Mudgee   06 Jul 2025
 
GOING: H(8)

ORIENTAL HOTEL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1200m

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

Expecting Chico Casino to take up the lead at a genuine tempo. CHICO CASINO (8) is an honest gelding who is yet to miss a place fresh and resumes since a solid third at Orange in March. Has the speed to offset the wide gate and he should give a good account. DE FORERUNNER (1) is the best performed in this race and his last win was at this track just over a year ago. Sparingly raced since then and claim helps. Good enough, check betting. CHAMPERS GIRL (10) showed improvement third-up when favourite at Narromine and hit the line well. Continued progress sees her in the finish. FETES DES MERES (11) and SHADDAP (9) are last start winners in easier races who could go on. SUGGESTED PLAY: Chico Casino each-way.
1 3x66x DE FORERUNNER
DEAN MIRFIN
6YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 63.0KG
J Star
Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign sixth of 9 at Hawkesbury Bm64 December 15 over 1000m, 2.25 len behind Lady Shenanigans carrying 57kg at $16. Previously first up; sixth of 10 at Hawkesbury Cg&E Bm64 November 28 over 1100m, soft track; 3.5 len behind Sumo Star carrying 56.5kg at $14. Has performed well in better races than this and can show up fresh.
4
TILLY MCCARROLL
Red, White And Navy Blue Vertical Thirds, Navy Blue And White Stars Sleeves And Cap
2 71912 TAVANASIA
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND
5YO  BAY  GELDING 61.0KG
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. Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd of 7 at Walgett Walgetcup Bm75 on June 14 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Awesome Tycoon carrying 57kg at $3. The race before that won by 0.9 len at Wellington Ctry Bm58 May 13 over 1400m in soft going defeating Willinga Karisma with 60.5kg at $13. Must be respected.
5
Scarlet, Old Gold And White Checked Braces, Armbands And Cap
3 x15x6 VOIGNER
JAKE HULL
5YO  BAY  GELDING 60.0KG
JJOC Pty Ltd (Mgr: J J O'Connor)
Second run back. First-up after seven months 6th of 8 at Goulburn Bm66 on June 13 over 1100m, slow going 7 len behind Vella's Best with 60.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up 5th of 11 at Taree Bm66 on November 17 over 1250m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Merry Mac Boy carrying 60.5kg at $4.50. Fitter for one run back and no surprise if he improves.
3
LEESHELLE SMALL
Purple, White And Black Thirds, Striped Sleeves
4 00x10 GRINS
ROSS LOMAX
4YO  CHESTNUT  MARE 60.0KG
Mrs T M Lomax & C Lomax
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by 0.8 len at Dubbo Bm82 June 6 over 1000m in soft going defeating Castlebar Road with 55kg at $12. Second run from a spell ran last of 10 at Hawkesbury Bm64 on June 17 over 1100m, slow going 8 len behind Cassiel carrying 55kg at $21. Profiles nicely. Hit and miss type who has to be taken on trust.
1
GRANT BUCKLEY
Pale Green And Blue Checks, Pale Green Sleeves And Cap
5 0361x FOXWELL
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND
7YO  BLACK  GELDING 59.0KG
K R Turner
First-up. Finished off last campaign post a big 3.5 len win. Nyngan Cup-Bm66 April 25 over 1400m defeating Pacific Warrior carrying 57.5kg at $3. Previously first up; fifth of 11 at Bathurst Ctry Bm58 January 31 over 1200m, 3 len behind Chico Casino with 61kg at $12. Resumes of a win but this is harder.
6
WENDY PEEL
Purple, Black And White Striped Sleeves And Cap
6 47007 ALWAYS IN
TOBY PRACEY
5YO  BAY  MARE 59.0KG
D M Hanley
Last start raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 7 at Dubbo Bm82 on June 29 over 1600m, slow going 4.5 len behind Wealthy Investor carrying 55kg at $19. Before that failed to make an impression; second last of 12 at Narromine Ctry Bm66 on June 23 over 1300m, 9 len behind Kranich with 56.5kg at $151. Not racing well enough to be a realistic hope.
8
M BELL
Red, Silver Shamrocks, Black And Silver Diamonds Sleeves, Diamonds Cap
