Australian racing tips – Monday 8 July 2024 – Albury

Best Bet: COOEE (Race 6)
Value Bet: RELEASE THE BRAKES (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R90.00

Race 5

STAR BLAZER won over 1350M three runs back, finished fifth in his penultimate start over 1100M when having his first run for his new trainer and then third in his latest outing over 1300M, 2.7L behind the winner, when trying to go from jump to wire. He faces a wide draw twelve, but he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

SLATE RIPPER had to weave his way through traffic down the home straight when winning his maiden race last time out over 1500M, albeit by just a short-head. He has his peak run after returning from a 21-week break, but gets a handy draw four and whilst taking on stronger here, he may well be up to the task at hand.

RISING WATER has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1600M with a third-place finish next time out over the same journey, 1.8L back from the winner, but he was slow away that day and came the widest of them all into the home straight. He has his first run for his new trainer and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from a useful gate two.

Race 6

COOEE has only had two runs to date, winning both at this track, the first over 1100M and then the next when stepping up to 1400M by just under a half-length and could be just about anything. The gelding battled all the way down to the wire to claim that last victory and from his cosy draw four, he may prove hard to topple and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

TIZSO FAB put his disappointing penultimate start over 1400M behind him when finishing second next time out over the same trip, just a length back from the winner, but he lost a length at the start in that event, before finishing off his race well. The gelding has pulled gate six and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

NATS ENOUGH followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a third-place finish next time out over 1500M, a half lengths back from the winner. He raced just behind the leaders on that occasion and chased hard all the way down to the wire. The gelding has a handy draw three and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, RELEASE THE BRAKES was crowded at the start and race three wide without cover when finishing third last time out over 1400M, 4.3L behind the winner. She faces a wide gate nine, but with better luck in running, she should be competitive here.

LITTLE BASHEBA won over 1400M three runs back, finished sixth in her penultimate start over 1300M and then third in her latest outing over 1100M, just over four lengths off the winner, when returning from a 35-week spell. She tried to go from gun to tape that day, but hung out over the closing stages. The resultant objection lodged by the connections of the third-placed horse was upheld and she was demoted to fill that spot. She faces an even wider draw twelve, but on the plus side, she will have 3kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.

LITTLE MISS GRACE was returning from a shorter 11-week rest and had to weave her way down the home straight when ending up in third place in her latest outing over 1000M, just over a half lengths behind the victor. She gets a kinder draw two and the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice.

Race 8

This looks to be a tricky race to end off the day’s Jackpot with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. HE’S MY WARRIOR has consistent formlines to his credit, finishing second in his last two runs, the latest over 1400M, one and a half lengths back from the winner, when having his first run for his new trainer. The gelding was hampered at the start that day, but struck the front at the 200M pole, only to be run out of it late. He has a wide draw eleven, but he could give trainer Ron Stubbs his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the second leg.

GUNDAROO overraced in the first half and had to be held up on the home turn before being struck by another jockey’s crop to finish tenth last time out over 1300M, just over four and a half lengths behind the winner, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding is drawn one inside the former and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

ZIPITALIST has cracked pole position and has finished closer to the winner in each of his last four starts, the latest when second over 1300M, beaten just a short-head, but he came three wide into the home stretch that day, before staying on well over the latter stages and should be included in all bets.