Tamou Banner To Atone In Town

TRAINER Luke Adams has instructed punters to put the red pen straight through Tamou Banner's midfield finish at Richmond last Friday night when the talented juvenile steps out at Wentworth Park this Saturday searching for a breakthrough city win.

"He was very unlucky on Friday, I was pretty confident going into the race and the $5,000 prizemoney would have been handy…but that's racing isn't it," said Adams on Thursday.

"I really can't fault the way the dog has come back. I turned him out after he get knocked around at Bulli in early December as there were a few issues to iron out with his blood. Since he's come back he's lost a bit of his pace but really strengthened up in the run home with some age and maturity – he's racing a lot more confident as well which is why I worked him up to 500m, I didn't want him getting knocked around in 400m events.”

Winner at six of his 11 starts, including blistering Gosford and Richmond wins earlier this month, Adams is confident the son of Kinloch Brae and Are Jai Que will run a forward race in the fourth event this Saturday night.

"I trialled him there on Tuesday and he went box-to-box in 5.50 and 18.10 – that should have him thereabouts you'd think," added Adams.

"There doesn't look to be a lot of pace in the race either and he's got a vacant box outside him so there's a bit in his corner. With a clear run I'd expect him to break 30 seconds the way he's going."

With the Golden Easter Egg Carnival fast approaching, Adams has earmarked the Group 3 New Sensation with Tamou Banner, scraping into the age-restricted event.

"He gets in by about eight days so that's the target for now," said Adams.

"I'll just poke around with him in town until then and head towards that. The way he's going he deserves a shot at it."

Another intriguing runner on Saturday night's Wentworth Park program is the Dave Irwin-trained That's Lil Vicki, the daughter of Dyna Double One currently a $1.75 favourite for her 720m debut in race three.

Winner at 11 of her 18 appearances, including near track record runs at the Grafton 610-metres and Ladbrokes Gardens 600-metres, all eyes will be on That's Lil Vicki in what looms as a spirited affair, taking on well-credentialed stayers White Sox Ethics and Little Digger.

Race 1

PUBLIC SPEAKING (2) has shown ability in her brief career so far and from the nice draw tonight looks a major player for Ray Smith. Has ran some slick times at the provincials and her only previous effort in town was in tougher company than what she faces tonight. TAP OUT STROP (3) is a progressive type, scoring at Richmond last time out in a fast 30.85. TELEGRAPH ROAD (8) looms as the other major chance, has ran a couple of tidy placings at Richmond since transferring up from Victoria.
TIPS: 2,3,8,1

Race 2

FANCY MAC (1) looks one of the better winning prospects sitting up in the red for Cliff Bell. Has won 5 of his 11 starts and on his best Bulli and Dapto times, should really give this a big shake tonight. This race looks to map better for KNOCKOUT HERO (7), just the one placing in five city runs but he isn't badly drawn wide. Good value chance. NANGAR HAWKE (6) has finished in the money his past three, if he runs up to his two-length third to Caishen two starts back comes right into the mix.
TIPS: 1,7,6,3

Race 3

One of the more interesting races of the night where we see promising stayer THAT'S LIL VICKI (6) strut her stuff over the 720m for the first time. Has gone near record times winning her past three over the 610m at Grafton/600m Gardens and is trained by Dave Irwin, no stranger to a handy stayer. The dangers look to be drawn her outside in WHITE SOX ETHICS (7) and LITTLE DIGGER (8). Both have ran slick times over the 720m at Wenty, 42.19 and 42.27 respectively, and if they run up to those efforts the favourite will want to be on her game at her first distance go. EMGRAND PARK (4) straight to 720m off some solid Richmond sprint efforts. Prefer to have a look at him first.
TIPS: 6,7,8,4

