made good ground in the closing stages of his resuming run and is drawn to have a comfortable run.

7. Closethedoordarcy appears to be the best of the remaining contenders.

How to play it: The Glen to win.

Race 3: Tassalina’s Filly Power

4. Tassalina hails from the same Canberra stable as the likely favourite in the first race and looks like a filly with a bright future. She made a powerful impression on debut at Wagga, sweeping home from midfield to win her maiden with ease. A jockey change to a superior rider and despite a wide barrier, she seems destined for greater challenges than this event.

3. Bosco has been competitive in his two starts since his maiden win at Moruya. A good draw and the prospect of the track returning to a near soft 5 condition are in his favour.

5. Outlaw Annie finally has a reasonable barrier, but she’ll need to find significant improvement to challenge for the win.

8. Molteuno and 10. Rita Red are considered for trifecta and first four bets.

How to play it: Tassalina to win.

Race 4: Tartan Tiger’s Middle-Distance Prowess

This middle-distance race presents a number of contenders, with 4. Tartan Tiger leading the charge. This progressive filly from Bjorn Baker’s Warwick Farm operation broke through at her third start, leading all the way at Goulburn. Her versatility suggests she will be difficult to run down.

1. Mr Tadashi is expected to improve third-up on firmer ground.

7. Sir Sublime is steadily building towards a long-overdue win, though he will need to overcome a wide draw early on.

10. Special Prophet finished strongly in weaker company at his second start, while local runner 11. Take The Chance, deep into his preparation, could contend for minor placings.

How to play it: Tartan Tiger to win.

Race 5: Curie’s Clear Advantage

3. Curie, a lightly raced and talented filly from the Baker stable, appears to have this race at her mercy. She closed strongly when resuming in a competitive maiden at Kembla before surging clear to win at Mudgee. While carrying more weight, her draw should allow for an ideal run, and she’s expected to continue her winning form. A significant gap exists between her and the rest of the field.

4. Charlie Magic, 6. Sir Lunchalots, and 8. Giza are the most likely to contest the quinella positions.

How to play it: Curie to win.

Race 6: Glowing Rapids’ Reliability

1. Glowing Rapids is a consistently honest five-year-old who has frequently placed since a dominant front-running BM 66 win four starts back. He’s a reliable weight carrier and benefits from an important 3kg apprentice claim. This race represents the thinnest class he’s contested in some time.

3. Chico Casino hasn’t won recently but is stepping back up to a more suitable distance and is drawn for a favourable run.

4. Crucial Witness, fifth-up, and 7. Cheap Shot, second-up, are both capable of finishing in the money.

How to play it: Glowing Rapids to win.

Race 7: Vicious Rumour’s Return to Form

6. Vicious Rumour, a capable mare from Dubbo, has been a consistent placegetter since late last year, often fancied in betting. After several near misses, she finally broke through two starts ago but struggled on a heavy track at Muswellbrook last month. A freshen-up and a return to a firmer surface are key factors for her chances.

1. The Contractor is stepping up from a dominant third-up maiden win and is drawn to secure an economical run on speed.

3. Hey Jude, another from the Baker team, is well-placed in this company following a solid closing effort second-up at Kembla.

9. Splendid Magnus, an improving Canberra filly, won her maiden third-up and has drawn the inside gate.

4. Frankie’s Shout, despite a wide draw, 7. Check Your Six, with blinkers reapplied, and 10. The Git Up, deep into his preparation, are all considered knockout chances in what appears to be a wide-open race.

How to play it: Vicious Rumour to win.

Race 8: Desirous’s Front-Running Threat

4. Desirous is a tough mare who has been in the placings at every start since late spring. She resumed with a narrow miss in a similar race here before being narrowly beaten in a stronger sprint at Dubbo. Her last start saw her again find one better after enduring early work on a heavy track at Orange. A return to a shorter course on a tighter track and firmer surface will suit her racing pattern, and she is expected to lead and make it difficult for her rivals, potentially boosting her winning strike rate to nearly 20 per cent from 27 starts.

3. Shaddap should appreciate dropping back from a tougher Class 3 Highway race, being well into his preparation.

7. Xspiritous is a threat third-up with a senior jockey taking the reins.

1. Cumnock returned from a four-week break to narrowly win a BM 66 at Dubbo.

5. Falcon Gold is an honest on-speed sprinter who will be in the mix.

2. Oakey’s Choice has finished behind only the winner in his last two starts against weaker opposition, while 9. Miss Mikki Isle is fit and will find this race easier than her recent outings.

How to play it: Desirous to win.