Australian racing tips – Thursday 23 June 2022 – Gosford

Best Bet: PORTNOY (Race 7)

Value Bet: PRINCE INVINCIBLE (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R90.00  

Race 5.

SUPERARGO has posted two solid last runs, the latest when finishing third over a mile, just over three lengths behind the winner, but he jumped awkwardly that day before recovering well to turn into the home straight in second place and then staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding gets a handy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line.

CROATIAN MADAME is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but came four wide into the home straight when finishing sixth last time out over a mile, five lengths back from the winner. She gets a wideish gate eight, but on the plus side, she will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

KENZAN drops in journey after disappointing when finishing thirteenth last time out over 2500M, just under eleven lengths adrift of the winner, but he did jump awkwardly in that contest and overraced in the early and middle stages. He was immediately rested for 85 weeks and sent to a new trainer. He has had the two barrier trials and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them. The gelding has cracked pole position and should be included in all bets.

Race 6.

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested.

FAIREY BARRACUDA is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she showed marked improvement to win her last start over six furlongs by two and a half lengths when returning from a 22 week break, which is clearly what she was looking for. She came four wide into the home straight that day and then hung in over the closing stages, so that effort was commendable. From draw five, she should give the boys a good run for their money.

FAMOUS PEDRILLE finished a short-head second in his latest outing over six furlongs when returning from a similar 22 week absence. He made good late progress that day and from his wide draw nine, he should be doing his best work late.

BEST SIDE has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, culminating with a 1.3L victory last time out over five furlongs. He hit the front at the top of the home stretch that day and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. He gets one gate inside the latter and should not be lightly dismissed in this line-up.

Race 7.

The day’s best bet, PORTNOY has consistent formlines to his name, finishing a short-head second in his latest start over 1500M. He struck the front at the 150M pole that day and was only collared in the shadow of the post. The gelding jumps from a wide gate nine, but nevertheless, he may prove difficult to topple here.

Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to SNEAKY ISLAND who had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing last time out finishing sixth over a mile, just under five lengths back from the winner, but she finished strongly in that race, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to her liking. From her kinder draw two, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

ZENTIME has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when fourth over 1500M, just under four lengths adrift of the victor. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and if she has continued down that same path of improvement, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 8.

PRINCE INVINCIBLE is a speedy sort who is seldom too far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1100M, just under two and a half lengths off the winner. He gets gate six and will have his peak run after returning from a 19 week break. The gelding will be partnered by 1.5kg claiming apprentice Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey Jeff Lloyd and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program.

HUMBLE STAR won over six furlongs three runs back, but was slow away and overraced last time out when finishing a disappointing nineth over 1300M, seven and a half lengths adrift of the victor and was immediately moved stable and rested for 24 weeks. He returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. He has pulled a useful gate three and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here.

IAMOND HANDS missed out on his hat-trick after victories over 1100M and five furlongs when finishing second last time out over 1100M, beaten just a head, but he came three wide into the home stretch that day and then hung in from the 150M mark. He returns from a longer 39 week break, but has posted two encouraging barrier trials. The gelding will have to overcome a wide gate seventeen out of eighteen, but he should make his presence felt here.