Australian racing tips – Saturday 17 August 2024 – Rosehill

Race 7

This looks to be a tricky race to start off the day’s Jackpot with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. KIBOU jumped awkwardly, but recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be run out of it late when not quite going on with his effort over the closing stages, ending up in tenth place last time out over 1600M, 5.3L behind the winner. He returns from a 10-week rest, but has won his only barrier trial and whilst drawn wide in gate ten, he should appreciate the drop in distance.

KAZOU is a 5-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over 1200M with a twelfth-place finish next time out over 1300M, just over five lengths back from the winner, but she overraced in the middle stages and was reported to have returned lame in her off-fore, so a line should be drawn through that effort. She on the other hand has a handy draw two and should be right up there when they hit the line.

BUBBA’S BAY is another 5-year-old mare in the race. She missed out on her hat-trick after two victories over 1200M when finishing third last time out over 1100M, just under a length behind the winner. She was returning from a 16-week rest that day and would have come on further with that run under her belt. The mare jumps from gate five and will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

Race 8

TOM KITTEN has run in Group 1 races in his last three outings, the latest in the Australian Debry where he finished fourth, just over five lengths behind the winner, but he overraced in the middle stages in that event and had to be eased off the heels of another runner at the 500M mark and then came four wide into the home straight. The gelding has cracked pole position and does return from a 19-week break, but he has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. The engaging of champion jockey James McDonald is encouraging, and he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

CHORLTON LANE won over 1400M three runs back, finished seventh in his penultimate start over the same journey and then fifth in his latest outing over 1300M, 1.2L behind the winner, but he was slow away that day, had to be held up at the 250M pole and was then crowded over the closing stages, so he had his excuses. The gelding has finished second in a subsequent barrier trial and from draw seven, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

AMOR VICTORIOUS also won three runs back, but in his case over 1600M, finished seventh in his penultimate start over 1500M and then fourth in his latest outing, again over 1500M, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his useful draw three, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. The gelding returns from a 20-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest to showcase his well-being.

Race 9

The day’s value bet, ENOTIS had his consistency rewarded with a two-length victory last time out over 1800M, this after striking the front at the 300M mark to win going away. He has his peak run after returning from a 21-week spell and jumping from draw seven, he will be hoping to chalk up his fifth career win here.

MATUSALEM jumped awkwardly bumping another runner and then hung out approaching the home turn, but finished best to win his last start over 2000M by just under a half-length. The gelding has pulled a cosy draw three and seems good enough to keep the top pick honest.

ETNA ROSSO is the stable companion of the latter and has consistent formlines to his credit, following up his penultimate run victory over 2100M with a third-place finish next time out over 1800M, just over two lengths back from the winner. He was returning from a 20-week break that day and had to be held up on the home turn, but then finished off his race well. He faces a wide draw seventeen, 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 and makes a solid back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.

Race 10

EL ROCKO missed out on his hat-trick after two victories over 1400M when finishing fourth last time out over the same trip, two and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was slow away that day and forced to race four wide without cover. With better luck in running here, he will be looking to bounce back to winning ways.

NO DRAMA on the other hand will have his hat-trick run after two wins over 1200M, the latest by two and a half lengths. He went from gun to tape on that occasion and from his wide draw ten, it seems likely that he will try to do the same here. The gelding has his peak run for his new trainer and after returning from a 24-week spell.

UP AND UNDER has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when eighth over 1400M, just under two lengths adrift of the victor, when returning from a 19-week rest. He jumped awkwardly in that event, finding himself towards the back of the field, but made good late progress over the latter stages, so his wide draw eleven, may not present too much of an issue.