All the winners on Inter City Pace 'heat' night at Maitland

RACE ONE:

Heats of the 60th Inter City Pace highlight a well-balanced nine-event card, with the opening event containing numerous chances in what looks to be an open and competitive race to commence proceedings. Despite coming up with a back row draw, NIFTY STUDLEIGH (9) is worth an investment as the in-form Darren Elder son of A Rocknroll Dancer, like so many of his horses in recent months, is performing at a consistent level. The 6yo has been placed either side of a big win at Newcastle, and with luck in securing a suitable run, Nifty Studleigh will be right in the finish. Drawing tricky, as well, on the inside of the 2nd line, is the Clayton Harmey-prepared THE MIGHTY MONDO (7), with the former Kiwi on the improve following four runs since crossing the Tasman. Unplaced in his opening two outings, the 4yo son of Hes Watching then recorded a costly, but vastly better effort in finishing a 2.4m 3d behind Junior Warfare at Newcastle before recording a 2.2m 3rd to Just Home Grown. Those two efforts would suggest Clayton has the gelding on the verge of a winning display. The Ty Robson-trained STARTUP (4) has been thereabouts in a number of recent runs and from gate four the 5yo son of Follow The Stars is capable of a good account while CASH EM IN SHANNON (5), which is another member of the Darren Elder stable, is coming off a couple of luckless outings and a competitive showing from his handy draw wouldn't surprise. Exotic claims are given to SMOOTH ROLLING (6), FOUR STAR LINCOLN (8) and BREXITT (10).

NIFTY STUDLEIGH 1, The Mighty Mondo 2, Startup 3, Cash Em In Shannon 4.

RACE TWO:

Ideally drawn in one and overdue for a win, which would be her first, SHES LUSH (1) should prove hard to beat. Prepared by Aaron Goadsby and to be driven by Robert Morris, who drives the Maitland track superbly, the 3yo filly has contested 18 races for eight placings, five as runner-up. The daughter of Betterthancheddar is coming off a 13.2m 2nd behind Mister Jones at Newcastle and with the prospect of receiving every chance from the draw, Shes Lush is capable of going one better. TEAK (4) has been placed in three of her past four and with gate four a suitable starting position, the Grace Harmey-trained mare should be in the mix for a long way. The daughter of Art Major worked home stoutly from a tricky four peg role when a 13.6m 3rd to Silver Lady at Newcastle recently. Star reinsman Jack Callaghan, who has driven the mare previously, will take over the driving duties from Shannon Harmey. BLOWUP (3) will appreciate gate three, and although the son of Courage Under Fire has been mixing his form of late, this looks to be a handy challenge for the Greg Campbell-trained 8yo. ACHROMATIC (6) opened her career on a winning note when she worked from the outset in defeating Cracker Barrel and Muddy Montana at Tamworth on Dec 1. The Dean Chapple trained and driven daughter of A Rocknroll Dance will strike a harder task, and from the outside gate, but on the flip side the 3yo strips fitter and will benefit from the experience. EIFFEL FROM HEAVEN (5), which is resuming without a trial, JIMMYMCCHOWE (7) and HOME AND DRY (9) should be included when sorting out multiple investments.

SHES LUSH 1, Teak 2, Blowup 3, Achromatic 4.

RACE THREE:

This is the first heat of the Inter City Pace and the KerryAnn Morris-prepared BETTOR TO BE TRICKY (4) makes strong appeal, and also as the 'best bet' on the card. The son of Bettors Delight has contested eight races on this circuit, recording five wins and a placing, and that is an important stat. Suitably drawn in four and coming off solid form at Menangle and Penrith, the 8yo wasn't disgraced last time out when left facing the breeze, en route to a gritty 1.9m 4th behind True Confession. No doubt Robbie Morris will have Bettor To Be Tricky in the thick of the action from the outset and that will be a big plus. MISTER COLE (3) looms as the main threat with the Peter Russo-conditioned 5yo backing up from a fading 19.4m 7th to Arabella Star at Headquarters on Tuesday. Prior to that outing the son of Hurrikane Kingcole had recorded four solid Menangle placings, and with gate three being an ideal starting point, Mister Cole will have every opportunity to make his presence felt. Also looming as a serious threat is HANDS ON (6), which has been freshened since posting a well-beaten 9th to Loyalist, which has been in superb form in recent months, at Penrith on Sept 29. Trainer Tony Bertwistle has elected to keep the 4yo son of Bettors Delight fresh, and although without an official trial, Hands On is bound to be ready for a solid showing, although the outside gate is a slight concern. The consistent IM BOO (5) has drawn handily and despite facing some strong opposition, the Darren Elder-trained 4yo son of Mach Three is capable of being in the mix when the judge calls a halt. Exotic claims are given to CAPTAIN DORIAN (2), IM QUICK AS FIRE (7), MISS SERENA (8) and OLEG (9).

