Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Monday, December 30th.
With the abandonment of the Werribee meeting, we're left with just two meetings on Monday, which come from Dubbo and Coffs Harbour. There's still a few good betting opportunities throughout the afternoon so check out our best bets below!
Horse Racing Tips: Monday, December 30th
Coffs Harbour Race 2 (Market)
If you read just the numerical form of (1) Daashur, it would be tough to know why I am tipping him to run top three at start number two. He had trialed well enough going into his debut at Kempsey two weeks ag. He was very easy in the betting, easing from $7 to and SP of $15. He jumped well with claiming apprentice Stacey Metcalfe taking the ride, but instead of pushing on early over the 1000m, she was posted four-wide without cover. She stayed there until tiring around the tight Kempsey circuit when she posted 5 or 6 wide, and only eventually beat one home beaten more than 5 lengths. A few things here why I think he will improve. Firstly, he is drawn the inside barrier and won’t have to race wide. Secondly, he comes back in trip from the 1000m to the 805m. If he jumps as well as start one, he should be able to hold a position. Thirdly, and most importantly, a senior jock goes on in the form of Digger McLellan. At the double figure odds he looks a good each-way bet.
Coffs Harbour Race 8 (Market)
Once again, we stick with the inside barrier, this time in the last with the Matty Dunn trained (5) Cinco Star. He was a winner at his debut back at the start of the year after sitting up outside the leader and sent straight to the paddock. He came back through the winter and contested two tough races against the juveniles, again at both starts he showed speed and was able to be prominent throughout, although well beaten after tiring late. He looks to have come back well though from the paddock, resuming at Murwillumbah almost three weeks ago, he was unwanted in the betting and started well into double figures. He was only fairly away but worked to get outside the leader, got the better of that horse before the straight and was only run down on the line. Today from the inside gate with the senior jock going on out in trip, I can see him rolling to the front and being very hard to run down. He will be better than even money the place during betting, so play him each-way if that’s your go.
Dubbo Race 6 (Market)
(1) Slatey Bay resumes from a spell and should take some beating. He's had just four career starts, winning one of those which came over this track and distance. He ran well in this class at the end of last preparation and there doesn't appear to be much depth to the field he faces today. Trainer Brett Thompson has had five winners from 16 starters at Dubbo this season, a 32% strike rate. Tactically, it's an interesting scenario. On debut we saw him work forward from a wide gate, but he was then ridden back in the field from inside barriers later in the campaign. He'll start from barrier 8 of 10 after scratchings and with only a moderate tempo on paper, I'd hope they roll forward to potentially sit outside the leader. If he's tuned up for this first up assignment, I think he'll be the one to beat. Just note there isn't a jockey listed at the moment, so that could suggest he might be saved for another day (check scratchings in the morning).
