A competitive nine-race programme is scheduled for Sunshine Coast on Friday and it is nice to see former South African jockey, Sean Cormack, in the irons. The best bet comes in Race 1 in the form of VALET. He showed good improvement in his first run after a 19-week break. He should strip a much fitter horse today and looks tough to beat.
More international racing tips for Friday
Sunshine Coast
Cranbourne
Kyneton
Port Maquarie
Best Bet: VALET (Race 1)
Value Bet: EFFORT (Race 3)
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Race
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Time
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Conditions
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1st
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2nd
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3rd
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4th
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5th
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|
1
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09:15
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1300m – Maiden Special
Weight |
7
|
3
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5
|
16
|
13
|
|
2
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09:45
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1000m – Class 1
Handicap |
1
|
2
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
|
3
|
10:15
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1000m – Class 1 Handicap
|
7
|
2
|
4
|
1
|
8
|
|
4
|
10:45
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1000m – Open Handicap
|
3
|
7
|
8
|
1
|
4
|
|
5
|
11:15
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1000m – Benchmark 62
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
10
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11
|
|
6
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11:45
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1200m – Benchmark 62
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4
|
9
|
13
|
15
|
16
|
|
7
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12:15
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1200m – Benchmark 68
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13
|
9
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
|
8
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12:45
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1400m – 0 – 60
Handicap |
3
|
11
|
12
|
1
|
5
|
|
9
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13:15
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1600m – Benchmark 58
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10
|
2
|
12
|
4
|
6
|
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Races (6-9)
Jackpot |
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|
1
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Line
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4
|
13
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3
|
10
|
|
8
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Lines
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9
|
9
|
11
|
|
|
54
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Lines
|
13
|
4
|
12
|
2
|
|
96
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Lines
|
15
|
1
|
|
|
|
200
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Lines
|
16
|
5
|
1
|
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Race 1
VALET made the natural improvement when finishing second in his first run back from a 19-week lay-off. He didn’t get off to the best of starts that day, raced wide, but finished his race off strongly. He should strip a much fitter horse this evening and will enjoy the extra distance on offer. Baylee Northdurft will have a better idea of how he likes to race and the pair should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. FROM NOW is a maiden after 19 runs, but he has not finished too far behind the winner in recent outings. His best form has been under tonight’s pilot Daniel Griffin and the pair should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.
Race 2
NO BETTER MOMENT was an impressive winner at Doomben on debut and followed that up with a solid fourth-place finish over this course and distance in his next start. He gets the blinkers fitted for the first time today and the headgear should keep his mind on the task at hand. Daniel Griffin knows the son of Better Than Ready well and the pair should be hard to beat tonight. CLEAR THE BILL has shown good signs of returning to best form in his last two starts. He has a decent record on this track with a win, three seconds and a third-place finish from seven outings. Andrew Spinks has ridden him once for a win and the pair will be looking to keep that record intact tonight.
Race 3
EFFORT is the value bet on tonight’s card. He has produced two fair runs over six furlongs after winning on debut over 1100m. He returns from a 19-week break, during which time he would have strengthened up. He has had a barrier trial coming into this race which means that fitness shouldn’t be much of a concern. He has a good chance of causing an upset in this field. RAPID ACE is lightly raced and has very good form to his name. He won his penultimate start over this course and distance, was given a 63-week break and finished runner-up on his return to racing last time. He should strip a much fitter horse tonight and he gets the services of Sean Cormack, who will give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 4
GYPSY TOFF is a winner of her last three starts over various distances. She has a very good record over tonight’s trip having won five times, finishing second twice and third twice from thirteen attempts. Her conditioner has placed her perfectly and she has a very good chance of notching up four wins in a row. CONNOISSEUR has finished second in both his runs after returning from a 22-week absence. He stayed on well in his last start over 900m. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. His record over tonight’s distance is good with two wins and three-second place finishes from seven outings. He is having his peak run this evening and should be cherry-ripe.
Race 5
NO BETTER MOMENT was a winner on debut and followed that up with a good run over this course and distance next time out. He should have finished much closer last time, but he hung in the home straight. If keeping on a straight line this evening, he should take a power of beating. THE CARPENTER returns from a 21-week break, which may have been what he was looking for. His best form has been on this course, having won once and finished second once from as many outings. The son of Rothesay has had a decent barrier trial coming into this race and he should have no concerns with regards to fitness. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
Race 6
GEE TEE TEE was in need of his last start over this distance at Eagle Farm when returning from a 44-week break. He was bumped at the start, raced handy and stayed on at the business end of the race. It must be noted that two horses from that formline have come out and won since. He is suited to this course and should strip a much fitter horse this evening. The son of Written Tycoon gets the headgear fitted for the first time and should these have the desired effect, he may be tough to beat. THE BLACK TIDE is a filly taking on the males and has not finished too far behind the winner in recent outings. She is having her second run after a rest tonight and should strip a much fitter horse. She merits healthy respect in this contest.
Race 7
ELLA DIVINE has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. She has finished runner-up in her last two starts after returning from a 17-week break. She has won once and finished third twice from five outings on this course. She is having her peak run this evening and should be at peak fitness. From her good draw of three, she may be the one to side with here. DANCING ANGEL has won her last three starts well. She loves racing over this distance with a record of two wins, a second and two third-place finishes from six attempts. Jockey Minonette Kennedy has been aboard the daughter of O’Lonhro in her last three starts and they cannot be ignored.
Race 8
DON’T DESPAIR followed up his maiden victory with a decent effort over this course and distance. He was making steady progress at the finish of that race. It must be noted that the form of that run has been franked. Boris Thornton retains the ride and the pair may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. ZAMZARA is a filly taking on the males and her last three starts have been decent. It must be noted that the form of her last race has been franked. Should the top selection fluff her lines, this daughter of Red Element may be the one to pick up the pieces.
Race 9
DAWSON DELIGHT has been racing in stronger company and was in need of her last start. She takes a drop-in class this evening and should strip a much fitter horse. On best form shown, she should be the one they all have to beat. WARSET has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings and he is having his first run for his new trainer. He was his own worst enemy last time as he didn’t settle over ten furlongs, which suggests that he will enjoy the drop to the mile tonight. It must be noted that two horses from that formline have come out and won since. If switching off early, he may be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.
