Australian racing tips – Sunday 4 December 2022 – Hawkesbury

Best Bet: AWESOME JOHN (Race 5) 
Value Bet: UNRELENTING (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R72.00  

Race 4

MR BINGO has won two of his last four starts, including his penultimate outing over this c&d and then finished third in his latest run over today’s sprint trip, just a head behind the winner. He showed plenty of toe that day and from draw two and with having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he looks to be the one to side with here.

ALPHA GO made good late progress when ending up in second place last time out over five furlongs, 3.8L back from the winner, when returning from a 12-week rest. The gelding is drawn in gate five and should be right up there when they hit the line.

SELHURST PARK had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing when finishing sixth last time out over five furlongs, four and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was bumped shortly after the start and hampered between the 150M and 50M mark, so that effort is best ignored. From his handy draw three, he should be included in all bets.

Race 5

With the late scratching of one of his main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s best bet, AWESOME JOHN to chalk up his second career victory. He won over a mile three runs back and then finished second in his penultimate run and third in his latest outing, all over the same mile journey, 1.7L off the victor. He came the widest of them all into the home straight from some way back that day, but finished off his race well, suggesting that he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here. From his draw six, he could prove hard to topple.

MONASTERY has finished third in two of his last three runs, the latest over ten furlongs, 1.7L back from the winner, but it should be noted that he was bumped at the start and then hung in early in the home stretch, before finally taking another bump at the 300M pole. He is drawn one inside the top choice and is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne and could emerge as the biggest danger to the former.

NYOTA is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she only saw daylight at the 200M mark when finishing fifth last time out over a mile, just over three and a half lengths adrift of the victor. She has pulled a useful draw two and will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so she will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

Race 6

There are seven 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 determine 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 NOT THAT EASY may well prove to be the best. She is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has had two good last runs, the latest when third over six furlongs, 1.3L behind the winner, this despite being held up on the home turn and crowded and eased at the 50M mark, so she could be considered an unlucky loser. She gets draw six and is one of the leading contenders for top honours.

AIR BENTLEY jumped awkwardly and came the widest of them all into the home straight, but stayed on well when finishing fourth on debut over seven furlongs, just under five lengths behind the winner. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should have a say in the outcome of this contest. He does return from a 25-week spell, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest.

SELFLESS ACT is a 3yr old filly who has only had the two runs to date, finishing third first time out over 1100m and then, although recorded as finishing fifth last time out over five furlongs, he was just over two lengths behind the winner, this after jumping awkwardly and being held up on the home turn. He faces a wide draw nine, but with better luck in running, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, UNRELENTING has consistent formlines to his name, finishing fifth last time out over seven furlongs, just over a length and a half behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and was only reeled in close to home. The gelding will have to deal with a wide gate nine, but he is likely to adopt similar tactics today and the drop in distance should be to his liking.

Two 4yr old fillies could chase him home with the slight preference going to ARALE who missed out on her hat-trick last time out when finishing second over six furlongs, just over a length behind the winner, but she was bumped shortly after the start and overraced in the early and middle stages. She is another who will appreciate the drop in trip.

CARARTIE had solid form prior to finishing sixth in her latest outing over 1580M, 23.8L adrift of the victor, but that was in very heavy going and she was bumped at the 1100M mark and raced three wide without cover, so not surprisingly, she had nothing to offer over the latter stages of the contest. She will have to overcome a wide draw seventeen, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much energy. She has her first run after a 17-week rest, but has posted two encouraging barrier trials to prove her fitness.