International Racing: Weekend Racing – Australia

Winning Form brings you all of their best bets and tips for this Weekend's races taking place in Australia. 

Royal Randwick

Best Bet: ATHIRI (Race 7)

Value Bet: HE’S A HOTSHOT (Race 10)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7). - Cost: R90.00.

1st	2nd	3rd	4th
11	3	1	4
10	4	5	11
5		2	9
		16
		8

Race 7

ATHIRI is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys. She missed out on her hat-trick when finishing third last time out over this c&d, just over a length and a half behind the winner, that after winning her two prior runs over the c&d. She only got a clear run at the 300M mark that day and can be considered an unlucky loser. She will have to negotiate gate nine, but nonetheless is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. SNITZ is seldom far off the action and had nothing go his way when eighth last time out over 1100M, just over four lengths back from the winner. He was bumped at the start, was held up in the early stages of the race and then had to be switched at the 200M. He has a handy draw three and with better luck in running today, he could be the biggest danger to the top choice. SPACEBOY has finished second in his last two outings over 1100M at this track, the latest when just beaten a head. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from draw six, he is likely to attempt similar tactics. 

Race 8

OUTRAGEOUS is looking to complete his hat-trick after returning from an 18 week break, winning his last start over 1500M by a head. He hit the front at the 300M mark and then held off all challengers in the dash down to the wire. He will have to deal with a wide gate ten, but he still looks to be the one to side with in this line-up. THROUGH THE CRACKS followed up his penultimate run victory over 1300M with a seventh-place finish next time out over 1500M at this track, 2.7L adrift of the victor. He finished strongly that day and should enjoy going over the extra ground. Given his style of racing, his draw eight should not be an issue. CRIADERAS steps up further in distance after finishing eighth in his latest outing over 1500M, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner. He was hampered at the 1200M pole that day, but still stayed on well over the closing stages. From his gate fourteen, he is likely to be drop out of it early and then should be closing down the frontrunner in the latter stages of the contest. 

Race 9

NEW ARRANGEMENT has consistent formlines to his credit and had to be checked at the 800M mark and then came four wide into the straight before ending up in fourth place last time out over 1500M, beaten one and a half lengths. He has a handy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line. REGAL STAGE completed his hat-trick when winning his last start over a mile by an impressive five lengths. He took over the lead when the field entered the straight that day and although facing a wide gate twelve, he is still likely to race up with the pace. SPIRIT RIDGE won his penultimate outing over 1500M by a head and then finished second next time out over a mile, just a length back from the winner. He is drawn in gate ten and gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he should be involved in the finish. 

Race 7

HE’S A HOTSHOT had finished second in his two runs prior to winning his last start over 1300M by just under a length. He was eased down going to the line that day and from draw eight, he made the value bet on the program. SNOWFIRE is looking for his quartet of wins after completing his hat-trick with his last start short-head victory over 1300M, despite jumping awkwardly. He steps up in distance, but this should not be a problem as he won his penultimate run over this trip. He is looking at a wide draw twelve, but he should not be lightly dismissed. PROMOTIONS has finished third in his last two outings over 1300m, the latest when just over a half-length back from the winner. He has an even wider gate fifteen, but he will in all probability be dropped out of the race in the early stages and should be doing his best work late. He should be included in all bets. 

Sunday 13 December 2020 – Hawkesbury

Best Bet: BROOKS BATTLE (Race 5)

Value Bet: COMMAND KING (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7).

1st	2nd	3rd	4th
12	3	8	7
1	7	7	6
11		5	5

Cost: R54.00.

Race 4.

KOUKLARA is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the two runs to date and finished second last time out over 1550M, three and a half lengths behind the winner. She was hampered at the 400M mark that day, but still stayed on well over the closing stages. She will have to negotiate a wide draw ten, but she should give the males a good run for their money. ALVIN THE BOLD is drawn one outside the top choice and finished second on debut over 1300M, just over a half length behind the winner. He was friendless in the betting markets that day and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice. HIGH TRIBUTE is another 3yr old filly in the race. She jumped awkwardly before finishing second over this trip last time out, just over a length adrift of the victor. She battled all the way down to the wire that day and although drawn even wider out in gate thirteen, she should be respected in this line-up.

Race 5.

