Australian Racing Tips – Friday 19 August 2022 – Murwillumbah

Best Bet: THE RITZ (Race 7)

Value Bet: AMPHAWA (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5.

NOBLE CAT has only had the four runs to date, recording one win and two second place finishes, but was a tad disappointing when finishing fifth last time out over a mile, two and a half lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center. He gets a handy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line.

ONE FOR BETTY is a 7yr old mare taking on the boys, but she was held up approaching the home turn when ending up in second place last time out over ten furlongs, just under a length back from the winner. She finished strongly that day and from her wide draw eleven and given her style of racing, she 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.

STUCK WITH YOU was bumped at the start and never really got into the race when finishing tenth last time out over a mile, seven and a half lengths adrift of the victor, so that effort is best ignored. He gets a set of blinkers re-fitted for today’s race and if this move has the desired effect, he should be a big runner here, despite having to overcome a wide draw ten.

Race 6.

PARKSVILLE has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over six furlongs, 0.8L adrift of the victor. The gelding kicked clear of the opposition at the 150M mark that day, but was just snared on the line. He jumps from a useful gate four and looks to be the one to side with here.

IN AWE OF ME is a 5yr old mare taking on males and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, having to weave through the traffic, before ending up in second place last time out over 1050M, just a head off the winner, so can be considered an unlucky loser. She will jump from a wideish draw eight, but she should give the boys a good run for their money.

V J DAY completed his hat-trick three runs back when winning over six furlongs and then finished fifth in his latest outing over five furlongs, just over two lengths behind the winner when racing up with the speed. From gate six, he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

Race 7.

The day’s best bet, THE RITZ has won half of his twelve starts to date and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1350M with a second place finish next time out when stepping up to a mile, 0.7L behind the winner. He was forced wide approaching the home turn that day, costing himself valuable ground, but still stayed on well over the closing stages. He gets a cozy draw two and could prove hard to topple in this line-up.

MORETHANNUMBERONE put his disappointing penultimate run over seven furlongs behind him when finishing third last time out over a mile, just over a length and a half back from the leader. He made good late progress from some way back that day and although drawn wide in gate eleven, he should be doing his best work late and as such, could emerge as the immediate danger to the top choice.

BADOOSH was slow away and came four wide into the home stretch when finishing fourth in his latest outing over nine furlongs, just under three lengths adrift of the victor. From his kinder draw seven, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 8.

AMPHAWA won over a mile three runs back and finished eighth last time out over seven furlongs, 6.8L back from the winner, but that was in very heavy going and the form of that race has stood up well with four runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He has also finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trail and will have ex-SA jockey Sean Cormack in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. His draw three will do him no harm and he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

ASCOT EXPRESS has finished third in his last two outings, the latest over six furlongs, just over a half length back from the winner, notwithstanding being slow away, losing two lengths at the jump. He has pulled gate five and should be one for the short list.

PRETTY DEVINE is a 4yr old filly taking on boys, but she finished second in her latest start over six furlongs, just under half a length behind the winner, when returning from a 23 week absence and the form of that race has been franked. She will have to deal with a wide draw eleven, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much energy.