Orange 05 Mar 2026
GOING: S(7)
|
THE OPHIR HOTEL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1300m Track: SOFT 7 Clouds (Max: 28) Rail: +3.5m 500m-300m Cutaway Applies. |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Solid tempo anticipated with Dubai Centre and Hard Pick leading the way. ACHESON (4) raced up near the pace but couldn't maintain the pressure against open class opposition last start over 1200m at Canberra. Rock hard fit and back in a Benchmark race he looks a serious contender. JASPER'S WAY (6) has turned in a couple of eye-catchers since returning from a spell, the latest offering a fast-finishing third over 1500m at Muswellbrook. Adaptable galloper who won at his only try over this distance. Ready to peak. THE ARTEFACT (9) opened this prep with a couple of excellent efforts then floundered a bit in heavy going at this track last time, finishing a distant third. Drops in class but does need a good surface to perform optimally so monitor the track conditions. DIVINE SINNER (10) dropped in grade and returned to the winner's list recently over a similar trip at this circuit. Goes well here and cannot be overlooked despite going back up in class. A BOY NAMED SOO (7) is racing beyond expectations this campaign and must be included. SUGGESTED PLAY: Acheson each-way.
|
||||
| 1 | 42660 |
TURGENEV
ALISON SMITH 7YO B/BR GELDING 62.0KG MTB Racing (Mgr: R P Medd) Last start ran last of 10 at Dubbo Bm82 on February 15 over 1200m, 10 len behind Brutal Love carrying 55kg at $31. The run before that eased back early on 6th of 10 at Gilgandra Gilg Cup Bm85 on January 4 over 1600m, 4 len behind Wealthy Investor with 55kg at $12. Not going well and looks safely held. |
4 JORDAN QUINCE |
|
| 2 | 36x98 |
DUBAI CENTRE
JOHN ROLFE 8YO CHESTNUT GELDING 61.0KG Mrs J L Rolfe, J Rolfe, A Pulciani, Ms E K Kirk, Miss S A Rolfe, B W Rolfe, W F Bridges & J A Rolfe Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up faded in the straight ran last of 9 at Goulburn Bm66 on February 12 over 1300m, 10 len behind Rileycat carrying 59kg at $91. Second-up raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 8 at Nowra Bm66 on February 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Deepwater Artist carrying 58.5kg at $61. Struggling of late and looking to others. |
9 |
|
| 3 | 80x53 |
SMARTER THAN YOU
TODD SMART 7YO BAY MARE 60.0KG B J McAlister, A J McAlister, T R Smart, R E Smart, A G Pate, Dr C L Pate, Mrs S Pate, P O Payten, J Trewhella, J Lucas, C R Miller, H Rainger, M P Ryan, Ms J J Wickerson, S D Clothier, J R McIlveen, G C Love, A B Scott, Miss C McAlister & P M Greene Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 5th of 12 at Moruya Bm58 on January 23 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Faceoff with 61.5kg at $13. Last start 3rd of 8 at Braidwood Bdwd Cup on February 7 over 1350m, 2 len behind Luna Angel carrying 56kg at $4.50. Worth including in calculations. |
3 NICK HEYWOOD |
|
| 4 | 0x286 |
ACHESON
KEITH DRYDEN & LIBBY SNOWDEN 5YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG R I Beswick, S R W Thornton & D G Garnier Last start 6th of 9 at Canberra Tab Federal on February 20 over 1200m, 3 len behind My Last Hooray with 53kg at $15. Before that 8th of 11 at Sapphire Coast Bm66 on January 31 over 1400m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Oneforian with 58.5kg at $14. Back in grade and is capable of a much better run. |
6 |
|
| 5 | 2809x |
HARD PICK
MITCHELL & DESIREE KEARNEY 5YO B/BR GELDING 59.0KG Mrs D A Kearney, S R Kearney, L J De Wai, T B Kearney, A J Keen, B R Kearney, M J S Donaldson, L D Keen, P J Donaldson, M J Thomson, S Delanoue & B Liggins Resuming after a break of six-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation when last of 9 at Newcastle 5yo+ Bm64 August 26 over 1500m, soft track; 6 len behind Wild Chap with 54kg at $7. Previously first up; second last of 10 at Hawkesbury Mid Bm64 March 8 over 1100m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Hellbent On You carrying 52kg at $31. Might be better off following this outing. |
7 JEAN VAN OVERMEIRE |
|
| 6 | 19x33 |
