Australian racing tips – Monday 16 May 2022 – Tamworth

Best Bet: MIRROR QUEEN (Race 6)

Value Bet: EXTRA FLASH (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5

FIVE CROWNS has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over seven furlongs, just under a half length adrift of the victor, but he had to be held up early in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 250M mark, before finishing off his race strongly. The form of that race has been franked and from gate seven, he looks to be the one that they all have to beat.

MARTIAN QUEEN is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she had her consistency rewarded with a head victory last time out over a mile. She battled all the way down to the wire that day and from one gate outside the top choice, she should give the males a good run for their money.

SURJIN put his disappointing penultimate run over eleven furlongs behind him when finishing second in his latest outing over seven furlongs, beaten by just a short-head. The gelding overraced in the early part, taking a bump in running, but stayed on well over the closing stages, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. He jumps from draw six and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

A 3yr old and a 4yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s best bet, MIRROR QUEEN is taken to lead the pack home. She won over 1350M on debut, putting 3.3L between herself and the opposition and could be just about anything. She came three wide approaching the home turn that day, but struck the front at the 200M mark to effectively put the contest to bed at that point and the form of that race has been franked. She will have to negotiate a wide gate fifteen, but nevertheless she could prove too good for this field.

FIENDISH followed up her penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a fourth place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 6.8L adrift of the winner, but she was trapped wide without cover that day, so that effort is best ignored. She is the stable companion to the top choice and also gets a wide gate, in her case draw ten, but she makes a solid back-up for the yard.

PUERTO RICO is drawn one outside the latter and went from jump to wire to win his last start over seven furlongs by 0.7M. He returns from a 21 week break and has his first run for his new trainer, but did finish third in his only barrier trial. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here.

Race 7

Just like in the previous race, two fillies could dominate the finish to this race, but in this case, both are 3yr old to secure the exacta, but ANGELICAL is given the nod for top spot. She has won all three of her starts to date, over a variety of different distances, the latest over 1750M by just over a length and a half. She came three wide approaching the home turn in that contest, but struck the front at the 250M pole and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. She has pulled draw five and does return from an 18 week break, but did finish third in her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being.

IRRESISTIBLE MISS tried to go from gun to tape and was only grabbed late when ending up in second place last time out over six furlongs, just over one and a half lengths back from the winner. She is drawn one inside the top pick and should keep her honest.

DEMEURER is looking for his hat-trick after two victories over today’s trip, the latest by a head. He raced just off the pace that day and then wore the leaders down over the latter stages of the race. The gelding will have to overcome a wide draw sixteen, but 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.

Race 8

EXTRA FLASH stayed on well, but was bumped at the 100M mark when finishing second last time out over 900M, just a short-head behind the winner and immediately lodged an objection against the winner for that interference. After considering all the evidence, the objection was over-ruled and the result stood. The gelding has cracked pole position and will have the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program.

SHARKIM jumped awkwardly when ending up in fourth spot last time out over 1100M, 4.2L adrift of the victor, but he showed plenty of toe in that race and was also reported to have been cut into on his off-fore, so that effort was encouraging. He has drawn gate seven and gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

TAKETHESHOT was slow away, but was then chased up to settle just behind the leader before ending up in seventh place last time out over five furlongs, four and a half lengths off the winner. He will have to deal with a wide gate twelve, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much energy.