Orange 09 Feb 2026
GOING: H(8)
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BATHURST COMMUNICATIONS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 2100m Track: Heavy 8 Rain (Max: 21) Rail: +3.5m 500m-300m; Cutaway Applies. |
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Moderate tempo with Tavijewel leading the way and a few others keeping in touch. BLAZING GURU (2) returned after a seven-week absence and was having his first run for the new stable when a respectable sixth in the Cowra Cup over 1700m last start. Raced once over this trip and was successful. Big drop in class today and the return to a staying journey should see him right in the finish. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR (7) settled towards the rear and was very one-paced over 1650m at Moruya last time. Has never raced beyond 1800m in her 27-start career but it looks the right option now. TAVIJEWEL (9) is racing well including an even effort to finish third over 2200m at Dubbo last Monday. Will be strong through the line when others might be raising the white flag. WILL TO EXCEL (1) and JOSHUA (11) both whacked away in the same race as Tavijewel at Dubbo seven days ago, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Dour stayers who should be thereabouts again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Blazing Guru.
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| 1 | 40344 |
WILL TO EXCEL
JAMES PONSONBY 10YO B/BR GELDING 61.0KG Mrs K L Ponsonby, J Ingram & J A Smart Recent form sound. Last start eased back early on 4th in a small field at Dubbo Bm58 on February 2 over 2200m, 6 len behind Hoorini carrying 62kg at $10. The run before that got back early second last in a small field at Dubbo Bm58 on January 12 over 2218m, 1.5 len behind Shylock carrying 62.5kg at $6.50. Can do better this time. |
3 M A CAHILL |
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| 2 | 10726 |
BLAZING GURU
ROSS LOMAX 6YO CHESTNUT MARE 60.0KG Miss C Lomax & Mrs T M Lomax Most recently 6th of 12 at Cowra Cowra Cup Bm83 on January 18 over 1700m, 3 len behind Shadow Dane with 55kg at $17. The run before that 2nd of 12 at Donald Bm56 on December 2 over 1620m, long-neck behind Ballon D'or carrying 61.5kg at $9.50. Well placed. Looks the one to beat in this desirable scenario. |
7 ZAC WADICK |
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| 3 | 02975 |
NOT TOO BAD
KIEREN HAZELTON 7YO CHESTNUT GELDING 60.0KG G T Mcanally-Elwin, Mrs S Mcanally-Elwin, M J Hannelly, Mrs V A Hannelly, M R Hannelly, T D Murray, Ms H Nelson, Mrs G Elwin, J T McAnally-Elwin, J W Wood, J A Wood, Q McEwen, D J Duffy, A B Hazelton, Mrs J M Campbell, J C Tate, M P Mckenna, G T Harris & K Mongan Most recently second last in a small field at Dubbo Bm66 on February 2 over 1600m, 5 len behind Mr Chips carrying 57kg at $31. Before that got back early 7th of 12 at Cowra Cowra Cup Bm83 on January 18 over 1700m, 3.5 len behind Shadow Dane with 55kg at $31. Capable of featuring this time around. |
8 IZZY NEALE |
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| 4 | 8310 |
ALASKA DREAM
ALLAN KEHOE 5YO B/BR GELDING 59.0KG Miss M J Basson Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.5 len at Grafton Mdn-Sw January 25 over 1708m defeating Exodini carrying 59kg at $2.80. Before that held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Taree Mdn-Sw on January 2 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Bellevue carrying 59kg at $51. SCRATCHED. |
11 |
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| 5 | 53455 |
PRO VELOCITY
BRAD WIDDUP 4YO BAY MARE 59.0KG Mrs M M Widdup, M Widdup & J R Clancy Most recently got back early 5th of 8 at Beaumont (Newcastle) Cl1-Sw on February 2 over 2200m, on a slow track; 13 len behind Golden Smile carrying 57kg at $4.20. Before that from last on the turn 5th of 9 at Wyong Mid Cl1 on January 25 over 1625m, 1.2 len behind Bellevue carrying 56kg at $4. SCRATCHED. |
