Australian racing tips – Saturday 02 April 2022 – Randwick

Best Bet: NATURE STRIP (Race 8)

Value Bet: SNEAKY FIVE (Race 10)

Jackpot (race 7 – 10).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 7

HITOTSU is looking for his hat-trick after victories in the Victoria Derby (Group 1) over 2500M and the Australian Guineas (Group 1) by just under half a length when returning from an 18 week break. He finished well that day and is sure to enjoy the extra ground on offer here. From his handy draw four, the trio looks very much on the cards.

REGAL LION has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three outings, the latest when second over nine furlongs in a Group 2 even, one length behind the winner. He jumped awkwardly that day and found himself towards the back of the field, but then made good late progress over the latter stages of the contest. The gelding did finish third in the NZ Derby (Group 1) in his penultimate start, so should relish the greater test of stamina today. He does face a wide draw ten, but he should be doing his best work late.

CASTLEREAGH KID missed out on his hat-trick when finishing sixth last time out in a Group 2 event over ten furlongs, just over three lengths back from the victor, but he never got to the front that day, which is where he like to be, so perhaps he can be forgiven for that effort. He is drawn even wider in gate twelve, but he will be looking to give champion trainer Gai Waterhouse her first win in the Australia Derby.

Race 8

NATURE STRIP is looking to make it three straight wins in this race. He jumped awkwardly, but stayed on well when finishing third last time out in a Group 2 race over five furlongs, one and a half lengths back from the winner and whist draw the widest of them all in gate eleven, he will be having his peak run after returning from a 15 week rest and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

EDUARDO has won two of his last three outings, the latest in a Group 2 event over five furlongs, winning by a head after showing plenty of toe that day and then holding off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. He on the other hand has a cozy draw three and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice. He has also won a subsequent barrier trial to build his confidence.

SHELBY SIXTYSIX has made rapid progress through the divisions and will be looking to secure his hat-trick after two victories over 1100M, the latest by a head in a Group 1 race. He only saw daylight at the 250M mark in that contest, but then finished his race off strongly to get up in the shadow of the post. He will have to negotiate draw ten, but he should be involved in the finish.

Race 9

I’M THUNDERSTRUCK is seldom far off the action and finished second in the All-Star Mile last time out, one and a half lengths behind the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be held up at the 600M mark that day, so should have finished closer to the winner than he officially did. He jumps from draw eight and with better luck in running today, be may be the one that they all have to beat.

FORBIDDEN LOVE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys who completed her trio of victories in her last start in a Group 1 race over 1500M by 1.3L, despite having to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the six-furlong pole and coming three wide into the home straight. She faces a wide draw fourteen, but she should use her early gate speed to tack across without expending too much energy.

CONVERGE followed up his penultimate run victory over this mile journey with a second spot finish next time out when stepping up to ten furlongs in a Group 1 event, six and a half lengths off the winner. He raced just behind the leaders that day and whilst no match for the winner, he was a clear second best. From his useful draw three, he should be included in all bets.

Race 10

SNEAKY FIVE won her first three starts, which included a Group 1 race. She then finished fifth last time out over six furlongs when returning from a 19 week rest, but she showed determination in battling all the way down to the wire. She gets gate five and if showing the same resolve here, she should be able to bounce back to winning ways.

HELLFEST secured her hat-trick when winning her latest outing over six furlongs, albeit by just a short-head, but that was in a Group 3 contest. She produced a powerful finish that day and given her wide draw twelve, she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the frontrunners in the closing stages of the race.

HERESY is the stable companion to the latter and only secured a clear run at the 300M pole last time out, but then found a strong finish to end up in fourth spot in a Group 1 event over seven furlongs, 1.7L back from the winner. She will have to overcome an even wider draw eighteen, but she should be closing in on the leaders over the latter stages of the race. She looks to be a solid back-up for the yard.