Australian racing tips – Thursday 19 May 2022 – Hawkesbury

Best Bet: SEPOY STAR (Race 9)

Value Bet: SABINO (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 6 – 9).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 6.

TIVA BAY had finished second in his two runs prior to ending up in fifth place last time out over six furlongs, just under two and a half lengths behind the winner when returning from a 21 week break, but he had nothing go his way that day. He was slow away, held up at the top of the home straight, was denied a clear run at the 250M mark and then hung in from the 200M pole. He has cracked pole position and with better luck in running today, he looks to be the one that they all have to beat.

AVVERTIMENTO had in turn finished third in his two outings before ending up in second place last time out over 1300M, beaten just a short-head. He was bumped shortly after the start and also hung in all the way down the straight. He has his peak run after returning from an 18 week break and has a wideish draw eight, but will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

STAR MISSION is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has shown solid improvement in her last two starts, finishing third in her latest over seven furlongs, one and a half lengths behind the winner. She overraced in the early stages, but still managed to stay on well over the latter stages of the contest. She faces a wide gate ten, but nevertheless she should be included in all bets.

Race 7.

RIDUNA has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three runs, the latest when seventh over seven furlongs, just under five lengths adrift of the victor, but the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She is drawn in gate five and returns from a 24 week spell, but has had the benefit of three barrier trials, finishing fourth in the latest.

GOOD OMENS disappointed last time out when stepping up to nine furlongs, finishing tenth, 6.2L adrift off the winner, but she overraced in the early and middle stages that day and was disappointed for a run at the 400M mark, as well as losing a near-fore shoe. She has her first run since a longer 26 week break, but did win her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. She gets a wideish draw eight, bur she should be right up there when they hit the line.

FALSE STEP raced just behind the leader and then narrowly failed to peg her back when finishing third last time out over six furlongs, just 0.7L back from the winner. She is drawn one outside the latter and should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 8.

SABINO won three runs back, then finished third in his penultimate run and then ended up in fourth spot last time out, 4.2L behind the winner. All those races were over six furlongs and he finished off his race strongly last time out suggesting the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. He gets gate eight and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

NASHIRA is seldom far off the action and was bumped shortly after the start and then only saw daylight at the 350M mark before finishing well to end up in third place last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L off the winner. He was returning from a 23 week break that day and from gate six, he should be in the mix here.

RIVER SNITTY was also bumped shortly after the start when showing solid improvement to finish fourth last time out over seven furlongs, 2.7L back from the victor. He stayed on strongly that day and from his useful draw four, he is one for the shortlist.

Race 9.

The day’s best bet, SEPOY STAR is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has only had the two runs to date, winning over six furlongs when making her debut and then following that up with a second-place finish next time out over 1100M, 1.8L behind the winner. She returns from a lengthy 42 week absence, but she has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest to prove her fitness. She has pulled gate eight and gets the cheek pieces removed for the first time and if this move has the desired effect, she could prove hard to topple.

DIVINE OKAY made the expected improvement to win by two lengths over five furlongs at the second time of asking, this despite shifting out wide in the home stretch. He was returning from a 34 week break that day and from draw five, he could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

TOCOMAH followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with an eighth place finish next time out over six furlongs, 6.8L back from the winner, but he did jump awkwardly and come three wide into the home straight that day. The gelding returns from a 39 week spell, but did win his only barrier trial. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve, but given his style of racing, he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the closing stages of the race.