International Racing: Australia – Tuesday 25 August 2020

Cost: R27.00.

Race 5

With the late scratchings of two of his main rivals, the way may have been cleared for BANJU to record his maiden victory here. He has finished second in all three of his runs to date and just could not hold on for the win last time out over this distance. He has his peak outing today after a 19 week rest and despite being drawn wide at gate eleven, he is taken to be the value bet on today’s card. SON OF SAMPSON is drawn one inside the top choice and will also have his peak run after a slightly longer 22 week break. He had shown good improvement in his last two runs prior to the rest, finishing second over six furlongs, just under a length behind the winner in the latest. SING AND DANCE finished sixth on debut over five furlongs, 2.7L off the winner. His jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight that day and he only got a clear run late, so that effort was most encouraging. He has a handy three draw and will have 1.5kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice to aid his cause. 

Race 6.

The top three selections renew their rivalry today and there should not be too much separating the trio when they hit the line. The narrow first choice goes to HEREDERO who had his consistency rewarded with a narrow victory last time out over 1100M. He held off all challengers that day, including TWO DUCKS ARTIE and MY ZEBRINKA and should not be troubled with the step up in distance. The second pick did finish slightly less than a half-length behind the third selection that day and although meeting the top pick on 1.5kgs better terms, he may have to settle for a similar result here. He has a slightly wide draw of nine to negotiate. MY ZEBRINKA is drawn one inside the latter and as previous mentioned, he did finish in front of the former in that last clash. He did not get the clearest of runs that day and was also returning form a 23-week rest. The pair meet on the same weight terms here and it could come down to who handles the extra ground on offer the best. We can look forward to an exciting finish to the race.   

Race 7

SEQUANA showed the expected improvement when winning second time out over six furlongs. She finished strongly to put two and a half lengths between herself and the opposition that day, suggesting that the extra distance will be to her liking. From gate two, she looks to be difficult to topple. YULONG MONOCEROS has cracked pole position and has shown solid improvement in her last two outings. She was slightly hampered as she entered the straight last time out and should have finished closer to the winner as a result. With better luck in running today, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice. PHILADORA is seldom too far off the action and stayed on well to finish three and a half lengths behind the victor last time out over 1100M. She has gate nine to overcome, but should be involved in the finish here. 

Race 8

MISS FOX is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys. She returns from a 23 week break, but did win her only barrier trial to prove her well-being. She goes for the rare feat of winning four races on the bounce and has a wide draw of ten, but she clearly has some ability and could continue her winning streak here. THERMOSA showed marked improvement to win his latest start over five furlongs by over five lengths when returning from a 19 week break. If able to confirm that last effort, he should be right up there in the dash down to the wire. BENGALLA BAY also won his last outing over five furlongs, albeit by a closer one length. He faces a wide gate thirteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and should be included in all bets.  

Ballarat

Best Bet: INCAS (Race 5)
Value Bet: YOU ESS SUCCESS (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R90.00

Race 5.
INCAS has only had the two runs to date and finished strongly to win over 1100M at the second time of asking by just under a length. She is certain to have improved further and should enjoy the extra ground on offer here. From pole position, she is taken to be the best bet on today’s program. ENCIRCLE showed good improvement to win her latest outing over 1100M at this track, despite being hampered between the 300M and 200M mark. On that effort, she looks to be the biggest threat to the top choice. POLYXENA is a speedy sort who is seldom too far off the action. She has a wideish eight draw, but is likely to use that early toe to move across without using up too much energy.

Race 6.
NINE CLOUDS missed out on his hat-trick when finishing second last time out over this c&d, two lengths behind the winner. He stayed on well that day and although being stuck out wide at gate thirteen, he should be right up there when they hit the wire. PEARL PRINCESS is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys. Although she finished fifth in her last outing over 1100M, she was just 2.7L off the victor after making good late progress. From a far kinder gate four, she should keep the top pick honest. BALLE D’OR is a 6yr old mare who has cracked pole position. She showed marked improvement when winning her last start over the c&d in the shadow of the post. If she is able to confirm that effort, she should be involved in the finish here.


