Australian racing tips – Monday 29 July 2024 – Albury

Race 6

STAR BLAZER went from jump to wire to win his second race last time out over 1600M, putting five and a half lengths between himself and the opposition and the form of that race has been franked. He will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and from draw seven, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. The gelding could prove hard to reel in and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

NATS ENOUGH won over 1500M three runs back, finished third in his penultimate start over 1600M and then second in his latest outing over 1500M, beaten just a neck. He hung out on the home turn in that event, but chased hard all the way down to the wire and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding is drawn wide in gate nine, but on the plus side, he will have 4kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice and could prove to be the biggest threat to the top pick.

RABBIT STU showed marked improvement to win his last start over 1600M by two lengths. He has pulled gate six and will be having his peak run for his new trainer and returning from a lengthy 51-week break and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. However, the race may be dominated by a 4-year-old filly and two mares, with the three completing the trifecta, but SHOOTING FOR STARS could be the one to lead the field home. She made good late progress when finishing second in her latest outing over 1000M, just a half-length behind the winner, when returning from an 11-week rest and she would have come on further with that run under her belt. The filly does face a wideish draw eight, but she seems capable of chalking up her sixth career win here.

CLEVER ART overraced in the early and middle stages and understandably had little to come over the closing stages to end up in eleventh place last time out over 1400M, six lengths back from the winner and was immediately rested for 23 weeks. She returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways, jumping from her handy draw two.

KAPPY’S ANGEL gets a useful gate four and is seldom far off the action and raced three wide throughout when finishing third last time out over 1000M, just one and a half lengths back from the winner. The mare gets the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice and should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 8

STUBBYHOLLER missed out on his hat-trick three runs back, finished second in his penultimate start over 1400M and then ended up in fourth spot last time out over 1500M, just under two and a half lengths off the winner. He stayed on well that day after coming four wide into the home straight and the combination of pole position and having 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, makes him the one that they all must beat, to give apprentice jockey Holly Dugan her second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top choice win the opener.

COPPERFIELD has consistent formlines to his name and has finished second in his last two starts for his new trainer, the latest over 1400M, just a head off the victor. Whilst drawn wide in gate nine, he should nevertheless still turn in another honest performance today.

RUPERTS RED ROCKET has won two of his last three starts, the latest over 1200M, by a neck, this after coming the widest of them all into the home straight, before delivering a powerful finish over the latter stages. The gelding will have to overcome a wide draw thirteen, but he should be doing her best work late.

Race 9

The day’s value bet, SWEET PAREE is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she goes for her hat-trick after two victories over 1400M, the latest by a head, despite overracing towards the back of the field throughout. She finished strongly to get up in the shadow of the post and from her cosy draw two, she could provide 2kg claiming apprentice jockey Holly Durran with a red-letter day.

BANNOCKBURN was having his first run for his new trainer and returning from a 45-week spell when finishing third last time out over 1175M, one and a half lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He has pulled a wideish gate eight, but he should be right up there when they hit the line.

SMART POPPY completed his hat-trick when winning last time out over 1400M, albeit by just a short-head. The gelding raced wide throughout but still managed to find a good finish over the closing stages. He is drawn one inside the latter and could continue his winning ways today.