BETTOR TO BE TRICKY 1, Mister Cole 2, Hands On 3, Im Boo 4.

RACE FOUR:

Heat two and the Peter Russo-conditioned CLASSICMAJOR (4) looks nicely placed to make a bold bid for a spot in the Final. Formerly prepared in Victoria, where his record was creditable, the son of Art Major opened his account for his new stable with a solid 7.4m 2nd behind the talented Darren Binskin trained and driven Watchmedazzle at Menangle a couple of weeks ago. Behind the leader and eventual winner from the outset, Classicmajor faded over the final 100m, but that was his first run since early August and a fitter 4yo will take to the track for this far more suitable contest. PRODIGAL GUINNESS (3) has been in fine form of late for trainer-driver Tom Ison and with gate three being a plus, the 6yo is bound to give another good account. Prodigal Guinness is coming off a solid all-the-way win at Tamworth, and although a slightly harder task awaits, the gelding should be in the mix for a long way. LIL RIPPER (7) has drawn the inside of the back row, but it is hard to ignore the last-start Menangle winner. Prepared and driven by an in-form Brad Elder, the 4yo mare enjoyed a kind run behind the speed before finishing strongly in defeating Warraderry and Bracken Warrior. The daughter of Bettors Delight will again be searching for an inside run when 'push comes to shove' over the final stages, but she is racing in peak form. JUST HOME GROWN (8) is a last-start Newcastle winner, following a couple of sound placings, and although confronted by a back row draw, the son of Sweet Lou will run boldly for the Goadsby-Morris combination. BEAUTIFUL STRANGER (1), STEALTH BOMBA (2), BETTERTHANFEDERER (5) and MITSI GAYNOR (9) are capable of adding value to the exotics.

CLASSICMAJOR 1, Prodigal Guinness 2, Lil Ripper 3, Just Home Grown 4.

RACE FIVE:

The gamble is with the former Victorian REACTOR NOW (5) which has joined the powerful KerryAnn Morris team at Lucky Lodge. Unplaced in his past four start5s, culminating in a well-beaten 9th to Malibu Jack at Ballarat on Sept 1, when a short-priced elect, the 5yo posted a solid 2nd in a recent Menangle trial, and although below his best before making the move north, Reactor Factor is a more than capable type so respect his claims, especially from a useful draw. Another interesting newcomer to the local scene is the former Kiwi RIVEERED (8), which is now under the care of Ty Robson. The Bettors Delight 4yo has contested 31 races for four wins and eight placings, his latest appearance resulting in a 4th to Snow Robyn at Addington on Nov 8. Going from the open spaces of such a track to the tightness of the Maitland circuit would have been a concern, but for a solid trial win at this venue. Greg Lewis has his team in fine form, and although coming off a disappointing 45m last to Big Shadow at Newcastle a week ago, JUNIOR WARFARE (2) can't be taken lightly on his good form prior to that outing. Gate two is a plus for the son of Village Jolt so expect a far better showing. FOXY DADA (9) has drawn the back row, however, the Brian Portelli trained and driven son of Shoobees Place is capable of making his presence felt on the strength of more than useful form in recent months. When it comes to the multiples and YESNOMAYBESO (1), SKY DIAMOND (3), ONE FOR RODI (7) and ULTRA BLISS (10) remain in the mix.

REACTOR NOW 1, Riveered 2, Junior Warfare 3, Foxy Dada 4.

RACE SIX:

Courtesy of drawing gate one and racing in the best form of his career, KOBYS DELIGHT (1) looks the one to beat in heat four. Prepared by Stephen Farrugia and to be driven by Inter Dominion winning reinsman Josh Gallagher, the son of Bettors Delight completed a hat-trick of wins when he worked in defeating Nifty Studleigh and Paytons Rock at Newcastle on Dec 17. In fact, the 4yo has won from the role outside of the leader in each of his trips to the winner's circle. This will be a slightly harder challenge for Kobys Delight, but he has earnt the right to be considered as the one to beat. Drawing behind the top tip is the Darren Elder-trained ROCKTAGONAL (7), which is also racing in fine fashion. Runner-up in his previous two, the son of Western Terror then worked from a similar back row draw in defeating Nor Westa and Rolamax at Tamworth. Brad Elder, who is driving with plenty of confidence, will have Rocktagonal ready to strike when the opportunity arises. DAN FERNANDO (9) will be having his first Maitland experience and from a back row draw. The 6yo son Courage Under Fire looked a shade unlucky last start at Newcastle when held up on the pegs before recording a closing 2.6m 5th to Our Reactor. While the back row is a concern, Dan Fernando has the talent to be involved in the finish, and there is also the Robert Morris factor. GHOSTLY COURAGE (6) has drawn the outside gate, however, the Jake Mitchell-trained 5yo is worth keeping safe. Following three wins from his previous four starts, the son of Courage Under Fire was safely held when a 15.4m last to Lil Ripper at Menangle a couple weeks ago, when a wide draw didn't help his cause. Exotic players should also consider GROSESTAR (2), BENEATH THE SHADOW (8) and MOONLIGHT CRUISER (3).

