Moree 20 Dec 2025
GOING: S(5)
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MCGREGOR GOURLAY BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1200m Track: SOFT 5 Clear (Max: 39) Rail: True. |
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Expecting The Defiant One to find the lead but there will be plenty of pressure over the sharp trip. ROCKY RICH (1) lines up for the first time in 20 weeks. Has a win and a minor placing from three previous first-up outings. Turned in some decent performances in much better races last prep. Has his share of weight but looks the testing material in this line-up. SKEPTICAL (6) is back from a 19-week break. Finished just 1.3 lengths from the winner in a BM58 here at this trip last prep. Will be better for the run but in a modest contest she must be considered. GOLD SMILES (3) was five weeks between runs when a distant third over 1250m at Gunnedah last time out. Down in class today and nicely drawn so there is a bit to like about his prospects. Last start Inverell maiden winner SPEED OF SWALLOWS (7) has only been to the races five times so there is plenty of improvement to come. REPLICA (5) has won two on the bounce at Roma. Tougher this time but going too well to ignore. SUGGESTED PLAY: Rocky Rich to score first-up.
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| 1 | 8300x |
ROCKY RICH
PETER SINCLAIR 4YO B/BR GELDING 63.0KG P C Hobday, D F Bourke, E E Berger, L M Berger, A Teys, A Sherriff, R M Lane, B J Hawken, K D Baguley & P G Sinclair Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation second last of 11 at Gatton Bm60 August 1 over 1100m, soft track; 6 len behind Born Fearless with 59kg at $13. When resuming last campaign fifth of 10 at Dalby Cl1 January 17 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind So Bright with 56.5kg at $1.95. Good fresh performer who can shoulder this big weight to victory. |
2 BEN LOOKER |
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| 2 | 26687 |
VELOCE METEOR
MONIQUE GAVIN 5YO BAY GELDING 63.0KG Miss M L Gavin Last start eased back early on 7th of 10 at Dalby 0 - 58 on December 11 over 1000m, 3.5 len behind Runaround Sue with 57.5kg at $19. The race before that 8th of 11 at Toowoomba Bm62 on November 29 over 870m, 3 len behind Vesper Lynd with 54.5kg at $26. Each-way claims at best. |
6 GRADY SPOKES |
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| 3 | 73183 |
GOLD SMILES
SALLY TORRENS 6YO B/BR GELDING 61.0KG R L Torrens, Mrs A P Torrens & B R Jensen Most recently 3rd of 9 at Gunnedah Ctry Bm58 on December 6 over 1250m, 4.5 len behind Winged with 57.5kg at $7.50. The run before that 8th of 10 at this track Ctry Bm58 on October 31 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Lesgo Don with 57.5kg at $5. Capable enough on his day and is expected to run well. |
3 TILLY MCCARROLL |
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| 4 | 61344 |
THE DEFIANT ONE
NIKKI POLLOCK 8YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG Hillside Stud (Mgr: B Pollock), L Pollock & Mrs P J Polito Recent form sound. At the latest run 4th of 9 at Warren Bm50 on December 12 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Jade Division carrying 57kg at $14. The run before that 4th of 9 at Bowraville Bm45 on November 22 over 1000m, slow going 1.75 len behind Golden Galaxy with 60kg at $5. Can play a role in the outcome. |
4 EMILY FARR |
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| 5 | x0011 |
REPLICA
BEN WALDRON 3YO B/BR FILLY 57.0KG R D Popp, B G Waldron, J Glanville, S T Waters, T Waters & P D Hull Last start favourite; scored a big 4.5 len win at Roma December 6 over 1200m defeating Kantai with 56.5kg at $2. The run before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Roma November 18 over 1000m defeating Bush Battle carrying 57kg at $8. In fine form and capable of mixing it with these better horses. |
1 SCOTT SWEEDMAN |
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| 6 | 4200x |
SKEPTICAL
SCOTT COVER 4YO BROWN MARE 57.0KG Mrs J Oliver & S Cover Resuming after four-and-a-half months in the paddock. Finished off last preparation when last of 14 at Warwick 0 - 58 August 6 over 1350m, soft track; 20 len behind Bokuden carrying 56kg at $17. When resuming last campaign fourth of 12 at Dubbo Super Mdn February 16 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Take The Chance with 55.5kg at $5. Best form stacks up so a bright return is on the cards. |
5 CHRIS TAYLOR |
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| 7 | x2661 |
SPEED OF SWALLOWS
RIDGE WILSON 3YO CHESTNUT FILLY 57.0KG Miss V L Thompson At the latest run won by a long-neck at Inverell Mdn-Sw November 22 over 1200m in the wet defeating Stainless Steel carrying 56kg at $6.50. The run before that second last of 7 at Armidale Ctry Mdn on November 9 over 1400m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Navy Buoy carrying 53kg at $51. Worth including despite the rise in grade. |
8 BILLY CRAY |
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| 8 | 76617 |
CANCELLED
JOSH OLIVER 3YO CHESTNUT FILLY 55.0KG D T Currie Most recently 7th of 12 at Goondiwindi 0 - 50 on November 29 over 1000m, 4.5 len behind Tosmian with 56kg at $6. The race before that won by 2.5 len at Mt Perry 2yo+ Mdn-Sw November 15 over 1000m defeating Superior Fun with 54kg at $4.40. Well held last time but is capable of better. |
7 ELLA DREW |
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| 9 | 24708 |
STORMTROOPER
BRENDON NEWPORT 9YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG Mrs A Robbins & B T Sturgess Last start second last of 9 at Rockhampton Bm55 on December 9 over 1200m, 8 len behind Smashing Rosie with 54kg at $51. The race before that struggled in the run home; 10th of 14 at Inverell Battlercup on November 22 over 1400m, on a wet track; 9 len behind Knowitall Frank with 56kg at $21. Disappointing form likely to continue. |
9 BRENDAN NEWPORT |
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