Illawarra Grange (NSW) horses tips & previews

15 Nov, 4:03 am AEDT

One race at a time: field, form guide and win/place odds for Illawarra Grange (NSW), with capture times on every price.

Meeting — Sat 14 Nov, 11:00 am AEDT

Meetings · Sat, 14 NovIllawarra Grange (NSW)Change

Race 3 — The Gong Ambassador Daniel Grida Midway Mdn Plate 1150m · jumps Sat 14 Nov, 2:40 pm AEDT

Race preview

The Gong Ambassador Daniel Grida Midway Maiden runs at Illawarra Grange over 1150 metres on a Soft 5 track under overcast skies at 2:40 pm AEDT. Alpha Sort heads the win market, with Veranders and Albatross the next two in shortest order. Chumpakidd is fourth favourite. It's a seven-runner field where early tempo shapes the race — Alpha Sort sits onpace and will want to dictate, while Chumpakidd lines up as the sole leader type. Dubious Express and Ponzi Scheme occupy midfield, with Albatross and Veranders both backmarkers looking to finishing kick home.

Alpha Sort rates a real chance here. The gelding fired third at Nowra over 900 metres just days ago off a barrier trial, then stepped out to Hawkesbury debut at 1100 metres where sectionals hint at a genuine early sprinter. Chad Lever and the R & L Price team come together with form backing that early tempo story. Drawing barrier three, Alpha Sort should find his lane and press. Veranders offers contrasting appeal — Jean Van Overmeire's mount clocked the fastest finishing sectionals at last start, a Wyong 1000-metre outing on debut, and this hot J/T combo are tracking 42 per cent above market expectations. Extra distance to 1150 metres here suits the late-running profile. Dubious Express, rated 100 by IRD, sits midfield with Keagan Latham and figures much better conditioned than last time; Hawkesbury form won't translate perfectly to Illawarra but the fitness tick and barrier one position offer tactical angles.

Ponzi Scheme pairs blinkers-on for the first time under Grant Buckley in a move the Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter stable flagged deliberately. That's a signpost. Albatross, another first-up type, rates only for the placings per the AAP comment despite showing 44-metre margin struggles in recent outings. Alpha Sort and Veranders stand out as the angle plays here — early pace versus late kick, two different roads to the judge.

Race notes

MID MDN-SW,Maiden
SOFT5
Overcast
7 runners

Shortest win price

Alpha Sort (4) and Dubious Express (5)

3.30

Speed map

Back left · leaders right

Backmarker

3Albatross
8Veranders

Offmidfield

9Kaihalulu Beach

Midfield

5Dubious Express
7Ponzi Scheme

Onpace

4Alpha Sort

Leader

1Chumpakidd

Chumpakidd · Negative
Cold J/T Combo
Combo are losing -100% POT in their L100 Races
Albatross · Negative
Jockey Booking
Lee Magorrian current POT is 44% below Career Avg.
Alpha Sort · Negative
Cold J/T Combo
Combo are losing -100% POT in their L100 Races
Dubious Express · Negative
Trainer Career
Trainer Career S/R is 8%

No.RunnerBarWgtLast 5WinPlace

1ChumpakiddJ: Leeshelle Small·T: C Karakatsanis259kg3 6 2 2 35: 0-2-1$12.00$3.90

Career

5: 0-2-1

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Leader

BackLead

Figures

Jockey60%
Trainer80%
Jockey/Trainer Combo20%
Early Speed20%
Rating80%
Closing Speed60%

Record

First-up
2: 0-0-0
Second-up
1: 0-1-0
Third-up
1: 0-1-0
Fourth-up
1: 0-0-1
Track Hawkesbury
1: 0-0-0
Track Kembla Grange
1: 0-0-1
Track Queanbeyan
1: 0-1-0
Distance 900m
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1000m
4: 0-2-1
Going Good
3: 0-1-0
Going Soft
2: 0-1-1

Last starts

3Kembla Grange1000m3 Nov 2026 · 3yo+ · SOFT64.1L
2Queanbeyan1000m26 Oct 2026 · MDN-SW · SOFT61.67L
2Orange1000m8 Oct 2026 · MDN-SW · GOOD40.88L
6Hawkesbury1000m24 Sept 2026 · 3yo+ · GOOD44.64L
3Warwick Farm816m15 Sept 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)3.4L
4Newcastle900m31 Mar 2026 · MDN · GOOD44L
3Warwick Farm786m20 Mar 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(7)1.9L
3Kembla Grange800m5 Mar 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(6)3.2L

Insights

Cold J/T Combo
Negative
Combo are losing -100% POT in their L100 Races
Lightly Raced
Positive
Limited race experience but shown potential
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class
Honest
Positive
Finishing in the money lately

Comments

AAP

Solid performer. Off pace, left in tearaway winner's wake but ran on doggedly at Kembla Grange. Again gets 3kg off for Leeshelle Small and drawn favourably. Warrants some attention.

