Australian Racing Tips – Thursday 18 August 2022 – Hawkesbury

Best Bet: CROSS TALK (Race 7)

Value Bet: THE HIMALAYAS (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5.

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 MAGIC may prove to be the best. His first two runs over sprints had seen him finish second and then third over today’s trip before disappointing last time out when stepping up to seven furlongs, finishing fifteen lengths adrift of the winner, but he overraced in that contest and was immediately rested for 19 weeks. He returns here after having had two barrier trials and whilst drawn the widest of them all in gate fifteen, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

SONG WRITER is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys and was slow away, but still managed to race just behind the leaders when finishing fourth on debut over 900M, just over a length and a half behind the winner. She also had to be eased off the heels of other runners over the closing stages, so that effort was encouraging.

She would have learnt from that experience and has her first run since a slightly longer 20 week rest, but has had the two barrier trials, finishing third in the first and second in the latest. She will have to deal with a wide draw ten, but she should give the males a good run for their money.

RENOSU is the stable companion to the latter who finished ninth in his latest outing over 1100M, thirteen lengths adrift of the victor, but that was on a very heavy track and he jumped awkwardly that day. The colt did recover quickly to take the lead, but then did not go on with his effort over the latter stages. In addition, his jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight. From a kinder draw five, he makes a solid back-up for the yard.

Race 6.

GOOD OMENS is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over a mile with a fourth place finish next time out over 1900M, just under four lengths back from the winner. She jumped awkwardly that day, but then shot off to take the lead, but then cost herself ground by shifting out over the closing stages. She gets a handy draw three and is likely to enjoy the drop in trip.

MATLOCK won his maiden race over seven furlongs three runs back and then battled all the way down to the wire when ending up in second place last time out over a mile, just a half length off the winner. The gelding faces a wide gate eleven, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much energy.

SO SNEEKY has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over a mile, just 0.8L adrift of the victor. He made good late progress that day and jumping from gate seven with 1.5kgs claiming apprentice Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey Jeff Lloyd in the irons, he should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

The day’s best bet, CROSS TALK has posted five wins, one second and one third place finish in his seven runs to date, so clearly has some ability. He goes for his hat-trick after victories over seven furlongs and the latest by two lengths over 1500M. He went from gun to tape that day and although drawn wide in gate nine, he is likely to adopt similar tactics here and could prove hard to topple.

SKYMAN on the other hand has cracked pole position and had his consistency rewarded with a just under two and a half length win last time out over ten furlongs, this despite being hampered on the home turn and being denied a clear run at the 350M mark. He eventually saw daylight at the 200M pole to win going away. He has had two barrier trials since then and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

OSCAR ZULU is the stable mate to the latter and sat just behind the leaders before staying on well to finish third in his latest outing over seven furlongs, 2.2L adrift off the victor. It should be noted that his jockey put up 1.0kgs overweight that day and from gate seven, he makes a genuine back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.

Race 8.

THE HIMALAYAS has only had the four runs to date, but has his hat-trick outing after two victories over 1300M, the latest by nearly two lengths. He overraced in the middle stages that day and was also held up approaching the home turn, so that effort was pleasing. The gelding will have to negotiate gate twelve, but he has his peak run after returning from a 25 week absence and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

CONCOCTED was hampered at the 250M mark and only saw daylight at the 100M pole before finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, four lengths back from the victor. He has pulled draw seven and will have his peak run after returning from a longer 27 week spell. With better luck in running today, he should be right up there when they hit the wire.

NAVAJO PEAK’S is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne and his last four runs have yielded two wins and two second place finishers, the latest, one of those second spots, just a head back over 1350M. He raced just behind the leaders, but was held up at the 300M and then hung out when getting clear at the 200M pole. Notwithstanding a wide gate fifteen, he should turn in another honest effort here.