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A return to country racing can see capable mare Sheza Gypsy back in winning form at Taree today.
The Michael Byers-trained five-year-old returns to her home track in the Hydrahose 2015 Summer Cup Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1250 metres.
Sheza Gypsy has raced in the city at her last two outings and acquitted herself well so looks well-placed in what is a competitive line-up.
Two starts back Sheza Gypsy was beaten a half length into second placing at Warwick Farm over 1300 metres in a benchmark 67 handicap by Cauthen’s Power, who franked that form with a subsequent win at Rosehill in Saturday grade.
At her only run since Sheza Gypsy was fourth over the same track and distance in a benchmark 66 handicap for mares, beaten 2.7 lengths into fourth placing.
A four-time winner in a 13 start career, it is worth noting that three of those victories have come at the Taree course and she has only missed a place there once in six appearances.
Raymond Spokes goes back aboard Sheza Gypsy today and he has a first rate record on the mare, winning two and placing in two from just four rides.
The mare’s weight of 57.5kg looks attractive given her recent efforts and the draw of gate five appears ideal as Spokes should be able to get the mare into a trailing position to allow her to finish hard in the straight.
Floral Gold is an interesting challenger returning to Taree-based trainer Bob Milligan, for whom she started her career.
Formerly trained by Stephen Hood, Floral Gold’s recent form may not appeal at first glance but she has been going around in tougher races, primarily in the city.
She does have recent form around capable types such as Lady Jivago, Hieroglyphics and Rule The River and she is already a winner at the track.
Floral Gold gets in on the limit weight and jockey Grant Buckley should have options from gate four.
Law Of The Jungle has been a model of consistency of late and should be in the finish again in this.
Placed at his last four runs including runner-up finishes at his past three, he led last start when beaten 1.5 lengths at Coffs Harbour and is a four-time winner at this distance range.
Law Of The Jungle has placed in both runs at this course and barrier three will given him every chance to spear forward and try to hold on.
Sir Will Do found his best form last start when a winner at big odds at Coffs Harbour.
He was strong on the line there to win by three quarters of a length and he is a three-time winner at the track.
Sir Will Do’s eight career wins have earned him a big weight but the 2kg claim of Mollie Partridge will help and he has the versatility to sit anywhere in the field, which could be crucial given the wide draw.
