It's Boxing Day and we face a day full of great sport, drinking and punting (all in moderation of course). The Horse has found his best bets from across the three metro tracks headlining the day, Caulfield, Randwick and Eagle Farm.
For full analysis and racing tips for every race of the day, head over to our dedicated horse racing site, RacingBet.
Caulfield Race 1
The first race on the card is the no-class restriction handicap over 1200 metres. There are a stack quality horses here with potential - eight of them yet to have a race start. Of those already raced, only one has chalked up a prior win thus far. (2) Rusheen from the Noonan stable is one from one – taking out a much easier affair at Bendigo. Despite the winning form he is already experiencing a slight drift in the market. Happy to be against him today.
Another one of the raced competitors is (1) Ranveer who ran second at Flemington behind Profiteer - who looks to be a pretty smart one. They put a gap on the rest of the field that day – and no doubt he has come on from that run. Leading jockey premiership rider Jamie Kah is in the saddle – and despite the wide gate Ranveer should have the speed to come across and land in a nice position. There is genuinely a lot of unknowns here, but the times posted by Ranveer in his previous outing are hard to ignore.
Caulfield Race 8
The Lord Stakes looks like it should be a great little race over the 1200 metres. At the top of the market – and at the top of my selections – is (7) Tavidance for the Price/Kent stable. Full disclosure – one of my favourite horses going around. He is genuine horse and seems to keep rising to every challenge placed before him. The resume speaks for itself - 11 starts for 5 wins and 3 places; with 3 wins at this distance; and he handles all conditions. He does appear to perform at his best with the sting out of the ground – but that does exclude him from contention here on Good 4. Last start he won by 3.8 lengths against a similar field. It was impressive. Can win again! Best bet on the card.
The horse Tavidance beat was (1) Nightswatch who has found some form after a few disappointing appearances. He is a Group 1 competitive horse – and deserves his place in the market here. At $14 he is a great each way chance – especially with Damian Lane on board who seems like he could ride a camel to victory at the moment. The weight is the query at 62kgs. (8) Paradee could turn up – likewise (4) Coming Around.
Eagle Farm Race 7
The Cairns horse (4) The Harrovian is going for 11 straight wins. He came to the metro tracks for this preparation and plenty doubted him – and then went 3 from 3. He is the real deal winning 16 from 29 overall – and on every condition. Brad Stewart maintains the ride and shows no sign of jumping off. The only query here is the inside gate and the potential to get boxed in by the field (probably all hoping to end this hot streak).
Outside the favourite it is hard to ignore (1) Goulis and (8) Profit. But pretty happy to take only one here – and hope the dream continues for the Toby & Edmonds stable.
Randwick Race 8
Quite a number of good races today with some clear standouts. One of them is (14) Ellsberg who put 4.3 lengths on his rivals last start. That was in bm72 grade and he now steps up to bm78 against tougher company. He gets the services of Jay Ford today and draws a wide gate. He does have the speed to come across and make his way to the lead when it counts. The conditions of the track should not bother him so we can expect him to perform well.
Outside of the favourite (1) Juventus can improve at odds while (11) St Covet’s Spirit should not be excluded. Both with seasoned jockeys on.
