Australian racing tips – Thursday 3 October 2024 – Kembla Grange

Race 5

CELESTIAL BLING finished second on debut over 1000m, beaten just a short-head, but she jumped awkwardly that day, bumping another runner, had to be held up in the home straight until the 200M mark, before finishing off her race strongly. She was immediately rested for 52 weeks and returns here after having had five barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. The filly gets draw seven and the fact that her connections have brought her back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that she still has something more to offer them.

IDOLISED jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, but struck the front at the 250M mark, only to be run out of it late to end up in third place first time out over 1200M, two and a half lengths back from the winner. She would have learnt from that experience and from her handy draw three, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

FLYING EMBERS finished fifth on debut over 1000M and then fourth next time out over 1100M, 4.2L off the winner, when returning from a 24 week rest, but she was bumped shortly after the start and came the widest of them all into the home straight, so she had her excuses. Whilst drawn wide in gate eleven, she should be doing her best work late. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for her should be respected.

Race 6

INSIST has cracked pole position and had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1000M, albeit by just a short-head. He was returning from a 16 week rest that day and jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, came three wide into the home stretch, before finishing strongly to get up in the shadow of the post. He takes on stronger here, but he may well be up to the task at hand and with ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

MISTY LEGEND won over 1000M three runs back, finished fourth in his penultimate start over 1100M and then eighth in his latest outing back over 1000M, six lengths adrift of the victory, but he did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. From his useful draw four, he could prove to be the biggest danger to the top pick.

SUPER ZIPPI is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she had finished second and third in her two runs prior to winning her maiden race last time out over 1100M by a half length, this despite jumping awkwardly. She recovered quickly however to take up the lead and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The filly returns from a 22-week rest, but has had two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing second in the latest. From draw seven, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

COLOPHON put his disappointing penultimate start over 1200M behind him when finishing second next time out over the same sprint trip, just a head back from the winner, when returning from a 17 week rest, but it should be noted that he was crowded and had to be steadied at the 950M mark that day, but still managed to battle all the way down to the wire. In addition, his jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw sixteen, but he could give the trainer/jockey combination of Michael Freedman and Keagan Latham a quick could in the day’s Jackpot.

WEST INDIES is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she finished fourth first time out over 1300M, 4.8L adrift of the victor. She raced three wide without cover in that event, before being bumped at the top of the home straight. The filly would have come on further with that run under her belt and from her kinder draw five and with having 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice, she could complete the exacta.

TASTULA has only had two runs to date, finishing seventh on debut over 1200M and then sixth next time out over 1300M, just over four lengths behind the winner, but he was bumped at the start in that event. The gelding jumps from a wide gate eleven and has his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings and with non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons, he should give a good account of himself here.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, FUGITIVA is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she missed out on her hat-trick after victories over 1300M and 1200M when finishing sixth last time out over 1300M, just over four lengths behind the winner, but she had to be held up at the entrance to the home straight that day and only saw daylight at the 200M pole, before finishing off her race well. She jumps from a cozy draw three and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

C’MON MATE is seldom far off the action and raced just behind the leaders before chasing hard all the way down to the wire to end up in second spot last time out over 1400M, 0.8L behind the winner. The gelding will have to deal with a wide draw eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and could round off a red letter day for Keagan Latham.

ROLLING MAGIC kicked clear of the opposition at the 150M mark to win his maiden race last time out over 1400M by 1.8L at the fifth time of asking. He takes on stronger here, but he is sure to put his pole position to good use and should be included in all bets.