
Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle on 8 March 2024.
Best Bet: JIMMYSSTAR (Race 7)
Value Bet: BINDI’S CHOICE (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
1 | 6 | 10 | 2 |
2 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
7 | 12 |
| 9 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connections believes that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected. Of the raced runners, NEW PHAROAH may prove to be the best. He had finished second in his two runs prior to ending up in sixth place last time out over 1500M, just under five lengths behind the winner, but he did jump awkwardly that day and overraced in the middle stages. He was immediately rested for 39 weeks and returns here after finishing second in his only barrier trial. The colt jumps from gate six and will be hoping to bounce back to his better form today.
EDITED BY overraced throughout and then hung in down the home straight when finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, just over three and a half lengths back from the victor. If settling better here, he should be a big runner, starting from a handy gate eight.
HEAVEN BOUND is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys and tried to go from jump to wire when finishing second in her latest outing over 1900M, beaten a short head in the shadow of the post. She gets draw eight and is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.
Race 6
A 4-year-old and two 3-year-old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but HELLCIBELL is taken to lead the field home. She goes for her hat-trick after two victories over six furlongs, the latest by three and a half lengths. She went from gun to tape in that event to record a comfortable victory and from a wideish gate eight, she may prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages. The filly does return from a 23-week break, but has finished fourth in her only barrier trial and will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle to give trainer Brett Cavanough the first two legs of the day’s Jackpot.
SKY ARTIST has won two of her last three starts and finished third in the other, so clearly has some ability. She raced three wide without cover, but struck the front at the 200M mark and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the line to record a 1.8L victory last time out over six furlongs. The filly faces a wide draw twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
IMPULSIVITY followed up her penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a third place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 1.8L back from the winner, but she overraced and had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 700M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight, so she had her excuses. She has a useful draw three and should be included in all bets.
Race 7
JIMMYSSTAR missed out on a rare six-timer when finishing second last time out over seven furlongs, just a half-length off the winner. He was taken to the front that day but was run out of it late. However, it should be noted that the gelding was reported to have lost a shoe in running in that event. He has cracked pole position here and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways. As such, he is made the best bet on the day’s card.
UNSPOKEN on the other hand completed his quad when winning his last start over nine furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. He returns from a 16-week rest, but has finished second in his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. Although having to negotiate a wide draw ten, he could be the biggest threat to the top pick.
ACQUITTED has his hat-trick run after two wins over a mile, the latest by 2.8L. He had to be held up at the top of the home straight in that contest but kicked clear of the opposition at the 200M pole and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter, but he should nevertheless be involved in the finish.
Race 8
The day’s value bet, BINDI’S CHOICE is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she won her penultimate start over six furlongs and then finished third over seven furlongs next time out, one and a half lengths off the winner, but she had to be held up at the entrance to the home stretch, before making good late progress over the latter stages. She will have to deal with a wide gate ten, but she will have her peak run after returning from a 20-week spell and should be doing her best work late.
NAVY BLOOD won over six furlongs three runs back, finished second in his penultimate start over 1300M and then seventh in his latest outing over six furlongs, just under four and a half lengths back from the winner behind the winner, but he had to be eased when disappointed for a run at the 100M mark. The colt is drawn one inside the top pick and should be right up there when they hit the line.
BUBA is a 7-year-old mare who had her consistency rewarded with a 2.3L victory last time out over a mile, notwithstanding coming three wide into the home straight. She hit the front at the 150M mark to win going away and from a cosy draw two, she could be good enough to chalk up a quick double.
