Bathurst Tips – 8 June 2021

Race 4

MATERNAL GIFT has finished second in her last two starts, the latest when beaten a short-head over five furlongs. She hit the front at the 100M mark that day and was only collared in the shadow of the post and the form of that race has been franked. She has her peak run after returning from a 20-week break and with the two late scratchings, she now jumps from gate eight.

CHOCOLATE KISSES has finished third and second in her last two outings, the last over seven furlongs, one and a half lengths behind the winner. She attempted to go from jump to wire that day and from draw five, she is likely to adopt similar tactics here. She could prove difficult to peg back if given too much start.

LITTLE ZIPPER showed good improvement to finish fifth in her last start over five furlongs, 1.3L back from the winner. She lost two lengths at the jump, so in theory, should have won that contest. She had a handy draw three and if jumping on terms today and repeating that last effort, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

Race 5

With the three late scratchings in this race, all of whom had winning chances, the door may have opened for the day’s best bet, SMUGGLER’S BAY to record his hat-trick. He is two for two so far, winning both events over five furlongs, the latest by one and a half lengths. He is a speedy sort who dashed clear of the opposition at the top of the straight and was never threatened from that point. He steps up to 1100M, but from his now draw five, he could prove difficult to topple in this line-up.

TAGS has only had the three runs to date but also goes for his trio of victories after winning his last start over 1300M by 1.3l. The form of that race has stood up well with seven runners from that contest subsequently winning. He does return from a 16-week rest and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from gate three, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

CLAY PAN BOOGIE has his first run since a similar 16-week break and has also not had a barrier trial, but he drops in trip after finishing fifth last time out over seven furlongs, just under two and a half lengths adrift of the winner which may be to his liking. He gets draw six and should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky race with a number of runners in with realistic chances of landing the spoils, so some caution is advised, but FEELING MIGHTY may be the one to lead them home. He had his consistency rewarded with a head victory last time out over five furlongs when returning from a 23-week absence. He raced handily and then finished off his race strongly that day. He jumps from gate seven and seems likely to turn in another honest performance here.

SHE’S SMART is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last four starts, the latest when fourth over five furlongs, 2.7L behind the winner, this despite having to be steadied at the 150M pole. She faces a wide draw thirteen out of fourteen, but nevertheless should not be lightly overlooked here as she is likely to be doing her best work late.

SHARPSHOOTER drops back to five furlongs after being slightly disappointing in his last start over six furlongs where he ended up in seventh spot, nearly six lengths adrift of the victor. He did however finish second in his penultimate outing over this trip, just a neck back from the winner. He has a wide draw eleven, but on the plus side, he will have 4kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 7

HENDO’S MAGIC had made steady improvement in his last two outings culminating with a short-head victory last time out over 1700M. He was making good late progress that day, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. He will have to overcome draw ten, but given his style of racing, he should be picking off the frontrunners over the latter stages of the contest.

TELFER followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a fifth-place finish in his last outing over the same c&d, 2.7L back from the winner. He was only run out of it very late that day and although drawn nine, he is likely to use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

QUICK SPIN showed marked improvement when staying on well to finish second in his last start over seven furlongs, two lengths off the winner and the form of that race has been franked with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He jumps from gate five and is likely to enjoy the step up in trip. As such, he should be included in all bets.