Australian racing tips – Monday, 19 May 2025 – Port Macquarie

Race 5

GEMOLOGIST is a 2yr gelding taking on older horses, but he finished well to get up in the closing stages to win by just under a length when making his debut over 1000M. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could be the one that they all have to beat and from his handy draw four, he is made the best bet on the day’s card. Although BUCK PHAROAH is recorded as finishing nineth last time out over 1000M, he was just under three lengths behind the winner. He made good late progress that day from some way back, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. The gelding is drawn wideish in gate eight, but he should be doing her best work late and could be the biggest threat to the top pick.

LOVE RAT followed up his penultimate run victory over 1000M with a fourth place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 2.7L back from the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be checked at the 400M mark and the form of that race has been franked. The gelding is drawn one inside the latter and will get 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice to be involved in the finish.

Race 6

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 connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for one or the other should be respected. Of the raced runners, BOBBY IS KING may well prove to be the best. He showed solid improvement when finishing second last time out over 1000M, just a length back from the winner, when returning from a lengthy 41 week spell and that was also at a stronger center. He raced just behind the leaders that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages. Whilst drawn wide in gate ten, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

AFRICAN DIAMOND is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she on the other hand has cracked pole position and finished third first time out over 1000M, 4.8L off the winner, but she had to be held up from the home turn to the 125M pole, so she had her excuse. The form of that race has been franked and she would have come on further with that run under her belt.

RISK FOR REWARD has finished second in two of his last three outings, the latest over 1400M, one and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but he battled all the way down to the wire in that event. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide gate twelve, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without too much effort.   

Race 7

The day’s value bet, CALVARY has posted two solid last runs, a third over 1300M followed by a second last time out over 1550M, beaten just a head, when trying to go from jump to wire. From a wideish draw seven, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. The gelding will have 3kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice and although returning from a 22 week break, he has finished second in his only barrier trial.

VIA VEGAS had his consistency rewarded with a just under a three and a half length victory last time out over 1200M. He went from gun to tape that day and from a useful draw four, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

NAUGHTY NURSE is a 3yr old filly taking on boys, but she won her penultimate start over 1400M and then finished eighth next time out over the same journey, 4.3L behind the victor. She overraced in the middle stages that day, before staying on well over the latter stages and the filly is sure to put her pole position to good use.

Race 8

This looks like a tricky race to end off the day’s proceedings with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. ALLHALLOWTIDE was a tad disappointing when finishing nineth last time out over 1600M, 8.7L adrift of the winner, but he shifted out over the latter stages and the form of that race has been franked. He has pulled gate five and will have 3kgs taken off his back for the services of his claiming apprentice Jett Newman, who with trainer Matthew Dunn, could allow the pair to complete a double, should the top choice win the previous race. A 5yr old and a 6yr old mare could follow him home, but PRANCING WITH FIRE may well prove to be the better. She chased hard when ending up in nineth place in her latest outing over 1400M, 3.8L behind the victor and is likely to appreciate the extra ground on offer here. From a cozy draw three, she will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

BELLA KATHLEEN followed up her penultimate run win over 1500M for her new trainer with a second place finish next time out over 1450M, one and a half lengths back from the winner. She jumps from gate seven and will be looking to turn in another positive effort in this line-up.