Race 4

Really like the way TAMOU BANNER (4) has returned and his fifth at Richmond on Friday was a total forget run. Happy to say he should have won. Won the 6 from 11 overall and his Gosford and Richmond wins before last week's unlucky effort were very good. About $2.50 is on offer which looks pretty enticing. SEASIDE SHUFFLE (6) has had the two Wenty runs now for two seconds and is on the back up from Wednesday. Box six not ideal but the vacant draw inside him does aid his chances. The watch in the race is SOARING HAWKE (7), would be better served drawn near the fence but she has ability and should get a nice cart across.
TIPS: 4,6,7,2

Race 5

HE'S ALL SHINE (2) overcame a tardy start to sprout wings late and score on a lightning fast track on Wednesday in 30.01. Providing he gets luck through the first bend tonight should prove mighty hard to beat from the cushy draw. UMATILLA (1) continues to race consistently and whilst his record from box 1 is only fair, the lack of genuine early speed does play into his hands so expect he'll be thereabouts. SUNBURNT HIGHWAY (4) flew around Dapto last start in 29.81 and is a 5-time city winner, has been risky at box rise at his most recent Wenty starts but he does drop back in grade tonight so he's a major player for sure. POWER TO WYN (6) one for the exotic players.
TIPS: 2,4,1,6

Race 6

One of the more open races of the night with a host of winning chances. WICKED THUNDER (4) has ran two cracking races for placings off unsuitable wide boxes in recent weeks and back to a slightly better draw expect he'll run a very forward race for Jason Magri. BUGATTI CHIRON (2) ran a slick 29.90 to make it 5 from 11 in two a fortnight back, gets the nice draw again and whilst this is harder is certainly the one to beat. LEONARDO PEARL (6) comes to town for the first time for Ron Bell, won the 5 of 8 around Maitland and The Gardens and is a real watch for his city debut despite the awkward draw.
TIPS: 4,2,6,7

Race 7

Expect the class runners of the field SMOKING ROAD (6) and SOUND ADVICE (8) to fight out favourtism and if the race goes to script, the race as well. Leaning SMOKING ROAD (6) slightly, will be stronger at the finish with clear running and the small field and vacant box to his inside suits. SOUND ADVICE (8) nicely boxed and looks the leader. BLAZIN' FLETCH (1) likely holds the key to the race off the inside, has been mixing his form but on his best sectionals can lead, his midfield city finish a fortnight back did have merit.
TIPS: 6,8,1,2

Race 8

GHARB (4) has been installed an odds-on favourite and off what he's done in town to date it's hard to argue. Three starts for a win and two thirds, one of those placings in the National Derby Final. Likes the middle of the track, ticks all the boxes. CANNON RUN (3) powered home to score on Wednesday in sub-30, doesn't win out of turn but has obviously struck a purple patch. MIGHTY HAZZA (1) gets the gun draw and has been mixing it in better company, he's currently quoted second in betting at $4.00 which looks about right. GHARB (4) the one to beat, he's on the up and should continue that trend here.
TIPS: 4,3,1,7

Race 9

Just the six to go around. SOLAR SKY (4) is yet to miss a place in seven career starts, with her two Wenty performances resulting in seconds. Tough to go by here, Bulli performance to finish third on Saturday was full of merit. YOUNG BUSTER (7) toughed out a 400m win at Richmond on Wednesday and before that scored well over the 520m at Bathurst. Expect he leads tonight and really keen to see what he does at his city debut. LEARN FROM ME (2) and SKIP THE DISHES (8) for the exotics, be surprised if the winner comes away from one of the top pair though.
TIPS: 4,7,8,2

Race 10

VOUCHERS (2) will go around tomato sauce odds in the last and whilst at this juncture of his career she's not a dog you want to be taking that price about, she really does stand out for Mark Gatt with his times at Bulli and Richmond good enough to get away with this. Only possible danger does look to be TAP OUT BILL (4) – has scooted around Richmond in 22.74 and has found himself in the money at five his nine starts. Not much depth to the last – two to beat four, from there anything could happen!
TIPS: 2,4,7,8