BROOKS BATTLE has her hat-trick attempt after winning her last two starts after returning from a lengthy 36 week absence. She overraced in the middle stages before winning her last outing over six furlongs by nearly one and a half lengths. The rest clearly did her the world of good and from her handy draw three, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. DUAIS won her maiden contest last time out over 1300M when returning from a 19 week rest. She battled all the way down to the wire that day after taking the lead at the 250M pole. She faces a wide draw eleven, but she should keep the top pick honest. SEND ME WILD won her maiden race in her last outing over 1350M by just over a length and a half when returning from a 24 week break, this despite being bumped at the start and coming three wide into the home straight. She jumps from gate seven and should be involved in the finish.

Race 6.

COBIA won on debut over 1280M by three and a half lengths after having had four barrier trials and the form of that race has been franked. He finished strongly that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. He jumps from draw seven and could be the one that they all have to beat. TRI NATIONS is drawn one inside the former and jumped awkwardly and was crowded shortly after the start before ending up third last time out over 1350M, just a neck behind the winner. He has his peak run here and should be right up there in the firing line. SAM SPADE was bumped at the start and found himself at the tail end of the field before finishing strongly to end up in third place in his last outing over six furlongs, four lengths behind the winner. He starts from gate four and should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

COMMAND KING is yet to be unplace in his first three starts, winning on debut over 1300M and then finishing third and second in his next two outings. He jumped awkwardly and then came the widest into the straight last time out to finish two lengths adrift of the winner over a mile. He steps up in trip here and is drawn in gate seven, but he may well be looking for this greater test of stamina. MR GEE had his consistency rewarded with a 1.3L victory last time out over a mile and the form of that race has been franked. He will have to overcome a wide draw thirteen, but he is likely to put in another honest performance today. SIRMAZE finished strongly to get up in the shadow of the post to win his last outing over ten furlongs by a head. He jumps from one gate inside the latter and should be included in all bets. 

Monday 14 November 2020 – Orange.

 

Best Bet: OBELOS (Race 4)

Value Bet: ALFSTAR (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7).

1st	2nd	3rd	4th
5	3	8	4
2	4	14	2
	6	6	10

Cost: R54.00.

Race 4.

OBELOS jumped awkwardly and was then held tight for galloping room shortly after the start before finishing sixth last time out over a mile, just over two lengths behind the winner. He also did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight and the form of that race has been franked. He has cracked pole position and with better luck in running today, he is taken to be the best bet on the card. UPPER HOUSE showed good improvement to win his last outing over seven furlongs by just under a length when returning from an 18 week break. He had to weave his way down the straight and did well to finish as close to the winner as he did. He has gate seven and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice. Although DEMONSTRATE is recorded as finishing eighth in his last start over this trip, he was just 3.7L back from the winner. He is drawn one outside the latter and should be involved in the finish.

Race 5.

ALWAYS SURE made the expected improvement to win by just under a length at the second time of asking when stepping up to 1300M, having made his debut over 1100M. He came the widest into the home straight, but quicken well to win going away from the opposition. He faces a wide gate ten, but nevertheless could be the one that they all have to beat. PETAIN showed marked improvement to finish second in his last start over seven furlongs, beaten by just a short-head. He made good late progress that day and on that showing, he should enjoy going over the longer trip. PITTSBURGH battled all the way down to the wire before ending up in second place last time out over a mile, just a neck adrift of the victor. He has a wideish draw eight, but on the plus side will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 6.

ARITHMETIC is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys. She finished sixth last time out over seven furlongs, just under a length and a half back from the winner and was immediately rested for 23 weeks. She returns here to have her first run for her new trainer after winning her only barrier trial. If fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give the males a good run for their money. STONE stayed on well to finish fourth last time out over 1100M, 2.2L adrift of the winner when returning from a 22 week rest. The form of that race has stood up well and form gate three, he could pose a threat to the former. VAQUERO finished eights last time out over six furlongs, just over four lengths back from the winner when returning from a 30 week absence. He will have to deal with draw eleven out of fifteen, but nevertheless should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

Although ALFSTAR is recorded as finishing eleventh last time out over six furlongs, he was under four lengths behind the winner, this despite his jockey putting up 1kg over weight. He finished strongly that day and from pole position he is seen as the value bet on the program. WINDS OF WAR has his first run since a 16 week rest and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust. He has only had the three runs to date, finishing third in the first two over this trip and then winning the latest over the five furlongs by just under a length. He kept going well that day and despite having gate ten, he should be right up there when they hit the wire. ARIZONA NIGHT is a 3yr old filly taking on males. She also returns from a 16 week break after winning by just over half a length at the second time of asking over five furlongs, but in her case, she has had a barrier trial which she finished second in. She has a very wide draw of fourteen, but with some luck in running, she could feature in the finish.