Best bets and inside mail for Kembla and Armidale on Tuesday April 15, 2025

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KEMBLA TIPS

BEST BET

Race 5 No.4: CALTSAR

Won both trials impressively, drawn well in a shallow maiden.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No.3: ANT

Always going to be better as time goes by and trialled like it.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No.11: ORTHIE’S BOYS

Been hitting the line with purpose in those two runs back in.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 7, 8

Race 5: 4

Race 6: 2, 8, 11

Race 7: 3, 11, 3

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Alysha Collett, runner-up in Saturday’s Oaks, has some great rides.

ARMIDALE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 5 No.6: INVINCIBLE RED

Has a compelling set of numbers to play a lead role.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No.4: WENDOUREE

Huge run when second on debut. Has talent.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No.3: TAKEMINE

Has some form in better races than this. Makes appeal.

KEMBLA GRANGE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400m)

ANT wasn’t at all bad in his two runs in December at Kensington and Randwick at 1300m and 1600m respectively. He always gave the impression that he would be better with each passing day and that seems to be reality given how well this Chris Waller-trained Snitzel trialled on April 4. Track/trip is ideal here. Ditto that for the stablemate BANXI, who happens to bred on the same Fastnet Rock/Galileo cross as Via Sistina. Has a future in middle distance races. ELIVINA debuts at home over the right distance.

Bet: Ant to win.

RACE 2: 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

CASSEROUSSE is an Exceed And Excel filly closely related to English Group 1 Amadeus Wolf, a son of Mozart. Fitting then that this filly beat a horse called Offenbach in her last trial! Loaded with talent. HIDDEN MOTIVE was a $31 chance when he debuted in the Breeders’ Plate, clocking in fourth of the mere eight runners. Spelled thereafter, trialled on Dec 4 then two more in March and April, the last two were simply outstanding. BOTTLEOFBUBBLY trialled well.

Bet: Casserousse to win, quinella 5, 9, box trifecta 4, 5, 8, 9.

RACE 3: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1000m)

READY TO ROCKET was bought by Dean Watt’s Dynamic Syndications at the Tasmanian Yearling sale in 2022 for $50,000. She was the apple of most punters’ eyes when she won as the $3.80 in an 1100m maiden on debut at Hawkesbury on November 21. Spelled and given two very easy trials into today. MOONLIGHT GAMBLER has the race fitness on the Dynamic mare and is flying this time in too. Has the pace, the pattern and has shown plenty of desire each of the last two.

Bet: Ready To Rocket to win, quinella 5, 3.

RACE 4: MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m)

ACE’S IN BLOOM is a daughter of the VRC Derby winner and now NZ-based stallion Ace High. This $41,000 Karaka Yearling purchase has banked $45,850 in her eight starts so far, winning once and placing five times. Significantly, that win came first-up as she is here. MERCANTILIST, a Sara Ryan-trained fourth generation direct descendant of Summoned, won a Gosford maiden on debut with barrier three of eight. This is a Class 1 where she has 10 of 10. Harder but not impossible. IMPERIAL STATE was emphatic, winning at Gosford last time.

Bet: Ace’s In Bloom to win.

RACE 5: PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)

CALTSAR looks to be a steal even before he has raced. Australian Bloodstock bought the grandson of Kingman for just $10,000 at the HTBA Yearling Sale in 2023. The Nathan Doyle-trained gelding has looked a million dollars in both trial wins and was gifted barrier three. ME ME is a daughter of the now Indonesia-housed stallion Showtime but is herself a local as part of the Price team. Resumes here off a very nice trial and gets Tommy Berry. Edwards Cummings’ CATHEDRAL COVE has run second to two good horses.

Bet: Caltsar to win, exacta 4 to beat 9, Daily Double 1st leg 4, 2nd leg 11.

RACE 6: CG&E BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1400m)

ORTHIE’S BOYS won his July 2024 debut in barnstorming fashion at Toowoomba. He was next seen finishing an honourable fourth at Newcastle in a good quality Class 1 in October. Fast forward to the present and his last two runs (both in March) are for Richard Collett. Got back, flew home, wants 1400m and wants Kembla. PRORATA is another one who will/should appreciate the track./trip. Wasn’t great in the Canberra Guineas behind last Saturday’s Oaks runner-up Sun ‘N’ Sand but trialled well since. Big watch on NEW BUSINESS.

Bet: Orthie’s Boy to win, Prorata to place.

RACE 7: F&M BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1400m)

MAGNUCAT has raced 11 times for two wins, a second and two thirds. That second just happened to be at her one and only visit to Kembla (and over 1400m) as recently as two starts ago when flying home. Take note that the winner, ENTER THE DRAGON, has won again since. As for Magnucat’s subsequent run, it was at Warwick Farm and she doesn’t deserve that “0” alongside her name. CALIFORNIA SUNRISE is so consistent, in fact, too consistent to leave out, especially after such a good run in town first-up. INCANTATION is just the type who could come over the top of them late.

Bet: Magnucat each-way, box trifecta 3, 6, 11, 13.

Originally published as Best bets and inside mail for Kembla and Armidale on Tuesday April 15, 2025