Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for selected races at Ballarat, Canterbury and Pinjarra on Wednesday, May 23rd.
We’ve taken a look at all three cards and selected the races we’re keenest to bet into, and you can find our tips and comments on each of those below.
Best Bet: Canterbury Race 5 #10 Regine
Best Value Bet: Pinjarra Race 6 #2 Sebring Spy / #4 Finance
BALLARAT RACING TIPS
RACE 5
Competitive race. Happy to back (8) Sovereign Duke at $4.80 here. He has a very good first up record and a very good third up record, but his second up run in between is normally flat. His preparation so far has gone along those lines, with a 2nd placing (beaten a nose) first up followed by a poor run last start. He did also pull up lame on that occasion, so expect him to bounce back today. Can handle the wet and the wide draw could be a blessing. (1) Got The Goss at $8 looks the value in the race for Weir/Allen. He’s won four from seven when first up from a spell, is three from four at the distance and has won twice before on Heavy ground.
TIP: (8) Sovereign Duke / (1) Got The Goss EW
RACE 7
Just one bet in the race here for me and it will be something each way on (1) Robbie’s Star at $8.50. The Heavy track really brings this horse into play. He’s never placed from eight starts on Good ground but has won five races on Heavy ground. Carries a big weight that is offset somewhat by the 3kg apprentice claim. The jockey doesn’t fill me with much confidence but he’s a solid place chance at least.
TIP: (1) Robbie’s Star EW
RACE 8
Another open race. Two I’ll be backing. (1) Pakaya Prince is a swimmer. He’s never won from 12 starts on Good ground but has five wins and six placings from 16 starts on wet ground. $6 is a decent price. Also having something on (7) Honolulu Lass for the strong Payne/Egan combination. Steps up in grade after a sound first up run but generally improves into his second up run and the jockey change today is a big one. Adept on wet ground and could run a sneaky race at $11. Weir’s (5) Captain Harry obviously the one to beat.
TIP: (1) Pakaya Prince / (7) Honolulu Lass EW
CANTERBURY RACING TIPS
RACE 4
Looks a nice race for (10) Tunero today. He was good three starts ago behind the very progressive Youngstar at Hawkesbury, then won at Wyong where he defeated a subsequent midweek winner in Cormac and last start he didn’t get a lot of luck at all. Up to 1900m today with just 53.5kg on his back, he’s found a nice race.
TIP: (10) Tunero
RACE 5
Best bet of the day here with (10) Regine for O’Shea/McDonald. JMac has been in great form since returning from his DQ and he’s got another terrific chance here. This horse was sound first up when beaten less than 2L and he’s undefeated when second up. He’s won three from five at this distance and looks to get a gun run from barrier 4. Very hard to beat and has already been backed into $3.30.
TIP: (10) Regine
PINJARRA RACING TIPS
RACE 1
(7) Gun Flint goes on top in a winnable maiden after two nice trials leading into today’s debut. Jarrad Noske rode him in both trials and sticks with him for raceday. The other two favourites draw more favourable (wide is better in 1000m straight races at Pinjarra) but if he can get across to the outside rail he’ll be very competitive. (5) Polar Ice is the value at $16. He was blocked for the final 400m of the race last start when he went around a $101 chance. He probably could have placed with even luck and that was over this track and distance so he’s a rough chance again today.
TIP: (7) Gun Flint / (5) Polar Ice EW
RACE 3
There’s been a good go for (2) Grooveshaker here and it could be worth following that money. He was beaten 3L in a better race than this at Ascot first up and has since been back to the trials where he was impressive. Barrier 1 today and looks to have every chance.
TIP: (2) Grooveshaker
RACE 4
(6) Lickety Split looks to get his chance today. He’s steadily getting up in distance after two starts over 1200m and 1300m so far this prep, now stepping up to 1400m third up. He improved last start when afforded the run of the race, working into 2nd behind Sariska, who should come out and go close to winning again today. Draws barrier 2 so should enjoy a very similar run to the one he had last start and there’s some queries about some other runners in this race so $4.20 appeals.
TIP: (6) Lickety Split
RACE 5
No idea how (1) General Husson has opened favourite here but I’m keen to play around him. (2) Enchanted Dream looks a much better option at a similar price, having won three from three at this track. He resumed with a solid 2nd placing behind Belter at Ascot and was sound in a harder race than this at Ascot again last time out. Third up here, drawn well and returns to the scene of his three career wins. (6) Bella’s Idol is worth having something small on at $11. He’s first up today and has had a stable change since last prep. He’s had a decent amount of time off the track but he won over this track and distance last prep and isn’t without claims. (8) City Star and (9) Another Vision chances.
TIP: (2) Enchanted Dream / (6) Bella’s Idol EW
RACE 6
Two at decent odds I’m interested in here. (2) Sebring Spy was held up until the 100m mark first up over this track and distance and just couldn’t quicken once clear. He won second up at this track and distance last prep and at $10 is over the odds. (4) Finance returns from a spell today. He’s a horse with more ability than his winning strike-rate suggests. Drawn softly with Noske aboard and can give this a shake at $7.50.
TIP: (2) Sebring Spy EW / (4) Finance EW
RACE 7
(12) Sariska justified the very short quote last start after going down as the odds-on favourite first up. I expect the form out of that race to turn out okay and he gets absolutely every chance to go on with the job today after drawing barrier 6. Looks open to further improvement and he’s never finished more than 0.35L off the winner in three career starts. Hard to beat.
TIP: (12) Sariska
