International Racing: Australia – Friday 14 August 2020

Cost: R90.00

Race 6

The opening leg of today’s Jackpot looks to be a tricky race and some caution is suggested. SKY HERO had his consistency rewarded with a three and a half length victory last time out over ten furlongs, despite being friendless in the betting market. He finished full of running that day, suggesting that the extra distance should not present an issue. He has drawn the widest of them all at gate seventeen, but he should be doing his best work late. MONMOUTH drops in distance after two outings over twelve furlongs. He likes to race up with the leaders in his races and should appreciate the drop in trip. ANYTHING BUT on the other hand steps up in distance after staying on to finish 6.2L behind the winner in his last start over a mile. This distance seems more suitable as he won over ten furlongs three runs back. He also has a wide draw of fifteen to negotiate, but he should be involved in the finish here. SKYWAY STAR is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she was making good late progress when eighth last time out, but just 3.2L off the winner. She should give the males a good run for their money. 

Race 7

IT’S A RAH is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but who has shown steady improvement in her last two runs, winning her latest over 1100M despite hanging over the latter stages of the race. She jumps from gate six and if reproducing that last effort, she looks to be the value bet on today’s program. ZOUMANOR returns from a 26 week break and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust. He was immediately rested after a disappointing last start over six furlongs, but if bouncing back to the form that saw him finishing second in his penultimate outing over 1100M, he could prove the biggest danger to the top choice. JAZZLES is a 4yr old filly who is seldom far off the action. She won her maiden race last time out over 1100M, by some 1.5L and although having a wide draw of fifteen, she should be picking off the frontrunners in the dash down to the winning post.

Race 8

CHASKA has his first run since a 32 week rest and has not had a barrier trial. He missed out on his hat-trick in his last outing when stepping up in trip to nine furlongs, having won his previous run over a mile. He was however checked in the latter stages of that race and should have finished closer as a result. If not too much in need of the run, he could be the one to beat, jumping from his handy two draw. HIGHCLASS HARRY is going for his trio of victories after winning his last two starts over seven furlongs. He has a wide draw of twelve to overcome, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. BET RED has his first run since a 28 week break and has also not had a barrier trial. He tried to go from jump to wire in his last start when finishing third over a mile. He is likely to attempt similar tactics here and could prove difficult to reel in over the latter stages of the contest.  

Race 9

CALIFORNIA SUNSET made solid improvement when staying on well to finish third in his latest run over six furlongs, just 1.8L behind the victor. He has a handy gate two and could be the one to side with here. VOYAGE DE LUNE returns from a 18 week break and no barrier trial, but he did win on debut over six furlongs and would no doubt have learnt from the experience. He is drawn very wide at fifteen, but he only got going very late in that win and seem likely to appreciate the extra ground on offer here. LITTLE MERMAID returns from a 16 week rest and has also not had a barrier trial, but he showed the expected improvement to win his second start by a short-head over 1300M. He battled on well to win that race and if showing the same determination here, he should be right up there in the mix.  

 

Townsville

Best Bet: BEST HOFFA (Race 9)

Value Bet: TANGO RAIN (Race 10)

Jackpot (race 7 – 10)

Cost: R90.00

Race 7

UNSHAKEABLE goes for his hat-trick here after winning over seven furlongs and then over the mile last time out by a half length, despite shifting around in the closing stages. He is drawn wide at gate sixteen, but he likes to race handy in his races and should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. CROCODILE SHOES on the other hand, cracked pole position. He has consistent formlines to his name and was making good late progress when finishing second in his last outing over a mile. GRAND SYMPHONY has won three on the bounce, two of which have been over the seven furlong journey. He is drawn wide out at gate eighteen, but he is another one with early pace and he should be able to slot into a handy position early. 

Race 8

FULL RECOGNITION has won two out of this last three runs over this trip, the latest by a half length, despite taking a bump at the start. In a tricky race, he is taken for top choice from his handy three draw. EXCEEDING ASSASSIN missed out on completing his hat-trick last time out when finishing third over the five furlongs. He jumped awkwardly that day, but recovered well and although having a wideish draw of nine, he should be involved in the finish here. FANAAR drops back to five furlongs after finishing strongly to win his last outing over six furlongs by two lengths. He jumps from gate eleven and should be right up there when they hit the line. STAR BANNER had finished second twice in a row before winning his last start over this c&d.  He stayed on well that day and whilst draw wide at sixteen, he should be picking off the frontrunner in the latter stages of the contest.

Race 9

BEST HOFFA hit the front early and kept going strongly to put 4.3L lengths between himself and the balance of the field to win his last outing over this distance. He has a wide gate ten, but could be good enough to record his double here and is taken as the best bet on today’s card. UNBIASED stayed on well when third in his latest start over seven furlongs, but will not be trouble by the hike in distance as he finished third in his penultimate outing over the c&d, 1.2L behind the winner. He has a wide draw of sixteen to overcome, but he is unlikely to be stopping over the closing stages. ROCK SPUR showed good improvement to be a neck winner of his last run when stepping up to the 1900M and should have no issues with the extra ground on offer today. 

Race 10

TANGO RAIN only missed out on his hat-trick when beaten a short-head last time out over six furlongs at this venue. He is a versatile sort who jumps from gate seven and could be the one that they all have to beat. MONSIEUR GUSTAVE finished fourth in his latest start over 1300M, just under two lengths behind the victor. He is unfortunately drawn out at gate fourteen, but possesses good early toe and should be able to move across without using up too much energy. DALON battled all the way down to the wire to win his last outing over six furlongs. On that effort, he should have no problem with the slight step up in trip. His handy draw of four will do him no harm.