Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Kensington on 16 March 2022.
Best Bet: SAMOOT (Race 5)
Value Bet: SIX AGAIN (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8).
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
5 | 10 | 6 | 9 |
8 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| 8 | 8 | 4 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
The day’s best bet, SAMOOT is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she put 3.3L between herself and the opposition to win her last start over six furlongs when returning from a lengthy 32 week absence, this despite being hampered shortly after the start and not getting the clearest passage in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 150M mark. She drew clear to win going away that day and from draw nine, she should be doing her best work late.
OLD FLAME missed out on his hat-trick when finishing fourth last time out over seven furlongs, eight lengths behind the winner, but that was in the UK and he has his first run in Australia for his new trainer. He returns from a 20 week break, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest. From a handy draw four, he could make a winning debut in his new country. The betting market may be the best guide as to his chances of winning first up.
NIKAU SPUR followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a thirteenth place finish next time out over a mile, 8.3L back from the winner, but he was slow away that day and was immediately rested for 25 weeks. The gelding returns here without having had a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from gate seven, he should be involved in the finish.
Race 6
OCEAN SHORES has consistent formlines to his name, winning his penultimate run over 1500M and then finishing third next time out over 1900M, 0.7L behind the winner. He jumped awkwardly and was crowded shortly after the start that day, fining himself towards the back of the field before unleashing a strong finish to just fail to record his second career win.
BETHENCOURT has had two solid runs since returning from a 25 week rest and kicked clear of the field at the 220M mark before going on to win his last outing over 1500M by 1.3L. He has his peak run since returning from a 25 week absence and faces a wide draw thirteen, but he should nonetheless be right up there when they hit the line.
MAIN STAGE had his consistency rewarded with a 2.8L victory last time out over nine furlongs. He went from jump to wire that day and from draw eight, he is likely to adopt the same tactics today.
Race 7
FLEET AIR ARM missed out on his hat-trick when fourth last time out over five furlongs, 3.8L adrift of the winner, but he battled all the way down to the finishing post that day. He has pulled a cozy draw three and has his peak run after returning from a 50 week spell. If showing the same determination here, he could return to winning ways.
JERLE won his penultimate start over 1100M and then ended up in fifth place next time out over five furlongs, 4.3L behind the winner when returning from a 20 week rest. He was making good late progress that day and from gate eight, he should be doing his best work late.
MAJOR MURPHY is drawn one outside the latter and also won his penultimate start, but in his case over six furlongs and then he did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight when finishing second last time out when dropping down to five furlongs, two and a half lengths behind the winner. With better luck in running today, he should be included in all bets.
Race 8
SIX AGAIN had nothing go her way when missing out on her trio of wins when ending up in second spot last time out over five furlongs, one and a half lengths behind the winner. She jumped awkwardly and was hampered shortly after the start, bumped at the 600M pole and then finally was hanging out all the way down the home straight. The form of that race has been franked and despite drawing gate ten, she is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card. She does return from a 19 week rest, but did finish fourth in her only barrier trial to prove her fitness.
ARRANMORE has only had the four outings to date and has not finished far off the action in all of those runs, the latest a second place finish over six furlongs, 0.8L back from the winner when returning from a 16 week break. She jumped awkwardly and was crowded shortly after the start in that contest, but still made good late progress over the closing stages. From her kinder draw three, she should not be lightly dismissed.
SWITCHED’S last two efforts have been solid, finishing second in her latest outing over 1100M, 0.8L off the winner. She hit the front at the 200M mark that day and was only run out of it very late. It should also be noted that she cast an off-fore shoe that day which would not have helped her cause. From a wideish gate nine, she should keep the top two picks honest.
