Australian Racing Tips – Sunday 2 April 2023 – Mudgee

Best Bet: HIRAISHIN (Race 5) 
Value Bet: WUNAMBAL (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R54.00  

Race 4

LOVING ANGEL is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she is seldom too far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1100M, 3.8L back from the winner. She showed plenty of toe that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages. She does have her first run for her new trainer and returns from a 58-week break, but she did win her only barrier trial to prove her well-being and 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.

DIVINE SINNER raced just behind the leader and then finished well to end up in fifth place last time out over six furlongs, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner, when returning from a 20-week rest and has won a subsequent barrier trial. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

CANDID is a 3yr old filly who struck the front at the top of the home straight before being collared in the shadow of the post for a head second-place finish last time out over 1100M. She gets the blinkers re-fitted for today’s run and if this move has the desired effect, she should be a big runner here, notwithstanding a wider gate thirteen. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.

Race 5

HIRAISHIN has consistent formlines to his name and had to be held up at the entrance to the home straight, but finished strongly to take third place in his latest outing over 1150M, just 1.3L back from the victor. On that effort he should enjoy the extra ground on offer today and from draw six and with 2kg taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, the gelding is made the best bet on the day’s card.

WANDJINA SPIRIT is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a third-place finish next time out over seven, 2.8L back from the winner. She did race three wide that day, so she had her excuses and from a handy draw three, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

TOULON FACTOR overdid things early in his attempt to race up with the pace and then had little to offer over the latter stages when finishing fifth last time out over a mile, just over two lengths off the winner. He returns here after an 18-week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust and he has a wideish draw eight, but on the plus side, he will get 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, WUNAMBAL won his last start over a mile, albeit by just a short-head. He struck the front at the top of the home straight in that event and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. The gelding returns from a 21-week absence without having a barrier trial, but gets a favourable gate three and looks to be the one to side with here.

OSMAN had fair form prior to being a tad disappointing last time out when finishing sixth over 1350M, six and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but that was in very heavy going, so that effort is best ignored. He is drawn one outside the top choice and has won a subsequent barrier trial.

INDICATIVE sat just behind the leaders when finishing sixth last time out over six furlongs, just under two and a half lengths back from the winner and has finished second in a barrier trial since then. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw thirteen, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas.

Race 7

PYROMANIA was crowded at the 300M mark but was still able to win a short-head when making his debut over five furlongs. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could be the one that they all have to beat, notwithstanding a wide draw eleven.

SCARZEL stayed on gamely when finishing second last time out over 900M and should enjoy the step up in distance. He has pulled a kinder gate five and could be the one to pick up the pieces should the former fluff his lines.

MOTION LEGEND is the stable companion to the top choice and has consistent formlines to his credit. He tried to go from gun to tape before being snared late to finish third in his latest start over seven furlongs, just a length off the victor. He will have to deal with a wide draw sixteen, but he makes a solid back-up for the yard.