Australian Racing Best Bets and Tips – Scone – 21 December 2021

Best Bet: EZEKEIL (Race 7)

Value Bet: DYNASTIC (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7).

Cost: R120.00  

Race 4.

There are six 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 any of 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, two 3yr old and one 4yr filly could fight out the finish to the race and complete the trifecta, but MISS MILTON may prove to be the best of the trio. She has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three runs, the latest when second over 1100M, beaten just a head. She hit the front as the field entered the home straight that day and was only grabbed in the shadow of the post, with the form of that race being franked. She jumps from gate seven and should be right up there when they hit the line. LOUISIANA IRIS has consistent formlines to her name and battled all the way down to the wire when finishing second last time out over six furlongs, just a length behind the winner. She will have to negotiate draw eleven, but she should be competitive in this line-up. WILLIAMS BAY is drawn one inside the latter and overraced in the middle stages when ending up in seventh place last time out over six furlongs, 5.2L back from the winner, but the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She has her first run after a 16 week break, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing third in the latest to prove her well-being.

Race 5.

As with the previous race, there are six unraced runners in the field, so the same comment with regards to the betting moves on the first timers applies. The race is also made more difficult in that some the more fancied runners have pulled wide draws, so some caution is advised.ROCKBARTON RUBY is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she finished second on debut over six furlongs, just a length behind the winner when making good late progress. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the one to side with here, despite facing a wideish draw nine. COOL LAD only saw daylight at the 280M mark before finishing well to end up in fifth spot last time out over six furlongs, just under four lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center and the form of that race has been franked. He will have to overcome a wide draw sixteen, but he does have his peak run after returning from a 25 week absence. MISS CALCULATION is another 3yr filly in the race. She was slow away and had to be held up at the 250M pole when finishing sixth first time out over 1300M, 3.3L adrift of the victor. She has an even wider gate eighteen, but if she has continued down that same path of improvement, she should be included in all bets.

Race 6.

The day’s value bet, DYNASTIC won over six furlongs three runs back and then finished second over this c&d last time out, beaten just a short-head. He finished strongly that day and from his handy draw four, he should be right up there in the firing line. A 3yr old filly and a 6yr old mare could chase him home, with the slight preference going to THE STORM IN ME who although recorded as finishing eighth last time out over 1300M, was just four lengths adrift of the victor, notwithstanding coming three wide into the home straight. She likes to race up with the leaders, so she should use her early gate speed to move across from her wide gate twelve without expending too much energy. She will have her peak run here after returning from a 12 week rest. SANTA MARGHERITA has won two of her last three outings, the latest over seven furlongs by one length when kicking clear of the opposition at the 200M mark and then holding off all the late challengers. The form of that race has been franked and she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 7.

EZEKEIL had his consistency rewarded with his maiden win last time out over six furlongs by 0.8L and the form of that race looks to be strong, as three runners out of that contest have subsequently won. He took the lead at the top of the straight that day and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the winning post. He returns from a 19 week break, but did finish third in his only barrier trial to prove his fitness. He faces a wide draw fifteen, but he should enjoy the drop in trip and is made the best bet on the day’s program. TUPELAWARA is seldom far off the action and stayed on well when third in his latest outing over five furlongs, just over a length behind the winner. He on the other hand has a cozy draw two and should keep the top pick honest. IMPULSE CONTROL is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys and resumes after a longer 24 week absence, but she has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest. She was forced wide into the home straight when ending up in third place last time out over six furlongs, four and a half lengths behind the winner and with better luck in running here, she should be involved in the finish.