Australian racing tips – Sunday 16 July 2023 – Narrandera

Race 5

JUST GO BANG has cracked pole position and has only had the three runs to date, but he has won two of them, the latest over seven furlongs by a head. He returns from a 52 week spell, but has finished third and second in his two barrier trials to showcase his well-being 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. As such, the gelding is made the best bet on the day’s card.

BLACK TAHITIAN showed plenty of toe when finishing second last time out over five furlongs, just over a half length behind the winner, when returning from a 45 week break. He would have come on with that run under his belt and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, he may well emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

VAAROOM was returning from a 27 week absence when ending up in seventh place last time out over five furlongs, four and a half lengths back from the victor, but he ran on strongly from some way back that day, suggesting that the extra ground on offer today will be to his liking. He is drawn one inside the latter and should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

SMART POPPY has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when second over seven furlongs, 0.7L behind the winner, but he was hampered approaching the home turn on that occasion. He faces a wideish draw eight, but he should be doing his best work late and will be hoping to go one better today.

YOUR NOT THE BOSS had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over six furlongs by just under a length, despite overracing in the middle stages. He sat just behind the leaders in that contest, striking the front at the 200M mark and then holding off all the late challengers in the dash down to the line. The gelding is sure to put his pole position to good use.

CHOICE HARVEST is the stable companion to the top choice who won his last outing over six furlongs by a short-head, but he had to weave his way down the home straight, so that effort was full of merit. He will have to overcome a wide draw ten, but on the plus side, he will get 4kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and makes a solid back-up for the yard. 

Race 7

The day’s value bet, BULLET WING followed up his penultimate run victory over seven furlongs with a third place finish next time out over the same trip, 1.8L behind the winner. He hit the front at the 200M mark in that event, but failed to hang on to his lead over the latter stages. The gelding has pulled gate five and will be looking to chalk up his fourth career win.

RUBAN BLEU has consistent formlines to his name, finishing fourth last time out over seven furlongs, just a length back from the winner, but it should be noted that he jumped awkwardly that day and overraced four wide without cover in the early and middle stages, so he had his excuses. The gelding will have to deal with a wide draw thirteen, but he should be right up there when they hit the line.

PRINCE OF HELENA has posted two solid last runs, the latest when fifth last time out over seven furlongs, just under a half length behind the victor and that was at a stronger center. In addition, he had to be held up in the home straight as well as hanging in all the way down to the wire. The gelding is drawn seven and will have the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice.

Race 8

A 5yr old mare and a 4yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but KAPPY’S ANGEL is taken to lead the field home. She tried to go from gun to tape when ending up in eighth place last time out over seven furlongs, just over five and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but the form of that race has worked out well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She enjoys pole position and will also have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

MAGNOLIA BELLE won her penultimate start over five furlongs, then finished fifth next time out over the same sprint trip, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly, but recovered quickly to pick up the lead and was only collared late. She has a useful gate four and should keep the top pick honest.

SEVENTH SEAL is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over five furlongs, 2.3L behind the winner, this after racing three wide throughout. The gelding is drawn one outside the latter, but will have 4kgs removed from his weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.