Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Thursday, August 22nd.
Racing takes place at Hawkesbury, Moe and Beaudesert this afternoon and Luke Krahe has provided his best bets for each track below.
Horse Racing Tips: Thursday, August 22nd
Hawkesbury Race 2 (Market)
(1) Leo has showed promise at his three career starts to date, but the one thing he needs to do is settle better in his races. The Snowdens know what they are doing and although I would have liked to see a gear adjustment today, they obviously have seen it differently and may have worked on that problem since his last run. Two of his three runs he has got back to last and flashed home, the other he was three-wide without cover and only weakened late to narrowly miss the placings. A little concerning that he has the inside gate with his tendency to over-race, but at the double figure odds if he does relax a little better, he will finish hard again and looks a great each-way bet. (3) Acumen certainly looks a winning hope as he has tactical speed and has trialed well since his debut south of the border three weeks ago. Funny things happen here at Hawkesbury though!
Hawkesbury Race 4 (Market)
(2) Fast Train is still yet to win out of maiden grade, but he is very consistent. He has placed at his last five runs, the last two of those have proven to be very good form references. Two back at Wyong in a Class 1, he sat outside the leader and although he had every chance, he ran second and gapped the rest of them. Last time at Kembla in a harder BM64, he over-raced behind the leader before getting outside the leader into the straight and was a little on-paced. This looks easier, loses nothing with McEvoy going on. He has the good barrier and can use his tactical speed to go forward, hopefully they kick up and lead and hold out his main opposition (1) Dambulla drawn outside him. I would much prefer him having to sit outside than having to come around and run past him. Also, if in front he may be able to settle better.
Moe Race 4 (Market)
(3) Strong Influence was back in trip last start and looked a little plain, he steps up to the mile which looks to be more suitable. The key though is not the trip but the heavy track, his last two have only been average n top of the ground, go on his first couple of runs from a spell. He was resuming here at Moe on the heavy track at 58 grade, sat on the speed and bolted in to win by almost 5 lengths. He then went to Sandown at BM70 level and ran on hard into the placings. This looks his right grade, the conditions suit, drawn well and if the track stays a bog, expect him to be backed into the red.
(3) Strong Influence
$2.15
Beaudesert Race 4 (Market)
(7) Eeyore has had two starts since having the chop and being gelded, the first was fresh at the Sunshine Coast where he was well away and tried to lead but couldn’t cross, stuck three-wide he eventually tired over the last furlong. That race has produced two subsequent winners and although beaten a long way, the story may have been different had he been the first to the rail. He was then again at the Sunny Coast last time where he did find the lead at big odds and kept kicking but was overhauled close to the line. He is drawn well in six, gets the good claim of 2kgs at the set weights and should be able to lead for a long way, around this circuit that is a big plus. Watch for any money for (3) Sogeri on debut, he has been ok at the trials.
