Australian racing tips – Monday 2 January 2023 – Moruya

Best Bet: ESPIRITO (Race 6) 
Value Bet: FIVE KINGDOM (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R72.00  

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 connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either or both of them should be respected. Of the raced runners ROUGE LUNE may prove to be the best. He has only had the two runs to date, finishing third on debut over five furlongs and then fourth next time out when stepping up to six furlongs, just over a length and a half behind the winner. He jumped awkwardly that day and then overraced and was forced to check off the heels of other runners at the 1000M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight. The gelding would have come on further with that run under his belt and whilst drawn in gate seven, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

SANTORINI SUN is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys and is the stable companion to the top choice. She finished well when third in her latest outing over six furlongs, 2.8L back from the victor and was moved to a new yard and rested for 17 weeks. She has her first run for her current trainer without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but if fully settled into her new surroundings, she makes a solid backup for the stable.

DIRECT TARGET finished eighth first time out over six furlongs in soft going, 10.4L adrift of the winner and was immediately rested for 29 weeks. He returns here after finishing fourth in his only barrier trial and does face a wide draw twelve, but he would have benefitted from the break and should not be easily overlooked.

Race 6

ESPIRITO has consistent formlines to his name and finished fourth in his latest start over six furlongs, just over a length and a half off the winner. That was at a stronger centre where he raced just behind the leader before staying on well over the closing stages. He has pulled gate five and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

DELIGHTFUL DREAM has cracked pole position and has finished second in four out of his last five outings, the latest over five furlongs at this venue, 1.3L behind the winner. He made good late progress in that contest, suggesting that he should enjoys the extra ground on offer today and he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

FANGELA followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a sixth-place finish next time out over 1100M, 3.2L back from the winner, but he hung out approaching the home turn and came four wide into the home stretch. He was also reported to have been lame in his near-hind. The gelding will have to negotiate draw nine, but he has his peak run after returning from a 20-week break and will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, FIVE KINGDOM’S last four runs have been at stronger centres and he raced three wide without cover when finishing sixteenth last time out over a mile, just over seven and a half lengths behind the winner, so that effort should be ignored. He has pulled a wide gate twelve, but nevertheless, he may prove too good in this company.

TORETTO is the stablemate to the top choice who won his penultimate run over seven furlongs and finished thirteenth in his next start over the same journey, just under seven and a half lengths back from the victor, but he had to be checked shortly after the start that day and then came the widest of them all into the home straight. From his kinder gate three, he represents a solid backup for the yard.

HIGHLY DESIRED was returning from a 17-week absence when finishing tenth last time out over 1300M, four lengths behind the winner, but he did come three wide into the home stretch and was also hampered at the 200M pole. The gelding is sure to put his pole position to good use.

Race 8

LAST QUEST has drawn pole position and had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over this c&d, albeit by just a head. He lost a length at the start on that occasion but finished well be got up in the shadow of the post and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He has his peak run after returning from a 21-week spell and looks to be the one to side with here.

DIRECT AFFECT had to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the 400M mark and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 200M mark, but finished off his race strongly, so that effort was encouraging. From gate six, he should keep the top pick honest.

BUDDEROO BLITZ dwelt and lost two lengths, but delivered a powerful finish to win his last start over seven furlongs at this track by 1.3L. The gelding gets a useful gate three and should be a big runner here.