Australian racing tips – Thursday, 22 May 2025 – Goulburn

Race 5

SHANGRI LA IMPACT is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had three runs to date, finishing second in the two prior to winning her last start over 2000M by a neck. She struck the front at the 200M mark that day and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The filly gets gate six and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

DARK VADOR had his consistency rewarded with a short-head victory last time out over 1600M, notwithstanding having to weave his way through traffic down the home straight, to get up in the shadow of the post. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and although drawn the widest of them all in gate nine, he will have the blinkers removed for the first time. If this move has the desired effect, he could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

TAJAWAL has finished third in his last two runs, the latest over 2100M, beaten 2.3L, but he did come four wide into the home straight in that event, before staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding will have the cheek pieces removed for today’s run, as well as having 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. From his handy draw four, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

BARBRAY jumped awkwardly losing a length at the start when ending up in fourth place last time out over 1500M, just a half length back from the winner. He has pulled gate five and will be looking to chalk up his maiden victory here.

The gelding renews his rivalry with his stable companion ANT who finished third last time out in the same race mentioned above, just under a half lengths back from the victor. He was bumped at the start in that event and finished strongly from some way back, but although drawn in a useful gate three, he is 1kg worse off at today’s weight terms, so he may find it difficult to confirm that last result. The gelding will be having his peak run after returning from a 15 week rest and makes a solid back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.

MALBORK CASTLE finished second in his last three outings, the latest over 1300M, just under a length back from the victor, but he had to be held up approaching the home turn that day and was returning from a 22 week break. The gelding faces a wide draw nine, but gets the blinkers on for the first time and will be hoping to go one better today.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, STRASSMAN battled all the way down to the wire when finishing third last time out over 1300M, just under a half length back from the winner. The blinkers come off for the first time and he will be having his peak run for his new trainer after returning from a 21 week break. Whilst drawn wide in gate ten, he should be doing his best work late to give Adam Hyeronimus his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top choice win the previous race.

LORD VETTORI sat in third spot before chasing hard to finish second in his latest start over 1200M, three and a half lengths adrift of the victor. The gelding gets a cozy draw four and should be right up there when they hit the line.

JARED had solid form prior to finishing a disappointing eighth last time out over 1300M, 8.2L off the winner and was immediately rested for 25 weeks. it should however be noted that he jumped awkwardly that day bumping another runner and overraced in the early stages and had to be eased off the heels of another runner at the 1000M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight. The gelding is drawn one inside the latter and has had the benefit of two barrier trials. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.

Race 8

SUPERHERO was returning from an 18 week rest and came three wide into the home stretch, before staying on well to finish an improved second last time out, just a lengths back from the winner. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw eleven, but he should be doing his best work late.

SACREDARRO put his disappointing penultimate start over 1600M behind him when going from jump to wire to win by just under a half length next time out over 2200M. The gelding returns after a lengthy 47 week spell, but has had two barrier trials, finishing fourth in the latest and will also be having his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new environment, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from gate five.

GORBACHEV followed up his penultimate run victory over 1000M with a sixth place finish next time out over 1200M, one lengths back from the winner, this after coming three wide into the home straight. The gelding is drawn wide in gate ten, but he has his peak run after an 18 week break and gets ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.