Australian Racing: Friday 30 July 2021 – Goulburn

Best Bet: GALACTIC WARRIOR (Race 6)

Value Bet: NICCI’S SONG (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R90.00.

Race 5.

This looks to be a tricky race to start off the day’s Jackpot, so some caution is advised. The tentative top choice goes to CRAZY TRAIN who is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she followed up her penultimate run victory with a fourth place finish next time out over seven furlongs, just over a length behind the winner. She did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, but stayed on well over the closing stages. She has gate seven and should be right up there when they hit the line.

DEEL WITH ME missed his hat-trick after wins over six and seven furlongs when finishing eighth in his latest start over seven furlongs, five and a half lengths back from the victor. He was however crowed at the jump and found himself at the tail of the field, but did finish off his race well. From a handy draw three, he should be up in the mix.

PACKER’S BOND on the other hand will need to deal with a wide gate eleven, but he only saw daylight at the 200M mark before finishing strongly to end up in fourth spot last time out over 1500M, two lengths back from the winner. He should be doing his best work late.

Race 6.

The day’s best bet, GALACTIC WARRIOR impressed when winning over six furlongs on debut, albeit by just a short-head. He looked to have no chance of victory at the 200M pole, but really turned it on going through the 100m mark to get up in the shadow of the post. He was immediately rested for 32 weeks, but returns here after finishing second in his only barrier trial and whilst draw in gate nine, he should, on that last run, be mowing down the frontrunner over the latter stages of the contest.

RIVER REECE tried to go from jump to wire last time out over five furlongs, only to be run out of it late to end up in fifth place, three lengths back from the winner. From draw six, he could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

LOCA had solid form before disappointing in his latest outing, finishing eighth over seven furlongs, nine lengths adrift of the victor. He returns from a 20 week break, but did turn in an encouraging barrier trial and has his first run for his new trainer, but if fully settled into his new surroundings, he could be involved in the finish.

Race 7.

There are ten 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, it could be left to one 3yr old and two 2yr old fillies to fight out the finish and secure the trifecta, with SUPRINA taken to lead the field home. She has cracked pole position and put the disappointing penultimate effort firmly behind her when finishing second last time out over five furlongs, two lengths behind the winner. She was making good late progress that day and a repeat of that effort could see her in the winner’s box.

HOT PRESS had excuses when finishing fifth on debut over six furlongs, six and a half lengths back from the winner. She overraced in the middle stages and then was green in the home straight. In addition, her jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight, so she should have finished closer to the winner than she officially did. She jumps from gate five and should be a big runner in this contest.

SHE HULK was a tad disappointing in her last outing when finishing sixth over 1100M, 7.2L behind the winner and was immediately rested for 17 weeks. She returns here after having finished second in her only barrier trial and if repeating her penultimate effort over this distance, she should be included in all bets.

Race 8.

NICCI’S SONG is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she won her penultimate start over five furlongs and then finished fifth next time out over the same sprint trip, 3.3L off the winner, but the form of that race has been franked. She returns from a 16 week absence and has not had the benefit if a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but despite a wideish gate eight, she is made the value bet on the day’s program.

SUPERIOR WITNESS also won his penultimate run over five furlongs and the followed that up with a second spot finish next time out over the same distance, two lengths behind the victor. He tried to go from gun to tape that day and was only collared close to home. From a cozy draw three, he will probably attempt similar tactics today and may prove difficult to reel in.

NOBLE SOLDIER showed marked improvement to finish second in his latest outing over 1100M, 0.8L behind the winner, this despite coming three wide into the home stretch. He will have to overcome a wide draw twelve, but he should be doing his best work late.