Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Monday, August 24th.
With Bathurst abandoned, we're left with just two country meetings at Swan Hill and Lismore this afternoon.
Tim Geers has picked out two races he's keen to bet in so find his preview and selections below!
Horse Racing Tips: Monday, August 24th
Swan Hill Race 4 (Market)
(5) Marcheechi looks hard to beat here and might well belt these but I’m going to take her on over the 955m today. (9) Roppongi is the only runner of the day for Nick Ryan and all three of his previous runners here have finished in the money. He won two starts ago at Wodonga but failed as favourite at Sale last time out. Willing to give him another chance today – he should cruise across from the wide gate and sit right up on speed. The other horse at big odds I’ll be having something on is (1) Valente. He was beaten nearly 15L first up on heavy ground at Warrnambool but he’s never finished in the money from five starts when first up from a spell. He has a much better second up record though, and the blinkers go back on today. He should also appreciate getting back onto firmer ground. He was competitive in Moonee Valley 955m races last prep so if he showed anything like that form, he’d be a very good chance in this field.
Swan Hill Race 7 (Market)
On a day where there is a lot of low-quality racing, there’s just one race I’m interested in betting in. There’s three runners here that I’ll be having a small stake on, at odds of $7.00, $11 and $23. (4) Blunakka was a dominant winner at Donald last start, coming from well off the pace to score by 3.25L. He was third up on that occasion and that followed two runs on the synthetic. What I will say is Dan O’Sullivan has a fantastic record at Donald and his runners often improve sharply there, but he goes OK at Swan Hill too. He’s a winning chance once again at $7.00. (15) Free Willy is over the odds at $23. He’s a 10YO but I like his set up today. He ran 7th first up at Tatura, beaten 15L, but he never goes any good first up and he also struggles on heavy ground. He goes better second up and the return to firm ground today will be a big plus for him. His record at this track and distance is outstanding, with eight wins and eight placings from 22 starts. The senior jockey takes over from the apprentice today and the blinkers also go back on. Plenty of positive signs and $23 looks a good bet. (1) Nova Way is another track specialist, with two wins and two placings from six starts at this track and distance. He carries the full 62.5kg today but he ran well last start with that weight and returning to his home track today can see him go close. My main play in the race will be Free Willy, but having something small on Blunakka and Nova Way as well.
Also backign: (4) Blunakka $7 & (1) Nova Way $10
