Australian racing tips – Tuesday 28 February 2023 – Gosford

Best Bet: STONECOAT (Race 6)
Value Bet: MOETTA (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00

Race 4

There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either or both should be respected. Of the raced runners IDALO may prove to be the best. She is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has posted two solid last runs, the latest when finishing third over 1100M, 1.7L behind the winner. She raced up with the leaders that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages. She has pulled draw five, will have her peak run after returning from a 29-week break and will get 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

ASTELENA is the stable companion to the top choice and is another 3yr old filly in the race. She has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three runs and jumped awkwardly, but finished strongly when ending up in second place last time out over five furlongs, just a length back from the winner. She has her first run for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here and makes a solid backup for the yard.

NOVEMBER RHYTHM put his disappointing penultimate run behind him when finishing third in his latest outing over 1100M, just under a length off the winner, when returning from a 55-week spell and a trainer change. The gelding jumped awkwardly that day and hung out all the way down the home straight, but would have come on from that run and from one gate outside the latter, he should keep the top two fillies honest.

Race 5

OXFORD VISION followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a second-place finish next time out over 1100M, one and a half lengths back from the winner, despite jumping awkwardly and being checked at the 50M mark. From his handy draw two, he looks to be the one to side with here.

GEEWIZ JOHNNY has consistent formlines to his name and jumped awkwardly, bumping another runner, before coming five wide into the home straight to end up in second spot last time out over 1100M, just under a half-length behind the winner. He has drawn a useful gate four and should be right up there when they hit the line.

WHY BIG BRY had solid form prior to finishing eighth last time out over six furlongs, just under eleven lengths adrift of the victor, but that was in very heavy going and this jockey reported that he did not act in the conditions, so that effort is best ignored. He returns from a 46-week break, but did finish third in his only barrier trial and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them.

Race 6

STONECOAT is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over seven furlongs, just under a length back from the winner, when returning from a 24-week spell. He will have to negotiate gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and the way he battled all the way down to the wire last time out would suggest that he will relish the extra ground on offer today and as such, he is made the best bet on the day’s card.

FIELD MARSHAL missed out on his hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and 1300M when finishing sixth last time out over seven furlongs two and a half lengths off the winner, when returning from a 14-week rest and having his first run for his new trainer, champion Chris Waller. He has a kinder draw three and could emerge as the biggest danger to the former.

DIRTY MERCHANT is drawn one inside the latter and has consistent formlines to his credit, finishing fifth last time out over seven furlongs, just under three and a half lengths behind the victor and the form of that race has been franked. He should be involved in the finish here.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, MOETTA is a 6yr old mare taking on males, but she won her penultimate start over 1100M and then finished second last time out over the same sprint distance, just a head behind the winner. She struck the front at the top of the home straight on that occasion and was only snared in the shadow of the post. She also attracted plenty of betting support that day and from pole position, she will be hoping to make amends today.

ZELAGO also won his penultimate run, but in his case over five furlongs and then finished up in second place next time out over 1100M, just under a half-length back from the winner. The gelding kicked clear of the field at the 200M pole, only to be run out of it over the latter stages. From one gate outside the top pick, he should be considered a big runner here.

CEASEFIRE drifted out over the latter stages costing himself valuable ground when finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, just under four and a half lengths behind the winner. He has his first run after a 26-week absence, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest and from one gate outside the latter, he could complete the trifecta.