Australia Racing Tips – Thursday 19 August 2021 – Hawkesbury

Race 5.
There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, IMPULSIVE TYCOON may prove to be the best. He has finished third in his last three runs, the latest over five furlongs, just over two lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He does return from a lengthy 36 week break, but he did win his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. He has a wideish gate eight, but should be right up there when they hit the line. OTELO has cracked pole position and showed marked improvement when finishing seventh last time out over 1100M, 2.8L back from the victor when returning from a 15 week rest. He was repeatedly denied a clear run in the home straight that day and also had to be steadied at the 100M mark, so should have finished closer to the winner than he eventually did. The colt is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne and should not be lightly overlooked in this line-up. WITH YOUR BLESSING overraced in the early and middle stages before ending up in fifth place last time out over seven furlongs, 4.8L adrift of the winner. He has his first run since a shorter 19 week rest and has put in two encouraging barrier trials. He will have to overcome a wide draw sixteen, but should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 6.
This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. A VERY FINE RED is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys and returns from a 17 week absence, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in both of them. She won over 1100M on debut and then finished fourth next time out when stepping up to six furlongs, just under a length off the winner. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and was only run out of it very late. From her gate eight, she is likely to adopt similar tactics today. CONRAD followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a seventh place finish next time out over seven furlongs, six lengths behind the winner, but he did come three wide into the home stretch that day. He resumes after a slightly longer 19 week break, but he has had the one barrier trial, which he won, to prove his fitness. He drops to what appears to be a more suitable trip and although having to negotiate draw eleven, he should be doing his best work late. FLYING CRAZY jumped awkwardly and then overraced in early stages before finishing off his race well to win by a short-head over 1100M when making his debut. He does take on stronger here, but he would have learnt from that experience and could well be up to the task at hand, jumping from his gate five.

Race 7.
With the late scratching of his stable companion and one of his main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s value bet, KUKERACHA to chalk up his fourth career victory. He had his consistency rewarded with a win last time out over twelve furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. He has his first start since an 11 week rest, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest and from pole position, he seems sure to post another honest performance today. BERDIBEK is seldom far off the action and had to be held up between the 600M and 300M before finishing well to end up in fourth spot last time out over 2300M, 0.7L behind the winner. He jumps from gate five and should, once again, be involved in the finish. INVINCIANO is a 6yr old mare taking on males, but she won her penultimate start over 1500M and the went on to finish second in her next outing over the same distance, 0.8L behind the winner. She led the field into the home straight that day and then battled all the way down to the wire. From one gate inside the latter, she should give the boys a good run for their money.

Race 8.
AKIHIRO won his maiden race in his penultimate outing over 1300m and was immediately rested for 17 weeks. He then finished second over six furlongs on his return, just under a half length behind the winner, but it should be noted that he overraced that day and had to be restrained off the heels of other runners at the 900M mark, so he could be viewed as an unlucky loser. He faces a wide draw twelve, but nevertheless he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. JAL LEI is a 3yr old filly taking on boys, but she has only had the two runs to date and showed the expected improvement when winning her last start over six furlongs by 0.8L, despite being bumped shortly after the start. She is drawn in gate ten, but she could well be good enough to record a quick double. COBIA showed solid improvement to win his last outing over six furlongs by just under a half length, given that he only saw daylight at the 150M pole. He has a kinder draw six and has his peak run since returning from a 27 week break.