Australian racing tips – Thursday 5 December 2024 – Coffs Harbour

Race 5

MR DAMAGE had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1000M, albeit by just a short-head. He showed plenty of toe that day and whilst he takes on stronger here, he does have his peak run for his new trainer and may well be up to the task at hand, jumping from his handy draw two.

COOL MAN won over 1000M three runs back, finished fifth in his penultimate start over 1200M and then ninth in his latest outing over 1400M, 3.7L behind the winner, but he did race three wide without cover that day. The gelding returns here from a 20-week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but he gets a useful draw four and should be right up there when they hit the line.

WHITSUNDAY SESSION is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over 1000M, 2.8L back from the winner. She now has her first run for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here. The filly faces a wide draw nine, but on the plus side, she will have 1.5kg taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

Race 6

THEIR FINEST HOUR has finished second in his first two runs, the first over 1100M, 1.8L behind the winner and then just under a half-length back next time out over 1000M. He chased hard all the way down to the wire in that event and will be hoping to go one better here. The gelding does return from a 21-week break, but has had three barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the next two. He has pulled gate five and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. PAL’S

REIGN jumped awkwardly and hung in all the way down the home straight when finishing fourth first time out over 1000M, beaten 2.3L. He would have learnt from that experience and has his first run after a longer 25-week rest, but he finished fifth in his only barrier trial. From a wide draw nine, he could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick.

SWEET MARLENE is a 5-year-old mare bumping males, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when second over 1200M, 1.8L behind the victor and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and from her cosy draw three, she is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today. The mare does return from an even longer 29-week spell, without the benefit of a barrier trial and has her first run for her new trainer, but she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, MOSKEETA is a 6-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her name, her last four outings yielding a win and three second-place finishes, the latest second over 1100M, 0.8L behind the winner. She was slow away on that occasion and hung in all the way down the home straight, so she had her excuses. The mare is drawn wideish in gate eight, but she will be having her peak run after returning from a 19-week absence and gets the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice.

CECIL STREET LAD also gets a 3kg claiming apprentice and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a ninth-place finish next time out over 1200M, 2.8L back from the winner, but he raced two wide throughout in that event. The gelding has his first run after a 20-week break, but has finished third in his only barrier trial. From his kinder draw five, he could complete the exacta.

HEIR APPARENT has won two of his last three starts, the latest over 1000M by a short-head, this after racing just behind the speed and then getting up in the shadow of the post. The gelding has pulled a wide gate nine, but will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 8

MEGHAN is a 5-year-old mare taking on males, but she jumped awkwardly before striking the front at the top of the home straight and then fighting off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win her maiden race last time out over 1260M by a head. She will have to deal with a wide gate ten, but she could prove good enough to chalk up a quick double.

VEECEE raced four wide without cover and understandably had nothing to offer in the home straight when finishing eighth last time out over 1000M, 3.8L back from the victor. He is drawn one inside the top pick and will have a 1.5kg claiming apprentice in the irons and will be looking to bounce back to his better form here.

SOUTH BOAMBEE kicked clear of the opposition at the 200M pole and was only reeled in late to end up in third spot last time out over 1000M, two lengths behind the winner. The gelding is drawn even wider in gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.