Australian Racing Tips – 7 November 2021 – Armidale

Cost: R54.00

Race 4.

DRACHENFELS was a tad disappointing when finishing tenth last time out over 1350M, 4.8L behind the winner, but that was in a minor feature race and he did finish off his race well. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate nine, but he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and should be picking off the frontrunners over the closing stages of the race. BECKFORD has won two of his last four starts and followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a fifth place finish next time out over the same trip, just over two and a half lengths back from the winner, but the form of that race has been franked. He was hampered down at the start, but stayed on well over the latter stages and from a handy draw two, he should be right up there when they hit the line. The gelding does return from a 17 week rest, but he did finish second in his only barrier trial to prove his fitness. REIBY’S REGENT made good late progress when ending up in third place last time out over 1100M, two lengths adrift of the winner, when returning from a 29 week break. He was friendless in the betting markets that day and from gate four, he should be included in all bets.

Race 5.

The day’s best bet, RUTILANT finished fifth on debut over six furlongs and was immediately rested for 21 weeks, before returning after two barrier trials to win over 1300M at the second time of asking. He hit the front at the 200M mark and then held off the chasing pack over the latter stages of the contest. He gets gate four and could prove had to topple here. GOLDEN POINT won by just over two lengths over 1106M when returning from a 17 week absence, despite being bumped at the start and coming five wide into the home straight, before taking another bump shortly thereafter and then again at the 300M mark. He is drawn one inside the top choice and looks to be the obvious danger. PYRMONT jumped awkwardly and overraced early before ending up in fourth spot last time out over 1100M, five lengths behind the victor. He faces a wide draw eleven, but he does have his peak run after returning from a 33 week break and should be involved in the finish.

Race 6.

LORD MAGNUSSEN was denied a run at the 150M pole, but then finished powerfully to claim second place last time out over 1300M at this track and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He has cracked pole position and could be the one to side with here. DEEP MIRROR is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she put her disappointing penultimate effort in heavy going firmly behind her when finishing second in her latest outing over seven furlongs, one and a half lengths back from the winner. She had to be held up at the 200M mark that day, so that effort was encouraging and whilst having to overcome a wideish draw seven, she should give the males a good run for their money. PRODIGAL PRINCE has consistent formlines to his name and overraced in the early stages last time out, but still managed to make good late progress to end up in sixth place in his last start over a mile, just over three and a half lengths off the winner. The gelding has his first run for his new trainer and is drawn one outside the latter, but on the plus side, he will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 7.

SCOUT was forced wide approaching the home turn, but still ran on well to finish second in his last outing over 1100M, one length back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked, with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He jumps from draw six and will get 3kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice to aid his cause. As such, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program. FLASHING BOY won his penultimate start over 1300M and then ended up in fifth spot next time out over the same distance, three lengths behind the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be checked at the 300M pole that day. He gets a cozy gate three and returns from a 53 week break, but he did finish fourth in his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. The fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them. C’MON AND LOVE ME is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has only had the four runs to date, finishing third in her two runs prior to winning by 1.7L over this c&d last time out. She has her first run since a 23 week absence and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust. She faces a wide draw seventeen, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and will have 2kgs taken off her allocated weight for the services of her claiming apprentice.