Australian racing tips – Thursday 13 February 2025 – Wyong

Race 5

There are three 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, SHIRVINGTON may well prove to be the best.

He raced four wide without cover and hung out on the home turn when finishing fifth on debut over 900M, 3.4L behind the winner and was immediately rested for a lengthy 45 weeks. The gelding returns here after having had three barrier trials, winning two and finishing second in the latest. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate ten, but he looks like the one to side with here.

CALIFORNIA COMMAND on the other hand has cracked pole position and was hampered at the start and had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 800M mark when overracing, finishing third first time out over 1000M, just under two lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning.

He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be right up there when they hit the line. AZUCAR was hampered at the 200M mark, but stayed on well to end up in fifth place first time out over 1200M, six lengths back from the victor. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and whilst drawn wideish in gate seven, he could complete the trifecta.

Race 6

As with the previous race, there are several unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well. WRITTEN SCANDAL came three wide into the home straight, but stayed on well over the closing stages to finish second on debut over 1100M, 1.2L off the winner. She returns from a 29 week break, but has won her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. The filly gets a wideish gate eight, but on the plus side, she will have 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

MIA BALLERINA has only had two runs to date, finishing seventh on debut over 1200M and then third next time out over 1100M, just one length back from the winner. She was returning from a 21 week rest that day and came four wide into the home stretch, before making good late progress over the latter stages and the form of that race has been franked. From gate five, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

DARE TO FLY has also only had two runs, finishing third on debut over 1000M and then sixth next time out over 1100M, just under two and a half lengths behind the winner, but it should be noted that she lost a shoe in running in that event. The form of that race has been franked and from gate seven and with the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice, she should not be easily overlooked.

Race 7

Two 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but HORIZONS is taken to lead the field home. She had her consistency rewarded with her maiden win last time out over 1600M by 1.3L, this despite racing three wide throughout and coming five wide into the home straight, as well as losing a near-hind shoe.

She resumes after a 15 week rest, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. Although taking on stronger here and drawn the widest in gate eight, she is made the best bet on the day’s card. VERONA ROSE struck the front and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win her first start over 1300M by 1.3L and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning.

The filly is sure to put her pole position to good use and could prove to be the biggest danger to the top pick. KING’S DUTY had finished third in his three runs prior to winning by 1.2L last time out over 1300M. He kicked clear of the field at the 125M pole to win going away, this notwithstanding losing both her front shoes. From gate six, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, MOGUL MONARCH has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a fourth-place finish next time out over 1200M, just under a length back from the winner, but he was bumped at the start and had to be steadied at the 500M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight. He chased hard all the way down to the wire in that event and from draw seven and with 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he could prove hard to topple.

The gelding does return from a 15-week rest, but did win his only barrier trial. A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to RIP OFF who won over 1300M three runs back, finished fifth in her penultimate start over the same trip and then fifth again in her latest outing over 1400M, 2.2L behind the winner, this after racing three wide without cover.

She resumes after a slightly longer 17 week break, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials. From her handy draw three, she will have Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons to aid her cause. PRIDE TO FOLLOW raced three wide without cover by still went on to win her last start over 900M by just under a half length. She faces a wide draw eleven, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and will have 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.