Australian racing tips – Sunday 5 February 2023 – Goulburn

Best Bet: PINKY (Race 4) 
Value Bet: REOFFENDER (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R120.00  

Race 4

The day’s best bet, PINKY is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won over 1300M three runs back, finished fourth in her penultimate run over 1350M and then fifth last time out over 1550M, two lengths behind the winner, but she was bumped at the 400M mark that day and then hung out approaching the home turn before coming four wide into the straight. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and from pole position, she could prove hard to topple.

EARL OF DEVON finished eleventh on debut over seven furlongs, but then made the expected improvement to win next time out over 1350M by just under a half-length, when returning from an 18-week break. He raced three wide without cover that day, but still managed to finish his race off strongly. He will have to negotiate a wide gate eleven, but will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham back in the irons, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

SPENCER’S SPIRIT followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a third-place finish next time out over seven furlongs, 2.3L back from the winner, but he came three wide into the home straight that day before making good late progress over the latter stages, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. From his handy gate two, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 5 

There are four 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 SHALATIN may well prove to be the best. He had finished second in his three runs prior to ending up in fourth place last time out over 1100M, just over one length behind the victor, but that was at a stronger center. He overraced in the early and middle stages that day, but still stayed on well over the closing stages. The gelding has pulled draw six and could be the one that they all have to beat.

Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home with the slight preference going to FANAGORIA who is seldom far off the action, finishing third in her last two runs, the latest over 1100M, 2.3L back from the winner. It should however be noted that she was bumped shortly after the start in that event and from her useful gate two, she should turn in another honest effort today.

FIANCETTO finished second first time out over 1100M, three and a half lengths adrift of the victor, but she would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected and with Kegan Latham taking the ride, she should be included in all bets, as her draw five will do her no harm.

Race 6

REOFFENDER was returning from a 17-week rest and had to be held on entering the home stretch when showing solid improvement to finish fourth last time out over six furlongs, three and a half lengths off the winner at a stronger centre. The break was clearly just what was needed and although drawn wideish in gate eight, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

THE FOSSIL was hampered at the start and had to weave his way through traffic in the home straight but nevertheless finished powerfully to win his last start over 1300M by half a length. From his kinder draw three, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

SEND ME A LEGEND is drawn one inside the latter and won his penultimate start over six furlongs, before ending up in sixth spot next time out over the same sprint trip, 4.2L adrift of the victor, but he raced wide throughout that day and then came the widest of them all into the home straight, so that effort is best ignored. The gelding should be considered a big runner in this line-up.

Race 7

As with the second leg of the day’s Jackpot, there are a number of unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well. CONDRIEU is a 5yr old mare taking on males and finished third on debut over seven furlongs, just a length behind the winner. She did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 100M, but then finished off her race strongly. She returns from a 20-week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest. She jumps from gate seven and will have come on further with that last run under her belt and she should give the boys a good run for their money.

CRAZY RUSSIAN finished second first time out over this c&d, 0.7L behind the winner, but he was slow away that day, before finishing well. He would have learnt from that experience and whilst drawn wide in gate fourteen, he should be doing his best work late.

SAVVY SMART finished second on debut over 1300M and then was slow away, but recovered quickly to take the lead when ending up in fifth place last time out over seven furlongs, 3.3L behind the winner. He faces an even wider draw seventeen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much gas.