Australian Racing Tips – 19 November 2021 – Grafton

Best Bet: RELUCENT (Race 9)

Value Bet: DELIBERATION (Race 10)

Jackpot (race 7– 10).

Cost: R90.00

Race 7.

HARLEQUIN FIELD came three-wide into the home straight but stayed on well when showing marked improvement to finish third last time out over six furlongs, just under a length behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He was friendless in the betting markets that day, but if he is able to confirm that last effort, he should be right up there when they hit the line, jumping from pole position. HAURAKI GULF on the other hand is poorly drawn in gate twelve, but he had his consistency rewarded with his maiden win by 2.3L last time out over five furlongs. He went from jump to wire that day and is likely to use that early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. GREY ENUFF showed plenty of toe when winning on debut by just under a half-length over 1100M at this track. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he may prove good enough to chalk up a quick double. His far kinder draw five will do him no harm.

Race 8.

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. The tentative top choice goes to ALF’S MAGIC who went from gun to tape when putting four lengths between himself and the opposition to win his maiden race last time out over five furlongs at the third time of asking. He was returning from a 17-week rest that day and from his handy draw two, he looks to be the one to side with here. TABULAM followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a fourth-place finish next time out over 1100M, 1.7L back from the winner, but he had nothing go his way that day. The gelding was bumped at the start, had to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the 600M mark, bumped again on entering the home stretch and then finally being steadied again at the 200M pole, so under the circumstances, he did well to finish as close to the winner as he eventually did. He faces a wide draw ten, but with better luck in running today, he should make his presence felt in this line-up. WUDDACUDDASHUDDA is drawn one inside the latter and made solid improvement to finish sixth last time out over six furlongs, 1.7L adrift of the victor. He jumped awkwardly that day, but recovered well to lead the field, before staying on well over the closing stages and the form of that contest has been franked. He gets a set the cheek pieces fitted for the first time today and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

Race 9.

The day’s best bet, RELUCENT put his disappointing effort three runs back firmly behind him when victorious last time out by 1.3L over 1500M. He sat right up with the leaders on that occasion and then kicked clear of the field at the 200M mark to put the race to bed at that point. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of the contest subsequently winning. He gets a cozy gate three and he will be hoping to notch up his fourth career win today. TOP ME UP AGAIN has put in two solid last runs, finishing second in the latest over this distance, 1.8L behind the winner. He came four-wide into the home straight that day, but still finished his race off strongly. From gate six, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick. IN HEART’S WAKE is a 6yr old mare taking on the boys, but she showed good improvement to win her last start over this c&d by 0.8L when returning from a 26-week break, despite coming three-wide into the home straight. She is drawn one outside the latter and should give the males a good run for their money.

Race 10.

DELIBERATION has consistent form lines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a second spot finish next time out over this c&d, 0.8L off the winner. He jumped awkwardly in that race, but struck the front at the 200M pole, only to be run out of it very late. He jumps from gate five and should post another honest effort here, and as such, is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card. APACHE BLUE has an even better gate three and came five-wide approaching the home turn before finishing strongly to end up in seventh place last time out over six furlongs, three and a half lengths behind the winner, but on that effort, he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here. WHITTINGTON STONE is drawn one inside the latter and finished eleventh last time out over seven furlongs, four lengths behind the winner, but there have been no less than six winners come out of that race, so that effort may not be too bad. He returns from a 20-week break but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest to prove his well-being and should be included in all bets.