International Racing: Thursday 23 April 2020 – Newcastle

Winning Form bring you all of their best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Newcastle. 

Other international racing tips for Wednesday
Bunbury
Kilmore
Townsville
Pakenham
Neil Morrice Tips

Best Bet: GOGOL (Race 1)
Value Bet: ELABORATE (Race 2)

Cost: R225.00

Race 1
GOGOL has finished third in his last three runs, the latest two being over seven furlongs. He steps up to 1500M today, but this should not be an issue and he looks to be the one that they all have to beat here. SHE’S SO SAVVY is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys and she too goes the extra ground, but she has consistent formlines to her name and from pole position she may pose the biggest threat to the former. MAGNATE is a 4yr old filly who has her second run after a 20-week rest. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, she should be respected. COSTA ZOU is another 5yr old mare. She is a long-time maiden who may battle to topple the top three selections.

Race 2
HISTORY took the lead from the jump and held off all challengers to win her maiden race last time out over this distance. She takes on stronger here, but may prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages. MADAM LEGEND also won her last start to record her maiden victory. That was over six furlongs, but she was not too far back in her penultimate outing over this distance and should feature here. CLEAR BLONDE won on debut over 1300M. She was friendless in the betting market that day, so perhaps she is better at the race track than at home. She would have learnt from the experience and could pose a big threat to the top two selections. SMART SUCCESS won her maiden race last time out over 1300M. She like to race handy and should not be overlooked today.

Race 3
ELABORATE stayed on well in his last outing over this c&d when stepping up in distance. A repeat of the effort would see him right up there when they hit the line. KARMAZONE takes a set up in distance, but he made late progress in his last outing over a mile and on that effort, he is likely to enjoy the extra distance on offer today. CHIEF KIDDER is looking for his hat-trick and takes another jump up in distance. From his handy three draw, this is very much on the cards. INTO THE OBLIVION just missed out on his trio of wins last time out when running on in the latter stages over this c&d. He should be involved in the finish here.

Race 4
Only four of the twelve entrants in this race have had runs and as is always the case in these types of events, a close eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to how the various stables think of their chances of winning. Of the raced runners, ALREADY BLESSED may prove to be the pick. He showed the expected improvement second time out over this trip and will jump from gate two. STOICAL finished fifth on debut, 2.6L behind the winner over five furlongs. He would have come on with the run under his belt and should be right up there in the mix. FINALLY REALISE has had three solid barrier trials and has cracked pole position. KINLOCH has put in four encouraging barrier trials, but he does have a wide draw to negotiate.

Race 5
DEVAN has put in two solid performances over this distance and was only beaten a half-length in his latest outing when well supported in the betting market. He will be looking to make amends here. PITJARA is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she was only just behind the winner when making her debut over 1100M. She would have learnt from the outing and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the biggest threat to the top selection. LADY HERBERT is another 3yr old filly. She returns from a 17-week break, but she has had a barrier trial to prove her fitness and should be considered today. DUTY was not far back last time out over 1300M and a repeat of his penultimate effort over this trip would make him a big contender in the race.

Race 6
BIG BAD BRUCE finished strongly to win his last start over this c&d, going away and will be hoping to complete the double here, jumping from his handy draw. TAPICONIC, although finishing fifth in his last outing over six furlongs, was just 1.8L behind the winner. He was staying on that day, suggesting that the extra ground will be to his liking. FAVRA was just over two lengths behind last time out over six furlongs, but will get 2kg removed from his allocated weight thanks to his claiming apprentice. From draw three, he should be respected today. HILDALGO has a wide draw to deal with, but he has early gate speed which he should put to good use and may be able to get a good running position without expending too much energy.

Race 7
A tricky contest ends off today’s proceedings and some caution is advised. The very tentative choice goes to TROPHIES GALORE who is a 4yr old filly taking on males. Her last two efforts over this trip, the latest being at this venue, have been encouraging and she is sure to put in another honest performance here. ULYSSES has his first run after a 15-week rest and drops in distance, but he won the last of his two-barrier trials to confirm his well-being. BOMBASAY was three lengths behind the winner last time out over 1300M and is likely to enjoy the drop in trip. His gate five will do no harm. EMPEROR’S STAR is a 3yr old filly who faces a wide draw. She does, however, possess early gate speed which she should employ to get across without using up too much energy.