Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Monday, February 17th.
With seven meetings across Australia today, there's plenty of winners to be found. Luke Krahe has got his best bets for Moruya, Werribee and the Sunshine Coast below.
Horse Racing Tips: Monday, February 17th
Ballina Race 4 - (Market)
As I have outlined before I like to target horses that have won a race previously in these Class 1 and Maiden events. (1) Atyaaf has been very consistent throughout his 11-start career but still only has the one win to his name. He resumed in Class 2 company two starts back and was mid-field before running on hard over 1260m into second. He was then again here at the track in a harder Class 2, and importantly on a rain-affected track. He got a mile back but worked into the race nicely and ran second. He never looked the winner but was good in defeat in a much harder race than this. Three horss have come through that and won since, and it showed he should be able to handle the conditions. He draws wide but will get back, the inside may be no-go zone and often here the wider the better in these conditions.
Ballina Race 7 - (Market)
It looks an open race on paper and one that (4) Montana Mist can take the step up from maiden to Class 1 with success. He had two runs back this campaign and wasn’t beaten far, both on good tracks. Last time here at Ballina a month ago he was back on a rain-affected track, a Soft7. He found the front and after kicking clear in the straight, just held on to win but the gap to third was large. The two place-getters form that have since run good races and a horse beaten 8 lengths has come out and won. It looks the right form guide. Drawn well and should be up on the speed for a long way.
Gatton Race 1 - (Market)
(8) Rezabelle won her maiden two starts back and had one more start before going to the paddock. She resumes to day with a couple of gear changes in a very winnable Class 2 over the shorts. The question will be where she will get to in the run, she has tactical speed but there is plenty of that here. I really like the way she trialed at Eagle Farm recently, she jumped ok, took a sit on the leader and chased hard along the inside, getting the upper hand late. She quickened nicely when asked and cruised the line over the 800m trial, a replay of that trial can be found here. Hopefully she just camps on them early and peels approaching the turn.
Newcastle Race 1 - (Market)
(3) Meyer is a Kris Lees trained filly resuming today. She won her maiden at career start number three before going for a break. She sat up outside the leader, took over early in teh straight and was strong to the line to win easily. She has had 22-weeks between runs but has trialed well for this. She has not been seen on the wet ground so that is a little worry, I would like to see some money for her but the trials look good enough. Against the girls at 58 grade, she won’t get a better opportunity to get her first wn out of maiden grade.