KOBYS DELIGHT 1, Rocktagonal 2, Dan Fernando 3, Ghostly Courage 4.

RACE SEVEN:

Hopefully, due to drawing ideally in three, we can out the squeeze on another winner, courtesy of LITTLE LEMON (3). Another member of the small, but in-form Greg Lewis stable. the 4yo has been racing in fine style at Menangle over the past couple of months, collecting three solid placings from his past four trips to Headquarters. Following a 3.8m 3rd to Mr Bohannon in a heat of the Christmas Gift, the son of Modern Art then hit the line strongly from a four peg role when a photo 2nd to Loyalist in the Final a week ago. Back to a suitable challenge and from a far better draw, gate 9 coming into play at Menangle, Little Lemon is poised to leave a 'bitter taste' with the various betting agencies. EAGLE COMMANDER (2) has been a consistent performer for Nathan Hurst and due to drawing two, the Fly Like An Eagle 4yo is entitled to be regarded as a threat. His last-start Dubbo win was a gritty effort after commencing the contest from the 2nd line. A fitter MASTER CATCH (7) has drawn the inside of the back row; however, he is coming off a solid display in finishing 2nd to the talented Melanie Elder-trained Ashark at Newcastle last week. Grace Panella will take the reins behind the Lisa McDonald-trained 7yo, the veteran of 103 starts. A big watch is placed on DANCE FOR GLORY (4), which is another good drive for Robert Morris, and another top hope for Lucky Lodge. Following six unplaced runs, usually in handy fields at Menangle, the 8yo son of Artsplace did a fine job at Headquarters on Tuesday in making up many metres in finishing a solid 3m 4th to Franco Landry. Back to a suitable challenge and drawing nicely, Dance For Glory must be included in any form of transactions. GOTATSHOPEARLY (1) and SERGEI (5) should be included in exotic transactions.

LITTLE DEMON 1, Eagle Commander 2, Master Catch 3, Dance For Glory 4.

RACE EIGHT:

Although BOOKER BAY (8) has drawn the back row, the consistent son of Lincoln Royal, and another top chance for Darren Elder, appears to be the testing material. From his past nine starts the 5yo has been placed on six occasions, five as runner-up, the latest when he finished a 13.6m 2nd to Major GNP at Tamworth a couple of weeks ago. Without a win since mid-August, Booker Bay looks handily placed in this field, despite the draw so respect his claims. Gate one is a bonus for MAJOR GNP (1) with the son of Art Major looking to secure back-to-back wins following his Tamworth success. Prior to that deserving win, Major GNP has been placed in his previous three Newcastle assignments so expect the Clayton Harmey-prepared gelding to again take a power of beating. BIG TIME HUSTLER (9) had been performing consistently before recording a useful 7.4m 5th to Kobys Delight at Newcastle. The son of Aces N Sevens drew the back row on that occasion and has again drawn the 2nd line, but he is capable of coming up 'trumps' so don't deal him out. CASHWRANGS SMOKER (2), HAPPY AS (6) and EAGLE UNO (7) stay in the mix when it comes to forming exotic investments.

BOOKER BAY 1, Major GNP 2, Big Time Hustler 3, Cashwrangs Smoker 4.

RACE NINE:

Tough race to end proceedings with a host of chances, including MUDDY MONTANA (6), which will be looking to greet the judge following 37-previous attempts. Trained and driven by Danny Mackney, the son of Shadow Play has been around the mark in each of his past, improved showings, with his latest run resulting in a 6.7m 3rd to Achromatic at Tamworth on Dec 1. A repeat of that effort would see Muddy Montana receiving a clear view of the winning post. GLENFRANKIE (8) finished 2nd to Zen Master at Newcastle five starts ago, and although unplaced since, the Paul Bourke-trained son of former champion Guaranteed has been done enough of late to suggest a bold showing, with Josh Gallagher engaged to handle the driving duties. LOCHINVAR RULER (9) has six placings to show for 16 encounters so don't write him off as a top-three contender while CARIBBEAN SPICE (4), MAJOR NOAH WILLIAM (7), ALASKAN BOY (3) and THE MOVEMENT (5) are in the mix when it comes to exotic transactions.

MUDDY MONTANA 1, Glenfrankie 2, Lochinvar Ruler 3, Caribbean Spice 4.

  - FORM ASSESSED BY MIKE KO'CASS