Trainer Jason Coyle will return to one of his happiest grounds on Sunday, the 500 not out, and keen to add to his tally through promising debutant Sweetpea Moochi at Nowra.
Coyle brought up his 500th milestone winner at Canberra 10 days ago when Impressiero powered his way to a clear first win in a maiden.
“Apart from my 12 months with Patinack, which was obviously a different ball game, other than that I’ve never competed at the highest level of acquisitions, so it’s nice,” Coyle said when he was aware of the milestone.
“I know it’s just statistics, but it’s nice to get good numbers and I hope it continues. You always have to thank people for their support, especially Tartan Fields and other owners who support me and know I’m doing my best for them.”
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One of those long-term supporters of Coyle is Mr BTC Liu, who will be eagerly awaiting the debut of Sweetpea Moochi at Nowra on Sunday.
“He hasn’t looked much like a younger horse, but I don’t think the Press Statements have a sparkling two-year-old record,” Coyle said.
“He got better every time I gave him back and brought him back.
“His first trial was very good. I was almost going to tip him again but he did so well we thought we’d go ahead and then he improved again on the second try so he’s looking like a nice progressive horse.
“Jess (Taylor) drove him to the Gosford trial and she said if she gave him a good squeeze he’d probably go straight past the other two but in the same way you’re never really sure at this stage of what you gallop against.
“But as always, you like to see horses improve rather than regress.
“It was nice to see him take a stand and he relaxed quite well in the process at Gosford and then he managed to come off his heels and when he was put under a bit of pressure he attacked the line nicely so it shows that it has something. some kind of engine there.”
Taylor, who has ridden 47 of Coyle’s 500 winners, should, all things being equal, be able to give Sweetpea Mooci the best possible run in what is essentially a middle tie in the Watsons Blinds and Awnings Maiden.
“I think (barrier) seven looks good,” Coyle said.
“And with the ground holding up as it is, an 1100m pace looks like it will suit him for a top run.
“If he can improve on his race on Sunday, he looks like a horse that can win races.”
Both Taylor and Coyle have history with Sweetpea Moochi.
Coyle trained his dam Lady Moochi throughout, while Taylor rode her twice, including when she herself ran second at Nowra in July 2017.
“He showed good ability and won some races. Eventually the injury pulled her up and then Mr Liu decided to keep the mare and had a bit of fun breeding with her,” Coyle said.
SHAYNE O’CASS TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 1 No. 3: NOMARA
He got a good nose at the debut, then froze in on himself the next time. Loaded with talent.
NEXT BET
Race 2 No.2: CROWNED BY ACE
Hulking casting that gets conditions to fit here in the right race from the right draw, etc., etc.
VALUE BET
Race 7: No. 4: MA AND PA
This time I made two solid runs for Clarry Conners. The suits to the miles, drawn to be prominent too.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 4,5,8
Race 6: 2,3,8
Race 7: 4.5
Race 8: 4.13
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Blake Spriggs could end up on a flyer at Nowra and could be very hard to catch after that in the Jockeys Challenge.
DOMESTIC POST
RACE 1
Nomara is a horse with a great future. She was beaten by a nose by Cinderella Days on debut, then went to Kembla and won very easily – points with Blake Spriggs both times. A $200,000 yearling, Nomara’s trials have been outstanding, nothing is guaranteed in racing but she looks like a winner. Unwritten was accepted for three races this weekend and drew 12 of 12, 8 of 8 and 19 of 20. Not fair! You’re welcome if he comes here. Miss Lamar competes well.
Bet: Nomara will win
RACE 2
Crowned By Aces can give Matthew Smith and Blake Spriggs an early double here. This lightly raced six year old looks like a tank! He is a huge horse with a huge stride. Crowned By Ace has a good record so far, two wins and a third from his seven starts, the latter a beauty behind stablemate Astero. Portnoy is first at a mile but tried twice and was beaten with a lip resuming over 1500m last preparation. Sea Treasures has a sterling seconds record.
Bet: Crowned By Aces to win
RACE 3
Cider Bite is winless after 15 starts and just three seconds on the board, but one of those came as recently as November 26 at Sapphire Coast. Over. the son of Dundeel hits an infinitely easier maiden by comparison and best of all – drew 3 on Sunday compared to 12 from 12 last Bega start. Stormy Witness went OK on debut at Gundagai and is shaping up as an improver, certainly capable of imagining. Avid Diva is on an upward trajectory.
Bet: Cider Bite to win
RACE 4
Sifu raced 27 times and finished in the positions in almost half of them, with three wins and 10 places to her credit. The Natalie Jarvis-trained mare was runner-up at Kembla three starts ago and sixth and seventh after that weren’t bad at all. Celestial Doll won four out of 17, which is a pretty good hit rate. Either Oar’s third at Kembla looks good on the CV. Willful Spirit is the last start winner with the best possible draw for her.
Bet: Sifu in every way
RACE 5
Sweetpea Moochi is a Jason Coyle-trained gelding out of Lady Moochi, with whom he won two races for the same owner/breeder. Sweetpea Moochi is Lady Moochi’s first foal and is a handsome son of the Guineas Press Statement. This man tried twice and showed considerable improvement from one test to the next. The parade has the draw to use their pace if they chose too. He ran well first. Nonshalaant has placed in four of her five starts against very good opposition.
Bet: Sweetpea Moochi in every way
RACE 6
Chaotic Beauty had won two from three before her highway assignment at Kembla on Gong Day, where she went 13 from 16, but “only” six lengths off the winner Tap ‘N’ Run, who is not a bad horse. This is much lighter and has a very nice draw and 1.5kg discount for claiming. The important product is hot and cold but was good last start and almost won at Goulburn two lengths ahead. Buzz’N’Joe ran a big race in an unusually high quality Benchmark 58 at Gundagai.
Bet: Chaotic Beauty to win
RACE 7
Ma And Pa was brought back to life, figuratively speaking, by Clarry Conners. The horse’s form dipped in last preparation, but the son of Conners’ girlfriend Dear Demi has been terrific in his two races since moving to Victory Lodge. He wants a mile now and should be right on the speed from the good draw. Redwood Shadow is in brilliant form, has actually been trained and is on a hat-trick after beating Sindacato and Kedah in recent times. French Bonnet and the Danish Prince have claims.
Bet: Ma and ta to win
RACE 8
Mrs Bigglesworth is a Ryan/Alexiou-trained filly by Widden sire Supido who ran twice and ran fifth both times. The first was at Kembla behind Shadow Vampire, the second at Gosford on Kahawaty. Suffice it to say that – with all the scratches here – he’ll find this race a lot easier by comparison. Ditto and more so for Clovelly, who has competed against the likes of Ponca, Felix Majestic, Euros and Doubtless in just two of her runs to date.
Bet; Mrs. Bigglesworth will win, quinella 6.16
Originally published as Nowra preview: tips, best bets and internal emails