Winning Form sharea all of their best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Tuncurry on 11 December 2023.
Best Bet: SONOFDEC (Race 6)
Value Bet: HELLFIRE EXPRESS (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
1 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
3 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
7 |
| 6 | 3 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
JACK OF ACES showed solid improvement to finish fourth last time out over 1350M, 1.2L behind the winner, when returning from a 24-week break. He jumped awkwardly that day and then overraced in the early stages, but still managed to stay on over the latter stages. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw nine, but he should be doing his best work late.
BRAZEN ARTIST found a good finish to end up in third place when making his debut over six furlongs, four lengths back from the winner, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be right up there when they hit the line, despite facing a wider gate fourteen.
SIDENAY raced four wide without cover when finishing in fifth place last time out over 1100M, four lengths off the winner. He was returning from an 18-week absence on that occasion and from draw twelve, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
Race 6
SONOFDEC has only had two runs to date, finishing sixth on debut over six furlongs and then showing the expected improvement to win next time out over seven furlongs, by putting four and a half lengths between himself and the opposition. He delivered a powerful finish in that event to win going away and whilst taking on stronger here, the way he delt with the field would indicate that he has more to offer. As such, from a handy draw three, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
FIOPROSPERO was returning from an 18-week rest and two barrier trials when winning his maiden race by one and a half lengths last time out over seven furlongs. He finished well from some way back in that event and having pulled a wide gate thirteen, he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.
OAKFIELD EAGLE is another who won his maiden race last time out, but in his case, by 4.3L over a mile. He jumped awkwardly that day, but recovered quickly to race second, before kicking clear approaching the home turn and just lasting long enough in the dash down to the line. The gelding will have to overcome a wide gate eleven, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas.
Race 7
KING’S DUTY disappointed last time out when finishing twelfth over 1500M, just over seven and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but that was at a stronger centre. He was immediately rested for 20 weeks and returns here after finishing second in his only barrier trial. The gelding jumps from gate seven and looks to be the one to side with here.
OAKFIELD BADGER has only had three runs to date, finishing second first time out over six furlongs, then a disappointing next effort when stepping up to 1300M, before winning last time out over five furlongs by 1.3L. He showed plenty of toe in that contest and from a useful gate four, he could chalk up a quick double.
CHESTIME is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she goes for her hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and the latest over 1300M by a half-length. She raced just behind the pace in that event, before powering home over the latter stages. She has her first run after a 22-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest. She will have to deal with a wide draw of seventeen, but nevertheless, she should be included in all bets.
Race 8
The day’s value bet, HELLFIRE EXPRESS had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over seven furlongs, albeit by just a head. He went from gun to tape that day, just managing to hold off all the late challengers. The gelding has his peak run after returning from a 20-week break and faces a wideish draw eight, but he is likely to employ front-running tactics again today.
MCKEON is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has cracked pole position and has won two of her last three outings, the latest over 1450M by 1.3L, despite being hampered at the start and being held up between the 400M and 200M mark. The form of that race has been franked and she will be looking for her third career victory here.
DUE DILIGENCE won his penultimate start over six furlongs and then raced three wide without cover when finishing fifth next time out over seven furlongs, 1.2L behind the winner, but he did stay on well that day. On the other hand, he is drawn wide in gate fifteen, but he should not be lightly dismissed.