ILB

Amongst the placegetters when 3rd last run at Kembla Grange and putting a tidy record together. Likely to be well placed early. In the placings regularly this preparation. Forward showing expected.

In good heart of late and improved form the last twice; didn't run badly when 14-1 third at Kembla Grange over 5f (maiden), finished ahead of Albatross last week.

RSIS

Finished 3rd last time at Kembla Grange and good career start. Has early pace and positions nicely. Going well recently. Large claim helps. Win will not surprise.

2Think And ActScratched8––––

Career

1: 0-0-0

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Offpace

BackLead

Figures

Jockey100%
Trainer80%
Jockey/Trainer Combo80%
Early Speed20%
Rating40%
Closing Speed40%

Record

First-up
1: 0-0-0
Track Wyong
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1000m
1: 0-0-0
Going Good
1: 0-0-0

Last starts

7Wyong1000m29 Oct 2026 · 3UP MID MDN HCP · GOOD44.67L
2Rosehill900m2 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)1.2L

Insights

Rider SR
Positive
Jockey recent POT is 24% better than Career Avg.
Key Jockey
Positive
Jeff Penza winning at 10% POT in last 100 rides
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class

Comments

AAP

Safely contained at Wyong on debut at healthy odds 29 Oct. Others rate stronger.

ILB

Weakened to finish 7th last start at Wyong but having second career run.

Seventh but beaten only 4½l on his debut over 5f at Wyong (just behind Veranders) at 28-1 last month; warrants respect with a little experience under his belt.

RSIS

Gave away some ground when 7th last time at Wyong but fitter for debut run.

3AlbatrossJ: Lee Magorrian·T: K J Parker457.5kg3 5 41: 0-0-0$4.20$2.05

Career

1: 0-0-0

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Backmarker

BackLead

Figures

Jockey20%
Trainer80%
Jockey/Trainer Combo100%
Early Speed20%
Rating60%
Closing Speed100%

Record

First-up
1: 0-0-0
Track Kembla Grange
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1000m
1: 0-0-0
Going Soft
1: 0-0-0

Last starts

4Kembla Grange1000m3 Nov 2026 · 3yo+ · SOFT64.4L
5Hawkesbury800m20 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)4.6L
3Kembla Grange800m7 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)2.3L

Insights

Jockey Booking
Negative
Lee Magorrian current POT is 44% below Career Avg.
Rider
Negative
Negative rider change today
Hot J/T Combo
Positive
Combo are out performing market expectations by 54%
Rider Poor SR
Negative
Jockey underperforming market expectations by 51% in L100 rides
Raceday Experience
Positive
Wiser for debut run
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class

Comments

AAP

Stepping out for only the second time after battling home at Kembla Grange 3 Nov. Better for the run but only for the minors at this stage.

ILB

At $7.50 moved through the field into 4th last time at Kembla Grange and having second career run. Shows good closing speed. Watch for a sign in the market.

Solid effort first time out (not far behind Chumpakidd) over 5f at Kembla Grange at 13-2 last week; could improve from first run although a leap forward required to win this.

RSIS

Started 13/2 and crept into 4th last run at Kembla Grange and fitter for debut run. Has good closing pace. Has some claims.

4Alpha SortJ: Chad Lever·T: R & L Price357.5kg1 1 3 51: 0-0-0$3.30$1.75

Career

1: 0-0-0

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Onpace

BackLead

Figures

Jockey60%
Trainer60%
Jockey/Trainer Combo20%
Early Speed100%
Rating60%
Closing Speed40%

Record

First-up
1: 0-0-0
Track Hawkesbury
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1100m
1: 0-0-0
Going Good
1: 0-0-0

Last starts

5Hawkesbury1100m27 Oct 2026 · MDN · GOOD42.05L
3Nowra900m18 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)0.4L
1Kembla Grange800m7 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)-0.4
1Illawarra Grange800m3 July 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(5)-2

Insights

Cold J/T Combo
Negative
Combo are losing -100% POT in their L100 Races
Fast Early
Positive
Sectionals suggest goes hard early
Raceday Experience
Positive
Wiser for debut run
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class

Comments

AAP

Ex Ross McConville in NSW. Wasn't all that far from the action on debut at Hawkesbury 27 Oct. Wiser for experience and off a similar handy draw. Right in this.

ILB

Odds of $9.50 and ran 5th last start at Hawkesbury but having second career run. Has early speed and positions nicely. First appearance for a new trainer. Has some claims.

