Once Again My Girl trainer eyes city success at Wyong: Best tips and analysis

By John Schell
Updated March 20 2024 - 11:53am, first published March 19 2024 - 6:00pm
Once Again My Girl is tipped to win Race 7, the Turfcare Australia Handicap over 1000 metres. Picture Bradley Photos
Once Again My Girl is tipped to win Race 7, the Turfcare Australia Handicap over 1000 metres. Picture Bradley Photos

Brett Cavanough will attempt to snare a city success at Wednesday's Wyong metropolitan meeting when last start Highway winner Once Again My Girl contests the Turfcare Australia Handicap (1000m).

Once Again My Girl has only had six starts but is building an imposing record with three wins and two seconds to her name.

"She's a mare with plenty of potential," said Cavanough.

"She started favourite in the Denise's Joy at Scone last year over the carnival and the was the only time she's missed a place and even in that she wasn't disgraced when finishing seventh behind a handy one in Red Card."

Once Again My Girl finished second behind the talented Derry Grove at Randwick last September, then was spelled after a second at Muswellbrook as a $1.16 favourite.

"I gave her a trial at Scone leading into her resuming run at Randwick the other day and she did what I thought she would do when she hit the line well to beat another handy one in Perennial," Cavanough said.

"Jason Collett was on her in that race and he sticks with her at Wyong. She's drawn well in gate three and Jason should give her every chance just behind the speed from there.

"I'd like to see her hitting the line well again and even though there's a few in the race that go well, I'm sure she will give a really good account of herself again."

Collett has a number of good rides at Wyong, including the Ciaron Maher trained Sky Out in the DLF Turf - Front Runners Cup (2100m).

Sky Out is down in grade after contesting Saturday city races of late and should appreciate the step up in distance.

Meanwhile, Randwick trainer John O'Shea will take a promising filly to Wyong in the shape of Reemyya in the Adama Quali-Pro Plate (1100m).

"She's a nice filly by Exceed And Excel and has had a couple of recent trials to prepare for her debut," said O'Shea.

"Kerrin McEvoy was on her in the latest trial and he sticks with her at Wyong. She's got her share of ability and it wouldn't surprise me to see her run a big race."

John Schell's tips and analysis for Wyong's next race meeting on Wednesday. Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1 - 1:45PM ENVU HANDICAP (1350 metres)

1. Just Party had looked good in his trials before leading them up on debut and not being beaten far when finishing second in the Paul Perry at Newcastle. He should push forward again in this event and can go one better.

Dangers: 5. Media World has only had the one start and that was in the Merson Cooper at listed level in December when he was far from disgraced. He should be primed to run well here fresh. 2. Bengal debuted with an acceptable effort at Warwick Farm when finishing fourth and warrants thought here, while 4. Irregularity has had three trials to prepare for this debut and is worth thought.

How to play it: Just Party WIN.

Race 2 - 2:20PM ADAMA QUALI-PRO PLATE (1100 METRES)

8. Reemyya had a trial this time last year but never made it to the races during that preparation. She since returned with another trial at Randwick last month in which she wasn't beaten too far and then backed that up with a second in another Randwick trial.

Dangers: 2. Ravenclaw has shown talent in his career with three placings from six starts and comes into this on the back of a last start second on the Kensington track. A repeat of that would have him hard to beat here. 4. Empress Of Wonder resumes here from a long spell but has shown enough ability to be rated a leading chance, while stablemate 9. Summer Soiree can improve on her debut effort in this.

How to play it: Reemyya EACH WAY.

Race 3 - 2:55PM DLF TURF - FRONT RUNNERS CUP (2100 METRES)

1. Sky Out has been racing in Saturday grade races of late and hasn't been disgraced with two fourths at Randwick and Rosehill being followed by a last start fifth behind Floating at Randwick. He steps up to the 2100m here which should suit and the drop in grade is also to his advantage.

Dangers: 6. Piraeus has been racing well with placings at his last four starts including the latest two seconds at Canberra and Warwick Farm. That form looks solid for a race like this. 4. Funambulist is resuming from a spell but has a handy record and should be ready to run this distance out strongly. 7. Pharoah's Reign has been contesting Midway races of late and can bob up without surprising.

How to play it: Sky Out WIN.

Race 4 - 3:30PM TURF CULTURE TRIBECA FUNGICIDE HANDICAP (1600 metres)

1. Eclipsion is a Victorian which had a trial at Geelong before debuting with a fifth at Pakenham. He was brought to Sydney after that and ran well when only grabbed late in the race when second to Pasima at Warwick Farm. He's drawn the inside gate here.

Dangers: 2. Autumnmation has been placed in three of four starts since resuming from a spell and cones into this on the back of a last start second at Rosehill. A repeat of that would have her hard to hold out here. 3. Blacklist is on the improve and wasn't beaten far at Warwick Farm when last produced. 5. Kervette has shown ability and is worth including among the main chances.

How to play it: Eclipsion WIN.

Race 5 - 4:05PM SYNGENTA POSTERITY HANDICAP (1350 metres)

9. Disney Castle has been knocking on the door to score another win having finished second at Hawkesbury and then in midweek grade at Warwick Farm last time out behind McHale. She is down in the weights here and should give plenty of cheek.

Dangers: 4. Tycoon Jenny is a consistent mare with a win and two placings from six starts and she only needs to maintain that form to be rated a top chance again here. 7. Pajanti broke her maiden at Rosehill last time out and looks to have talent, while 6. Venelope resumed with a fourth at Warwick Farm and will be improved by that effort.

How to play it: Disney Castle EACH WAY.

Race 6 - 4:40PM FLORATINE TURF PRODUCTS HANDICAP (1350 METRES)

8. McHale couldn't have been any more impressive than he was when resuming from a spell and coming from back in the field to score at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. He steps up 50m in distance and has the benefit of barrier two.

Dangers: 1. Starman has been placed in his latest three starts in Saturday grade races and gets into this as a leading contender despite having topweight to contend with. 6. Ebony King is a Victorian that has been placed in his latest two starts in Sydney. He can figure again here. 5. Cadetship resumed with a strong Rosehill win then wasn't beaten far at Warwick Farm last time out. He is worth including among the main chances.

How to play it: McHale WIN.

Race 7 - 5:15PM TURFCARE AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1000 metres)

11. Once Again My Girl hit the line well to score a strong win in Highway company at Randwick over this trip when last produced. She was first-up from a spell in that event and has drawn well in this which should give her every chance.

Dangers: 5. Stanislaus was a winner at Rosehill last October then was midfield at Flemington before being spelled. He's had two trials to prepare for this return to racing and should be primed to run well. 4. Fire Lane is resuming as well and is a first-up winner that warrants respect fresh in this grade. 9. Negotiations has won three from three and his form can't be faulted.

How to play it: Once Again My Girl WIN.

Race 8 - 5:50PM BRANDT FERTILISERS HANDICAP (1200 metres)

9. Commemorative is resuming from a spell on the back of two trials. She's shown above average ability in her career and is a first-up winner. She looks perfectly suited in this grade.

Dangers: 7. Balkans is a stablemate of Commemorative and hit the line well enough to be placed at Rosehill last time out. He is worth plenty of thought in this. 10. Proverbial has shown talent in her career and should be suited by a solid speed, while 11. Zouprince is resuming but has a handy record and could show up here without surprising.

How to play it: Commemorative WIN.

Best Bets

Race 3 - 1. Sky Out

Race 8 - 9. Commemorative

Best Value

Race 2 - 8. Reemyya.

  • Analysis supplied in partnership with Racing NSW