Australian Racing Best Bets and Tips – 22 September 2021

Race 4

CREAM RISES missed out on his hat-trick after victories over 1100m and six furlongs when finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, just over five and a half lengths behind the winner, but he had nothing go his way that day. He jumped awkwardly and then had to be checked off the heels of other runners at the 800M mark and then finally becoming unbalanced at the 200M pole. His objection against the second horse was overruled and the result was left to stand. The form of that race has stood up well however with five runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He returns from a 16-week rest but has put in two encouraging barrier trials to prove his fitness. He will have to negotiate gate nine but is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

QUANTICO is drawn one outside the top choice and also missed out on his trio of victories when finishing tenth in his latest outing over six furlongs, seven and a half lengths adrift of the winner and was immediately rested for 38 weeks. It should be noted however that he was reported to be lame in his near-fore after that event. He returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest.

FASTCONI had to be held up between the 300M and 150M before showing solid improvement to end up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L back from the winner and clearly should have finished closer to the victor as a result. He jumps from gate seven and should be right up there when they hit the line.

Race 5

The powerful Chris Waller saddles five of the eleven runners in this race and three of them could fight out the finish and complete the trifecta, but the top pick goes to MIGHTYBEEL who is seldom far off the action and who finished fourth in his last start over a mile, 2.3L behind the winner. He came four-wide into the home straight that day, but still made good late progress over the latter stages and the form of that race has been franked with three runners from that contest subsequently winning. He has his first run since a 21-week break, but he did win his only barrier trial.

SHIBLI finished second in his last run over a mile, 1.8L back from the winner after hitting the front at the 200M mark and being run out of it very late. The form of that race has also been franked and with him starting out of gate five and having his peak run after returning from a 17-week break, he should test his stablemate.

MA AND PA has cracked pole position and showed marked improvement to claim his maiden victory last time out over 1300M by 1.3L, despite hanging out over the last 250M of the race. He takes on stronger here, but should still be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s best bet, OH PLEASE DIANNA has consistent formlines to her name and has finished third in her last two runs, the latest when half a length behind the winner over 1100M. She jumped awkwardly that day, by recovered well to race just behind the leaders and then battled all the way down to the wire. She faces a wide gate eleven out of thirteen, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without burning up too much gas.

ESCAPE ARTIST is another filly who has consistent formline to her credit, finishing fourth last time out over five furlongs, 1.3L back from the winner. She had to be switched at the 300M mark that day and was then further hampered over the closing stages. From her kinder draw four, she could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

NAGS TO RICHES won over this trip three runs back and then finished fifth in her next two outings, the latest over 1100M, 2.7L behind the winner. She found herself at the rear of the field in that contest, but then finished strongly once in the home stretch, only to be awkwardly placed on the heels of other runners over the closing stages. The form of that race has been franked and from gate seven, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

At the time of writing, there had been several late scratchings in the race, leaving just seven runners to face the starter, but this has not made finding the winner that much easier. However, two 5yr old mares could dominate the finish to this race and secure the exacta, but BELLUCI BABE may be the one to lead the pack home. She has finished third in her last three outings over this trip, the latest when one length back from the victor, after staying on well and the form of the race has been franked. She returns from a 13-week absence but did win her only barrier trial and from draw two, she should be right up there in the firing line.

ENFLEURAGE has shown solid improvement in her last two runs, finishing third in the latest over 1100M, just over one and a half lengths behind the winner. She has pulled pole position and if she has continued down that same path of improvement, she should keep the former honest.

BLUE MISSILE missed out on his hat-trick after two victories over seven furlongs when he ended up in third spot last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L back from the winner. He bled that day and has been off the racetrack for some 25 weeks as a result. He returns here after having won his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. With the late scratchings, he now jumps from gate four and should not be lightly overlooked.