Australian racing tips – Tuesday 6 February 2024 – Newcastle

Best Bet: MY RIVIERA (Race 5)
Value Bet: GRAND HORIZON (Race 4)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00

Race 4

GRAND HORIZON won over 1100M three runs back, finished third in her penultimate start over five furlongs and then a disappointing ninth in her latest outing over six furlongs, 6.8L behind the winner, but she did jump awkwardly that day before racing wide without cover, so she had her excuses. She jumps from a handy draw four and will be having her peak run after returning from a 25-week break and is made the day’s value bet.

SPIRIT OF STORM is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1100M, 1.8L back from the winner, but she raced three wide, before turning four wide into the home straight. The filly has a wideish gate eight, but she is likely to turn in another honest effort today.

CORPSMAN followed up her penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a second place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, three lengths back from the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She jumped awkwardly in that event but stayed on well over the closing stages and from gate five, she should be included in all bets.

Race 5

MY RIVIERA is a 4-year-old filly taking on the boys, but she won on debut over six furlongs and then finished second next time out over seven furlongs, just a head behind the winner. She sat just behind the leaders in that event, taking over at the top of the home straight, only to be nabbed in the shadow of the post. She faces a wide gate twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

NIGHT FIGHTER won his penultimate start over six furlongs and then finished third next time out over six furlongs, 1.8L back from the victor. He delivered a strong finish from some way back that day, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here would be to his liking. From a useful gate three, he could be the biggest danger to the top pick.

HOT BANDIT did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 200M mark before finishing well, ending up in seventh spot last time out over six furlongs, just under three lengths behind the winner. The gelding is drawn one inside the latter and with better luck in running, he could be involved in the finish.

Race 6

PERRI LASS is a 3-year-old filly taking on males, but she finished seventh on debut over six furlongs and then ninth next time out over seven furlongs, but only one and a half lengths behind the winner, when returning from a 19-week rest. She was slow away on that occasion but finished well over the latter stages and would have come on further with that run under her belt. From gate five, she looks to be the one to side with here.

LUCKY FORCE finished second in his last two starts and tried to go from jump to wire last time out over 1300M, finishing just a head back from the winner. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw thirteen, but he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

IOANE finished ninth first time out over six furlongs, four and a half lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger centre, and he was immediately rested for 36 weeks. He returns here after having had two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest and he would have learnt from that racing experience. The gelding has pulled gate seven and should not be lightly dismissed. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.

Race 7

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. CAPE BYRON had his consistency rewarded with a one-length victory last time out over 1300M when returning from a 14-week rest. He has his first run for his new trainer and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from draw six.

GARDENZIO finished second in his last two starts, the latest over a mile, two and a half lengths adrift of the victor. He tried to go from gun to tape that day and was only collared late. The gelding faces a wideish gate eight, but nevertheless, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

AUZSTAR was trapped three wide without cover when ending up in fifth place last time out over six furlongs, 2.3L off the winner, but the form of that race has been franked. The gelding will have to deal with a wider gate eleven, but he should be doing his best work late.