Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Kembla on 25November 2023.
Best Bet: EMPEROR (Race 9)
Value Bet: CRAFTY EAGLE (Race 10)
Jackpot (race 7 – 10)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
3 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
9 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
1 | 12 |
| 17 |
| 7 |
|
|
| 3 |
|
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Cost: R90.00
Race 7
OSIPENKO had consistent formlines to his name before being a tad disappointing when finishing tenth last time out over ten furlongs, 6.3L behind the winner, but he raced three wide throughout in that contest, and the form of that race has been franked. He finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial and gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.
DETONATOR JACK is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over nine furlongs, just a half length back from the winner, but his jockey was charged with careless riding in the home straight that day. He is drawn one inside the top choice and will also get blinkers fitted for the first time.
CEPHEUS missed out on his hat-trick after victories over 1500M and seven furlongs when finishing second last time out over a mile, 1.3L behind the winner. The gelding was, however, bumped shortly after the start that day, but still managed to make good late progress over the latter stages. From his kinder draw four, he should be included in all bets.
Race 8
This looks to be a tricky Handicap with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. INSURRECTION missed out on his hat-trick after two wins over 1100M, when finishing fourth last time out over the same c&d, 2.8L behind the winner, when returning from a 14 week break. It should however be noted that he jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, overraced in the middle stages and then came three wide into the home straight, before having to be eased at the 150M mark. The gelding gets a handy draw two and will have non- claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons to aid his cause.
DRAGONSTONE’S last three runs have yielded two seconds and a third place finish last time out over six furlongs, 2.3L back from the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his useful draw four, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today. The gelding does return from a 14 week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest.
BRUDENELL had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over six furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. He showed plenty of toe to just hold on long enough to claim his sixth career win. The gelding returns from a slightly longer 16 week absence, but did finish fourth in his only barrier trial. From gate five, he should not be lightly dismissed.
Race 9
EMPEROR has won two of his last three runs, the latest over five furlongs by two lengths, when returning from an 18 week break. He had to be held up at the top of the home straight in that event, but finished off his race strongly and the form of that race has been franked. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
HEADWALL won over five furlongs three runs back and then finished third in his next two outings over the same sprint distance, the latest just 1.3L off the winner, but he was hampered at the 100M mark, so he had an excuse. He returns from a 32 week break, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. From his cozy draw four, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.
MABEL is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she finished second in her last start over 1100M, beaten just a short-head. She was returning from a 16 week rest that day and made good late progress over the closing stages. She has finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial and despite a wideish draw eight, she should be involved in the finish.
Race 10
The day’s value bet, CRAFTY EAGLE has consistent formlines to his credit and overraced wide without cover when finishing second in his latest outing over a mile, 1.3L off the winner. He returns from a 19 week absence, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest and is sure to put his useful draw three to good use.
FALL FOR CINDY is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she is another who has consistent form to her name. She raced just behind the leaders and then stayed on well to finish third last time out over 1500M, just a length and a half behind the winner. She, on the other hand, faces a wide draw seventeen, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much gas.
CONTEMPORARY is yet another who is seldom far off the action, finishing second in his latest start over six furlongs, 0.8L behind the victor. He jumped awkwardly that day, finding himself towards the back of the field, before delivering a powerful finish over the latter stages. The gelding has pulled gate five and will be having his peak run after returning from a 17 week rest.
