Australian racing tips – Friday 23 August 2024 – Murwillumbah

Race 5

There are three 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 connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected.

However, they may well have to be good as the day’s best bet, CLIMACTIC looks to be way too good for the raced runners. He has only had two runs to date, finishing fourth on debut over 1100M and then third time out over the same sprint trip, two and a half lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger centre, and he was crowded at the 1000M mark and raced green down the home straight. He was also returning from a 38-week break that day and would have come on further with that run under his belt. The colt gets a handy draw two and could prove hard to topple.

STAVRITZEL is the stable companion of the top choice and has finished third in his last two starts since joining his new stable and returning from a 28-week rest, the latest over 1100M, 2.8L back from the victor, this after overracing in the early and middle stages. The gelding is drawn one outside the top pick and makes a solid back-up for the yard.

HE’S POPLAR jumped awkwardly when finishing fourth on debut over 1100M, one and a half lengths back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He would no doubt have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be involved in the finish, this despite being drawn wide in gate twelve.

Race 6

MAJORELLE has won two of his last three starts, the latest over 1100M by a length when returning from a 23-week break. He went from jump to wire that day and from draw five, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

SURFERS ROYALE showed plenty of toe when winning his last start over 1200M by 0.8l and that was also at a stronger centre. The gelding jumps from a useful gate three and should be right up there when they hit the line.

LADY WARDELL is a 5-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over 1200M, 1.2L back from the winner at a stronger centre, but it should be noted that she jumped awkwardly in that event, bumping another runner. She struck the front at the 200M pole, only to be grabbed over the closing stages. The mare is drawn one outside the latter and should be included in all bets.

Race 7

CRANKY HARRY has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1600M with a fifth-place finish next time out over the same journey, 0.7L back from the winner, but he was crowded at the start on that occasion, before chasing hard all the way down to the wire. He has pulled draw six and could provide the trainer/jockey partnership of Mike Dunn and Jay Bayliss with their second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the opening leg.

SAILOR raced in third spot before finishing strongly to run down the frontrunner to over the latter stages to win his last start over 1600M by just under a half-length. The gelding faces a wide draw eleven, but he should be doing his best work late.

CRAZY TRAIN is a 7-year-old mare taking on males, but she finished well at a stronger centre to end up in fourth place last time out over 1400M, two and a half lengths off the winner, suggesting that the extra distance on offer here will be to his advantage. The form of that last race has been franked and from her cozy draw two, she could complete the trifecta.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, GURU CLASS is a 4yr old filly bumping boys, but she won her penultimate start over 1000M and then finished third next time out over the same c&d, just over three and a half lengths adrift of the victor, when having her first outing for her new trainer and resuming from a 31-week spell. She raced green throughout that day and from gate six and with her having 1.5kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice, she looks to be the one to side within this line-up.

MEAN APPROACH also won his penultimate start, but in his case over 1200M and then ended up in second spot next time out over the same trip, just a length behind the winner, despite jumping awkwardly. He recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be run out of it late. From his wideish gate eight, he could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick.

IMMORTALITY showed marked improvement to finish second in his last start over 1100M, just a half-length behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He now has his peak run for his new trainer and after returning from a 22-week rest and should not be lightly dismissed.