Australian racing tips – Thursday 2 January 2023 – Gosford

Best Bet: CAROLINA FIRE (Race 5)
Value Bet: KING CHARMING (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R54.00

Race 5

With the late scratching of two of her main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s best bet, CAROLINA FIRE to chalk up her second career victory. She is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her name, finishing third last time out over a mile, just under a length and a half behind the winner. She raced just behind the leaders that day, before staying on smartly over the closing stages. From gate five, she could prove hard to topple.

MIDORI BURLY is the stable companion to the top choice and had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over this c&d, albeit by a half a length, this despite racing four wide from the 500M mark and racing green in the home straight. The gelding is drawn the widest of them all in gate ten, but nevertheless, he makes a solid backup for the yard.

SPITFIRE followed up his penultimate run victory over a mile with a second place finish next time out over the same journey, just a half length back from the winner. He came the widest into the home stretch from some way back that day and from one gate inside the latter, given his style of racing, he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.

Race 6

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 AMBASSADORS may well prove to be the best. He has turned in two solid last runs, the latest when third over seven furlongs, 3.3L back from the victor, but he did jump awkwardly that day and was bumped shortly after the start, raced three wide without cover, before finally coming three wide into the home straight. He returns from a 21-week rest during which time he was gelded and has his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, notwithstanding facing a wide gate twelve.

VILLA TINO was returning from a 20-week spell when finishing fourth last time out over five furlongs, three lengths off the winner, but he did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight in that event, so should have finished closer to the winner that he is officially recorded. He has a wideish draw eight, but the colt should be right up there when they hit the line.

SURREAL LILY is a 4yr old filly taking on males and was returning from a longer 22-week absence when ending up in third place last time out over five furlongs, 4.3L behind the winner, but she jumped awkwardly and hung out on the home turn on that occasion. She is drawn one outside the latter, but on the plus side, she will get 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and should be included in all bets.

Race 7

TINTOOKIE is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, 1.2L back from the winner, but she was bumped at the start and did not get the clearest of runs in the home straight that day. However, the form of that race has been franked and from gate seven and with her having her peak run after returning from a 21-week break, she looks to be the one to side with in this line-up.

SMART LITTLE MISS has cracked pole position and had her consistency rewarded with a one-length victory last time out over this c&d. She sat just behind the leaders in that race and then struck the front at the top of the home straight. The form of that race has also been franked to boost her claim for top spot.

MOON READER raced towards the rear of the field, before staying on well to finish eighth in her latest outing over 1100M, just under six and a half lengths adrift of the winner, when returning from a 28-week spell. The form of that race has been franked and jumping from a useful draw three and having 2kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice, she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, KING CHARMING has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when third over five furlongs, just a neck behind the victor. He was returning from a 19-week rest that day and hung out on the home turn. His jockey also dropped his crop at the 150M, which would not have helped his cause. The gelding jumps from gate seven and will be looking to chalk up his third career win.

HAMAKI has consistent formlines to his credit, finishing second in his last start over six furlongs, beaten a short-head in the shadow of the post. He attracted plenty of betting support that day and although drawn wide in gate eleven, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. He will be hoping to make amends today.

DIVINE OKAY raced three wide without cover and came four wide into the home straight, but stayed on well to end up in fourth spot last time out over 1100M, just under two and a half lengths back from the victor and on that effort, he should have no issue with the step up in trip. He gets a wideish gate eight, but he should still be considered a big runner here.