Australian racing tips – Thursday 7 March 2024 – Grafton

Best Bet: MAXIMUM VORTEX (Race 8)
Value Bet: ZELGARIA (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R90.00

Race 5

There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected. Of the raced runners, SANTATIME may prove to be the best. He has only had two runs to date, finishing second on debut over five furlongs and then finishing powerfully from some way back to end up in fifth place next time out over six furlongs, just over two lengths behind the winner. The gelding was returning from a 34-week break that day and comes back here from a slightly longer 36-week absence without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from a handy draw three, he could be the one that they all have to beat. A 3yr old and a 4yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to

TRAVIATA who had solid form before being a tad disappointing when finishing fifth last time out over 1300M, eight and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but she was bumped at the 1000M mark and again at the 900M pole, so that effort is best ignored. That was also at a stronger centre and whilst having to negotiate a wide gate ten, she will be hoping to bounce back to her better form here.

SHEZ LETHAL finished second and third in her last two runs, both over six furlongs, the latest just a neck back from the victor. She had to be held up approaching the home turn that day but then finished off her race well. The filly will have her peak run after returning from a 28-week break and from a useful draw five, she should be a big runner in this line-up

Race 6

MISTER JONNO has finished second in his last two outings over today’s journey, the latest just a half-length off the winner. He has his first run for his new trainer, but has had two barrier trials and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from a cozy gate four.

TWILIGHT ROCK has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when third over seven furlongs, just a half-length behind the winner, this after trying to go from jump to wire. The gelding faces a wide gate eleven, but he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and could prove hard to reel in over the closing stages.

INTENTIONAL LASS is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she is seldom far off the action and although recorded as finishing sixth last time out over seven furlongs, she was just two lengths behind the winner. She was returning from a 20-week rest on that occasion and raced just behind the leaders, before staying on well over the latter stages. The filly will have to deal with a wide draw thirteen, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, ZELGARIA was returning from a 25-week absence and jumped awkwardly, but battled all the way down to the wire when ending up in third spot last time out over 1100M, two and a half lengths behind the winner. He has pulled gate five and will be looking to chalk up his second career victory here.

POLARISING is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she showed solid improvement to win her maiden race by 1.3L last time out over six furlongs, when returning from a 23-week break. She came four wide into the home stretch in that event and whilst taking on stronger here, she has a handy draw three and could well be up to the task at hand.

CANNON went from gun to tape and just lasted long enough to win his maiden contest last time out over 1100M by a half-length. He has his peak run for his new trainer after returning from a 17-week break and is drawn wideish in gate eight, but nevertheless, he should be included in all bets.

Race 8

MAXIMUM VORTEX was returning from a 19-week spell and raced wide throughout when finishing a disappointing ninth in his latest outing over five furlongs, fifteen and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but he was reported to have not enjoyed the firm going that day and a line should be drawn through that effort. The form of that race has however stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding has won a subsequent barrier trial and although drawn wide in gate ten, on the plus side he will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

EAGLE HAWK STAR was slow away and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, having to weave his way through traffic and then hanging out over the closing stages, when ending up in third spot last time out over 1100M, two lengths behind the winner. He has his peak run for his new trainer after returning from a 29-week break and notwithstanding a wideish draw eight, he could prove the biggest threat to the top choice.

OAKFIELD DUKE came four wide into the home straight but finished off his race strongly to end up in ninth place last time out over six furlongs, 5.3L back from the winner. The gelding will have to overcome a wider draw fourteen, but he should be doing his best work late to be involved in the finish.