Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Cranbourne on Friday, April 26th.
There's nine races on the card, with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail in the 7m position.
Check out our tips and comments for every race below.
Cranbourne Racing Tips
Best Bet: Race 5 – Savvy Oak
Lay Of The Day: Race 6 - Mossbelle
Race 1 – 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate Set Weights 1000m
Polished Diamond looks well drawn out wide, she can use her natural speed to get across and sit parked or even better, be first over to the rail. Relette was well in the market on debut, was checked when under pressure before being sent to the paddock. Watch the money with her. Neneka is an interesting runner that just wanted to run at a recent jump-out here, the jock really struggled to hold her back to the field. She looks to have a bit to learn but looks to have some talent. The doesn’t appear to be any stars in the rest of the field, let’s go with her on debut.
Race 2: Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate Set Weights 1300m
Written On Rock is a 24-start maiden, hardly the greatest record to be tipping but she has been racing well without a lot of luck. She was held-up for a lot of the straight last start at Pakenham and never really got a crack, the blinkers go off and surely her time is due. Fighting Zeffa stuck on ok last start after a torrid run wide and without cover, she was entitled to give in a little easier. Paris Showgirl is resuming off a 6-month break, now with the Anthony Freedman yard. Watch the betting with her that will be important. Evening Spice is very speedy and looks the leader, but she gave in too easily for my liking at her second career start.
Written On Rock E/W
$8.00
Race 3: Open Handicap 1600m
Howling Wolf has to lump the massive 76.5kg under the special conditions for the picnic gallopers, he draws to get a soft run on the speed and was super after a torrid run last start, sticking on well when not entitled to. Stanborough is still racing well as an 11yo, he will get back and run on but I would rather be on those on pace carrying these weights. Zontario has speed, drawn out wide looks ok as he should be able to carve over early. He won five in a row early in the prep back to the mile looks ideal and may have more upside than these. Not a lot of confidence with the raised weights, tread carefully.
Race 4: Maiden Plate Set Weights 2580m
Only A Mother debuted at 1860m three starts ago, has worked hard at all three starts and once again he should be working forward early from the wide draw. Obviously he is unknown at the trip but the way he runs one paced, he looks suited. Miss Verne has had enough chances but won’t get any easier than this, she was beaten 3.3 lengths officially last start but had no luck in running. She is going well and will have the cold sit. She has a decent turn-of-foot so if she can get a track into and come with one run, she may be too fast when they quicken.
Race 5: BM70 Handicap 2060m
Savvy Oak could be the best of good things here. He won a BM78 last start after a perfect ride just into black figures, has to carry the extra weight here but dropping back in grade and mapping well, he should be winning. The tactics will be interesting, he has the ability to come from anywhere but hopefully is only a pair back in the small field.
Race 6: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1200m
Neurotic didn’t do a lot last prep but really impressed when resuming last start. She over-raced, was held-up for a furlong from the top of the straight before getting a split to run on hard and win. She is up in grade but back against the girls, blinkers go off and comes to the races for Danny O’brien for the first time. The inside alley looks the only hurdle. Mossbelle will have admirers but I think she will end up on the leaders back or outside the speed and she has been up for a while. Happy to be against her. Honeysuckle Choice is taking on the older girls, she won at 64-grade against the girls when second-up last prep. She looks the leader.
Race 7: BM64 Handicap 2580m
Manning Road bolted in two starts back in this grade at Sandown, she showed a good turn-of-foot and was able to sustain the speed for a long run. She was forced to do similar work in a much harder race last time, back in this grade with a hose to follow on the bend, she will be too strong late. Slowpoke Rodriguez will keep coming one paced all day and you know he will run the trip. The Boy Wonder is an Ex-Kiwi that was well supported at his Australian debut, he has the ability in a race where there are a few chances.
Race 8: Class 1 Handicap 1400m
We were all over Neighbourhood on debt after spotting her at the jump-outs, she didn’t disappoint. She wasn’t the best away before finding a spot just behind the speed, was three-wide at the top of the straight and quickly dashed to the front. She looks to have plenty of upside and can go through the grades nicely at this time of year. Titan Blinders resumed and showed a lot more speed last time when winning his maiden, drawn out you would expect that he will go forward again early. Barbie’s Witness won her maiden against the girls last start, she maps to get a soft run and is a must for the exotics, she looks a great place bet.
Race 9: BM64 Handicap 1300m
Grand Bernini is very speedy, he went too quick and was headed inside the furlong last time but stuck n ok. He led throughout at Bairnsdale at the start prior, that race has proven a good form reference. Fully Maxed has been up a long time but can win if he gets a start and brings his best. Dark Villain was wide throughout on the speed when resuming, they have an opinion of him after taking on a much harder race before going to the paddock. He gets a few gear changes and can improve. Roadrager will get back and keep coming I the straight.
