Race-by-race preview and tips for Sunday’s Gilgandra meeting
It’s an eight-race card out west, and we’ve got everything you need to find a winner or two.
By John Schell
January 3, 2026 — 6.00pm
Selections based on a good track
Race 1
4. Blue De Beers ran well in a trial before showing a clean pair of heels to go straight to the front and give nothing else a chance when scoring at Bathurst almost two weeks ago. That was his first run back from a spell and now that he’s broken through, he looks set to go on with the job. 1. Romantic Love was a Narromine winner two starts ago and then disappointed at Bathurst when last produced. He can show up here on his best form. 2. Crown Legend resumes from a spell here and was racing well last campaign with a Dubbo win before a fourth at Tamworth. 5. News Bound is talented at her best and improvement is on the cards.
How to play it: Blue De Beers WIN.
Racing returns to Gilgandra on Sunday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 2
2. Takethemoneyandrun was going to be right in the finish at Tamworth last time out but struck trouble in the straight and lost its jockey. His previous form was sound, and he gets a chance to atone in this line-up 8. Vino Rapido hit the line well for a third in the same event Takethemoneyandrun contested at Tamworth. 5. Effietrinket also ran well when finishing second in the same event at Tamworth and warrants thought again. 4. Compadre comes out of the same race having finished sixth last time out.
How to play it: Takethemoneyandrun WIN.
Race 3
5. It’s A Tata has had three starts and has been placed in each of the latest two either side of a spell. He ran third behind Blue De Beers at Bathurst when resuming and that form looks solid for a race like this. 7. Black Nature ran fourth at Dubbo on debut and has had a trial at this track to be kept up to the mark since then. 8. Chasing Quivers was placed at Gunnedah two starts ago and has claims on that effort. 10. Kawatiri ran well when a last start second at Moree and has a chance on that run.
How to play it: It’s A Tata WIN.
Race 4
2. Enterprise Legend is a speedy customer that led and won in good style at Coonabarabran two starts ago and then backed that up with a last start second at Tamworth in November. He’s been kept up to the mark for this with a recent Tamworth trial win. 3. Turned Down has some strong recent form including a last start second at Dubbo and also comes into this after a recent trial. 6. Keadool has been racing well with two recent wins at Wellington and Dubbo and can be thereabouts with a repeat, while 1. Wilbury resumes here and has a good overall record.
How to play it: Enterprise Legend WIN.
Race 5
4. Instead has struck winning form of late having scored at Bathurst and Dubbo either side of a third at Narromine. She only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to hold out again. 2. Akauwheo won at Quirindi in a small field last time out and can show up again. 1. Dunedin was placed behind Instead at Dubbo at his latest start and should be in the thick of things, while 3. Phils Colours is aiming for a fourth straight win and must be considered.
How to play it: Instead WIN.
Race 6
1. Tropic is a former Chris Waller trained galloper that is having his first start for Clint Lundholm in this event. He’s a well-bred colt that has won his trial leading into this and is set to break his maiden. 4. Outlaw Annie has had three starts and performed well in each of them including a last start placing in a small field here. 9. Pillager is also coming into this after a last start placing at this track, while 12. Revenue Raiser was midfield on debut on the Beaumont track at Newcastle.
How to play it: Tropic WIN.
Race 7
3. How’s It Kev has been racing in good form having won at Coonamble five starts ago before a midfield Randwick run and a second at Orange. He since was fifth in the Mudgee Cup and comes into this on the back of a last start third when beaten less than a length at Warwick Farm. 4. Tainui has been mixing his form of late but has claims on his Warren win two starts ago. 6. Rouge Moulin has been racing consistently and only needs to maintain his recent form in order to be hard to hold out. 1. Aimpoint will find this easier than a last start effort at Canterbury.
How to play it: How’s It Kev EACH WAY.
Race 8
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9. Nevermista has been racing well with a string of recent placings to his name. He ran home well in his most recent second at Scone and should get the run of the race from the inside gate in this. 1. Glowing Rapids won a couple on end at Bathurst and Narromine before a solid last start third at Bathurst and he warrants thought again. 8. This One Time was close-up when fourth at Taree when last produced, while 11. Imastatement is a last start Dubbo winner that can be thereabouts again.
How to play it: Nevermista WIN.
BEST BETS
Race 2: (2) Takethemoneyandrun
Race 4: (2) Enterprise Legend
Best Value:
Race 7: (3) How’s It Kev.
_Supplied by Racing NSW
_Full form and race replays available at** racingnsw.com.au**