Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle on 16 July 2024.
Best Bet: HELL’S ITCH (Race 8)
Value Bet: AMICUS CURIAE (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
2 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
6 | 13 | 1 | 10 |
5 | 9 | 5 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
ANGEL DOWN has only had the three runs, winning two and finishing second in the other, the latest victory coming over 1800M by a half-length. She showed plenty of toe that day and from a handy draw two and with her having 1.5kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice, she could be the one that they all have to beat. She does return from a 29-week break, but she has had three barrier trials, finishing third in the latest.
SPICY HOTPOT is another speedy sort who was nabbed late when finishing fourth last time out over 1500M, just over two lengths behind the winner. The form of that race has been franked and although she jumps from a wideish gate seven, she should be right up there when they hit the line.
SHURI won over 1500M three runs back, finished sixth in her penultimate start over 1300M and then sixth again in her latest outing over 1500M, seven lengths adrift of the winner, but she did come four wide into the home straight in that event. The filly finished fifth in a subsequent barrier trial and whilst drawn wide in gate ten, she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
Race 6
There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, CUSTOMIZED may well prove to be the best. He is a 2-year-old colt taking on older horses, but he was hampered on the home turn when ending up in ninth place last time out over 1400M, just over six and a half length off the winner. He did come the widest of them all into the home straight and was returning from a 22-week rest, but the colt has pulled draw seven and looks to be better than his last effort.
AMARETTO BO is a 2-year-old filly who has only had two runs to date, finishing ninth on debut over 1100M and then showing the expected improvement to end up in second spot next time out when stepping up to 1300M, just 0.8L back from the winner. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and would have come on further with that run under her belt. The filly has a wider draw nine, but she is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.
BLUE TONGUE is a 2-year-old gelding who jumped awkwardly and overraced in the early and middle stages, before having to switch at the 250M pole to secure a clear run when ending up in third place first time out over 1200M, just under two lengths behind the winner. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be included in all bets, notwithstanding a wider draw ten.
Race 7
The day’s value bet, AMICUS CURIAE has consistent formlines to his name, having finished second in his last two starts, the latest over 1400M, beaten just a short-head, but he raced three wide throughout on that occasion, so that effort was encouraging. The gelding has pulled a wide gate fourteen, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice.
WORX has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when third over 1300M, 0.7L behind the winner. He tried to go from gun to tape that day, but his jockey dropped his crop at the 200M pole, and he hung out all the way down the home stretch. The gelding is another who will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.
LET’S GO BRO raced wide in the early stages when finishing fifth in his latest outing over 1300M, beaten just under four lengths. The gelding will have to deal with a wide draw fifteen, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas and gets the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice.
Race 8
HELL’S ITCH has cracked pole position and had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1200M, by one and a half lengths, despite jumping awkwardly, bumping another runner. He struck the front at the 200M mark and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. He takes on stronger here, but he may well be up to the task at hand and is made the best bet on the day’s card.
MAZ KANATA is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she raced three wide throughout and came five wide into the home stretch, before staying in well to end up in fourth spot last time out over 1200M, just under a length behind the winner. She jumps from a useful draw three and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.
CLOSE ENCOUNTER lost a length at the start, raced three wide without cover and overraced in the middle stages, but still managed to finish second last time out over 1200M, just under a half lengths back from the winner. The gelding has pulled gate seven and should be involved in the finish.