JASPER'S WAY
MICHAEL MULHOLLAND 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG K R Turner Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 11 at Tamworth Ctry Bm58 on January 22 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Just Jacky carrying 59kg at $8. Second run from a spell 3rd of 11 at Muswellbrook Ctry Bm58 on February 9 over 1500m, on rain affected going; 1.5 len behind Damascus Gate with 62kg at $4.40. Rock-hard fit and will be hard to hold out. |
1 ZAC WADICK |
|
| 7 | 55x11 |
A BOY NAMED SOO
DAVID J SMITH 6YO BROWN GELDING 57.0KG T W Marskell Third-up today. Resuming came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Dubbo Ctry Bm58 February 2 over 1200m defeating Lang Park with 56kg at $19. Second run from a spell settled well back; won by a neck at Mudgee Bm66 February 21 over 1400m in soft going defeating The Manager carrying 55kg at $17. Genuine hope on his form this prep. |
6 M A CAHILL |
|
| 8 | x0640 |
HAMMERING AWAY
BRETT THOMPSON 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 57.0KG B O'Brien, S A Heinze, D T G (Mgr: G E Gurney), J J Brown, D J Hughes, T L O'Brien, C Baas, D B Andriolo, J A Garden, T McFarlane, R Vallario, D Nasr, B A Crilly & P Maione Last start second last of 14 at Mudgee Cdra Champ on February 21 over 1400m, slow going 8 len behind Tom Vegas with 56kg at $91. The run before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 7 at this track Ctry Cl4 Prev on February 9 over 1280m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Graceful Ellen carrying 56kg at $31. Prepared to risk on recent form. |
8 NICK PALMER |
|
| 9 | 0x123 |
THE ARTEFACT
CHERYL CROCKET 8YO GR/BR MARE 57.0KG Ms K E Harding, Ms I Miller, Mrs M S Thornett, Mrs M Scott, Ms D A Arnold, Ms L M Holmes, T Rimmeld, Mrs C J Mclean, H Cowan, Ms P Martin, Mrs C M Johnstone, J W Kean, Dr M J Nelligan, C J Dawson & C G B Mill Racing well recently. Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at this track Ctry Cl4 Prev on February 9 over 1280m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Graceful Ellen carrying 55kg at $17. The start before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Cowra Cl3 on January 18 over 1375m, 0.5 len behind Ceremonious carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. In form this time in work and is expected to run well. |
11 C LEVER |
|
| 10 | 25061 |
DIVINE SINNER
KIEREN HAZELTON 6YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG G M Farrell & R Batten Most recently favourite; won by 0.8 len at this track Bm50 February 14 over 1280m defeating Rangatira with 62kg at $2.35. The run before that 6th of 10 at Dubbo Bm58 on February 2 over 1300m, 3 len behind Wing Nut with 60kg at $20. Big chance to make it back-to-back successes. |
10 IZZY NEALE |
|
| 11 | x524x |
EGYPTOLOGIST
BRETT THOMPSON 5YO BROWN GELDING 57.0KG C G Crockett, G Blazevski, M Perossa, M John, A A Nocera & Ms C Facchetti-Hill Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation fourth of 11 at Coonamble Bm58 June 15 over 1600m, 4 len behind Always Fiorente with 61.5kg at $2.60. Previously first up; fifth of 12 at Parkes Cl2 May 18 over 1600m, soft track; 3 len behind Naval Officer with 59kg at $4.40. Market watch recommended. |
5 JAKE PRACEY-HOLMES |
|
| 12 | 08788 |
ONYSPEED
TOBY PRACEY 5YO BAY MARE 57.0KG D M Hanley At the latest run faded in the straight 8th of 14 at Mudgee Cdra Champ on February 21 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Tom Vegas with 54kg at $51. The race before that second last of 9 at Dubbo Bm74 on February 2 over 1100m, 3 len behind Inazuma Boy with 55kg at $5.50. Cannot be dismissed. |
12 JACOB STIFF |
|
| 13 | 66410 |
TWIN GIFT
BRAD DRAPER 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG L G Gibson Dual acceptor. Last start 10th of 14 at Mudgee Cdra Champ on February 21 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Tom Vegas with 56kg at $101. The race before that came from midfield and won by a long-neck at this track Cl1 February 9 over 1400m in heavy going defeating The Git Up with 55kg at $6.50. Can improve significantly. |
2 ASHLEIGH MCCABE |
|