Australian racing tips – Sunday 18 August 2024 – Wyong

Race 5

There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected. Of the raced runners, HERE COMES HOGAN may well prove to be the best. He has finished second in his last two runs and jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner, before having to be switched at the 200M mark, but finishing well to end up getting beaten just a short head last time out over 1000M. The gelding is drawn wide in gate nine, but he should be doing his best work late.

LUNA FIELD is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over 1000M, beaten just a length, this after finishing off his race strongly. He has his peak run after returning from a 20-week rest and gets cheek pieces fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here, jumping from gate seven.

SHARPEN THE KNIVES is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished second in her last four starts, the latest over 1250M, just a half-length behind the winner. She was forced to race three wide without cover that day, but stayed on well over the closing stages and the form of that race has been franked. The filly gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and from one gate inside the latter, she should give the males a good run for their money.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, TRAPEZE PLEASURE showed marked improvement to finish second last time out over 1200M, just a head back from the winner, but he did jump awkwardly, bumping another runner and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 150M mark before finishing well. The gelding gets a handy draw three and looks to be the one to side with here.

A 6-year-old and a 5-year-old mare could chase him home, with the slight preference going to SEBRENCO who has finished third in two of her last three runs, the latest over 1400M, four and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but she jumped awkwardly, finding herself towards the rear of the field and forced to come three wide into the home straight and then hung out from the 200M pole, so she had her excuses. From her gate five she should be right up there when they hit the line.

STRUFF has cracked pole position and jumped awkwardly, before being bumped shortly after the start and was then inconvenienced at the 100M mark. The form of that race has been franked and with better luck in running, he could complete the trifecta.

Race 7

GUZUMPED has consistent formlines to his name and came the widest of them all into the home straight when ending up in second spot last time out over 1900M, beaten just a short-head. He delivered a powerful finish from some way back that day and from gate five, he could provide jockey Tommy Berry his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the previous race.

VEGA MAGNIFICO raced just behind the frontrunners when finishing fourth last time out over 2000M, just over four lengths off the winner. He will have to overcome a wide draw ten, but on the plus side, he will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and he should also use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

LET ME REIGN is a 5-year-old mare taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over 1500M with a third-place finish next time out over 1600M, 4.8L back from the winner, this after coming four wide into the home stretch. She stayed on well on that occasion, suggesting that she should enjoy the extra ground on offer here and with the blinkers being re-fitted and from a useful gate four, she should be included in all bets.

Race 8

INCARCERATED has had four runs to date, posting two wins and a second place, so he clearly has some ability. He goes for his hat-trick here after victories over 1200M and the latest over 1100M by putting five lengths between himself and the opposition, this despite jumping awkwardly, bumping another runner. He kicked clear at the entrance to the home straight and the race was over as a contest from that point. The gelding will have ex-SA jockey Brandon Lerena retaining the ride, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle, and he is sure to put his pole position to good use. He is made the best bet on the day’s card.

BRAVEHEART has only had two runs to date, finishing sixth on debut over 1100M and then showing the expected improvement to win by 0.8L next time out over 1150M and has finished third in a subsequent barrier trial. The form of that last race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and whilst drawn wide in gate fourteen, he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas.

STARMAE is a 4-year-old filly taking on boys, but she won her penultimate start over 1300M and then, although recorded as finishing eighth in her next start, she was just 1.7L behind the winner. It should however be noted that she jumped awkwardly in that event and overraced in the early and middle stages. The filly returns from a 20-week spell, but has won both of her barrier trials to prove her fitness. She has pulled a cozy draw two and will have the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice.