Australian Racing Tips – Monday 8 May 2023 – Taree

Best Bet: BETTER NOT BITTER (Race 6)
Value Bet: POLISHED (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R54.00

Race 4

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 connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected. Of the raced runners, three 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish and complete the trifecta, but MISCHIEVOUS MOLLY may prove to be the best of them. Her three runs to date have yielded two seconds and a third-place finish, the latest, one of those seconds over six furlongs, one length behind the winner, when returning from a 17-week rest. She showed plenty of toe that day and was only run out of it very late. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and although drawn the widest of them all in gate thirteen, she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. 

PAIR OF HEARTS has finished third in three of her last four starts, the latest over seven furlongs, just over a half-length back from the victor. She finished strongly from some way back that day and from a handy draw two, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

CAVALLA BELLA has cracked pole position and was crowded at the 1200M mark when finishing ninth last time out over ten furlongs, 6.8L back from the winner, so she had an excuse. She has her first run for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here.

Race 5

CENOTES had finished second in his three runs prior to ending up in fifth place last time out over six furlongs, 3.3L off the winner, but he was crowded straightening, before finishing off his race well. The gelding is drawn wide in gate thirteen, but he should be doing his best work late.

SPRING WELLNESS made good late progress to finish second in his latest outing over six furlongs, just under a length behind the winner. He jumps from a kinder draw five and has his peak run for his new trainer after returning from a 69-week spell and 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.

THE PERCENTAGE raced four wide without cover and hung in down the home straight when finishing fifth last time out over five furlongs, 2.7L back from the winner. The gelding is drawn wide in gate nine, but nevertheless should be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s best bet, BETTER NOT BITTER had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1500M when putting 3.7L between himself and the opposition. He came three wide into the home straight on that occasion but struck the front at the 175M mark to win going away. He does take on stronger here, but is drawn in gate five and may well be up to the task at hand.

LA VESUVIUS was also a winner of his maiden race last time out, but in his case over seven furlongs, by just over a half-length. He fought back well after being headed in the home straight that day and despite a wide draw nine, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

YOUR TEMPTATION disappointed in his latest outing over 1500M, finishing ninth, just under fifteen lengths adrift of the victor, but his jockey felt that there was something amiss with his mount and eased him out of the race, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding gets a useful gate two and will have his peak run after returning from a 20-week absence. He will be hoping to bounce back to his better form to be involved in the finish.

Race 7

POLISHED has consistent formlines to his name and was returning from a 20-week break when going from jump to wire to win his last start over 1425M by 4.2L, notwithstanding over racing in the early stages. The form of that race has been franked and although drawn wide in gate ten, he is likely to adopt the same tactics today and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

REBEL’S EDGE shifted out and was bumped at the 100M pole when finishing third in his latest outing over a mile, just under a half-length back from the winner, so can be considered an unlucky loser. The gelding has pulled a wideish gate eight, but he should keep the top pick honest.

SENSHI followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a second-place finish next time out over the same c&d, just under a half-length back from the winner. He attempted to go from gun to tape that day and from a wide gate eleven and with him having 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he is likely to attempt the same frontrunning tactics here.