Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Friday, February 14th.
There's seven meetings scheduled for the day but some may be in danger due to the wet conditions. Taree, Scone (moved from Gunnedah) and Donald are three of the meetings taking place in the afternoon, and Luke Krahe has picked out his best bets from each of those tracks below!
Horse Racing Tips: Friday, February 14th
Scone Race 2 (Gunnedah) - (Market)
(2) Emperor’s Star was very consistent through her first prep, winning 2 and placing on 3 other occasions from 7 starts. She has had 18 weeks on the sidelines and hasn’t had an official trial, a tough ask straight onto the heavy track. She has had two runs on the soft before for two placings, the latest of those she sat outside the leader and wasn’t beaten far with a good gap to third. Her latest start was at Port Macquarie, she led and looked under pressure for a lot of the straight but stuck on well to be beaten under a length in a race that has proven a good form reference. She has speed to use, if there is any money for her the confidence will grow. (1) The Launcher has some good form and is returning from a much harder Highway race, a month in-between runs though and no form at all on rain affected going should see him struggle in the going.
Donald Race 2 - (Market)
I am relying in the hope that (4) John Barley Corn will go to Pakenham on Thursday and not race here, leaving us with (6) Von Saga. She placed on debut on a heavy track in SA and was a real eye-catcher late from the back and was sent straight to the paddock. She resumed after 6 months off the scene at Naracoorte, was a heavily supported favourite and after having a good run in transit, never really came on and was disappointing. Last start at Ararat on the soft ground she sat behind the leader and was held-up for a couple of furlongs, got dragged right back and forget the 10-length beaten margin, actually forget she even went around that day. She maps to be up on the speed, steps up to the 1600m, she looks to have a bit of upside.
Canterbury Race 2 - (Market)
(5) Nimalee has been to the races three times. She was to good for her rivals at big odds on debut at Canberra after sitting wide without cover, she then went to Kembla against the girls in a Class 1 and didn’t have a lot of luck. She was mid-field on the fence before going for a run when the gap closed, when back to the inside and was only beaten a length in what has proven a good form reference. Last time she went to Warwick Farm in a BM64, again at double figure odds. She was wide early before eventually getting outside the leader, stuck on well and got to the front inside the furlong and held on. She doesn’t have a great SP profile and again has to ride in grade, but all three runs have been full of merit and she deserves her chance. In-form Tom Marquand stays on, from the good draw she should be on the speed for a long way.
