Australian racing tips- Monday 6 February 2023 – Muswellbrook

Best Bet: ZORIA’S HERO (Race 5) 
Value Bet: EXTRA FLASH (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00  

Race 4

BRIDGET WENLOCK is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she attracted plenty of betting support when finishing second last time out over a mile, just over a half-length behind the winner. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and from her wide draw fourteen, she is likely to attempt similar tactics today and will be hoping to make amends here. She will also be having her peak run after returning from a 21-week break. 

SMARTAWI had consistent formlines to his name prior to finishing tenth last time out over a mile, eight and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but that was in heavy going and he was crowded at the 200M mark, so that effort is best ignored. 

CROATIAN MADAME is a 5yr old mare who showed solid improvement to finish third last time out over seven furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner. She raced just behind the leaders that day before making good late progress over the closing stages. From one gate outside the latter, she should be included in all bets. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that he can win first time out. Any betting support for the gelding should be respected.

Race 5

ZORIA’S HERO was returning from a 94-week spell when winning his maiden race by 0.8L last time out over six furlongs. He delivered a powerful finish that day and despite being drawn the widest of them all in gate fourteen, be is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. The fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them. 

FINAL STATEMENT on the other hand has pulled a handy draw two. He has finished closer to the winner in each of his last four runs, the latest when second over seven furlongs, just a neck off of the victor and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice. 

MIANDELLE is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she has cracked pole position. She raced three wide from the 600M pole, but still managed to stay on well to end up in third place last time out over this c&d, 2.3L back from the winner. She has her peak run after returning from a 32-week break and she should be involved in the finish. 

Race 6

The day’s value bet, EXTRA FLASH is seldom far off the action, staying on well to finish sixth last time out over 1100M, just under one and a half lengths behind the winner. He will have to negotiate draw seven, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. 

JUMEIRAH BEACH goes for his hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and the latest over seven furlongs by 0.7L, notwithstanding hanging out on the home turn and racing green down the straight. He jumps from a useful draw two and the trio is very much on the cards. 

LIGHTFAST had his consistency rewarded with a win last time out over six furlongs, by just over a half-length. The gelding faces a wide draw ten, but he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race. 

 Race 7

There are six unraced runners in the field and the form of those who have run is certainly not strong, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners RILEY PARK may well prove to be the best. He was returning from a 26-week absence and jumped awkwardly when finishing fourth in his latest outing over 1100M, just under two and a half lengths behind the winner. On that effort and from gate six, he should enjoy going the extra trip today. 

TAKING THE MIKKI showed plenty of toe when finishing second last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L back from the victor and will be having his peak run after returning from a 21-week break. The gelding faces a wide draw fifteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. 

KOKOSHNIK is a 3yr old filly taking on boys first time out, but she has had the benefit of three barrier trials, winning the latest. She gets a cosy draw two and she won’t have to be a superstar to win against the raced runners here.