Australian racing tips – Sunday 25 September 2022 – Bathurst

Best Bet: JACENZA (Race 5)

Value Bet: DESHAWN (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5.

JACENZA put just over two and a half lengths between himself and the opposition when winning over five furlongs on debut and could be just about anything. He finished well from just outside the leader that day, suggesting that he should appreciate the extra ground on offer today. He would also 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, jumping from a handy draw two and as such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

TICKET TO ANYWHERE was bumped shortly after the start when finishing seventh last time out over seven furlongs, 7.2L behind the winner. He faces a wide draw twelve and returns from a 21 week break, during which time he changed stables, but he did win his only barrier trial. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

FOX VALLEY followed up his maiden victory in his penultimate run over five furlongs with a third place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 2.3L back from the winner. He is drawn one outside the latter, but will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. 

Race 6.

The day’s value bet, DESHAWN’S last five runs have yielded one win (in his penultimate outing over 1100M), two seconds and two third place finishes. He finished one of those seconds last time out over 1100M, two lengths off the winner, but he did jump awkward in that contest. He has pulled a wideish gate eight, but on the plus side, he will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

PETAIN goes for his hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and the latest over 1300M by a head. He had to weave his way through traffic down the home straight that day, but got up in the shadow of the post. From draw six, the trio is very much on the cards.

NICCOURETTE has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over 1100M, just a half length adrift of the victor. He sat just behind the leader that day and finished his race off well. The gelding has pulled a useful gate three and could provide Keagan Latham another winner in the Jackpot.  

Race 7.

COGNAC followed up his penultimate run victory over 1550M with a fifth place finish next time out over a mile, 1.8L off the winner. He hit the front entering the home straight that day, but hung in over the latter stages and was run out of it late. He gets draw six and could round off a good day for Keagan Latham.

MARTINI CRUSADER has finished second in four out of his last five runs and won the other, four runs back. He was just over a half length behind the winner in his latest run over today’s journey when attempting to go from gun to tape. He will have to negotiate draw eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

DEEL WITH ME jumped awkwardly and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 250M mark, when ending up in nineth spot last time out over nine furlongs, 4.2L behind the winner and that was also at a stronger center. He faces a wideish gate eight, but nevertheless should be included in all bets.

Race 8.

COMMANDO HUNT has consistent formlines to his name, with two seconds, followed by a third place finish last time out 1100M, just over a length behind the victor, when returning from a 23 week absence. He jumps from gate seven and is likely to turn in another honest performance today.

PHILIPSBURG had finished third in his three runs prior to ending up in fourth place last time out over twelve furlongs at a stronger center. He was bumped at the start and then again at the 400M pole that day, so that effort was encouraging. The gelding will have to overcome a wide draw seventeen, but the drop in distance should suit him.

DON’TFORGETMONICA is a 6yr old mare taking on the boys and is the stable companion to the top choice. She showed marked improvement to finish second in her latest outing over six furlongs, just a length behind the winner. She raced three wide without cover that day and then came four wide into the home straight, before finishing strongly. She has won a subsequent barrier trial and although draw wide in gate twelve, she makes a solid back-up for the yard.