Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Monday, August 26th.
The new week of racing starts with meetings at Swan Hill, Lismore and Bathurst this Monday. Luke Krahe has given his best bets for each track below!
Horse Racing Tips: Monday, August 26th
Swan Hill Race 3 (Market)
(8) Legion of Merit has been to the races only once, that race was a little over a fortnight ago at Donald on a very soft track. He was very solid at the top of the market in the betting, sat well back and made good ground out wide in the straight to run into third, beaten under a length. He was all over the shop in the straight, very green and looked as though he still has a bit to learn. The winner that day led all the way and has since come out and won again at BM58 grade on the synthetic track at Ballarat, so the form line should hold up well. Drawn well in the middle of the line, I expect him to settle a little closer and stepping up 100m in distance looks ideal. (9) Yitai Loyalty looks the main danger on paper after placing at his first two starts, they were both on the synthetic track and very happy to be against him coming back on to the turf for the first time.
(8) Legion Of Merit
$2.50
Swan Hill Race 6 (Market)
(2) Hapaira was a winner on debut at Murtoa where she bolted in by more than 5 lengths after leading throughout. She then went to Moe three weeks ago in a harder BM64, was hard in the market and into the red late, sat on the speed but did have every chance when narrowly beaten. There are a couple of factors that may see the big punters take a stand against her. Firstly, she is stepping up to the 1300m for the first time but she will be on the speed and making her own luck. Also, both of her starts have been on rain affected tracks, on debut a heavy 9 and then a soft 7 last time. She is drawn out, I expect she will get to the spot outside the leader early and if they push on to look for the front, I can’t imagine there will be much resistance. If she does find the top, go again in the run if you have the resources.
Lismore Race 4 (Market)
(6) Shishaq debuted back late last year at the Sunny Coast, he got back in the run and hit the line ok in a race that has provided 5 winners since. He went to the paddock and resumed at the Gold Coast a couple of Saturday’s ago in a much harder maiden than this. He sat up on the speed and stuck on well as the pressure was applied throughout, swamped late he steps up in trip here. Back in a weaker maiden today, from the good gate, jockey Ryan Plumb should be positive early and look to lead all the way. At the time of writing he is just into the red in the betting, I expect that he will be heavily backed.
Bathurst Race 2 (Market)
Originally I was keen to back (8) Bullet Storm each way after his debut in a much harder race at Newcastle a fortnight ago, but he's been scratched. (7) Tokai Meigetsu will be hard in the market, he had every chance in a Tamworth maiden last time after getting the perfect run, was double figures and happy to take him on if he anywhere near the top of betting here. I do expect him to be a huge drifter in the market too, I really can’t see him starting anywhere near favourite in this. (4) Jailbird Jayjay gets the blinkers off, he has placed 6 times but has had enough chances. With that said and with Bullet Storm out, (1) Canasta may be the one. He had a gun run on debut at Goulburn and did get close on the line, stepping up to trip should benefit him also.
