Wagga racing preview, best bets & quaddie | Thursday, May 4
| What | Wagga Races |
| Where | Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 |
| When | Thursday, May 4, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:25pm AEST |
Racing heads to the Riverina region of NSW on Thursday afternoon for the first part of Wagga Wagga’s two-day carnival. It’s a strong program to kick things off with the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate headlining an eight-race card. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with some rain forecast leading into race-day, the Soft 7 surface predicted should be about right. The first race is scheduled to get things underway at 12:25pm AEST.
Wagga Town Plate Tip: Ang Pow
It’s a wide-open edition of the Wagga Town Plate, but we’re confident Ang Pow can be more than competitive on resumption. He’s coming off a 186-day spell after heading to the paddock in sensational fashion with a dominant win at Eagle Farm on October 29. He’s looking to hold that form upon return and his barrier trials suggest he’ll be doing exactly that. The Richard & Will Freedman-trained gelding has stepped out twice at Rosehill preparing for this first-up assignment and impressed both times, going to the line under a stranglehold. We’re happy to be with him at the price, and with a first-up profile that reads three starts for two wins and another minor placing, Ang Pow should be right in this 1200m feature. Jeff Penza takes the reins from a positive gate and should be better than mid-field turning for home. Provided the track plays fair to the inside going, Ang Pow should be putting himself in the finish.
Wagga Town Plate
Race 7 – 
#10 Ang Pow (4)
4yo Gelding | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Jeff Penza (54kg)
Best Bet at Wagga: Associate
Associate was terrific last time out when breaking his maiden, and we think can make it back-to-back wins on Thursday afternoon. He won over the 1200m at Wagga Wagga on April 23 and almost didn’t get clear running; however, the gaps came eventually for this gelding by Star Witness, and he was able to power to the line and score a one-length win. He immediately steps up in trip to the 1600m, which looks ideal in this big field, and the expected tempo should suit his get-back style of racing. Barrier 14 could be a minor concern, but we’ll leave it to the experienced Brad Rawiller to gain some cover throughout the 1600m journey. He’ll be flying home late again and hopefully can find his second career win in this Class 1 showcase.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#4 Associate (14)
3yo Gelding | T: Danielle Seib | J: Brad Rawiller (57.5kg)
Next Best Bet at Wagga: Ramius
We’re keen to be with Ramius in the opener at Wagga Wagga as he looks to make his debut a winning one. He’s a son of Russian Revolution with two barrier trials under his belt as the Richard & Will Freedman yard attempts to build his confidence heading his first start. He seems to have plenty of ability based on his jump-outs, and if the stable is confident enough to head to the bush for a maiden, you’d have to imagine it’s to find the winner’s enclosure at the first time of asking. He’s been going forward at the trials, so expect Tom Sherry to ping the lids and attempt to find the rail from barrier seven. If he can get across and steal a cheap sectional or two, Ramius could take some catching.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#4 Ramius (7)
2yo Colt | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Tom Sherry (57kg)
Best Value Bet at Wagga: Black Tiara
Race four on the program looks a tricky maiden to dissect, and if the market is anything to go by, the online bookmakers seem to agree. We’ve landed with Black Tiara on top at a price that looks too good to refuse. She’s a filly by More Than Ready and returned to the jump-outs on April 5 at Kembla Grange. She looks to have held her form nicely from some 2022 trials and now appears to be the right time for the Gary Portelli team to expose this progressive three-year-old filly. While we concede this race has some intriguing first-starters set to debut, with Mon Pierre and Explosive Torpedo catching the eye as well, the market seems to have missed Black Tiara. She’ll be ridden closely by Alysha Collett, and when asked for an effort turning for home, we’re hopeful she can bound clear at a big price.
Best Value
Race 3 – 
#6 Black Tiara (3)
3yo Filly | T: Gary Portelli | J: Alysha Collett (57kg)
Thursday quaddie tips for Wagga races
Wagga quadrella selections
Thursday, May 4, 2023
- 1-2-5-12
- 2-3-7-10-11
- 3-9-10
- 1-7-9-12
Investment: $240 for 100%