As we lead in to a huge weekend of racing at Flemington and Rosehill, we've run our eye over the meetings at Goulburn, Warrnambool and Pakenham on Thursday, March 14th.
We've picked out four selections throughout the day that should help us build a little bank before Friday night's Moonee Valley race meeting.
Check out our preview and selections below!
Horse Racing Best Bets, Thursday March 14th
Goulburn Race 1
Major Danger won his maiden over at the Sapphire Coast in early February, he may have been favoured by the tempo of the race after leading all the way, but he kept kicking and didn’t look in any danger. He then came here a fortnight ago in a similar race to this, was well supported into favourite but nothing really went right throughout. He over-raced, was three-wide without cover on the speed, loomed up to win but just found a couple better. He was drawn out in eight that day, back to a draw that suits more here closer in, he should be able to use his natural speed to kick through and attempt to lead all the way. If he does get on the bunny early without spending much juice, double up in the run!
Warrnambool Race 4
Wild Vitality, some would say, has had enough chances. This will be his 11th trip to the races and he is still yet to crack it for his maiden win. He was first-up off a 7-week break last time, not officially a spell but long enough to lose a bit of fitness. He wasn’t pressured early in that run at Bendigo, got the split at the right time and although he didn’t accelerate well, he wound up strongly and just found them too sharp over the 1100m. He steps out to the 1300m which is a lot more suitable, the rail is in the true so hopefully the fence will be ok and he may just need a little luck getting the splits at the right time off the inside draw. He won’t spend anything in the run, look for him late.
Warrnambool Race 7
Leila’s Star has versatility, being drawn well in the three means that the jock will have all the options with her. She had been racing on the pace at her previous couple of runs before getting back last time, she got very wide and attacked the line hard to narrowly miss. This doesn’t look any harder than that race and stepping up to the 1400m suits. She should be camped in behind the leaders and as long as she doesn’t have to make the run three wide too early, she should finish hard.
Pakenham Race 1
King Manuka has been to the races once. It was here three weeks ago when he was very well supported late in the betting. He jumped well but the jock elected to take a sit, he didn’t look overly comfortable cluttered up on the inside and didn’t accelerate like the betting suggested he would. The winner of that race was Jumbo Ozaki who has since gone on to win again out of maiden grade and looks very smart. Although the beaten margin was large, the betting suggested that the talent is there for King Manuka. He is drawn wide, if he can jump well again, I suggest that they will send him forward and if he is able to control the temp of the race from outside the leader, he may be able to let down a little better this time on his terms.
