Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for Cranbourne on Friday, April 5th.
We have an eight-race card under lights as we lead into Day 1 of The Championships on Saturday!
Check out our preview for every race on the card below, along with our best bets for the meeting.
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 3m.
Cranbourne Racing Tips
Best Bet: Race 2 Ginger Jones
Lay Of The Day: Race 6 Super Hussy
Race 1: 3YO Maiden Set Weights 1200m
Tough race to start, none of the first-starters look to have trialed the house down so am focusing on those that have been to the races previously, briefly! Mistress Molly has had four weeks since her debut where she ran second here, the horse that ran fourth in that race won here last week so the form looks to be good out of that race. Absolut Artie has been a little costly to punters in easier maiden’s than this, Titan Blinders will find it more suitable back in maiden grade here and Whitemore has been to the races 13 times and is still a maiden, ok when runner-up at Bairnsdale at his latest.
Race 2: Maiden Plate 1000m
We were stung last week with Jamie Kah’s book of good rides but she gets the nod again here in race 2. Ginger Jones has been beaten as favourite at all three career runs, the key here is that he can improve and find the line with the blinkers going on for the first time. He maps well and should he jump away with them, expect that Kah will take him straight to the top and he won’t be getting run down tonight. Shezandi As is an interesting runner that has placed twice and comes to a new yard, watch for any money for those in debut, particularly Raining Embers and Diamond Sam.
Race 3: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1000m.
Miss Street is fast, very fast. She has to step up in grade here but if she begins well enough, she will just burn them off, apprentice Mikaela Claridge will just keep her running and they won’t catch her. Fast mares like her are a beautiful betting proposition, especially in small fields like this. Not sure how short she will be, but she will be winning. Honeysuckle Choice has plenty of upside and has trialed well, another nice ride for Kah, but I doubt she will have the speed fresh over 100m against the fitter horse.
Race 4: Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate 1600m.
Head Noises debuted at 1400m two starts back at Ballarat, she took a while to wind-up but was really strong through the line. The step-up to the mile last time looked ideal, she was held-up at a vital stage before running on hard again. The inside gate may be a little tricky though. Sargeant Doyle looks the main danger, she has run third at all four of her career starts, one of those this prep. She gets the winkers on and handles all conditions, if there is any rain about, she will come into the top selection.
Race 5: Maiden Plate 1200m
Not a race that I would be keen to get involved heavily in, Wonaeamirri gets a couple of gear changes, he has the good draw and the speed to lead. He was wide without cover before dropping out last time, excuse him that one run and go on his good effort prior to that when narrowly beaten at Terang. Robbie Laing has a presence with two of his likely to be well favoured, Lealta and Boulevardier, both have trialed fairly but happy to take them on. Chilli Pepper has run on well at his last couple but will be giving them a start, she looks a good lay especially if the track is favouring leaders.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1300m
Beegood Toya Mother resumed at the Bool three weeks ago, he was well backed from $7 into $4.80 with the VOP and didn’t let his supporters down. He was over-racing back in the field before pulling to the middle of the track and bolting in for the easiest of wins. 2.5 lengths was the official margin with another 3 back to third, his maiden win was second-up which he is today and he looks to have come back well. The small field should suit him. Kah has another good ride on the Hussonet mare, Super Hussey, she is consistent and should be able to settle closer here but may have to give the run to the top pick when they make their moves. Bezos has been gelded since last in work, the big boys like to back them when they are fresh off the chop!
Race 7: BM64 Handicap 1500m
Zouy’s Comet is fresh into this, a tough ask going straight to the 1500m but this is a very winnable 64-grade race. He went to the paddock following a very impressive maiden win where he had to do a lot of chasing, he has tactical speed so should be able to offset the wider barrier. Any money for him early form this yard would increase the confidence. Basil will appreciate coming back to this after being outclassed in the Mornington Guineas last start, Rap God will show speed and may lead off the inside with Royal Zephyr also going forward.
Race 8: BM78 Handicap 2025m
Wetakemanhattan has to carry the 60kg here but he should be out making his own luck and carrying the big weight in front shouldn’t be an issue. His win at the Bool two back at 70-grade was soft, went to Flemington three weeks ago, parked off the lead before showing good acceleration to take the lead before the clock tower and was strong enough through the line. Hopefully he lands on the bunny and the track is favouring those up on the speed. Mitrust may be the fly in the ointment and try and find the front also, if they attack each other early maybe a bet in the run on Lord Gododdin or Darabad.
