Australian racing tips – Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle

Best Bet: TAVI TIME (Race 8)
Value Bet: SEMILLION (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 7 – 10)

Cost: R90.00

Race 7

SEMILLION is seldom far off the action and tried to go from jump to wire before finishing second last time out over 1200M, 0.8L back from the winner. He gets a handy draw two and the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

A 3-year-old and a 4-year-old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to STEFI MAGNETICA who has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when second over 1400M, beaten just a short-head and she has finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial. She made good late progress that day and from her wide gate thirteen, she should be doing her bets work late.

TASHI won over this trip three runs back, finished second in her penultimate start over the same sprint trip and then sixth in her latest outing over 1200M, 4.2L behind the winner, but she was bumped shortly after the start in that event and then raced three wide throughout. The form of that race has, however, stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and although drawn wide in gate eleven, she should not be lightly ignored.

Race 8

The day’s best bet, TAVI TIME was crowded shortly after the start, but finished powerfully from some way back to end up in fifth place last time out over 1400M, 2.8L back from the winner and on that effort, he should enjoy the extra ground on offer here. The gelding jumps from gate five and could prove hard to topple.

IKNOWASTAR has finished second in his last two starts and jumped awkwardly, but recovered quickly to take up the lead only to be grabbed late to finish just 0.8L off the winner last time out over 1500M. The gelding is drawn one inside the top pick, will be having his peak run after returning from a 20-week rest and will be hoping to go one better today.

GREBENI missed out on his hat-trick after two victories over 1600M when finishing fourth last time out over 1500M, 2.2L behind the winner, when returning from a 17-week rest. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and whilst drawn wide in gate ten. He should be involved in the finish.

Race 9

PASSEGGIATA is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she won over 1000M three runs back, finished second in her penultimate start over the same trip and then eighth in her latest outing, also over 1000M, 4.8L behind the winner, but she showed plenty of toe that day, before not quite going on with her effort over the closing stages. She was immediately rested for a length of 43 weeks and returns here after winning both of her barrier rials to showcase her well-being. She has pulled draw six and will he be looking for a fourth career victory today.

STORM THE RAMPARTS has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a second-place finish next time out over 1000M, one and a half-length back from the winner. He was returning from an 18-week spell that day and jumped awkwardly, but he gets a set of blinkers fitted for today’s run and if this move has the desired effect, he should be a big runner here, starting from a useful gate two.

MOGO MAGIC had won five on the trot before finishing tenth last time out over 1200M, just under six and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but it should be noted that he was returning from an 11-week rest that day and jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner and then came three wide into the home stretch, so he had his excuses. The gelding jumps from draw seven and should be included in all bets.

Race 10

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. HEURISTIC followed up his penultimate run victory over 1200M with a fourth-place finish next time out over 1000M, just under a length back from the winner, when returning from a 48-Week spell. He battled all the way down to the wire that day and from draw five and with him having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he looks to be the one that they all must beat.

CRUEL SUMMER also won his penultimate outing, but in his case over 1300M and then tried to go from gun to tape when ending up in second spot last time out over 1400M, 1.3L behind the victor, but the form of that race has been franked. The gelding is drawn one outside the top pick and should be right up there when they hit the line.

BAROQUE ROAD was hampered at the start and hung out from the 600M pole before finishing seventh in his latest outing over 1100M, four and a half lengths adrift of the winner, so that effort should be ignored. The gelding has a cosy draw two will be having his first run for his new trainer and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here. He will also be having his first start after a 17-week rest, but has had two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing second in the latest.