Australian racing tips – Monday 8 January 2024 – Moruya

Best Bet: ZOUATICA (Race 7)
Value Bet: LONDON GAL (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R54.00

Race 5

FORTY FOUR CUBITS is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had two runs to date, winning on debut over five furlongs and then finishing fifth next time out over the same sprint trip, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner. She showed plenty of toe that day, but never really went on with her effort over the closing stages and was immediately rested for 37 weeks. She returns here without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from draw seven, she looks to be the one to side with here.

SEAL TEAM SIX has won two of his last three outings, the latest over six furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. He won from the front that day and whilst returning from a shorter 25-week break, he has finished fourth in his only barrier trial. The gelding gets a handy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line.

QUIRE is another 4-year-old filly in the race. She stayed on well when ending up in fourth place last time out over five furlongs, three and a half lengths back from the winner when returning from a 20-week absence. She would have come on further with that run under her belt and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

LONDON GAL is a 6-year-old mare taking on males and went from jump to wire to win her last start over 1300M by a half-length. The drop in trip will be to her liking and from a useful draw two, she is likely to attempt similar tactics today and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

MR ROCK IT followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with an eighth-place finish next time out over the same distance, 5.8L adrift of the winner, but that was at a stronger centre. He has his peak run for his new trainer and from returning from a 21-week rest. The gelding faces a wide gate ten, but he should turn in another honest performance today.

ICONIC DAME is a 5-year-old mare who had to be held up in the home straight when ending up in third place last time out over 1300M, just a length back from the victor, so can be considered an unlucky loser. She is drawn one outside the latter and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s best bet, ZOUATICA is a four-time winner from eight outings and won his penultimate start over seven furlongs and then finished sixth next time out over the same journey, 3.2L off the winner. He jumped awkwardly in that event, bumping another runner, but recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be run out of it over the latter stages. He has his peak run after returning from a 24-week spell and whilst drawn wide in gate thirteen, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

MOSGOLD is a 4-year-old filly taking on boys, but she has won two of her last three starts and finished second in the other, so clearly has some ability. Her latest victory came over seven furlongs by a half-length, going from gun to tape. The filly has pulled gate seven and could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

KOKORO bumped another runner shortly after the start, raced three wide without cover and then came four wide into the home straight, before staying on well over the latter stages. He has his first run after a 15-week rest, but did finish fifth in his only barrier trial and from his wide draw twelve, he should be doing his best work late.

Race 8

MISSILE LEADER has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a sixth-place finish next time out over seven furlongs, just over a length and a half back from the winner. He finished well from some way back on that occasion and returns here from a 17-week rest without having had a barrier trial, so his fitness will need to be taken on trust. 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.

ROUGE LUNE is seldom far off the action, finishing second in his last two runs, the latest over seven furlongs, beaten just a half-length. He was slow away that day, overraced and had to be eased in the early stages, but still managed to make good late progress over the latter stages. The gelding resumes after a shorter 14-week rest, but has finished second in his only barrier trial to prove his well-being.

HELLO JACK missed out on his hat-trick after two victories over six furlongs when finishing twelfth last time out over 1300M, 12.3L adrift of the winner, but he jumped awkwardly on that occasion and was trapped three wide without cover, so he had his excuses. The gelding has his first run after a somewhat longer 31-week spell, but did finish fifth in his only barrier trial. Despite a wide gate twelve, he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.