Kathy O’Hara rode a superb race on Single Gaze when runner-up in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup and we are happy to have her on two of our best bets at Nowra on Sunday.
O’Hara has always been an excellent judge of pace and she showed that on Saturday when Sir Isaac Newton opened up a big lead with O’Hara increasing the tempo from the 800m doing all the chasing.
Single Gaze looked the winner at the 300m but was unable to hold off the winner Boom Time.
O’Hara deserves more chances and trainer Jason Coyle is one trainer who does gives her plenty of opportunities.
That support should be rewarded with a couple of winners on Sunday.
KAWAIKINI (Race 6 No 3)
Kawaikini puts an unbeaten first-up record on the line in the Tierney Breed & Race Mollymook Cup Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m).
Kawaikini was an acceptor at Wyong on Sunday with Coyle ultimately choosing what looks a slightly easier assignment at Nowra.
A class two winner over the track and distance resuming last preparation, Coyle has given Kawaikini a similar preparation this time in with two lead-up trials.
After winning first-up Kawaikini went on to record placings in metropolitan races later in the preparation including a length second to Passage Of Time in a Saturday 3YO benchmark 78 at Rosehill.
Kawaikini has to lump 61.5kg but appears well-weighted when compared to the likes of Chief In Command (63kg after claim) and Coolotta (65kg).
Kawaikini stands out as the bet of the day with her chances boosted by having O’Hara in the saddle.
CITIZENS ARREST (Race 2 No 6)
If we can overlook Citizen’s Arrest’s latest run when down the track at Gosford and there were excuses with the mare forced to cover ground in the run in the race won by Lightz, a repeat of her effort at Hawkesbury resuming two runs back was a solid pointer to her chances on Sunday.
Citizen’s Arrest found the front at Hawkesbury at the 300m before being run down late by Ready For Love.
If Citizen’s Arrest can repeat the first-up run she will take plenty of beating back to country grade in the Ulladulla Blinds & Home Improvements Maiden Plate (1100m).
BROTHER IN ARMS (Race 5 No 2)
The Stephen Hill-trained Brother In Arms is a lightly raced five-year-old who I have plenty of time for and expecting him to run a huge race first-up in the Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club Class 3 Handicap (1400m).
Brother In Arms won fresh at Kembla two preparations back before going back to back at the same track with connections spelling the gelding with a view to tackling the Provincial Championship Qualifier at Hawkesbury first-up next campaign but the plans were thwarted on a heavy track.
Brother In Arms looks well placed in a country class 3 and looks huge overs at $13 in early betting.
