Australian racing tips – Sunday 26 February 2023 – Tamworth

Best Bet: EZEKEIL (Race 7) 
Value Bet: SUMPTUARY (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R54.00 

Race 5

ATHENA NYX is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys. She missed out on her hat-trick after two victories over six furlongs when finishing fourth last time out over the same sprint trip, four and a half lengths behind the winner and was immediately rested for 18 weeks. She returns here after having had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in the latest. She will have to negotiate draw ten, but she will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

STAR ON FIRE on the other hand has cracked pole position. He finished fourth on debut over five furlongs and then made the expected improvement to win by one and a half lengths next time out over the same trip. The gelding showed plenty of toe that day and he would have come on further with that run under his belt. He does return from a 33-week spell but did finish third in his only barrier trial.

CHIKY CHIKY MAMA is a 4yr old filly who has consistent formlines to her name and tried to go from jump to wire when ending up in third place last time out over five furlongs, 2.7L back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked. She will have to deal with a wide draw nine, but nevertheless, she should be included in all bets.

Race 6

THE DRAMATIST followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a disappointing tenth-place finish next time out when stepping up to nine furlongs, 9.3L adrift of the winner. It should however be noted that he was slow away and bumped shortly after the start in that contest, as well as being reported to be coughing post-race. He returns after a nine-week rest, but has finished second in a barrier trial. From a handy draw two, he looks to be the one to side with here.

RUSSIAN STANDARD had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over six furlongs, putting nearly five lengths between himself and the opposition. He showed plenty of speed that day, but hung out down the home straight. The gelding has also won a subsequent barrier trial and jumping from gate five, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

SENSATIONAL REWARD won three in a row before finishing tenth in his penultimate start over six furlongs and then fourth last time out over the same sprint trip, two lengths back from the winner. He gets 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and is sure to put his pole position to good use.

Race 7

EZEKEIL goes for his hat-trick after wins over 1100M and the latest over six furlongs by three and a half lengths. He struck the front at the 200M mark that day and the race was effectively over as a contest from that point. The gelding jumps from gate seven and the trio is very much on the cards. As such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

AKASAWA jumped awkwardly and then had to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the 300M pole and then his jockey dropped the reigns over the closing stages when finishing second last time out over 1550M, just a head off the winner, so he should be considered an unlucky loser. The form of that race has also stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He does return from a 10-week rest, but has finished second in his only barrier trial and could prove to be the biggest threat to the top choice.

SEGUSO is the stable companion to the top choice and is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, two and a half lengths back from the winner, but he jumped awkwardly and hung out down the home straight in that contest. He was also reported to have pulled up sore, so, all in all, that effort is best ignored. He will have to overcome a wide draw fifteen, but nevertheless, he should be involved in the finish and makes a solid backup for the yard.

Race 8

A 3yr old filly and a 5yr old mare could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s value bet, SUMPTUARY is taken to lead the field home. She won by 1.2L first time out over five furlongs, despite hanging out approaching the home turn. She did finish strongly to win going away that day and she has also won a subsequent barrier trial. The form of that race has been franked and with ex-SA jockey Donovan Dillon retaining the ride, she will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. She would have also learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the one that they all have to beat.

TRANSPLANT kicked clear of the field at the top of the home straight and then has enough in the tank to go on to win her last start over five furlongs by two and a half lengths, notwithstanding hanging out in the home stretch. She has her peak run for her new trainer after returning from a 22-week break and whilst drawn wideish in gate eight, she could be good enough to chalk up a quick double.

INDICATIVE has consistent formlines to his name and although recorded as finishing seventh last time out over seven furlongs, he was just 1.7L behind the victor. That was at a stronger centre and he was bumped shortly after the start. He recovered quickly to take the lead, but hang out over the final 200M, which did his cause no good. He faces a wide draw twelve, but he is a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much gas.