A Todd Howlett-trained three-year-old shouldn't be contesting a maiden race on Monday but that's where he finds himself after being the victim of pilot error at his last-start but is set to make amends at Taree and heads our three best bets for the program.
MAGIC RAY (Race 3 No 8)
There is no doubt we should be analysing the credentials of Magic Ray for a class one or benchmark race but once again we are assessing his chances in a maiden race – this time the Manning River Times Maiden Plate (1250m).
There is little doubt Magic Ray should no longer be a maiden looking at his last-start at Moree.
Here's the vision of the race and Tom Walter's post-race article on Racenet.
You be the judge, reckon Magic Ray makes amends on Monday.
CLEVANNIC (Race 2 No 4)
The decision by connections to take advantage of the 3kg claim for apprentice Louise Day on the Kris Lees-trained Clevanicc in the Manning Valley Naturally Benchmark 60 Handicap (1250m) looks a winning move.
A winner of successive races at Scone and Tamworth earlier in his preparation, Clevanicc finished fourth at Hawkesbury last start with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle carrying 58kg beaten less than two-lengths in a provincial benchmark 65 handicap and will carry 57kg after the claim back to a country benchmark 60.
Clevanicc loses nothing by the change of jockey, Day has a 24.5 percent winning strike rate on Lees-trained horses and rode a winning double at Taree the last time she rode at the mid-north coast track.
MISS GIGI (Race 7 No 9)
The Mark Cross-trained Miss Gigi will take plenty of beating in the Functions @ Winning Post Centre Benchmark 55 Handicap (1000m).
Miss Gigi boasts victories at Scone and Muswellbrook from her 10 career starts to date including a Muswellbrook class one victory two runs over the 1000m trip.
Miss Gigi finished fourth in a stronger race at Muswellbrook last start and gets all the ticks back in grade on Monday.
From barrier four, jockey Paul King should be able to give Miss Gigi the run of the race and the mare looks set to send punters home on a winning note.
