Australian racing tips – Tuesday 18 October 2022 – Grafton

Best Bet: ANOTHER SPIRIT (Race 7)

Value Bet: HARDLEY GREY (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5.

DALTORO has finished third in his last two starts, the latest over six furlongs, just under a half length behind the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and was only nabbed in the shadow of the post. From a handy draw three, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

EXCLUSIVE also finished third in his latest outing over the six furlongs, but in his case, he was 0.8L back from the winner. He raced three wide approaching the home turn that day, but finished his race off well and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. The gelding faces a wide draw nine, but he should be doing his best work late.

AMIRYKAL is a 6yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three runs, the latest when fifth over six furlongs, 0.7L adrift of the victor. She stayed on well in that contest and whilst drawn one inside the latter, she should nevertheless be included in all bets.

Race 6.

JUSTADUDE won over six furlongs three runs back and has finished third in his next two starts, the latest when 1.8L behind the winner over five furlongs, when returning from a 15 week break. He battled all the way down to the line that day and the 1100M may well be just the distance he is looking for. He gets a useful gate four and looks to be the one to side with here.

A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to THE POLENITSA who has only had the two runs to date, finishing second on debut over five furlongs and then showing the expected improvement to win by 0.8L over the same sprint trip at the second time of asking, despite being slow away. She returns here after a 20 week break without having had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from one gate inside the top pick, she should be considered a big runner in this line-up.

NO RETREAT showed solid improvement to finish third last time out over five furlongs, just a head off the winner and has finished third in a subsequent barrier trial. She will have to deal with a wide draw eleven, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 7.

With the late scratching of one of his main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s best bet, ANOTHER SPIRIT to chalk up his second career victory. He finished second last time out over this c&d, beaten a short-head, this after striking the front at the 250M mark and then only being nabbed on the line. He has pulled gate eight and may prove difficult to topple.

ANSELMO has finished second in his last two outings over 1700M, the latest by 1.7L after being slow away and racing four wide without cover, but no less than six runners out of that race have subsequently won, so that form is solid. He returns from a 16 week break without having had a barrier trial, but if fit and well, he should turn in another honest performance today.

ALL BEANS followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M with a fifth place finish next time out over five furlongs, just over four lengths adrift of the winner. He was returning from a 17 week spell that day and from gate three, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 8.

HARDLEY GREY missed out on his hat-trick after victories over six and seven furlongs when finishing third last time out over 1500M, just over a half length behind the winner, but he overraced in the early stages and had to be held up between the 600M and 450M marks that day, so could be considered an unlucky loser. He will have to negotiate draw thirteen, but is still taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

PRINCESS ZEDDY is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her name. She jumped awkwardly and came five wide into the home stretch when ending up in second spot last time out over seven furlongs, just a length back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked. She has pulled gate seven and should give the boys a good run for their money.

FOUR EGOS is another one that is seldom far off the action, finishing second in his last two outings, the latest over 1500M, beaten just a head. The gelding tried to go from gun to tape that day and from his cozy draw five, he should turn in another solid performance today.