Australian racing tips – Sunday 26 March 2023 –Wellington

Race 5

A 4yr and a 3yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but CHIKY CHIKY MAMA is taken to lead the field home. She won over five furlongs five runs back and has then finished second once and third three time after that, the latest over five furlongs, just a half length behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. She showed plenty of toe that day and is sure to put her pole position to good use.

IN THE AIR TONIGHT has only had the two runs to date, finishing third on debut over 1100M and then making the expected improvement to win next time out over the same sprint trip by just under a length. She raced just behind the leader on that occasion and then struck the front at the 200M mark to win going away. She returns from an 18 week break, but she did win her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being and from gate six, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

DESTINY’S BOUNTY finished seventh last time out over 1250M, 7.7L adrift of the winner, but it should be noted that he was bumped at the 200M mark and was reported to be lame in his off-foreleg, as well as his jockey weighing in 0.5kgs overweight. He returns from a 31 week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust and will also have his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from a handy draw three and having 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 6

FOR VALOUR followed up his penultimate run victory over 1550M with a second-place finish next time out over a mile, just a head back from the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day but was nabbed in the shadow of the post and he has won a subsequent barrier trial. He will have to negotiate draw nine, but he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and prove to be difficult to reel in over the closing stages. As such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

HIGH COURT has consistent form lines to his name and over raced in the early and middle stages, but still managed to stay on well to finish second last time out over nine furlongs, just a length back from the winner. The gelding jumps from gate seven and should turn in another honest performance today.

SEA OF FLAMES is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over a mile, just over a half-length back from the winner, but he had to be held up on the home turn that day and then hung out all the way down the home straight. From his useful gate four and with 2kgs being removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice, the gelding should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

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 connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners STORM THE RAMPARTS may well prove to be the best. He has finished third in all three runs to date, the latest over five furlongs, just under a length back from the winner, but he did race three wide without cover on that occasion and also into the home straight. He did however stay on well over the latter stages and from draw six, he could find his way into the winner’s box.

QUASIMOTO jumped awkwardly and had to be held up on the home turn when ending up in third spot last time out over five furlongs, 3.3L off the winner. He did make good late progress that day and from a wide gate eleven, he should be doing his best work late.

GOLD LOVER is a filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the two runs to date, finishing second on both occasions, her debut over five furlongs and then over the same sprint distance last time out, just a length off the winner. She jumped awkwardly, but eventually struck the front at the 100M pole, only to be nabbed in the last few strides. She faces a widish draw eight, but she should nevertheless be included in all bets.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, BOOM BOOM BASIL raced just behind the leaders and then did not really go on with his effort when finishing nineth last time out over seven furlongs, just under six and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was reported to be lame after the race, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding has pulled draw six and will be hoping to bounce back to his better form today.

MOETTA is the stable companion to the top choice and is a 6yr old mare taking on males, but she won over 1100M three runs back, then finished second over the same distance in her penultimate start, before being a tad disappointing to end up in eleventh place last time out over six furlongs, just over seven lengths adrift of the victor, but that was at a stronger centre and she hung out in the home straight, getting bumped on several occasions between the 200M and 150M mark. She will have to deal with a wide draw ten, but she makes a solid back-up for the yard.

WASHINGTON TOWERS made solid improvement to finish second last time out over five furlongs, just a neck behind the winner. He travelled just behind the leaders on that occasion and hit the front looking like a winner half way down the home straight, only to be run out of it late. From his kinder draw five, he should keep the top two picks honest.