Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Wyong on 20 February 2024.
Best Bet: RUSH HOUR (Race 7)
Value Bet: AZAYAKA (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
4 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
11 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
9 | 4 | 2 | |
| 7 | ||
1 |
|
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, BO KATAN may prove to be the best. He finished third in his last two runs, the latest over 1100M, just over a length behind the winner, when returning from a 30-week break. He raced three wide throughout that day and was hampered at the 150M mark, before staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding gets draw five and will be looking to chalk up his maiden victory today.
Two 3-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to PARUNA, who finished fourth on debut over six furlongs, just over two lengths back from the winner, despite being bumped at the start. She recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be run out of it late. The form of that race has been franked and no doubt she would have learnt from that experience. With the natural improvement that can be expected and jumping from a handy draw two, she should be right up there when they hit the line.
KHAZNAH is the stable companion to the latter who finished third first time out over six furlongs, just under three lengths off the victor, but she had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 700M pole, so she had an excuse. She would have come on further with that run under her belt and from gate seven, she makes a solid back-up for the yard.
Race 6
This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. MICKEY’S MEDAL followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a second-place finish next time out over a mile, one and a half lengths back from the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from his useful draw four, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today. The gelding does return from a 20-week rest, but has had the benefit of three barrier trials.
A 6-year-old and a 5-year-old mare could pursue him home, with the preference for INNERVOICE, who showed solid improvement to win her last start over 1300M by 1.3L. She delivered a powerful finish from some way back in that event and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She is drawn one outside the top pick and could complete a quick double.
OAKFIELD REDGUM was returning from an 18-week absence and jumped awkwardly, but raced just behind the leader when ending up in sixth spot last time out over 1300M, 2.7L behind the winner. She in turn is drawn one outside the latter and should not be easily overlooked.
Race 7
RUSH HOUR won over five furlongs three runs back, finished seventh in his penultimate start over six furlongs and then fifth in his latest outing over six furlongs, just under three lengths behind the winner, when returning from a 49-week spell. The colt came three wide into the home stretch in that event and became unbalanced at the 200M pole. He jumps from gate seven and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. The fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them and as such, she is made the best bet on the day’s card.
RIVER PAT is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she won by just under a length on debut over 1100M, notwithstanding coming three wide into the home straight. She would have come on further with that outing and from a cosy draw two, she could prove to be the biggest danger to the top pick.
OAKFIELD TRIUMPH was returning from a 34-week absence and came the widest of them all into the home straight and hung out over the final 50M when finishing sixth last time out over 1100M, just under three and a half lengths back from the victor. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide gate nine, but nevertheless, he should be involved in the finish.
Race 8
The day’s value bet, AZAYAKA is a 4-year-old filly taking on males, but she has won two of her last three runs, the latest over five furlongs by 0.8L. She had to be held up approaching the home turn that day, but struck the front at the 200M mark and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. The filly has pulled a wide draw ten, but on the plus side, she will have 3kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.
MON PIERRE jumped awkwardly bumping another runner and came three wide into the home stretch when ending up in fifth spot last time out over 1100M, 2.7L back from the winner. The gelding is drawn one inside the former and he should keep her honest.
TRISKELION has only had two runs to date, winning on debut over 1100M and was then hampered at the start and overraced three wide in the early stages, before hanging out down the home straight to finish fourth next time out over 1100M, 1.3L behind the winner. The colt has pulled gate seven and should be included in all bets.
