Australian racing tips – Thursday 16 May 2024 – Gosford

Best Bet: EDGE OF REWARD (Race 7)
Value Bet: UNSTOPABULL (Race 9)

Jackpot (race 6 – 9)

Cost: R90.00

Race 6

EARTH DANCE won over 2000M three runs back in the UK, finished fourth first time out in Australia over 1400M and then sixth in his latest start over 1900M, just under four and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was slow away that day, before staying on well over the closing stages and on that effort, he should enjoy going over the extra ground on offer here. The form of that race has also stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and from gate seven, he looks to be the one to side with.

ROYAL STANDARD has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when second over 1800M, just under a half-length back from the victor and the form of that race has been franked. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from draw five and with non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

HIAWATHA fell in his first start in Australia over 2000M after arriving from Ireland and was then bumped shortly after the start and raced wide throughout before striking the front at the top of the home straight, only to be nabbed in the shadow of the post to finish second next time out over 2100M, beaten just a head. The gelding has a wideish draw eight, but he should be included in all bets.

Race 7

EDGE OF REWARD has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1400M with a third-place finish next time out over 1500M, just over a length back from the winner. He raced just behind the leader that day and was only run out of it late. The form of that race has been franked and whilst drawn wideish in gate eight, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

ARALE is a 5-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she has cracked pole position and race just behind the pace and was only run out of it late when finishing fifth last time out over 1500M, 4.3L behind the winner. She will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

PANDANO put his disappointing penultimate start over 1200M behind him when finishing fourth next time out over 1300M, two lengths off the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his handy draw three and with 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

Race 8

This looks to be a tricky F&M Handicap with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. IN FLIGHT finished second, first and then second again in her last three runs, the latest over 1000M, beaten three lengths, but she got carried out wide in the home stretch that day, which did her cause no good. The filly does return from a 22-week break, but she has had the benefit of two barrier trials. She faces a wide gate ten, but she will be hoping to go one better today.

DIVINE VICKY had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing when finishing tenth last time out over 1400M, just over four and a half lengths back from the victor, but she overraced in that contest and was also reported to have suffered from mild heat stress, so that effort is best ignored. She will have to negotiate a wider draw fourteen, but on the plus side, she will have 2kgs taken off her back for the services of her claiming apprentice. The filly has her first run after a shorter 20-week rest, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest.

COSY CORNER is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1200M, 2.2L back from the winner, but she made good late progress in that event. She, on the other hand, has a useful draw two and Zac Lloyd in the saddle. Whilst returning from a 20-week rest, she has had three barrier trials, finishing third in one and second in the last two to showcase her well-being.

Race 9

The day’s value bet, UNSTOPABULL has consistent formlines to his credit and jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, but battled all the way down to the wire when ending up in second spot last time out over 1000M, 1.8L adrift of the winner. He will have to deal with a wide gate ten, but he should turn in another honest performance here.

NORTON ROAD has only had two runs to date, winning on debut over 1200M and then triumphing again next time out over 1300M by a neck, despite hanging out over the closing 200M and could be just about anything. The gelding resumes after a 14-week absence, but has finished second in his only barrier trial. From his cosy draw four, the hat-trick is very much on the cards.

EYE OF THE FIRE put 7.8L between himself and the opposition when winning over 1200M three runs back, then finished fourth in his penultimate start over the same sprint trip and then fourth again in his latest outing over 1300M, just over a half-length behind the winner, but he overraced in the early and middle stages in that event. The gelding faces a wide draw thirteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.