Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from Caufield on 22 February 2024.
Best Bet: MR BRIGHTSIDE (Race 7)
Value Bet: RUNNING BY (Race 10)
Jackpot (race 7 – 10)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
1 | 13 | 2 | 8 |
7 | 4 | 15 | 4 |
| 12 | 4 | 10 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 7
MR BRIGHTSIDE is a five-time Group 1 winner and had finished second in three Group 1 races before winning his latest over seven furlongs, albeit by just a short-head. He was returning from a 13-week rest that day and from draw five, he should add to that total here and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
ATTRITION put his disappointing penultimate start over nine furlongs behind him when bouncing back to winning ways next time out in a Group 1 event over a mile, winning by a short-head, despite racing three wide without cover. He finished strongly in that event and whilst drawn the widest of them all in gate eight, he should be doing his best work late. He does return from a 19-week break, but has had the benefit of a barrier trial and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick.
NUGGET finished well when ending up in fourth place last time out in a Group 1 race over a mile, 4.2L behind the winner. He returns here after a 19-week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but the gelding gets a kinder draw two and should be involved in the finish.
Race 8
LADY OF CAMELOT is a 2-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she finished fourth on debut in a Group 3 event over five furlongs and then won a Group 3 contest next time out over 1100M by putting three lengths between herself and the opposition. She was returning from an 18-week absence that day and went from jump to wire, kicking clear of the field at the 300M mark to record a comfortable victory. From a handy draw four, she looks to be the one to side with here.
COLEMAN has won both of his starts, the first in a Listed event over five furlongs, followed by a 2.8L victory in a Group 3 event next time out over the same sprint trip. The colt struck the front at the 100M pole that day to win easing down at the line and from gate seven, he should be right up there when they hit the wire.
ENEEZA followed up his penultimate run victory in a Listed race over five furlongs with a second spot finish next time out over the same trip, 2.8L back from the victor. He jumped awkwardly in that contest, finding himself towards the tail of the field, before finishing off his race well. He jumps from gate five and should be included in all bets.
Race 9
ASFOORA is a 5-year-old mare taking on males, but she is an eight-time winner from sixteen starts, so clearly has some ability. She came five wide into the home straight and was returning from a 13 week rest when ending up in second place last time out in a Group 2 event over 1100M, just a length off the winner. She faces a wide draw eleven, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
KING’S GAMBIT has cracked pole position and jumped awkwardly, finding himself at the back of the field before delivering a powerful finish to win a Group 2 contest last time out over six furlongs by 1.8L. The colt returns from a 20-week spell but had had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest to showcase his well-being.
SGHIRRIPA has won four of his last five starts, the latest in a Group 3 event over six furlongs by three lengths. He sat just behind the leader and then hit the front at the 350M mark, before holding off the chasing pack in the dash down to the line. The gelding has won a subsequent barrier trial and although drawn wide in gate thirteen, he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas.
Race 10
The day’s value bet, RUNNING BY missed out on her hat-trick after victories over seven furlongs and 1500M when finishing fourth last time out over a mile, just over a length behind the winner. She battled all the way down to the wire that day, which was encouraging. 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, jumping from gate six.
VAGRANT, on the other hand, completed her hat-trick when winning her last start over six furlongs by 1.3L, notwithstanding being slow away. She sprinted past the frontrunners at the 50M mark in that event to record her fifth career win. The filly is sure to put her pole position to good use.
ETERNAL FLAME followed up her penultimate run victory over seven furlongs with a fifth-place finish next time out over the same journey, just over a length and a half lengths back from the winner, but she had to be held up between the 500M and 250M marks that day and was then denied a clear run at the 100M pole, so she had her excuses. The filly has pulled gate eight and with better luck in running today, she should be considered a big runner in this line-up.
