International Racing: Sunday 26 April 2020 – Tamworth

8 races carded this Sunday 26th April at Tamworth will provide some solid betting entertainment for punters and pundits alike. 

Best Bet: LUCKY SHADOW (Race 1)
Value Bet: YAWKYAWK (Race 5)

Race 1
Three fillies look to dominate the finish in the opening event, and they could complete the trifecta here. The top pick goes to LUCKY SHADOW who won over this distance on debut despite being friendless in the betting markets. She gets a set of blinkers fitted today and she looks to be the one that they all have to beat. ZOROCAT hit the front looking dangerous last time out over 1100M and is sure to appreciate the drop in distance. SOGNARE won her maiden race over 900M at the second time of asking when showing the expected improvement. She should be involved in the finish here. SPLASHER makes his debut today, but he has had the benefit of a good barrier trial and if not too green, he could feature. Keep an eye on the betting to get some indications as to what the gelding’s connections feel about their chances of winning.


Race 2
As with the first race, the fillies could take the top honors here by completing the exacta. INKJET made good late progress when finishing fourth last time out over 1350M suggesting that the seven furlongs will be just up her street. FANTASMA has cracked pole position and was only beaten in the shadow of the post last time out over seven furlongs. SETHLANS was hampered during the running of his last outing over six furlongs before staying on at the finish. He did well to finish as close to the winner as he did. BUCKIN’ RIPPA likes to race up with the pace in his races and did well to hold on to third last time out over 1350M. He should be respected in this line-up.

Race 3
BONNIE JOY is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the two runs to date and has finished close up in both of them. From gate three, she should be right up there in the mix. DANZA IN THE DARK finished second on debut over 1100M. He would have learnt from the experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be a major player here. ALPINE RACER returns from a 42-week break but showed up well in his barrier trial to confirm his fitness. He did finish second over 1100M before going on his rest. ENTREAT is a 3yr old filly who makes her debut, but she has had three barrier trials and if not too green, she could feature today.

Race 4
An open F&M handicap faces punters here. SHE’S SPICY was a close up second last time out over five furlongs when finding tons of betting support. She has a wideish draw to deal with, but she should put in another honest performance today. FROZEN IN TIME went from gun to wire to win her last outing over six furlongs and will almost certainly enjoy the drop in distance. DAME KIRI is another who likes to race up with the speed and she is not likely to allow the latter to get too far ahead of her. The same comment applies to TYPHOON BONNY, which all makes for an interesting contest. 


Race 5
A large field faces the starter here and yet again, it may be the fillies and mares that dominate the finish. YAWKYAWK followed up her penultimate victory over 1300M with an encouraging effort over this trip. She is definitely one for the shortlist. SNIPERESS won her maiden race last time out over seven furlongs and although she will start from draw eleven, she should be involved in the finish here. MYSTIC SPLENDOUR raced wide in her last outing over this trip and did well to finish as close to the winner as she did. With better luck in running here, she should be right up there when they hit the line. JAHBATH botted the start last time out but recovered well to finish strongly for a 4-lengths defeat and should feature.   

Race 6
WHITELEY steps up in trip after staying on well in his last outing over 1850M. The blinkers get re-fitted for today’s run and these may keep his mind on the task on hand and get him across the line for the lions share. TORRENS returns from a 10-week rest which was taken immediately after his disappointing last effort. He did win his penultimate outing over eleven furlongs and should be a runner here.  MELTED MOMENTS tried to make every post a winning post last time out over 2100m before eventually fading in the closing stages. He has a wide draw to contend with, but he may adopt the same tactics today in an attempt to overcome that disadvantage. SAN FRANCISCO won last time out over the c&d and will be hoping to complete the double here.

Race 7
McCORMACK stayed on well in the latter stages of his last outing over this trip and although he has a wide draw to overcome, he should give a good account of himself here. Although LIGULATE finished eighth last time out over this distance, he was just 1.9L behind the winner at a stronger center. In addition, he was hampered at the 250M mark during that race. His wide draw is of concern, but with a bit of luck in running, he could trouble the former. BOBBING was a tad disappointing last time out over seven furlongs, but he will be hoping to bounce back to his better form today. ASHMAN steps up in distance but is drawn in pole position and he could be looking for this greater test of stamina.


Race 8
ALL HOLLYWOOD is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has her peak run now and a repeat of her comeback effort over 900M would make her a big runner here. HARD MERCHANDISE was immediately rested for 25 weeks after his disappointing last run. If he is able to reproduce his penultimate effort over this trip and if not in too much need of the run, he should be taken seriously in this field. STOOGE won his last outing over 900M to crack his maiden victory. He steps up in trip, but there is nothing to suggest that this will not be within his grasp. DUBAI HARBOUR lacked a strong finish in his last outing over five furlongs, in heavy going, and he may be better suited to a firmer surface.