Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Monday, December 16th.
Just the two race meetings take place in Australia today, with Bathurst and Kempsey both staging seven-race cards. Luke Krahe has picked out his best bets for the day below!
Horse Racing Tips: Monday, December 16th
Bathurst Race 2 (Market)
(8) Stoked is a Bjorn Baker trained filly having her third race start. She debuted at Hawkesbury a little over a month ago, sat three-wide without cover on the speed before fading late in a race which has produced two subsequent winners. She then went to Canberra two weeks later and was solid in the betting starting around the $3.50 mark. She had a soft run in transit behind the speed and although she chased hard into second, she had every chance. She will find this easier again, drawn the inside, I would be shocked with her stepping up on distance, they didn’t try and lead all the way. If she does find the top early, go again in the run. (4) Overflowing will be the main danger in the betting but I am very happy to take him on. He has had his chances of late and the tactical advantage is certainly with Stoked, drawn the widest gate I can see Overflowing settling last and not getting into the race until very late, if at all.
Bathurst Race 6 (Market)
(4) Kimmylee is going to start favourite in this and deservedly so, but there is no way I could step into the red figures being offered currently. She was a good winner on debut then went to Kembla at start two and made good ground from the back in a race where it was more favourable to be on the speed. She is likely to be giving them a start and will need everything to go right. (1) Athena’s Lad was a winner on debut at Narromine in what was clearly an easier race than this, but there was a lot to take away from that win going forward. He settled mid-field and although it took him a while to wind-up, when he did lengthen, he really attacked the line and looks suited getting out in trip. The mile may be what he is looking for but I expect him to settle close enough today, the speed should be genuine and can get the jump over his more fancied rival. He will be hard to run down if he is in front of Kimmylee early in the straight. Greg Ryan takes the ride.
Kempsey Race 1 (Market)
(1) The Croc has two consecutive eights next to his name, and admittedly, he has been only fair at best at those runs. They were in harder races than this and he returns to a track he won at three back. It was a race no easier than this and he had to work to lead, gave a kick and won comfortably. That was his first go here at the track and he gets a fgavourable draw. Although there is some speed drawn wider, he should be kicking through and leading all the way. The big weight is a little concern and he will need a breather before the turn.
Kempsey Race 4 (Market)
(11) Razano has had enough chances, still a maiden after 9 times to the races. There has been improvement in his last couple of runs though, and this looks no harder. He gets the services of Aaron Bullock which is a positive, drawn close in he will be making his own luck up on the speed. There doesn’t look to be a lot of depth in the race, Kris Lees and Paul Perry have a presence but the horses they bring here are certainly no stars. The best of them may be Kees’ (3) Lucitor who is resuming, he placed at 3 of 5 at his first prep but was tried right out past the 2000m. He has trialed well enough but happy to take him on over this trip fresh. (6) The Right Stuff placed at Quirindi on debut then as beaten out of sight, need to see him again although we can forgive a flat second-up run. Betting will be the key here but I like the tactical advantage that Razano should have, especially with a positive rider going on.
