Australian racing tips – Tuesday 4 January 2022 – Muswellbrook

Best Bet: ALICIA ROMA (Race 9)  
Value Bet: SYMO’S GIRL (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 6 – 9)

Cost: R54.00

Race 6

With the late scratching of one of his main rivals, the door may have opened for FANMALIA to chalk up his fifth career victory. He followed up his penultimate run win over 1300M with a fourth-place finish last time out over a mile, 4.8L behind the winner. He had to be held up at the 400M mark that day but made good late progress over the latter stages of the race. The colt gets a handy draw two and has his peak run after returning from a 23-week break.

HIGHJACKER is drawn one outside the top choice and put his disappointing penultimate effort firmly behind him when winning by a short-head last time out over a mile, despite being slow away and having to come four wide into the home straight, as well as his jockey putting up 0.5kgs overweight.

REBEL’S EDGE in turn is drawn one outside the latter. He won his penultimate outing over six furlongs and then did not get the clearest of passages when ending up in fourth place next time out over seven furlongs, three and a half lengths back from the winner, but did finish off his race well when finally seeing daylight at the 200M mark. The form of that race has been franked and he should be included in all bets.

Race 7

TRUMPSTER had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1100M by 0.8L. He finished well that day and the form of that race has been franked. He takes on stronger here, but does have a cosy draw four and may well be up to the task at hand.

ROCSTAR BOY won his penultimate run over six furlongs and then had nothing go his way when finishing sixth next time out over 1100M, just over three lengths off the winner. He overraced and hung in the early stages, had to be held up at the top of the home straight, denied a clear run at the 250M mark and then finally, became unbalanced at the 100M pole. He jumps from gate seven and has his peak run after returning from a 25-week break and should not be overlooked.

ELECTED took the lead at the 650M mark and then held off the chasing pack to claim a 1.3L victory last time out over 1500M and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He does return from a 14-week rest but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing sixth in the latest. The gelding faces a wide gate eleven but should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, SYMO’S GIRL is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished second in three of her last four starts, the latest over 1300M when beaten a head. She attracted plenty of betting support that day and kicked clear of the field turning for home, only to be collared in the shadow of the post. She has cracked pole position and she should give the males a good run for their money.

THE CHOSEN ONE was eased out of the race in his penultimate outing and found to have cardiac arrhythmia and was also reported to be lame. He was rested for 38 weeks and then finished second over six furlongs on his return, just under a half length behind the winner. He jumps from draw four and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a setback would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them.

Although JUTLAND is recorded as finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, he was just 0.8L off the winner. He overraced in the early stages and had to be held up between the 200M and 100M marks, before staying on well over the closing stages. From gate six, he should be right up there in the mix.

Race 9

Two 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and secure the exacta, but the day’s best bet, ALICIA ROMA could lead the pack home. She put five and a half lengths between herself and the opposition when making her debut over five furlongs and could be just about anything. She hit the front at the 250M pole that day and the race was over as a contest from that point. She gets draw two and could prove hard to topple in this line-up.

MABEL has her first run since a 17-week break and has not had a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but she won over this sprint distance three runs back and then finished fourth last time out over 1100M, 2.7L adrift of the victor. She may be better over this shorter trip and could prove to be the biggest danger to the top pick.

GREENHEART has finished second in his last four outings over sprint distances, the latest when just under half a length behind over five furlongs. He is drawn one inside the latter and will be hoping to go one better today.