Australian racing tips – Friday 20 May 2022 – Inverell

Best Bet: AMPHAWA (Race 6)

Value Bet: HAURAKI GULF (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R90.00  

Race 5.

This looks to be a tricky race to start off the day’s Jackpot with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. The tentative top choice goes to HASALAKE who is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three outings, the latest when third over 1100M, two and a half lengths behind the winner, despite having to be held up on the turn. She made good late progress that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to her liking. From gate six, she may be too good for the males.

SIR PAISLEY has only had the two runs to date and showed some improvement to finish seventh last time out over six furlongs, four lengths back from the winner. He would have learnt further from that experience and with more natural improvement to be expected, he should be right up there when they hit the line, notwithstanding pulling a wide draw thirteen.

STATE CAPITAL raced wide without cover when ending up in eighth place last time out over six furlongs, 5.2L off the winner. He gets gate five and should be able to slot into a more favorable running position today.

Race 6.

AMPHAWA had his consistency rewarded with a one length maiden victory last time out over a mile. He raced just behind the leaders that day before finishing well to claim first prize. He does face a wide draw twelve, but he will have ex-SA jockey Sean Cormack in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle and as such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

JUST JACKY also won his maiden race last time out, but in his case over seven furlongs by a head and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding has an even wider gate fourteen, but on the plus side, he will get 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice to aid his cause. He could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.  

PORTAFORTUNA was slow away before ending up in seventh place in his latest outing over six furlongs, four and a half lengths behind the winner. When questioned after the race, his jockey reported that he felt the gelding needed further. He gets that today and from a kinder draw six, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 7.

The day’s value bet, HAURAKI GULF’S last three runs have yielded a second, third and then a win last time out over five furlongs by 0.8L. He kicked clear at the 150M mark that day and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. He gets a useful draw five and will have 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.

WITHOUT SHAME stayed on well when finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, four lengths adrift of the winner. He has drawn wide in gate eleven, but gets cheek pieces fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

BABAYKA had finished second in his two runs prior to winning his maiden race by 1.8L in his last start over five furlongs. That effort was encouraging as he was bumped down at the start. From his draw seven, he should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 8.

RAPIDS followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a sixth spot finish last time out when stepping up to seven furlongs, 5.7L back from the winner and was immediately rested for 33 weeks. He returns here after having had the one barrier trial and will get the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice. The gelding faces a wide draw eleven, but drops back to what appears to be a more suitable distance and may do better as a result.

KOONDEEMAN is drawn one inside the former and showed marked improvement to win his maiden race last time out over 1100M by 1.8L when returning from a 20 week break. He came three wide into the home straight in that contest, but then produced a strong finish to win going away.

ALL TOO HOLY tried to go from jump to wire before being run out of it late to finish second last time out over 1300M, two lengths back from the winner. He did however stay on over the latter stages and having cracked pole position, he should be included in all bets.