Australian racing tips – Monday 31 July 2023 – Wellington

Race 4

AUSSIE PHAROAH had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory by 0,8L last time out over a mile. He finished strongly to overhaul the leaders just short of the post that day and whilst taking on stronger and being drawn wide in gate twelve, he should be doing his best work late.

EPIC POEM has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a second place finish next time out over the same journey, two and a half lengths back from the winner, this after racing three wide without cover. The gelding made good late progress that day and from draw seven, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

FROSBIE did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight when finishing eighth last time out over a mile, five and a half lengths adrift of the winner, so that effort is best ignored. The form of that race has however stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from his handy draw two he should not be easily ignored.

Race 5

The day’s value bet, ALL WORDS has won three out of his last four runs and finished second in the other, the latest over six furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. The latest two victories have come since joining his new trainer and from gate six and with him having 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he could prove hard to topple.

ISLAND PRESS is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1700M, 1.2L back from the winner. He returns from an 18 week break, but has won his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. The gelding is drawn one inside the top choice and should turn in another honest performance today.

NOTABADIDEA is drawn in gate seven and raced wide without cover when finishing sixth in his latest outing over a mile, 2.8L back from the victor, but he will have 1.5kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice and he should have no issue with the drop in journey.

Race 6

INEQUALITY was slow away and came the widest of them all when ending up in seventh spot last time out over five furlongs, just under three and a half lengths behind the winner and was immediately rested for 29 weeks. He returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. The gelding gets a useful draw three and looks to be the one to side with here.

Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to YIRRKALA who has consistent formlines to her credit and although recorded as finishing seventh in her latest outing over seven furlongs, was just 2.7L behind the victor. She has cracked pole position and gets the services of a 4kg claiming apprentice.

EVERYONE’S A STAR on the other hand faces a wide draw thirteen, but she won over five furlongs three runs back, finished fourth in her penultimate start over the same c&d and then second in her latest outing over 1100M, just over two length behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly in that event, bumping another runner and then raced three wide without cover, so she had her excuses. She will have 1.5kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice to aid her cause.

Race 7

BABAYKA was hampered at the start and came three wide approaching the home stretch, but stayed on strongly to finish fifth in his latest outing, three lengths behind the winner, so that effort was commendable. He jumps from draw six and will be having his peak run after returning from a 25 week absence and could allow jockey Aaron Bullock to open and close the day’s Jackpot. He is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

Two 4yr old fillies could emerge as his biggest dangers, with the BRIEF STATEMENT being the preferred. She hung out all the way down the home straight when finishing seventh last time out over 1100M, 7.3L adrift of the winner, but she has a cozy draw three and will have 1,5kgs taken off her back for the services of a claiming apprentice.

BOONGARRA GIRL is drawn one inside the latter and will have a greater 2kgs removed from her back for her claiming apprentice and won her last start over five furlongs by just over a length and a half, notwithstanding racing three wide without cover. She struck the front at the entrance to the home straight and then held off all the lates challengers in the dash down to the wire. On that effort, she should be involved in the finish.