7 1x038 NYALI SANDS
TODD HOWLETT
4YO  BAY  MARE 58.0KG
P F Cruickshank, J Hasson, J Nikolovski, Dr J R Matthews, J K Hartigan, I Stewart, K T Radnidge & T Nikocovski
Last start 8th of 10 at Tamworth Cl3 on June 16 over 1200m, slow going 6 len behind Tavros carrying 57kg at $14. The start before that held ground to the line 3rd of 8 at Tamworth Cl3 on May 31 over 1200m, slow going 2.25 len behind Whistling Straits with 60kg at $7.50. Going well. Overlook last run and her best gives her a place hope.
11
MIKAYLA WEIR
Lime Green, Black Checks, White Sleeves
8 2823x CHICO CASINO
DEAN MIRFIN
4YO  BAY  GELDING 58.0KG
A M Muollo, C Hadjiparaskeva & Three Hooks Seafood (Mgr: F Giuffre)
Resuming. Finished off last preparation third of 13 at Orange Bm58 March 23 over 1280m, soft track; 1.75 len behind Turgenev with 60.5kg at $7. Previously first up; third of 11 at Orange Bm58 January 10 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind Midnight Dream carrying 58kg at $7. Honest type with speed and sure to run well fresh.
9
AARON BULLOCK
Pink, Black Maltese Cross And Cap
9 419x1 SHADDAP
DEAN MIRFIN
3YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 57.0KG
A M Muollo & Mrs G L Muollo
Second run back. First-up after five months won by 1.75 len at Parkes Cl1 June 7 over 1000m in soft going defeating Satashi with 59kg at $4.60. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by a nose at Sapphire Coast Mdn-Sw December 29 over 1400m defeating Jamarni carrying 57.5kg at $3.20. Nice win in easier race fresh and not without claims.
10
D DILLON
White And Gold Vertical Halves, Black Sleeves, Gold And Black Quartered Cap
10 5x592 CHAMPERS GIRL
DAVID J SMITH
4YO  BAY  MARE 56.0KG
R A Emery, Miss N C Binns, W J Egan, B J Egan & G D Beaton
At the latest run came from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Narromine Bm58 on June 23 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Midnight Dream carrying 57.5kg at $4.80. Before that 9th of 12 at Coonamble Ctry Cl3 on June 15 over 1100m, 5 len behind Micro Mikki with 55.5kg at $3.40. Ran well as favourite third-up and only has to hold form to show up.
7
ZOE HUNT
Dark Green, Old Gold Horseshoe, White Checked Sleeves And Cap
11 40811 FETES DES MERES
GARRY LUNN
3YO  BAY  FILLY 55.0KG
W W Lunn, C J Clemson & Mrs J M Clemson
Racing well recently. Last start favourite; scored a big 4.5 len win at Coonamble F&M Cl1 June 15 over 1300m defeating Skeptical carrying 56kg at $2.30. The run before that favourite; won by 2.75 len at Warren Mdn June 2 over 1200m defeating The Git Up carrying 53.5kg at $4.20. Struck form and with any luck a hat-trick is possible.
11
SHANNEN LLEWELLYN
White, Red Vee And Dragon, Chevrons Sleeves, Red Cap
12 0657x OVERFLOW MISS
SHARON JEFFRIES
4YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
Wilde Racing (Mgr: S W Wilde), Eltham Go Racing (Mgr: D Way), Eltham Go Racing (Mgr: D Way) 2, R L McKay, Chimatt Murgarro (Mgr: V Wheeler), G R Furnell, Set The Bar (Mgr: B A Evans), P A Proksa, D P Fagan, Fight Myeloma (Mgr: A Davies), K B Nestor & M J Walsh
Resuming after a break of five months. Finished off last campaign seventh of 9 at Colac Bm58 February 7 over 2000m, 6 len behind Winds Of March with 59kg at $4.80. First up last campaign fifth of 11 at Warrnambool Bm58 September 12 over 1300m, on rain affected going; 5 len behind Thunderanlightning with 59kg at $5.50. Prefer to see how she comes back.
5
M A CAHILL
Grey, Green Stripes, White Sleeves, Grey And Green Striped Cap, Yellow Pom Pom
13 x8107 GIOVANNA STAR
DEAN MIRFIN
3YO  BR/BL  FILLY 55.0KG
D R Mirfin
Comes here off a 29-day let-up. At the latest run ran last of 7 at Parkes Bm50 on June 7 over 1200m, slow going 5.5 len behind William with 60kg at $3.20. The race before that 12th of 14 at Parkes Ctry Bm58 on May 18 over 1300m, slow going 8 len behind Miss Capricorn carrying 58.5kg at $17. Last couple poor and would need to show a lot more.
2
WILLIAM A STANLEY
Red, White And Navy Blue Vertical Thirds, Navy Blue And White Stars Sleeves And Cap