Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Thursday, January 16th.
There's six meetings across Australia this afternoon, including Gosford, Pakenham and Doomben. Luke Krahe has provided his best bets for those three tracks below!
Horse Racing Tips: Thursday, January 16th
Gosford Race 1 (Market)
(1) Azoustic has been to the races three times, he placed at his second start at Hawkesbury where he ran on hard from a mile back into second. He was sent to the paddock and had 28 weeks off. He had only trialed fairly leading into his resuming run at Gosford in late December, but that is often the way with one from the Joe Pride yard. He was huge odds in that Gosforsd start, was slowly away and settled last. He was held-up approaching the turn, got clear and was very green when running on, again hit a roadblock late and never saw daylight. He should have finished a lot closer than the 2.88 length official margin no doubt. Drawn well and staying at the 1100m, hopefully he jumps away better, there was a lot to like about what he showed in the straight fresh. A senior rider goes on and with only a small field, looks a great chance to run one or two.
Gosford Race 5 (Market)
(3) Riverside’s Cash resumed at Canberra in late December, was heavily backed to start a 6/4 favourite and never gave connections or backers a sweat. He jumped well enough and crossed to lead, railed and found a few lengths early in the straight and didn’t look like getting run down at any stage. He then went to Mudgee on a sift track, had a gun run behind the leader, got the split and had no excuses but found one better. In saying that he may have been a little flat at his first second-up run or didn’t handle the track on his first go on a rain affected surface, but on face value was a little disappointing. He comes here third-up with local hoop Josh Parr taking the ride, drawn well and with a long run to the first turn, should be able to find the top. There is a little bit of speed drawn inside him in the form of (4) Social Smile, but she took a sit when racing here three starts back and expect her to do the same today.
(3) Riverside's Cash
$3.00
Pakenham Race 3 (Market)
(8) Think Poised debuted at Cranbourne earlier this month for the Gai/Bott team. I am taking her on trust a little as she really did not show much leading into her debut at the trials. She was poorly away (not the norm for one from this yard) and settled in the back half of the field. She was good through the line but never looked the winner, the first horse across the line that night brained them. She steps out in trip and I love the jockey change with Melham replacing Zac Spain, more often than not when riding one for this stable he is positive early. This looks easier than that first trip to the races, he gets out in trip and should jump better and be able to take up a position on the speed. I would like to see some money for her though, horses that drift alarmingly from this yard, usually run accordingly.
Doomben Race 2 (Market)
Am I really tipping a 19-start maiden you may ask? Indeed, and quite confident as well on an each-way basis. (9) Arcing Hard has only placed at three of those 19, the record looks poor but the map is the key. He is a bold front-runner that usually pings the lids, he was out to the mile here last time when a big drifter and didn’t run the trip. Back to the 1350m around Doomben looks ideal in what looks a weak race, he should be able to cross and lead, give a kick on the turn and there are certainly no stars chasing. They say there is a race for every horse, could this be his day? If he doesn’t win this, I would say it’s off to the country tracks next.
(9) Arcing Hard E/W
$5.00
