Australian racing tips – Friday 05 August 2022 – Scone

Best Bet: TIDAL RUSH (Race 8)

Value Bet: ANGELA SISTINA (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R90.00  

Race 5.

RHYTHM IS A DANCER has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when a staying on second over 1100M, 0.8L behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He was returning from a 27 week break that day and raced three wide without cover and then came an even four wide into the home straight. The gelding has won a subsequent barrier trial and is drawn wide in gate fourteen, but given his style of racing, he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the closing stages of the race.

A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to STAR IMPACT who although recorded as finishing sixth last time out over six furlongs, was just 2.3L behind the winner, when returning from a shorter 21 week rest. She came four wide approaching the home turn, but then made good late progress over the closing stages. The form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. From draw seven and with having 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to her claiming apprentice, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

PAVITRA hung out over the latter stages when doing well to finish fifth on debut over six furlongs, just under three and a half lengths back from the winner. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could trouble the top two selections. She faces a wide gate twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 6.

There are six unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, PAR FIVE may prove to be the best. He finished fifth first time out over five furlongs and then fifth again last time out over the same sprint distance, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner, despite hanging in down the home straight. He does return from a 22 week break during which time he was gelded, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest to showcase his well-being. The gelding will have to negotiate gate ten, but he is likely to put in another solid performance here.

CALAMITY FOX has also only had the two runs to date, finishing second on debut over five furlongs and then seventh last time out when stepping up to 1300M, 7.3L adrift of the winner, but he was bumped at the start and hung out entering the home turn. He is drawn wider in gate twelve, but he gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

SHOO SHOO SHOO is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she finished third in her penultimate start over this c&d before being a tad disappointing when ending up in eighth place last time out over six furlongs, 8.2L off the winner. She raced up with the leasers that day, but did not go on with her effort over the latter stages. She gets a wide draw nine, but she is likely to enjoy the drop in distance and should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

Two 5yr old mares and a 4yr old filly could dominate the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s value bet, ANGELA SISTINA is taken to lead the pack home. She had her consistency rewarded with her maiden win by half a length last time out over seven furlongs.  She went from jump to wire that day and the form of that race has been franked. She gets a handy gate five and may prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages of the contest.

TIEMPE PASSATE followed up her penultimate run victory over seven furlongs with a sixth place finish next time out over the same c&d, 2.8L behind the winner, but she had nothing go her way that day. She was slow away, overraced in the early stages resulting in her having to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the 1200M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight and finally hanging out over the latter stages. She has a wide draw eleven, but on the plus side, she will get 1.5kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.

JUST LIKE LISA kicked clear of the opposition at the 350M pole and then held off all the late challengers to win her maiden contest last time out over a mile by 1.3L. She raced just behind the leaders that day and from her wide gate thirteen, she is likely to adopt similar tactics today.

Race 8.

TIDAL RUSH put his disappointing penultimate effort firmly behind him when finishing second last time out over seven furlongs, just a half length behind the winner and the form of that race has held up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He attracted plenty of betting support that day and from a useful draw three, he will be hoping to make amends today. As such, the gelding is made the best bet on the day’s program.

LONELY POWER has posted two solid last runs, the latest when finishing third over six furlongs, just under a length back from the winner, notwithstanding having to be eased off the heels of other runners at the 600M mark and being hampered at the 200M pole. He has his peak run after returning from a 23 week absence and from gate five, he could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

ROCKBARTON RUBY is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she won her maiden race last time out over 1300M by one and a half lengths. That effort was encouraging as she was hampered at the 400M mark before finishing strongly. She will have to overcome a wide draw eleven, but she should be doing her best work late.