Narrandera tips: Preview, best bets, inside mail, Sunday races

Although he hasn’t placed in five starts this campaign, the son of Rubick has been a model of consistency, finishing just behind the placegetters.

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Following a first-up fourth at Wagga, the gelding ventured to town for his next four runs which has saw him finish on the backs of the placegetters.

Two starts ago, he was beaten two lengths by the up-and-coming Jojo Was A Man who went on to finish a close second to Taksu in the listed Winter Stakes.

At Randwick last weekend, Ready To Humble wasn’t disgraced in finishing sixth behind Cross Talk.

“His run the other day was probably his worst of his campaign but it still wasn’t a bad run by any means,” Nick Olive said.

“The strong tempo throughout brought him undone. He never got a chance to travel and was just chasing the whole way.

“The fence wasn’t the best place either.”

“In the run before that, he was held up the whole way and never got a crack at them.

“He was full of running and only got beat two lengths by Jojo Was A Man.

“I thought if he did get out, he would have been fighting out the finish.

“The horse is in great order and with even luck, he should be hard to beat. He really deserves a win this campaign.”

Olive was disappointed to see stablemate Invincible Dash draw out wide in the Cup but still believes he can play a major role in the finish.

The gelding just hasn’t had things go right for him so far this preparation according to Olive.

“All the little things just haven’t added up for him which has resulted in him running even races instead of being right there fighting out the finish,” he said.

“He’s is in good order and I feel he is going really well at the moment. He just needs some breaks to go his way rather than against him.

“He has drawn off the track which makes his task more difficult but if he gets some luck go his way, he will be super competitive as well.”

Olive expects promising two-year-old Just Goes Bang to bounce back from his last start ninth at Moruya and fight out the finish of the Benchmark 58 over 1400m.

The son of Sizzling showed what he is capable of with a barnstorming win on a Soft 6 at Sapphire Coast on debut but failed to handy the Heavy 9 last time out.

“He definitely didn’t like the heavy ground the other week and probably just got too far out of his ground as well. He couldn’t balance up and let down,” he said.

“I feel he is probably a little bit more dour now as well so stepping up to the 1400 metres this weekend will suit him.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 7, No.1: READY TO HUMBLE

The Nick Olive-trained gelding has racing well in stronger company. Backing-up from a sixth at Randwick last Saturday. Should have finished than two lengths behind Jojo Was A Man the start prior.

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No.11: JUST GOES BANG

Debuted with an impressive win at Sapphire Coast when charging home from well back. Didn’t handle the heavy track at Moruya last start. He will appreciate getting back on a dry track and stepping out to 1400m.

VALUE BET

Race 3, No.5: HILLTOP HOOD

Was good in winning at Canberra two starts back. Had to change course sharply in the straight and hit the line nicely when sixth at Kembla last start. Great chance again.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 4, 8

Race 6: 3, 8, 9, 11

Race 7: 1, 2, 4, 12

Race 8: 1, 2, 5, 6

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Jett Stanley has a solid book of rides including leading contenders Mojo Music and Extravagent Lad and Zidler.

INSIDE MAIL FOR NARRANDERA

RACE 1

Victorian filly Aunty Doll is on debut here. Trialled nicely at Benalla back in November before a break. Drawn to get a nice run from barrier two and looks a great chance to kick off her career with a win. Bold Triumph was second on debut on heavy ground at Wagga on July 4. Will be better for the experience. Hi Poppy didn’t have much luck last start. Handy second at Leeton the run prior. Clymene was a handy third at Moe on debut. Resumes for new stable here. Watch betting.

Bet: Aunty Doll to win

RACE 2

Pyrat was slow out and before working to the line okay when fourth to Hello Jack at Canberra on June 24. Has won a trial since at Canberra after racing three-wide. Sunday Habit has been up a while now but is still going well. Raced keenly but boxed on well for a length and a half third to Smart Poppy at Wodonga last start. Soul Benefit will be improved by his first-up fourth at Wagga. Jungle Fever was good at Gundagai two runs back when third and battled on for fifth last time out.

Bet: Pyrat to win

RACE 3

Hilltop Hood drifted back early before coming wide with a strong run score nicely over 2000m at Canberra two starts ago. Was last on the fence turning for home at Kembla last start and had to change course sharply before hitting the line well when sixth. Wide draw will allow him galloping room. Vintage Diesel is shooting for a hat-trick but drops back from 2500m last start. Mahsinger raced wide without cover when runner-up at Echuca last start. Was second to Vintage Diesel at Wagga the start prior. Kitzbuhel has plenty of weight but capable of being in the finish.

Bet: Hilltop Hood each-way

RACE 4

Mojo Music followed a third at Wangaratta with a nice win over 900m at Corowa three weeks ago. Big chance to go back-to-back. Magnetic resumes here and sure to run well. Scored an impressive win at Wagga back in February before running at The Valley in much stronger grade prior to a spell. Smiler Marshall raced consistently last campaign and has placed in both runs back from his spell. The latest a third to Seventh Seal and Chairman’s Choice. Meets the runner-up 1kg better. Chairman’s Choice is racing well and is a good chance.

Bet: Mojo Music to win

RACE 5

Topweight Extravagent Lad raced wide without cover but boxed on gamely for third to Shastar on the Kensington track back on June 15. Was close up third at Moruya the start prior. Gets in well with the 2kg claim of Jett Stanley. Unique Prince worked to the line okay when fourth in a TAB Federal at Canberra last start. Will appreciate the drop in grade. Toffee Doll finished off well first-up when beaten just over a length at Bendigo on June 30.

Bet: Extravagent Lad to win

RACE 6

Just Go Bang lived up to his name when he came with a barnstorming run to win at the Sapphire Coast on debut. Again, got a long way back and didn’t handle the heavy track at Moruya second-up. Back on top of the ground here and extra distance can get him back to his best. Radiohead overcame a bad start to score a good win at Canberra to end his spring campaign. Did a bit wrong and was checked when resuming with a fifth at Canberra back in April before another break. Ambari and Would Be King are worth consideration.

Bet: Just Goes Bang to win

RACE 7

Ready To Humble has is backing up from a sixth to Cross Talk at Randwick last Saturday. He was an unlucky fourth behind Jojo Was A Man at Randwick the start prior. Will appreciate the drop in grade and the one beat. Stablemate Invincible Dash is racing better than his form suggests, he just hasn’t had things go his way. Wide draw isn’t ideal but he will in the finish with a touch of luck. Intuition was just pipped by Dr Evil at Newcastle two starts back and sure to be in the finish. Zidler resumes for new stable here. Handy Victorian form last campaign.

Bet: Ready To Humble to win

RACE 8

Mathrin charged home from near last at Corowa June 27 to finish fifth, beaten less than a length. Got well back and was held up when third to I’ve Bean Tryin’ in a TAB Highway at Randwick last week. Pay The Deeler resumed with a fifth to Divina Castle in a Bm64 at Bendigo four weeks ago. Will appreciate the drop in grade. Sweet Biscuit won his maiden impressively last start. Won’t be far away again. Momma Smash should be included in the multiples.

Bet: Mathrin to win