Winning Form bring you all of their best bets and tips from Saturday’s racing coming your way from Randwick on 18 December 2021.
Best Bet: FRANCESCO GUARDI Race 7)
Value Bet: MUCH MUCH BETTER (Race 9)
Jackpot (race 7 – 10).
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
8 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
5 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
1 | 1 | 12 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 7
FRANCESCO GUARDI has consistent formlines to his name, having finished second twice over 1500M in his last two outings, the latest when beaten a short-head, but he had nothing go his way that day. He jumped awkwardly, overraced in the middle stages, had to be eased off the heels of other runners at the 1000M mark, came four wide into the home straight, before hitting the front at the 200M pole, only to be collared in the shadow of the post. He will have to negotiate gate eight, but with better luck in running he could prove difficult to topple and as such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
AMICA is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three runs, the latest when fourth over 1300M, just under a length adrift of the victor. She jumped awkwardly that day and found herself at the back of the field and had to come five wide into the home stretch, but made good late progress over the closing stages. From her handy gate two, she should give the males a good run for their money.
SPEED LEGEND was slow away and overraced in the early stages, but stayed on well to end up in third place last time out over seven furlongs, just a half length behind the winner. He jumps from a wide draw ten, but he should be doing his best work late.
Race 8
BIGBOYROY has finished second in his last three outings, the latest over this seven furlong journey, beaten just a head. He battled all the way down to the wire in that contest and the form of the race has been franked. The gelding has cracked pole position and looks to be the one that they all have to beat.
BOTTEGA is seldom far off the action and although recorded as finishing seventh last time out, he was just over two and a half lengths back from the winner. He gets gate eight and returns from a 28 week break, but did win his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. He should turn in another honest performance today.
FROSTY ROCKS has his first run after a shorter 13 week rest and has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. He is drawn one inside the latter and raced up with the leaders before finishing sixth last time out over 1500M, 2.2L behind the winner. He should not be easily overlooked in this line-up.
Race 9
The day’s value bet, MUCH MUCH BETTER followed up his three length victory over 1300M in his penultimate run with a fourth place finish next time out over six furlongs, beaten 0.8L. He jumped awkwardly, but then raced just behind the leaders into the home straight before kicking clear of the field at the 350M mark, only to be run out of it very late. He has a cozy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line.
TYCOONIST came four wide into the home straight before finishing second last time out over 1100M, beaten just a short-head when returning from a 14 week rest. It should be noted that he was promoted into that spot after a successful objection against the original second place finisher for interference at approximately the 200M mark. in addition, his jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight, which makes that effort that much more encouraging. He does face a wide draw ten, but he should keep the top choice honest.
GEE TEE TEE had his consistency rewarded with a short-head victory last time out over six furlongs, when returning from a 19 week absence. He found a strong finish that day and from draw seven and with having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he should be considered a big runner here.
Race 10
THE BOPPER showed marked improvement when finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, just under a length and a half behind the winner and was immediately rested for 42 weeks. He returns here after having had four barrier trials, winning the latest 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. He gets the blinkers removed for the first time and his pole position will do him no harm.
EASY SINGLE won over five furlongs three runs back and has then posted two solid last efforts, the latest when finishing second over 1100M, just a head behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He jumps from a cozy gate four and the drop in trip should be to his liking.
LEO goes for his hat-trick after two victories over this c&d, the latest by 2.8L and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He faces a wide draw eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. The gelding returns from a 10 weeks absence, but did win his only barrier trial.to prove his fitness.
