Australian racing tips – Monday 25 July 2022 – Scone

Best Bet: PICCINNI (Race 5)

Value Bet: BAY OF KOTOR (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 4.

POLYLITHIC had solid form to his name prior to disappointing last time out when finishing seventh over 900M, 7.8L behind the winner and was immediately rested for 44 weeks. He tried to go from jump to wire that day, but faded in the home straight. He returns here after finishing second in his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being and whilst drawn wide in gate twelve, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

GEEWIZ JOHNNY has only had the two runs to date, finishing second on debut over 900M and then third last time out over five furlongs, just under a length back from the winner, this despite being bumped at the start. He struck the front at the 250M mark, but was run out of it close to home. He also gets a wide gate, in his case nine, but the gelding should make his presence felt here.

MR BINGO was returning from a 27 week break when finishing fourth last time out over five furlongs, just under two lengths off the victor. He would have come on with that run under his belt and although pulling gate eleven, he should be included in all bets. 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.

Race 5.

Two 3yr old and a 4yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s best bet, PICCINNI is taken to lead the field home. She put nearly five lengths between herself and the opposition to win her maiden race last time out over 2100M. She sat up in fourth place before taking up the running approaching the home turn and then strode away for a comfortable victory. She will have to negotiate draw twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

CRISTALINO’S last four runs have yielded one second and three third place finishes, the latest a third over 2050M, just over six lengths adrift of the winner, but she had to be held up at the 600M pole before making good late progress over the closing stages. She faces a wide gate ten, but based on that last performance, she should appreciate the extra ground on offer here and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

DANCIN’ DUDE shows marked improvement to finish second in her latest outing over twelve furlongs, ending up just under half a length behind the winner. She was slow away that day, but battled all the way down to the wire. From her kinder gate five, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 6.

As with the first leg of the day’s Jackpot, there are a number of unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well. Of the raced runners, ANNULUS may prove to be the best. He has had five runs to date, posting three second and a third place in his latest outing over 1100M, 0.8L behind the winner when returning from a 21 week spell. He jumped awkwardly that day and then came five wide approaching the home turn, before finishing his race off strongly. He gets gate five and will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

THE SEVEN SEAS is a 2yr old filly taking on the boys and older horses. She is drawn one inside the top pick and finished tenth last time out over 1100M, just under five and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but that was in very heavy going and at a stronger center. She resumes after a 21 week rest, but did finish second in her only barrier trial to prove her fitness.

OUT IN FORCE jumped awkwardly and was seriously hampered by a riderless horse when finishing third on debut over five furlongs, three lengths behind the winner. The gelding has pulled gate six and with better luck in running today, he must be considered a big runner here.

Race 7.

The day’s value bet, BAY OF KOTOR is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over seven furlongs, three lengths behind the winner. She tried to go from gun to tape in that contest, but hung out approaching the home turn before staying on well over the latter stages and the form of that race has been franked. She jumps from a handy draw three and could chalk up her second career win in this line-up.

RUSSLEY CROWN won on debut over this c&d three runs back and then ended up in second spot last time out over the same c&d, beaten just a short-head, notwithstanding being crowded at the start and overracing in the early stages. He is drawn in gate six and will be having his peak run after returning from a 25 week absence.

PRINCE AKEEM followed up his penultimate run victory over seven furlongs with a third place finish next time out over 1450M, 1.3L behind the winner, but he was slow away that day, before finishing off his race well. He faces a wide draw eleven, but given his style of racing, he 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.