Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Randwick-Kensington on 14 February 2024.
Best Bet: XIDAKI (Race 4)
Value Bet: KADALL (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
1 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
4 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| 8 | 5 | 3 |
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| 4 |
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| 8 |
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Cost: R90.00
Race 4
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, the day’s best bet, XIDAKI may well prove to be the one that they all have to beat. He has only had four runs to date, chalking up one third and three second-place finishes, the latest over six furlongs where he was beaten a short-head, this after coming three wide into the home straight. The form of that race has been franked and from his handy draw three, he will be hoping to go one better today.
Two 3-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to AUTUMNMATION who was crowded at the start, had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 800M mark and then came three wide into the home straight when ending up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs, two and a half lengths back from the winner. In addition, her jockey reported that she did not enjoy the firm going that day. She will have her peak run after returning from a 16-week rest and does face a wideish gate eight, but nevertheless, she could be the biggest danger to the top pick.
OVERVIEW is the stable companion to the top choice and was returning from a 16-week rest when staying on well to finish second in her latest outing over 1250M, just a length and a half behind the winner. She jumps from gate five and makes a solid backup for the powerful Chris Waller yard.
Race 5
NAVAL SEAL put his disappointing penultimate start over a mile behind him when finishing second next time out over nine furlongs, 1.8L back from the winner. He finished well from some way back in that event, despite hanging in over the latter stages. The gelding has pulled a useful draw four and will be looking to chalk up his maiden victory in this line-up.
LOVING CILLA is a 7-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she had to be held up on a few occasions when finishing third last time out over nine furlongs, 2.7L off the victor, so that effort was commendable. She is drawn one outside the former and should be right up there when they hit the line.
FLEET COMMANDER on the other hand is drawn the widest of them all in gate nine, but he has finished second in his last two outings, the latest over 2100M, two lengths adrift of the victor. He struck the front at the entrance to the home straight in that contest, only to be run out of it late. The gelding was also reported to have been lame in his near-foreleg, so he had his excuse.
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. BALKANS came three wide into the home stretch but stayed on well to finish eighth last time out over six furlongs, 3.2L off the winner, but that was in a Listed event. He returns from a 15-week rest but has had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. From draw four and with non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons, he is taken to be the narrow top choice.
CONFESS OUR DREAMS is a 3-year-old filly taking on males, but she has only had two runs so far, winning them both over five furlongs, the latest by 0.8L, so she clearly has some ability. She returns from a slightly longer 17-week absence but has also had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. She will have to negotiate a wide draw ten, but the hat-trick is very much on the cards.
CUSTO has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a third-place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, just under two lengths back from the winner. The gelding battled all the way down to the wire in that event and from a kinder draw six, he should turn in another honest performance here.
Race 7
The day’s value bet, KADALL goes for his hat-trick after victories over 1300M and the latest over seven furlongs by 2.3L. He raced up with the leaders that day and then kicked clear of the field at the top of the home straight, before being eased down approaching the wire. He faces a wideish draw eight, but that may not stop him completing his trio.
TUMBLING has won two of his last three outings, finishing powerful in the last over six furlongs to claim victory by one and a half lengths. He returns from an eleven weeks rest but has had the benefit of two barrier trials and from one gate outside the latter, he should be doing his best work late.
FISTSOFFURY won over 1500M three runs back, finished sixth in his penultimate start over a mile and then third in his latest outing over nine furlongs, 5.7L behind the winner, but he jumped awkwardly in that contest, before making goof late progress. The gelding returns from an 18-week spell, but did finish second in his only barrier trials to showcase his well-being. His useful draw three will do him no harm.
