Australian Racing: Thursday 18 March 2021 – Newcastle

Winning Form brings you all of their best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing taking place at Newcastle, Australia. 

Best Bet: TESTIMONIAL (Race 5)

Value Bet: SENOR TOBA (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5-8). – Cost: R54.00

Race 5.

With the late scratching of one of her main rivals, the door may have been opened for TESTIMONIAL to secure her maiden victory. She has been getting closer to the winner in each of her three starts to date, the latest when fourth over six furlongs, just over a length behind the victor. She was making good late progress that day and whilst having to negotiate a wideish draw seven, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. BRIGANTINE finished sixth on debut over 1100M, 4.7L back from the winner after two encouraging barrier trials. She battled all the way down to the wire and would have learnt from the experience. With the natural improvement that can be expected, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice, this despite being drawn the widest of them all in gate fifteen. IN THE BLINK was bumped at the 250M mark before ending up in fifth place when making her debut over 1100M, just over four lengths adrift of the winner, but the form of that race has been franked to strengthen her claim for top spot. She faces a wide draw thirteen, but with a bit of luck in running she could threaten the top two selections.

Race 6.

MR MOZART is a 2yr old colt taking on older horses, but he won by a length on debut over 1100M and could be almost anything. He raced five wide on the turn that day and was hanging in over the closing stages, which makes the victory that much more encouraging. He would have come on further with the run under his belt and whilst facing gate nine out of ten, he nonetheless looks to be the one that they all have to beat. RUSTIC STEEL has had just the two runs to date and followed up his debut victory over 1100M with an eighth place finish next time out when dropping to five furlongs, just over two lengths behind the winner. He did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day and was also reported to have been cut into. He gets gate eight and a set of blinkers fitted for the first time today. If these have the desired effect, he should be right up there when they hit the line. TIM’S PRINCIPAL returns from a 19 week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials to showcase his well-being, finishing third in the first and second in the latest. He has consistent formlines to his name, finishing third in his last start over six furlongs, just over a half length back from the winner. He has a handy draw two, as well has getting 3kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.

Race 7.

ALL HALLOWS’ EVE had her consistency rewarded with a two length victory last time out over six furlongs. She finished strongly that day and given that she is drawn the widest of them all in gate ten, she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start picking off the frontrunner over the closing stages of the contest. She has her peak run here after returning from a 20 week break and should turn in another honest performance. CELESTIAL DOLL missed out on her hat-trick when finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, five and a half lengths behind the winner and was immediately rested for 23 weeks. She returns here after two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. She has a far kinder draw two and gets the services of ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham to aid her cause. CANADIAN SPICE won her maiden race last time out over six furlongs by a head, this despite being hampered in the home straight. She is drawn in gate five and although taking on stronger today, she could be up to the task at hand.

Race 8.

The day’s value bet, SENOR TOBA showed the expected improvement when winning by almost two lengths over the mile journey at the second time of asking. He hit the front at the 150M pole that day and then went on to draw clear of her rivals over the latter stages to record a comfortable win. The form of that race has stood up well and despite facing draw seven, he may prove too good for this field. MEMBERS ONLY finished a half length second when making his debut over six furlongs and then went on to record a comfortable 2.8L win his next start over seven furlongs. He has pulled gate two and looks to be the biggest danger to the top choice. MARNIX is seldom far off the action and was hampered twice in the straight before ending up in third place last time out over 1300M, just under two and a half lengths adrift of the victor. He gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time today and if these have the desired effect, he should be right up there in the firing line. He does need to overcome draw nine, but nevertheless, he should be included in all bets.