Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Kembla Grange on 14 December 2023.
Best Bet: EQUIPAGE (Race 5)
Value Bet: GENETIC FREAK (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
5 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
3 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
8 |
| 5 | 1 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 4
PREFER THE WINK has only had the three runs to date, but has not been far off the action in any of them, the latest when third over nine furlongs, 2.2L behind the winner, but he did miss the start that day, losing 2 lengths and was forced to come the widest of them all into the home straight, before finishing off his race well. The gelding returns from a 27-week break, but has the benefit of two barrier trials.
BINGHAMTON has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when fifth over 1300M, 0.7L behind the winner. he struck the front at the top of the home straight that day and was only run out of it late. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from one gate inside the top choice, he should be right up there when they hit the line.
MARGARET’S MISSILE is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished third in her last two starts, the latest over 1500M, just over three and a half lengths back from the winner. she raced just behind the leader in that event and stayed on well over the closing stages. She has her first run after a shorter 17-week rest and finished third in her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. She will also be having her first run for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here, notwithstanding a wide gate nine. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to determine whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.
Race 5
EQUIPAGE is a 3-year-old filly taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her name, finishing third in her last two runs over six furlongs, the latest beaten just a neck. She finished strongly from some way back that day, suggesting that she should enjoy the extra ground on offer here and is made the best bet on the day’s card. The filly has her peak run after returning from a lengthy 43-week break and her gate five should not be an issue.
ELLEZ gets gate seven and was returning from a 14-week rest when battling all the way down to the wire to finish fifth last time out over six furlongs, 3.3L back from the victor and on that effort, he should appreciate the extra distance of today’s contest.
AIX EN PROVENCE has only had two runs to date, finishing second on debut over 1300M and then second again next time out over the same trip, four lengths off the winner, but she jumped awkwardly that day and then raced three wide without cover, so he had his excuses. From a handy draw three, the gelding should be involved in the finish. As with the previous race, there is an unraced runner in the contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well.
Race 6
VOMO ISLAND showed solid improvement to win his maiden race by 1.3L last time out over six furlongs when returning from a 11-week rest. He jumped awkwardly in that event, bumping another runner, but finished off his race powerfully. The gelding takes on stronger from a wide draw nine, but he should be doing his best work late and could well be up to the task at hand.
Two 4-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to GOLD PATTERN who had her consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over seven furlongs, albeit by just a neck. She raced just behind the leaders in that contest, before quickening well at the 200M pole to get up in the shadow of the post. She has a useful draw four, will be having her peak run after returning from a 21-week break and will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
DEAR JEWEL has cracked pole position and was returning from a 32-week break and had to be eased at the 100M mark before ending up in fourth spot last time out over six furlongs, just under four lengths behind the winner. She will be searching for her second career victory today and should be included in all bets.
Race 7
GENETIC FREAK had consistent form before having been eased out of his penultimate outing over 1900m but bounced back to finish fourth next time out over ten furlongs, just under a length back from the winner, but it should be noted that he had nothing go his way that day. He had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 1600M mark, bumped another runner at the 600M pole and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 300m mark, before finishing well. He will have to negotiate a wide draw nine but is still taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.
SHEMRAN followed up his penultimate run victory over nine furlongs with a second-place finish next time out over 2100M, 2.3L back from the winner, but he jumped awkwardly in that event, overraced in the early and middle stages, had to be eased off the heels of another runner at the seven-furlong make, before staying on well over the latter stages. Keagan Latham is sure to put his pole position to good use.
FUTTAIM is drawn seven and renews his rivalry with the top pick, having finished fifth over ten furlongs in the above-mentioned race, just a length behind the winner. He kicked clear of the field at the 200M mark, only to be grabbed late and does meet the former on 0.5kg better terms, so there should not be too much separating the pair once again when they hit the line.