Fair debut effort at Hawkesbury at 17-2 last month; runs for a new yard here; needs to make above-average progress.

RSIS

At 17/2 came in 5th last start at Hawkesbury but having second career run. Has plenty of early pace. Change in trainer. Could feature here.

5Dubious ExpressJ: Keagan Latham·T: Richard & Will Freedman157.5kg6 7 3 2 73: 0-1-0$3.30$1.75

Career

3: 0-1-0

Rating · IRD

100

Speed map

Midfield

BackLead

Figures

Jockey80%
Trainer40%
Jockey/Trainer Combo80%
Early Speed20%
Rating100%
Closing Speed40%

Record

First-up
2: 0-1-0
Track Hawkesbury
1: 0-0-0
Track Newcastle
1: 0-1-0
Track Warwick Farm
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1100m
2: 0-0-0
Distance 900m
1: 0-1-0
Going Good
2: 0-0-0
Going Heavy
1: 0-1-0

Last starts

7Hawkesbury1100m27 Oct 2026 · MDN · GOOD43.26L
2Rosehill900m19 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)0.3L
3Rosehill900m2 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)1.2L
7Warwick Farm1100m24 June 2026 · 2Y C&G HCP · GOOD44.9L
6Randwick1050m12 June 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(5)1.5L
2Newcastle900m23 May 2026 · 2yo · HEAVY91L
1Rosehill900m11 May 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)-1.3
2Canterbury893m1 May 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(5)0.5L

Insights

Trainer Career
Negative
Trainer Career S/R is 8%
Trainer Recent
Negative
Stable runners are currently underperforming market by 38%
Drawn In
Positive
Suited drawn down low
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class

Comments

AAP

Got back and only battled to wire at Hawkesbury last outing. Better conditioned and improvement on the cards here.

ILB

Didn't attack the line when 7th last run at Hawkesbury. Should bounce back and drawn nicely. Has shown early pace in races to date. Expect a bold effort.

Not yet off the mark in three attempts although has finished second; finished seventh but wasn't beaten too far (just over 3l) in a handicap 18 days ago at Hawkesbury when just behind Alpha Sort; others appeal more.

RSIS

Couldn't maintain the pace when 7th last time at Hawkesbury. Can show a better performance this time and has a positive stall. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Highly respected.

6Phantom KingScratched1––––

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Firststart

Figures

Jockey40%
Trainer100%
Jockey/Trainer Combo100%
Early Speed50%
Rating20%
Closing Speed50%

Last starts

1Kembla Grange800m5 Nov 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(5)-0.2
4Hawkesbury800m20 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)2.5L

Insights

Profitable Trainer
Positive
Stable runners going at 13% POT in L100 Runners
Draw Suits
Positive
Well drawn inside
Market Watch
Negative
Keep eye on betting moves

Comments

AAP

Trials (2:1-0-0). $36k purchase. Out of a half-sister to Listed winner Pronto Pronto. Indicated progression winning latest trial at Kembla Grange. Benefit of decent alley.

ILB

Joseph Ible 3yo by King's Legacy having first start and has the ideal barrier. Follow the money.

Having his first start in public; sole newcomer in the field; much respected with signs of encouragement in profile.

RSIS

Initial appearance 3yo by King's Legacy for trainer Joseph Ible and drawn by the rails.

7Ponzi SchemeJ: Grant Buckley·T: Mitchell Beer & George Carpenter557.5kg2 5 8 3 34: 0-0-2$12.00$4.00

Career

4: 0-0-2

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Midfield

BackLead

Figures

Jockey20%
Trainer80%
Jockey/Trainer Combo60%
Early Speed20%
Rating60%
Closing Speed80%

Record

First-up
2: 0-0-0
Second-up
1: 0-0-1
Third-up
1: 0-0-1
Track Moruya
1: 0-0-1
Track Wellington
1: 0-0-0
Track Kembla Grange
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1000m
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1100m
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1200m
2: 0-0-2
Going Good
2: 0-0-1
Going Soft
2: 0-0-1

Last starts

3Nowra1200m1 Nov 2026 · MDN · GOOD34.3L
3Moruya1200m2 Oct 2026 · Maiden · SOFT72.3L
8Kembla Grange1000m12 Sept 2026 · MDN-SW · GOOD49L
5Wellington1100m12 Apr 2026 · 2Y SWP · SOFT53.2L
2Hawkesbury1000m23 Mar 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(7)0.2L
1Kembla Grange800m5 Mar 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(6)-0.5

Insights

Jockey Booking
Negative
Less suitable jockey engaged
Blinkers On
Positive
Trainer has opted for the Blinkers on, take note
Class Rise
Negative
Racing in stronger company

Comments

AAP

Kept working to line behind dominant winner at Nowra. Looks more a place prospect.