Race 7.
HONORABLE MENTION has consistent formlines to his name and stayed on well to finish third last time out over 1500M at this track. He has pulled pole position and is sure to put that to good use. DRESS is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she showed the expected improvement to win by three lengths second time out over this c&d. She could be almost anything and should be shown the utmost respect here. Her draw five will do her no harm. FAST PLAN is drawn one outside the latter and has shown steady improvement in his last two runs. He was hampered between the 350M and 200M mark last time out over six furlongs and did well to finish as close to the winner as he did. He should be included in all bets. HURRICANE FIGHTER was slightly disappointed in his latest start over 1300M, but drops to a lesser center here and should not be overlooked in this competitive looking race.


Race 8.
YOU ESS SUCCESS followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a third-place finish next time out over 1700M, three lengths behind the winner. He returns from a 24-week break and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, but will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and will jump from a handy four draw. GARBO takes a further step up in distance after making good late progress to end up in sixth place last time out over seven furlongs. He seems certain to appreciate the extra ground on offer today. SENSITIVITY is a 4yr old filly taking on boys. She was hampered in the straight before finishing fourth last time out over the c&d, 2.4L behind the winner. She did record a victory over this c&d three runs back and although drawn wideout at gate thirteen, she should be considered a big runner in this line-up.  

Rockhampton

Best Bet: APPLICANT (Race 5)
Value Bet: COACH (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00

Race 4.
There are four first timers in this race who have not had barrier trials, so a close watch needs be paid to the betting market to see if the connections have any confidence in their chances of winning on debut. Of the raced runners, DIP DYE may prove to be the best. She is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she had finished second in his two previous outings before ending up in third place last time out over this c&d. She was immediately rested for 12 weeks, before returning here without having the benefit of a barrier trial. From gate five, she could be the one to side with today. INVESTIBLE has shown steady improvement in his last two runs, but didn’t seem to quite go on with his effort in his last outing over seven furlongs and drops back to what appears to be a more suitable trip. He has a wide draw of eleven to negotiate, but could still be the biggest danger to the top choice. FOXTER returns from a 18 week break, but did finish third in his only barrier trial to prove his fitness. He stayed on before finishing second over the c&d in his last start before the rest and should be considered for all bets.

Race 5.
APPLICANT is looking to complete his hat-trick after returning from a 13 week rest. He won his latest start over the c&d by a neck and with him having his peak run here and jumping from a handy draw three, he is taken as the best bet on today’s card. LINGALONGA LASS is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she is seldom far off the action and finished second in her last outing over this c&d, just under a length off the winner. She was hampered at the 100M mark that day, but then lost the objection that was lodged against the winner in the boardroom. She has a wideish eight gate, but with better luck in running today, she could emerge as the biggest threat to the top pick. STRAWBERRY BLONDE is also a 5yr old mare. She returns from a 21 week rest, but did win her only barrier trial to confirm her well-being. She drops in trip from the 1300M of her last three runs to the 1100M of today’s contest and may do better as a result.

Race 6.
COACH had finished second twice in a row before going one better to win his last start over a mile at this track. He took the lead at the 250M pole and drew clear to record a facile victory. He gets to jump from a handy two draw and could be good enough to complete his double today. RED SATIN is a 4yr old filly taking on boys, but she has pulled position. She finished fourth last time out over seven furlongs, only 1.4L off the winner. The blinkers get re-fitted today and she will get the services of a 3kgs claiming apprentice. FINUCANE MISSILE missed out on completing his quartet of wins when finishing fourth last time out over 1500M. He has a wide draw of ten to negotiate, but he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

Race 7.
This looks to be a tricky race to end off the day’s proceedings and some caution is advised. NAILED IT NAN is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but made steady improvement to win her maiden race last time out over six furlongs. She takes on stronger here, but may well be up to the task on hand. STEPPED IN PAINT is a 5yr old mare who although finishing seventh in her last outing over 1100M, was only 2.3L behind the winner. She has her first start for her new trainer and jumps from gate three. If fully settled into her new surroundings, she could be the biggest danger to the former. CHARLES SEVEN followed up his penultimate run victory over 1100M at this track with a second-place finish over 1300M, two a half lengths adrift of the winner. He is drawn wide at gate ten, but has his peak run today and should be involved in the finish. RAMROD won by a half-length last time out when dropping down to this distance. He has the widest draw of them all out at gate thirteen, but he is likely to use his early speed to move across without expending too much energy.