5 PIERRE BOUDVILLAIN |
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| 6 | 95581 |
HOORINI
BRETT THOMPSON 7YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG Mrs E L Perini, J J Hook, A Perini & Mrs R A Hook Last start won by 3 len at Dubbo Bm58 February 2 over 2200m defeating Final Impact with 55kg at $5.50. The run before that 8th of 13 at Gunnedah Bm58 on January 19 over 2150m, 2.5 len behind Charlie Bali with 52kg at $21. SCRATCHED. |
4 JAKE PRACEY-HOLMES |
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| 7 | 23387 |
MIDNIGHT AFFAIR
NICK OLIVE 5YO BAY MARE 57.0KG Mad About Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: S A Duff), Mrs K Duff, S N Gordon, Musketeers Racing (Mgr: A Spring), A Woods, JEOB Racing (Mgr: D D Follmi), Bradbury Boys (Mgr: T A Devine), JL Sorrenti, Mrs K Gibson, L W Maloney, C J Ryan, C T O'Hara, Mrs R J O'Hara, R Cornale & N J Olive At the latest run 7th of 11 at Moruya Bm58 on January 23 over 1650m, 3.5 len behind Tjaka carrying 57.5kg at $6. The race before that 8th of 11 at Wagga Bm58 on January 11 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Dreamstone carrying 58.5kg at $5.50. Working up to a win. One-pacer who looks sure to feature. |
5 MS JESS TAYLOR |
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| 8 | 64616 |
SHYLOCK
KATHRYN CAHILL 9YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG Ms K M Cahill & Mrs M R Cahill Most recently ran last in a small field at Dubbo Bm58 on February 2 over 2200m, 9 len behind Hoorini with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that won by a nose at Dubbo Bm58 January 12 over 2218m defeating Dunedin with 55kg at $3.20. Not the roughest. |
1 CLAYTON GALLAGHER |
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| 9 | 41253 |
TAVIJEWEL
BARRY WALL 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG B T Wall, Mrs K D Collins & C Collins At the latest run 3rd in a small field at Dubbo Bm58 on February 2 over 2200m, 4.5 len behind Hoorini with 53.5kg at $5.50. Before that 5th of 10 at Cowra Cl3 on January 18 over 1375m, 4.5 len behind Ceremonious with 55kg at $26. Sure to give backers a sight again. |
6 MS ROBYN FREEMAN |
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| 10 | 4x888 |
APHELION
BRETT THOMPSON 4YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG B J Thompson, K R Thompson & J D Thompson Most recently settled back and ran on when 8th of 11 at Parkes Ctry Mdn-Sw on January 24 over 1600m, 6 len behind Deepfield King with 59kg at $51. The run before that ran last of 8 at this track Ctry Mdn-Sw on December 15 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Twin Gift with 59kg at $26. Hard to get excited about his chances. |
4 SHAUN GUYMER |
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| 11 | 54655 |
JOSHUA
CONNIE GREIG 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG Miss C Greig At the latest run second last in a small field at Dubbo Bm58 on February 2 over 2200m, 6 len behind Hoorini with 55kg at $7. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 13 at Gunnedah Bm58 on January 19 over 2150m, 2 len behind Charlie Bali carrying 55kg at $20. Best form is certainly good enough. |
2 ZOE HUNT |
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| 12 | 83835 |
BEG ME
KIEREN HAZELTON 8YO CHESTNUT GELDING 55.0KG A Barrow & K W Hazelton Comes off a 31 day let-up. At the latest run 5th of 10 at Parkes Bm50 on January 9 over 1600m, 3 len behind Hardyo with 56kg at $13. Before that 3rd of 9 at Gilgandra Bm50 on December 27 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Order Of Merit carrying 56kg at $26. SCRATCHED. |
10 |
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