Race-by-race preview and tips for Wellington on Sunday

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

5. Head Kahuna had two starts last year in July and November and finished third in each of them at Scone and Muswellbrook. He resumes from a spell here on the back of a third in a Scone trial and looks set to run a bold race fresh. 1. Hanuman resumed for a new stable with a fifth as favourite at Dubbo and should have derived benefit from that outing. 8. Avignon is a mare on debut after a number of trials and she bears close watching. 3. Corky is also on debut and wasn’t far away in his most recent trial at Scone when finishing fourth.

How to play it: Head Kahuna WIN.

Race 2

8. Lagoon has hit her straps of late having won each of her latest two starts at Dubbo in good style. She’s been hitting the line well and the step-up in distance should suit. 1. Green Run followed a Dubbo win with a midfield effort at Mudgee, and this looks within reach. 2. Jason Darren has been racing well with a couple of recent seconds and warrants respect, while 3. Jasper’s Way was down the track at Dubbo when last produced but will find this easier.

How to play it: Lagoon EACH WAY.

Race 3

5. Celeman Zor has had two trials to prepare for his first race start here. He ran third in the latest trial at Warwick Farm and should be ready to run well. 4. Any Questions ran third on the Beaumont track at Newcastle when last produced and is worth including in the main chances. 1. Litlfela has finished fourth in his latest two starts and can get into the minor money this time. 7. Heroes’n’villains hasn’t been disgraced in two Wagga starts and is not out of this.

How to play it: Celeman Zor WIN.

Race 4

1. Race To Arms has a win and two placings from three starts and resumes from a spell in this. He was close-up in a recent trial at Orange and looks to have come back in good enough order to be winning again. 2. Bounding Bon hasn’t been far away since winning at Parkes five starts ago and warrants respect. 5. Go Commando has had two starts back from a spell and is set to improve. 7. Chappolicious was a winner at this track in November and resumes after a fifth at Narromine in December. She’s a recent Scone trial winner.

How to play it: Race To Arms WIN.

Race 5

6. Hayek is a speedy type that is first-up from a spell here after two recent barrier trials. He’s a winner of one from four starts and the 900m in this event looks made to order. 9. Echelon is another on speed runner that was just run down at Muswellbrook when last produced. Another forward showing is on the cards. 10. Bolo Miss is a last start Dubbo winner that warrants consideration again. 11. Denman Force has a good record with two wins and two thirds from four starts and is worth plenty of thought.

How to play it: Hayek WIN.

Race 6

1. Perfumist has a big weight to contend with even after the apprentice allowance, but she is a quality mare at best. She was only beaten a tick over five lengths in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes at her latest start and will find this a much easier assignment. She will push forward and take plenty of running down. 2. Zouatica wasn’t beaten far in the National Sprint at Canberra before a third in the Bairnsdale Cup. 8. Toes In The Water won well at Hawkesbury last time out and has claims, while 11. Instead has been racing well and can get into the placings.

How to play it: Perfumist WIN.

Race 7

5. Better Off Alone took on Group 3 grade at her first two starts and she wasn’t beaten far in the Gimcrack Stakes on debut. She comes into this after a second at Muswellbrook and looks set to go one better here. 7. Hellenic Belle failed to beat a runner home on debut in the Magic Night Stakes then improved to win at Muswellbrook when defeating Better Off Alone. She should be thereabouts again. 1. Bar Jester ran well when fourth in the Black Opal at Canberra but has a wide alley to overcome here. 9. I’m A Beaut scored with ease on debut at Dubbo and can be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Better Off Alone WIN.

Race 8

4. Pride To Follow is a talented mare that has performed well in stronger grade races. She’s had two starts back from a spell and both were in Country Championships qualifiers. She wasn’t disgraced in either, the latest being at Scone when she had no luck. She’s drawn wide here but has the pace to overcome that. 3. Hellcibell hasn’t raced since January 1 when scoring at Inverell and has claims here with a repeat of that performance. 6. Cougars is also down in grade here after tackling Country Championships qualifiers and this looks more suitable. 1. Saratoga Power was placed at Muswellbrook when last produced and is worth including among the main chances.

How to play it: Pride To Follow WIN.

Best Bets: Race 6 (1) Perfumist.

Race 8 (4) Pride To Follow.

Best Value: Race 2 (8) Lagoon.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays at racingnsw.com.au