Taree racing tips – Tuesday 24 September 2024

Race 4

There are three unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first time out.

Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, IT’S SHOWTIME may well prove to be the best. He is seldom far off the action, having finished third three time prior to ending up in fourth place last time out over 1400M, 3.3L back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked.

The gelding gets a handy draw two and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. CUP OF AMBITION is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she overraced in the early stages when finishing sixth last time out over 1300M, just under six and a half lengths behind the winner.

She has her peak run after returning from a 28 week break and whilst she will have to negotiate a wide draw twelve, on the plus side, she will have 1.5kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice. OCKBARTON ISLAND chased hard to the wire when finishing sixth last time out over 1600M, just over two lengths back from the victor, but he was reported to be lame after that contest, so that effort should be ignored.

The gelding returns from a 24 week spell, but has finished fourth in his only barrier trial and from gate seven, he should be included in all bets.

Race 5

The day’s value bet, SNITZAROO had to be held up at the top of the home straight, but stayed on well to finish sixth last time out over 1100M, 3.8L off the winner.

He has his peak run after returning from a 27 week rest and with better luck in running and from gate five, he could chalk up his third career victory. EDGE OF MIDNIGHT has consistent formlines to his name, finishing third in his latest outing over 1200M, just over two lengths back from the winner.

He returns from a 34 week break, during which time he was gelded and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but if not in need of the outing, he should be right up there when they hit the line. The gelding gets the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice and will have to deal with a wide draw nine, but nevertheless, he should not be easily discounted.

SUMO FISH has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when second over 1200M, 0.8L behind the victor. He on the other hand has a useful gate four and will have a greater 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 6

WHO EVER THOUGHT tried to go from jump to wire when finishing second last time out over 1400M, just under a half length back from the victor and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning.

He has pulled gate six and will have a 1,5kg claiming apprentice in the irons and he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

PACKER was bumped at the start, but stayed on well to finish seventh in his latest outing over 1400M, just under five and a half lengths adrift of the winner. The gelding jumps from one gate inside the top pick and he can complete the exacta.

SALAMANCAS had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1400M, albeit by just a head. He was having his first run for his new trainer that day and whilst taking on stronger here, he has a cozy draw four and may well be up to the task at hand.

Race 7

OCTAVIAN TREASURE is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has cracked pole position and kicked clear of the field at the entrance to the home straight and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win her last start over 1000M by 1.8L. She will have 1,5kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and could prove hard to topple.

As such, she is made the best bet on the day’s card. ZENTI followed up his penultimate run victory over 1200M with a tenth place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, just under two and a half lengths back from the winner, but that was at a stronger center.

The gelding has a handy draw three and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice. SIGSWORTH missed out on his hat-trick after two victories over 1000M when finishing nineth last time out over the same trip, 3.2L behind the winner, but that was also at a stronger center.

He raced four wide throughout on that occasion, but was still able to battle all the way down to the wire. The gelding is in turn drawn one outside the latter and should be involved in the finish,