Australian racing tips – Thursday 25 July 2024 – Wyong

Race 5

ODEGAARD finished strongly to win by a half lengths going away when making his debut over 1300M, this despite coming four wide into the home straight. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could be the one that they all have to beat, jumping from a handy draw three. He takes on stronger here, but he could well be up to the task at hand and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

LIGHTS OF PARADISE is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she also won first time out over 1300M and then finished third next time out over the same c&d, 2.3L behind the winner. She overraced just behind the leaders that day, but still managed to stay on well over the closing stages. She no doubt would have come on further with that run under her belt and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, she could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

ABLE RED was having his first start for his new trainer and raced three wide without cover in that event, but chased hard to end up in second place last time out over 1200M, 1.3L back from the winner. The gelding faces a wide draw ten, but he should be doing his best work late to be involved in the finish.

Race 6

A 3-year-old and two 4-year-old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s value bet, EQUIPAGE is taken to lead the field home. She won over 1100M three runs back, finished third in her penultimate start over 1200M and then second in her latest outing over the same sprint trip, 1.8L behind the winner. She raced three wide throughout in that event, but made good late progress over the latter stages and the form of that race has been franked. The filly will have to negotiate a wide gate nine, but she will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

ROYAL INVADER has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when seventh over 1100M, 2.3L behind the winner, but she did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 350M mark before finishing off her race well. She is drawn the widest of them all in gate fourteen, but will be having her peak run after returning from a 16-week rest.

MISS CARTEL went from jump to wire to complete her hat-trick when putting two and a half lengths between herself and the opposition to win her last outing over 1200M. She on the other hand has a useful draw two and is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

Race 7

Two 3-year-old fillies could secure the exacta here, but GOLD DUST is the slight preference. She won over 1100M three runs back, finished seventh in her penultimate start over 1200M and then second in her latest outing back over 1200M, beaten just a head. She was having her first run for her new trainer and returning from a 35-week spell that day and the form of that race has been franked. The filly has a wideish draw eight, but she should be doing her best work late.

DRAMA DODGER had solid form prior to ending up in fifth spot last time out over 1200M, ten lengths adrift of the victor, but she was slow away in that event and never really got back into the race. She is drawn one outside the former and will be having her peak run after returning from an 11-week rest and will be hoping to bounce back to her better form today.

CAPITAL HEART is the stable companion of the top choice and was returning from a 17-week break when finishing tenth last time out over 1200M, 4.7L behind then winner, but he had nothing go his way that day. He overraced in the early and middle stages, had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 800M mark and then came the widest of them all into the home stretch. The gelding has his first run for his new trainer and if fully settled into his new surroundings and from his kinder draw three, he should be included in all bets and makes a solid back-up for the yard.

Race 8

This looks to be a tricky race to end off the day’s Jackpot, with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. WATERVILLE is a 2-year-old filly taking on males and older horses, but she raced just behind the frontrunners and stayed on well when finishing third last time out over 1400M, 3.8L back from the winner. She will have to deal with a wide draw twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy to give jockey Tommy Berry his second winner in the Jackpot, should the top choice win the second leg.

RICO SUAVE went from gun to tape to win his last start over 1000M by a length and the form of that race has been franked. He will have to overcome a wideish gate eight, but he is likely to use his early toe to his advantage.

FIOPROSPERO has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name, finishing third last time out over 1600M, just a length behind the winner, but it should be noted that he had to switch out at the 200M pole to get a clear run, so he had his excuse. The gelding seems sure to turn in another honest performance here.