International Racing: Thursday 24 December 2020 – Australia

Winning Form brings you all of their best bets and tips Thursday’s race taking place in Australia. 

Thursday 24 December 2020 – Wagga. 

Best Bet: TEJORI (Race 6) 

Value Bet: CERTAIN SHAFT (Race 7) 

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R54.00

Race 5

MELLORS had finished second over this mile journey in his two runs prior to ending up in third place last time out over 1500M, just over three lengths behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and reverts to what might be a more suitable distance. He has gate seven and looks to be the one to side with here. WYANGLE was a half length winner of his last start over 1660M when stepping up from a second place finish the time before that over 1300M. He hit the front as they entered the home straight that day and then fought off all challengers over the latter stages of the contest. He is drawn one outside the top choice and has his peak run after returning from a 28 week break. SUPREME POLARITY jumped awkwardly and was then hampered in the straight before finishing seventh last time out over 1500M, just over four lengths back from the winner. He jumps from gate five and with better luck in running today, he should be right up there when they hit the line.  

Race 6

TEJORI is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her credit, finishing second last time out over five furlongs, two lengths adrift of the victor. She jumped awkwardly, but recovered well to finish strongly that day, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to her liking. She spread a shoe in that last start which would have also affected her chances. She has cracked pole position and has her peak run here after returning from a 21 week rest. As such, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. FOREVER NEWYORK showed solid improvement to win his last outing over six furlongs by a neck, this despite coming three wide into the straight. He battled all the way down to the wire in that race and from draw five, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick. SCOUT steps up in trip after staying on well to finish fourth last time out, just under two lengths behind the winner when returning from a 21 week rest and two barrier trials. The colt has a handy draw three and should be involved in the finish.  

Race 7

CERTAIN SHAFT has won two of his last three runs, the latest over this distance by nearly a length. He overraced in the early stages, but then hit the front at the 200M pole to post an encouraging victory. He has pulled gate three and is made the value bet on the program. ASWAAT is a 3yr old filly taking on males. She drops in trip after finishing sixth in her last outing over a mile, 2.8L back from the winner, but she did finish seventh three runs back, just 2.2L behind the winner over this seven furlong journey, so this should not be an issue. She will have to negotiate draw ten, but does appear to prefer the seven-furlong trip. OUTAHAND is seldom far off the action and has finished second in his last two outings, the latest when a short-head behind the winner over the seven furlongs. He faces a very wide draw nineteen, but he is likely to be dropped out of the race in the early stages and then start picking off the frontrunner over the losing stages of the contest.  

Race 8

VIA CONDOTTI is a 5yr old mare taking on boys, but she had finished second over 1900M and then recorded two thirds over this distance in her last three runs, the latest when three and a half lengths back from the winner. She only saw daylight at the 300M pole that day and was finishing off her race well. She is drawn in gate seven and should give the males a good run for their money. ATHENA’S LAD steps up in distance after winning twice over a mile in his last three outings, the latest by a neck, notwithstanding the fact that he was hanging over the closing stages. He has pulled gate four and should be right up there in the firing line. HUNTLY CASTLE had finished third in his last two runs over a mile before being a tad disappointing last time out when ending up in tenth position over nine furlongs, 4.8L behind the winner in a stronger center. He did however stay on over the latter stages of the race and whilst having to overcome a wide draw seventeen, he should be doing his best work late and should be included in all bets.