Australian racing tips – Saturday 18 February 2023 – Rosehill Gardens

Best Bet: AFT CABIN (Race 8)|
Value Bet: BANJU (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 7 – 10)

Cost: R54.00

Race 7

BANJU completed his hat-trick when winning his last start over a mile by 0.8L, despite jumping awkwardly and having to be eased off the heels of other runners at the 1400M mark. He finished off his race strongly that day for a well-timed victory. From his draw six, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

KING FRANKEL on the other hand attempts to secure his hat-trick after wins over 2100M and the latest over 2300M by two and a half lengths, notwithstanding jumping awkwardly. He recovered quickly to pick up the lead and then stayed on well over the closing stages. The gelding returns from a 14-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest and whilst draw wideish in gate eight, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

IRISH LEGEND also goes for his hat-trick after two victories over ten furlongs, albeit the latest by just a short-head. He went from jump to wire that day and from a handy draw four, he could prove hard to reel in over the latter stages.

Race 8

The day’s best bet, AFT CABIN has his hat-trick run after victories over seven furlongs and the latest in a Group 3 event over six furlongs by 1.8L, when returning from a 20-week break. He was bumped shortly after the start that day and then struck the front at the 200M mark to win going away. He will have to negotiate draw eleven, but he could nevertheless prove difficult to topple.

The colt resumes his rivalry with ZOU TIGER who finished second in the race mentioned above, that 1.8L back from the top choice. He was returning from a slightly shorter 19-week rest that day and he did jump awkwardly, but he made good late progress over the latter stages. He gets a kinder draw seven, but as he meets the former on 2.5kgs worse terms on today’s weights, he may well have to settle for the same result.

OSIPENKO finished fifth in that same race, three and a half lengths back from the top pick, but he was hampered shortly after the start and then raced wide without cover from the 800M pole and hung out from the 600M mark. In addition, his jockey put up 1kg overweight. He has cracked pole position, but he is also 2.5kgs worse off with the top pick, so he too may struggle to reverse that last result.

Race 9

CROSS TALK tried to go from gun to tape when ending up in eighth place last time out over a mile, 9.8L adrift of the winner, but he was reported to have been lame in his near-fore, so that effort is best ignored. His form prior to that outing was solid and from his useful gate two, he looks to be the one to side with here. The gelding resumes after a 20-week spell, but has won both of his barrier trials to showcase his well-being and he could provide jockey Tim Clark with the winner of the second and third leg of the day’s jackpot.

BULLFINCH has consistent formlines to his name and was crowded at the start and had to be held up at the top of the home straight when finishing third in his latest outing over a mile, 0.8L off the winner, so that effort was encouraging. He attracted plenty of betting support that day and from draw six, he will be hoping to make amends today.

LACKEEN is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over seven furlongs, 2.2L back from the winner, but that was in a Group 3 contest. He is sure to put his pole position to good use and turn in another honest performance today.

Race 10

MIDWEST has finished second in his last two runs and closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest over 1100M, just a short-head behind the victor. It should, however, be noted that he was bumped shortly after the start, but was able to show plenty of toe before finally being snared in the shadow of the post and the form of that race has been franked. The gelding jumps from a cozy draw three and could give jockey Tim Clark another winner to round off a red-letter day for him.

ANDERMATT ran on from some way back to finish fourth last time out over five furlongs, just under a length and a half back from the winner. He has pulled gate five and will have his peak run after returning from a 14-week rest. The gelding will also get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd.

KOTE missed out on his hat-trick when finishing fifth in his latest outing over five furlongs, one and a half lengths back from the victor. He was returning from a 15 week spell that day and raced up with the speed before fading over the closing stages. He gets gate six and should be involved in the finish.