Mudgee   06 Jul 2025
 
GOING: H(8)

XXXX CUP BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1400m

Track: Heavy 8   Rain (Max: 13)   Rail: True.  

Solid tempo set by Florino and Tavanasia. FLORINO (3) drew wide at Tamworth last time when favourite and boxed on well after leading. Did too much work in front in Sydney second-up. Ideally drawn and at peak and gets chance here. ZULFIQAR (2) is the big query dropping to country grade after two solid efforts at Canterbury and Wyong. The drier the track the better his chances and he has to be respected. HULU (6) was a month between runs when too strong at Muswellbrook and gets some weight relief with the class rise. Hard to leave out of the chances. LOCKDOWN GAMBLE (1) is the class runner with a smart 4kg claim and STARLINK (5) has the chance to improve. SUGGESTED PLAY: Florino to win. Save on Zulfiqar.
1 3x190 LOCKDOWN GAMBLE
DAVID J SMITH
7YO  BAY  GELDING 64.0KG
T McDonald
At the latest run second last of 11 at Canterbury Bm72 on June 18 over 1550m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Nana's Wish with 58.5kg at $26. The run before that 9th of 11 at Parkes Parkes Cup Bm86 on May 18 over 1600m, slow going 9 len behind Knife's Edge with 63kg at $6.50. Carried 63kg to win here three runs back and capable of winning this.
8
NICHOLAS HYDE
Sky Blue, Red Horseshoe, Yellow Sleeves, Red Cap
2 x8945 ZULFIQAR
RICHARD LITT
4YO  BAY  GELDING 60.0KG
R Litt, V Multari, D Hardy, J Foxe, Punters Piggery (Mgr: L Kelly), Miss S J Jenkins, M Multari, M W Griffiths, 10 AMIGOS 45 (Mgr: D J Patterson), T M Harrison, Trash & Sons (Mgr: I Hamilton), L B Kunde, P D Hubbard, R J Bowdler & G Moretti
Most recently 5th of 11 at Wyong Mid Bm68 on June 24 over 1300m, slow going 3 len behind Zip On By carrying 60.5kg at $9.50. The start before that 4th of 9 at Canterbury Bm72 on June 9 over 1250m, slow going 2.5 len behind The Great Houdini with 59kg at $61. Huge query runner dropping to country grade and has to be respected.
6
AARON BULLOCK
Red, White Heart, Hooped Sleeves
3 3x363 FLORINO
CAMERON CROCKETT
5YO  BROWN  GELDING 57.0KG
J J Fish, JJJ Racing Flo (Mgr: J Fish), A Van Der Berg, P Ford, C Siely, A M C Pearson, N P Wood, R A Bonnici, Holton Racing (Mgr: C Holton), H J Boniwell, D W Geany, M J Robinson, Ms K mair, D J Heumiller, P Seary, P H Verrell, Colah Coast Racing (Mgr: M Bowman), T P Hunter & J Dennis
Last start set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 12 at Tamworth Bm82 on June 27 over 1200m, slow going 1.3 len behind Staffa carrying 57.5kg at $2.40. The run before that did the work up front then tired 6th of 9 at Randwick Kensington Cg&E Bm72 on June 11 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Kyeema carrying 57.5kg at $6.50. Draw ideal this time around and sure to take beating.
2
M BELL
Navy Blue, JJJ Racing Logo, White Sleeves, Light Blue Armbands, Light Blue Cap, Navy Blue Star
4 5x072 DREAM GAME
CECIL HODGSON
6YO  BR/BL  GELDING 56.0KG
Ms B J Willis
Last start came from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Coonamble Cannonball Bm83 on June 15 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Smooth Esprit carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. The start before that got back early 7th of 10 at Dubbo Bm82 on June 6 over 1000m, slow going 2 len behind Grins carrying 55kg at $20. Better effort last time and has a place hope.
3
SHANNEN LLEWELLYN
Pink, Green Diamonds, Pink Sleeves, Black Cap
5 91x57 STARLINK
CLINT LUNDHOLM
6YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
C J Lundholm, Widden Stud Pty Ltd (Mgr: A W Thompson) & P S Frampton
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up got back early 5th of 10 at Dubbo Bm82 on June 6 over 1000m, slow going 2 len behind Grins with 54kg at $41. Second run from a spell 7th of 12 at Narromine Ctry Bm66 on June 23 over 1300m, 3.5 len behind Kranich carrying 62kg at $61. Fitter for two runs back and chance to improve.
4
ZOE HUNT
Blue, White Horse Head, Black And White Checked Sleeves, Black Cap
6 7x191 HULU
CAMERON CROCKETT
4YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
Hon G J Williamson
Most recently ran on from midfield and won by a head at Muswellbrook Bm66 June 13 over 1280m on a soft track defeating Pensativa with 59kg at $6.50. The race before that got back early 9th of 12 at Scone 3&4yo Bm72 on May 17 over 1300m, slow going 5 len behind Oh Diamond Lil with 54kg at $101. Racing in super form and hard to leave out of the main chances.
5
WILLIAM A STANLEY
Green, Black Epaulettes
7 60553 MEDINAH
MACK GRIFFITH
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
M D Griffith, G J Hume, S W Boatwright, C Meyers, P R Hodson, A R Palmer, Miss J Conroy, J J Brown, K J Brooks, B M Brooks, G W Lawson, P N Rees, D I Mcmaster & B Ramsey Family (Mgr: B D Ramsey)
Last start gave a sight but was run down late 3rd of 10 at Muswellbrook Bm82 on June 13 over 1500m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Social Outcast with 55kg at $8.50. The start before that 5th of 12 at Dubbo Bm82 on June 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Sizzle Minizzle with 55kg at $10. Has a good record on his home track and can't be left out of the place hopes.
7
MIKAYLA WEIR
Red, Black Diamond, Black Striped Sleeves, Black Cap
8 71912 TAVANASIA
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
J A Holsman, C Laxman, C R Willebrands, Ms C A Branch, PFI Racing, Mrs R Sydun, P J Foster, Mrs J Webber, S Roby, Mrs S L Henry, A J Brown, Blues Racing, Suffering Succotash, W J Wheeldon, R M Cairnduff, M W Reid, S J Spinks, M T Coleman, M Leahy & N Walter
Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. At the latest run 2nd of 7 at Walgett Walgetcup Bm75 on June 14 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Awesome Tycoon with 57kg at $3. The run before that won by 0.9 len at Wellington Ctry Bm58 May 13 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Willinga Karisma with 60.5kg at $13. Going well in easier races.
1
M A CAHILL
Scarlet, Old Gold And White Checked Braces, Armbands And Cap