Australian racing tips – Thursday 18 July 2024 – Kembla Grange

Race 5

There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, OH DIAMOND LIL may well prove to be the best. She is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the two runs to date, finishing third on debut over 1100M and then fourth next time out over 1200M, just over six and a half lengths behind the winner, but she raced green in the early and middle stages that day, came three wide into the home straight and then had to be held up in the home straight until the 200M mark, so she had her excuses. The filly would have come on further with that run under her belt and from draw six, she looks to be the one to side with here.

INTRUDER finished fifth last time out over 1300M, 6.7L back from the winner and was immediately rested for a lengthy 45 weeks. He returns here without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust and faces a wide draw 13, but he is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne, and he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

MYTHICAL MOOCHI has posted two solid last runs, the latest when second over 1000M, four lengths off the winner, when returning from a 24-week rest, but she was trapped three wide without cover in that event and raced green throughout, before making good late progress over the closing stages, this despite losing a shoe in running. The gelding gets gate seven and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. FRENCH MARINE is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1250M, 2.8L back from the winner, but he was hampered at the 200M mark and bumped at the 50M pole in that event. He has a handy draw three and will be looking for his sixth career victory.

SELFLESS ACT is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she finished well from just off the pace when ending up in third spot last time out over 1350M, just over a half-length off the winner. She returns from a 17-week absence, but has had two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing fourth in the latest. The filly jumps from gate five, will have 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and should be right up there when they hit the line.

HEADSTOCK jumped awkwardly and overraced in the early stages, coming the widest of them all into the home stretch, but chased hard all the way down to the wire when finishing ninth in his latest outing over 1300M, 1.8L behind the victor. The gelding is drawn one inside the latter and could complete the trifecta.

Race 7

KIRIBATI was returning from a 20-week break and raced just behind the leaders before striking the front at the 300M mark and then holding off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win his last start over 1000M by one and a half lengths to record his third career win. The gelding will have to negotiate a wideish draw eight, but ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham retains the ride, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

REBEL DEAN has cracked pole position and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 250M mark before finishing well to end up in eleventh spot last time out over 1100M, just a length behind the winner, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding will have his peak run after returning from a 14-week rest and could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

WELCOME GYPSY is a 5-year-old mare taking on boys, but she was hampered approaching the home turn, but stayed on well to finish fifth last time out over 1100M, four lengths adrift of the winner. She has pulled draw five and will also be having her peak run after a longer 22-week spell and should be involved in the finish.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, PRESIDES went from jump to wire to win his maiden race last time out over 1300M by putting four lengths between himself and the opposition. He takes on stronger here, but he gets gate six and the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause and he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

TRUE TO FORM won over 1700M on debut in France and had three other races there before relocating to Australia and rested for 49 weeks. He returns after having the benefit of two barrier trials and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them. The gelding starts from one gate outside the top pick, and can complete the exacta.

RIVA D’AMOR is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she had finished second in her three runs prior to finishing fifth last time out over 1300M, 4.8L adrift of the victor, when returning from a 19-week rest. She faces a wide draw twelve, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much gas.