Australian racing tips – Tuesday 5 March 2024 – Kembla Grange

Best Bet: XIDAKI (Race 6)
Value Bet: CAPE BYRON (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R150.00

Race 4

There are three 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, PARADE GROUND may well prove to be the best. He has only had two runs to date, finishing tenth on debut over six furlongs and then showing the expected improvement to finish second next time out over 1300M, beaten just a short-head, when returning from a 25-week break. It should however be noted that he was slow away that day and then came three wide into the home straight, so can be considered an unlucky loser. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and whilst he is drawn wide in gate ten, he gets the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause.

DARLING DOWNS is a 3-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she finished well to end up in fourth place first time out over 1300M, 4.8L back from the winner. She does return from a 19-week break but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and fourth in the latest and although drawn the widest of them all in gate thirteen, she would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

BRIASA makes his debut after three barrier trials, where he has posted two-thirds and a second in the latest. From his kinder draw three and if not too green in running, he could well be better than the more experienced runners.

Race 5

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. IMPULSIVITY is a 3-year-old filly taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her name and followed up her penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a third place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 1.8L back from the winner, but she overraced in the early stages that day and had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 700M mark, before coming three wide into the home straight. The filly faces a wide draw eleven, but she has her peak run after returning from a 20-week rest and should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

HEADLEY GRANGE won over 1100M three runs back, finished third in his penultimate start over 1300M and then sixth in his latest outing over seven furlongs, 2.7L behind the winner. He returns from an 18-week spell and has his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, notwithstanding a wideish draw eight.

FLUDWAY is seldom far off the action and raced just behind the leaders before making good late progress to finish third last time out over six furlongs, just over two lengths back from the winner. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw ten, but he should nevertheless be included in all bets.

Race 6

XIDAKI was bumped at the start but had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory by a length last time out over seven furlongs. He struck the front at the 100M mark that day to win going away and the form of that race has been franked. Whilst taking on stronger here, he gets gate six and could well be up to the task at hand and as such, is made the best bet on the day’s card.

FIELD MARSHAL made solid improvement to win his last start over seven furlongs by two lengths, despite coming five wide into the home stretch. He battled all the way down to the wire in that event and although having to deal with a wideish draw eight, he could be the biggest threat to the top pick.

ALLHALLOWTIDE has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his credit. He jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner when finishing fifth in his latest outing over a mile, just a length off the victor and will be having his peak run after returning from a 25-week absence. The gelding should turn in another honest effort here to be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, CAPE BYRON goes for his hat-trick after victories over 1300M and the latest over seven furlongs by one and a half lengths. He delivered a powerful finish from some way back to record a well-timed victory in that contest. Although drawn wide in gate ten, he will be having his peak run after returning from a 14-week break and the trio is very much on the cards.

STARS AND BARS showed marked improvement to finish second last time out over 1100M, just a head back from the winner. He finished well to just fail to overhaul the winner in the shadow of the post and will be having his peak run after returning from a longer 20-week spell. The gelding is sure to put his pole position to good use.

STARMAE is a 3-year-old filly taking on boys, but she won her penultimate start over 1300M and then finished third next time out over the same trip, just under a length off the winner, but she was bumped at the start in that event. She will have to deal with a wide gate twelve but gets Zac Lloyd in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle and she should be doing her best work late.