Tuesday 25 October 2022 – Hawkesbury

Best Bet: IRISH KISSES (Race 8)

Value Bet: NO STATEMENT (Race 5)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R54.00  

Race 5.

NO STATEMENT won over five furlongs three runs back and has finished second in his next two starts over the same sprint trip, the latest when beaten a head. He showed plenty of toe that day and was only nabbed in the shadow of the post. The gelding has cracked pole position and will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and could prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages. As such, he is made the value bet on the day’s card.

HUON followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a second place finish next time out over 1300M, three lengths behind the winner, but he raced three wide without cover that day, before staying on well. He returns from a 19 week rest, but has finished third in both of his barrier trials. The gelding gets gate seven and will have 1.5kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd.

MORALIST is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1100M, 1.3L off the winner. He struck the front at the 300M mark that day and was only run out of it late. From draw five, he seems likely to turn in another honest performance today.

Race 6.

LAROUPE put her disappointing penultimate run behind her when winning her maiden race by half a length in her latest outing over five furlongs at only the third time of asking. She was returning from a 21 week break that day and showed plenty of speed. The form of that race has been franked and from a handy draw four, she looks to be the one to side with here.

Although PASSISTAS is recorded as finishing fifth last time out over 1100M, she was just under a length behind the winner, despite her jockey putting up 0.5kg overweight. She raced towards the back of the field, but then finished her race off well and from one gate inside the top choice, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

EUPHRATES DREAM is the stable companion to the top choice who won her penultimate outing over 1100M and then finished fourth next time out over the same distance, four lengths adrift of the victor, but she did jump awkwardly that day. She has had two subsequent barrier trials, winning the first and finishing third in the latest to showcase her well-being. She has pulled gate six and makes a solid back-up for the yard.

Race 7.

SURFERS ROYALE’S first three runs have all been over six furlongs and have yielded a win on debut, followed up with a second and then a third place finish last time out, 6.7L behind the winner. He raced just behind the leader in that contest, but then did not quite stay on over the latter stages. He is sure to put his pole position to good use and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

Two 4yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to NEWLEY WED who has her first run after a 20 week break, but has posted an encouraging barrier trial. She won her penultimate start over six furlongs and then ended up in fifth spot last time out over seven furlongs, 6.2L back from the winner, but it should be noted that she jumped awkwardly and was hampered shortly after the start that day. She is drawn wideish in gate eight, but will get the services of 1.5kg claiming Zac Lloyd to aid her cause.

CHENIN had to be held up at the 250M pole before staying on well to end up in sixth place last time out over a mile, 5.2L behind the winner, so should have finished closer to the victor than is officially recorded. She returns from a 26 week spell and has finished fifth in both of her barrier trials, so should be included in all bets.

Race 8.

The day’s best bet, IRISH KISSES is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys. She raced up with the leaders before finishing third in her latest outing over seven furlongs, 3.8L behind the winner and on that effort, she should enjoy the drop in distance. She jumps from a useful draw two and is likely to adopt similar tactics today.

DA NANG STAR only saw daylight at the 350M mark before finishing well to end up in sixth spot last time out over six furlongs, just under five lengths adrift of the winner. The gelding is drawn in gate five and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

XTRA APPROVAL won his penultimate start over seven furlongs and then was bumped at the start, but recovered quickly to race up in second place last time out, eventually finishing fourth over six furlongs, five lengths behind the winner. The gelding has a wideish draw seven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.