Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Mudgee on 19 February 2023.
Best Bet: GALLANT STAR (Race 8)
Value Bet: DE FORERUNNER (Race 7)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
1 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
4 | 1 | 11 | 3 |
5 | 3 | 3 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
IKNOWASTAR put his disappointing penultimate run over five furlongs behind him when finishing fifth next time out when stepping up to six furlongs, just over a length and a half behind the winner. He raced wide without cover till the 800M mark that day and then came three wide into the home straight, but still managed to stay on well over the closing stages. The gelding has draw six and could be the one that they all have to beat. Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home but
WE DON’T ROAM, who is the stable companion of the top choice, is the slight preference. She did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight when finishing seventh last time out over six furlongs, 4.3L back from the victor and that was at a stronger centre. She has her peak run after returning from a 28-week break, is drawn one in the top choice, and makes a solid backup for the yard.
MUSICAL AFFAIR raced three wide without cover and was crowded at the 200M mark, but she battled all the way down to the line to end up in second spot last time out over six furlongs, 2.3L adrift of the winner. She is drawn in gate seven and she should be doing her best work late.
Race 6
BILLIETHEFILLIE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she had her consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over seven furlongs, putting just over three lengths between herself and the opposition, despite being crowded at the start. She hit the front at the 200M mark and the race was effectively put to bed at that point. She jumps from gate five and she should give the males a good run for their money. SHYLOCK is drawn one outside the top choice and showed marked improvement to win his last start over a mile by just under a length and a half. He was slow away on that occasion but made good late progress over the latter stages. He will have his peak run after returning from a 38-week spell and if he is able to confirm that last effort, he should be a big runner here.
GIRRAGULANG is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over 1450M, just a neck back from the winner. He was slow away that day but managed to race just behind the leaders and then stayed on well over the closing stages. The gelding jumps from gate four and should be included in all bets.
Race 7
The day’s value bet, DE FORERUNNER’S last five runs have yielded three thirds, one win and one fifth-place finish. He won his penultimate outing over seven furlongs and then showed plenty of speed to end up in third place last time out over seven furlongs, 2.2L behind the winner. He faces draw seven, but the gelding should turn in another honest performance today.
SCOPICS is the stable mate to the top choice. He has only had the three runs to date and missed out on his hat-trick after wins over 1300M and 1280m when finishing second last time out over 1300M, just a half-length back from the winner. He showed plenty of early gate speed that day, but then hung out in the home straight, allowing the victor to grab him very late. The gelding gets a kinder draw three and makes a genuine backup for the yard. Although
BLOW DART is recorded as finishing seventh last time out over five furlongs, he was just 2.7L behind the leader. He was a joint leader into the home straight that day and the stayed on well, suggesting that he should have no issue with the extra ground on offer today. He will have to deal with a wide gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
Race 8
GALLANT STAR has cracked pole position and has only had the four runs to date, chalking up two wins and two third-place finishes, the latest one of those thirds over 1100M, 0.8L back from the winner, but that was at a stronger centre and he was returning from a 28-week absence. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and is made the best bet on the day’s program.
A 3yr and a 4yr old filly could follow him home, with SALISANO getting the nod for second spot. She has won both of her starts to date, the first over five furlongs and the second over 1100M by one length. She struck the front at the 100M mark to win going away and from gate six, she should be right up there when they hit the line.
RUBIWISH has consistent formlines to her name and tried to go from gun to tape when finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L behind the winner. She will have to overcome a wide gate nine, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much gas.