ILB

Did well to run into 3rd beaten by 4 1/4L last run at Nowra. Has good tactical speed and will be nicely positioned. Modest hope.

Solid third at Nowra two weeks ago in a handicap; others more likely as the headgear needs to prompt improvement.

RSIS

Finished strongly when 3rd last time at Nowra. Interesting gear change of blinkers on first time. Has shown early pace in races to date.

8VerandersJ: Jean Van Overmeire·T: Mitchell Beer & George Carpenter657.5kg4 4 1 31: 0-0-1$5.50$2.50

Career

1: 0-0-1

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Backmarker

BackLead

Figures

Jockey80%
Trainer80%
Jockey/Trainer Combo100%
Early Speed20%
Rating60%
Closing Speed100%

Record

First-up
1: 0-0-1
Track Wyong
1: 0-0-1
Distance 1000m
1: 0-0-1
Going Good
1: 0-0-1

Last starts

3Wyong1000m29 Oct 2026 · 3UP MID MDN HCP · GOOD42.74L
1Kembla Grange800m7 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)-0.1
4Wyong845m17 June 2026 · Barrier Trial · SOFT(7)3.1L
4Kembla Grange800m2 Feb 2026 · Barrier Trial1.8L

Insights

Fast Finisher
Positive
Fastest Overall Finishing Sectionals Last Start
Hot J/T Combo
Positive
Combo are out performing market expectations by 42%
Ran On Hard LS
Positive
Ran on well last start
Raceday Experience
Positive
Wiser for debut run
Well Placed
Positive
Drops back to a suitable class

Comments

AAP

No match but ran on for the minors at Wyong on debut at healthy odds 29 Oct. Better for race exposure. Extra trip may assist. Right in the mix again.

ILB

Nice effort to run into 3rd last start at Wyong and having second race start. Rates as one of the key chances.

Ran encouragingly on his debut when third at Wyong (20-1) two weeks ago; not much between him and Think And Act (seventh) on that result; if building on promise shown first time out in the mix.

RSIS

Ran on when 3rd last start at Wyong and having second race start. Solid claims.

9Kaihalulu BeachJ: Jess Taylor·T: Ms T Bateup757kg7 41: 0-0-0$41.00$10.00

Career

1: 0-0-0

Rating · IRD

Speed map

Offmidfield

BackLead

Figures

Jockey60%
Trainer20%
Jockey/Trainer Combo20%
Early Speed20%
Rating40%
Closing Speed100%

Record

First-up
1: 0-0-0
Track Wagga
1: 0-0-0
Distance 1200m
1: 0-0-0
Going Good
1: 0-0-0

Last starts

4Wagga1200m30 Oct 2026 · MDN · GOOD41.24L
7Kembla Grange800m7 Oct 2026 · Barrier Trial · GOOD(4)3.8L

Insights

Trainer Career
Negative
Trainer Career S/R is 3%
Cold J/T Combo
Negative
Combo are losing -65% POT in their L100 Races
Trainer Recent
Negative
Stable runners are currently underperforming market by 65%
Trainer ROI
Negative
Trainers runners currently losing 65% Profit on Turnover
Ran On Hard LS
Positive
Ran on well last start
Class Rise
Negative
Racing in stronger company

Comments

AAP

Wasn't all that far from the action on debut at Wagga as an outsider 30 Oct. Better for the run and key player if things pan out.

ILB

Jumped at $91.00 and showed some merit late when 4th last run at Wagga and was on debut last time. Might be ridden for luck. Needs a lot of luck.

Fair debut effort at Wagga at 80-1 last month; should be better for that run.

RSIS

Started 90/1 and picked up some late ground when 4th last time at Wagga and having second career run. Gets back and needs luck.

10SakuriousScratched10––––

Rating · IRD

Figures

Jockey50%
Trainer50%
Jockey/Trainer Combo50%
Early Speed50%
Rating50%
Closing Speed50%

Comments

AAP

Left a decent impression on debut at Wyong 29 Oct. Benefits from the experience and warrants some attention stepping up in trip.

ILB

Started at $6.50 and closed off nicely when 4th last start at Wyong and fitter for debut run.

RSIS

Odds of 11/2 and overtook some late when 4th last time at Wyong and was on debut last time.

Odds correct as at Sat 14 Nov, 2:41 pm AEDT. Odds can change.

Past meetings

Thu 1 Oct, 10:00 am AEST · 8 races
Thu 17 Sept, 10:00 am AEST · 7 races