Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Tamworth on 25 December 2023.
Best Bet: SMOKIN’ CRAZY (Race 4)
Value Bet: CHESTIME (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
5 | 4 | 9 | 6 |
6 | 5 | 12 | 9 |
| 9 | 11 | 3 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 4
SMOKIN’ CRAZY is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her name, finishing third last time out over seven furlongs, just a half-length behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly that day, overraced in the early and middle stages, before not getting the clearest of passages in the home straight, so can be considered an unlucky loser. She jumps from gate six and could be hard to oppose, so as such, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.
TURNAWAY is another with consistent formlines to his credit and after finishing second twice in a row, ended up in fourth place last time out over seven furlongs, just over a length and a half back from the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his handy draw two, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and could be the biggest danger to the top choice.
RURA PENTHE had to weave his way through traffic in the home straight when finishing second in his latest outing over seven furlongs, 2.3L off the winner and has finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial. The gelding is drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve, but he should be doing his best work late to be involved in the finish.
Race 5
CUSTO is a three-time winner from just six starts and followed up his penultimate run victory over 900M with a sixth place finish next time out over five furlongs, 4.7L back from the winner, but he jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner, raced three wide without cover, before hanging out on the home turn and down the stretch, so he had his excuses. The form of that race has however stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from gate five, he could give jockey Aaron Bullock the first two winners in the day’s Jackpot.
A 5-year-old mare and a 4-year-old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to I’M NOT SLEW who is seldom far off the action, finishing sixth last time out over 1100M, just under two lengths back from the winner. She was bumped at the start in that event and that was also at a stronger venter. She is drawn one inside the top pick and should be right up there when they hit the line.
SHOOTING DUCK has only had two runs to date winning them both, the first over five furlongs and the latest over six furlongs by a length and was immediately rested for 22 weeks. She returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and should be included in all bets.
Race 6
There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, TURBO CHARGED may well prove to be the best. She is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she had solid form before being a tad disappointing when finishing eighth last time out over seven furlongs, just under six lengths adrift of the victor. She has moved stables and been rested for 25 weeks, but returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest. She jumps from gate six and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here.
Two 3-year-old fillies could complete the trifecta, but DUBAI BOUND may be the better. She tried to go from gun to tape when finishing second last time out over six furlongs, just a neck behind the winner. She is drawn wide in gate ten, but on the plus side, she will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.
DANCES WITH HOOVES makes her debut, but she is well tried, having had four barrier trials, winning the last two and could be just about anything. She gets draw seven and could make a winning start to her career.
Race 7
A 4-year-old filly and a 5-year-old mare could battle out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s value bet, CHESTIME is taken to lead the pack home. She missed out on her hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and 1300M when finishing second last time out over six furlongs, just one length behind the winner, when returning from a 22-week break. She came the widest of them all into the home straight in that contest, but delivered a powerful finish over the closing stages. She faces a wide draw twelve, but she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.
PULL THE TAIL won over five furlongs four runs back, then finished second in her next two runs and then third in her latest outing over five furlongs, 2.5L adrift of the winner. She showed plenty of toe that day and although drawn wide in gate eleven, she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much gas.
MR WALLACE has finished second in two of his last three runs, the latest over five furlongs, beaten just a head. The gelding raced five wide without cover that day, hitting the front at the 50M mark and then only getting snared in the shadow of the post. He has a wideish draw eight, but he will be hoping to go one better today.
