Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Randwick on 17 February 2024.
Best Bet: THUNDERLIPS (Race 10)
Value Bet: ESTADIO MESTALLA (Race 9)
Jackpot (race 7 – 10)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
8 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
10 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
1 | 1 | 10 |
|
Cost: R54.00
Race 7
FANGIRL is a 5-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she is a three-time Group 1 winner who finished fourth in another G1 event last time out over a mile, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner, but she came from too far back that day, so that effort should be forgiven. She returns from a 14-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials. Whilst facing a wideish gate eight, she still looks to be the one to side with here.
MILITARIZE is the stable companion to the top choice and is also a three-time Group 1 winner. The 3-year-old colt overraced in the early stages, but stayed on well to finish eighth last time out in the Cox Plate (2040M), 2.3L back from the winner. He has his first run after a slightly longer 16-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing fourth in the latest. From his draw five, he should be right up there when they hit the line and makes a solid back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.
THINK IT OVER has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a sixth place finish next time out in a Group 1 contest over the same journey, 4.8L back from the winner, but he came four wide into the home straight that day, costing himself valuable ground. The gelding has his first run after an 18-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. He jumps from gate seven and should turn in another honest performance today.
Race 8
TIZ INVINCIBLE has won twice and run second in her three starts in Group 2 company but was a tad disappointing when finishing ninth last time out in a Group 1 event over six furlongs, 6.3L adrift of the victor. She did make good late progress in that contest and although drawn wide in gate twelve, she gets the services of champion jockey, James McDonald who will be hoping to complete a quick double in the first two legs of the day’s Jackpot. She does resume after a 15-week absence but has won both of her barrier trials to showcase her well-being.
LEARNING TO FLY won her penultimate start, a Group 2 race over six furlongs and was seriously hampered at the 700M mark, dislodging her jockey last time out in a Group 1 contest over six furlongs. She returns from a 50-week spell, but has won the last two of three barrier trials to prove her fitness. She is drawn the widest of them all in gate thirteen, but the fact that her connections have brought her back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that she still has something more to offer them.
KIMOCHI is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out in the Group 1 1000M Guineas, one and a half lengths back from the winner. She returns here from a 13-week rest, but has finished second in her only barrier trial. The filly on the other hand, has a handy draw three and should be included in all bets.
Race 9.
The day’s value bet, ESTADIO MESTALLA had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over 1500M, albeit by just a head. He struck the front at the 150M pole and then fought off all the lates challengers in the dash down to the wire. The gelding has a useful draw two and will be hoping to chalk up his fifth career victory today.
LOGAN STREET LION was returning from a 19-week break and came four wide into the home stretch when showing solid improvement to end up in fourth spot last time out over 1500M, just over a length off the winner. The gelding has pulled draw five and if confirming that last effort, he should make his presence felt here.
LOUISVILLE is the stable mate of the latter and is drawn one outside him. He followed up his penultimate run win over nine furlongs with a third-place finish next time out over ten furlongs, 1.7L behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. So once again, trainer Chris Waller has a strong hand in this contest.
Race 10
THUNDERLIPS raced up with the speed and had his last race over six furlongs won after skipping clear of the opposition at the 350M mark to ease down approaching the finishing post to record a comfortable two-length victory. He has his peak run after returning from a 12-week break and from pole position, he is made the best bet on the day’s card.
TIME QUEST won over a mile three runs back, finished fifth in his penultimate start over the same distance and then second in his latest outing over nine furlongs, just a length behind the winner. The gelding returns from a 29-week spell, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. He will have to negotiate a wideish draw eight, but he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.
STARMAN has finished third in his last two runs, the latest over seven furlongs, just over three and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but he raced three wide without cover in that event. The gelding will have to deal with a wide gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and should be involved in the finish.
