Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Thursday, October 31st.
Our two meetings of focus on Thursday afternoon are Gosford and Seymour, with both tracks hosting eight-race programs. Luke Krahe has cast his eye over all the races and picked out his best bets below!
Horse Racing Tips: Thursday, October 31st
Gosford Race 1 (Market)
What an intriguing race to start the day at Gosford, a maiden over 1900m that has some interesting runners. We are going with the Gai/Bott trained (8) Pincer who has placed at all three career runs. He has been up on the speed at all three, like most of there runners he has a nice cruising speed but has just been out kicked when they go for home. He gets out in trip and I love the jockey change with Nash riding for the first time. Forget what they say about Linda Meech or Tim Clark on leaders, there is nobody in the land I would rather have on a front-runner. (7) Loafing is on debut straight to the 1900m for Waller after 5 trials dating back to June. (3) Yonkers is an ex-import that has had the one run in Vic for Waller, he ran on well and took over in the straight, he stuck on well but just found one better and may have needed the run. (1) Planet Warrior comes through that same race at Benalla and was an easing favourite, he didn’t have much luck when the runs came but was poor late and never got going. This is not your usual middle-distance maiden where 90% of runners are tried and tired and having a crack at the trip in desperation.
Gosford Race 7 (Market)
(5) Broken Arrows has been very consistent throughout his 11-start career, only missing a place twice. He was runner-up at his first two resuming then went to the Kenso track and was beaten as favourite. Forget he went around that day as he never saw daylight late and was untested through the line, it has proven a good form reference as well with two other horses winning since. HE was then at the Kenso again last time and produced the best closing sectionals of the race to get up at 70 grade against the boys. A horse that was beaten 6 lengths that day has since come out and won the feature sprint at Coonabarabran on Cup Day. McEvoy sticks, the wide barrier is no concern as they have a very long run to the only turn here at the 1100m at Gosford.
Seymour Race 2 (Market)
(8) Port Royal is an interesting runner for Cranbourne trainer Alexander Rae. He has obviously had some issues, he placed at his first two career runs before a good effort on Oaks Day last year at Listed level behind the likes of Junipal, Vow And Declare and Tavidance! He was then sent to the paddock and was off the scene the best part of a year, resumed at Moe over the mile and got well back. He worked to the line strong off such a long break, Oliver sticks with the ride and hopefully he can settle closer.
Seymour Race 4 (Market)
The connections of (6) Spilia must be getting very frustrated that he is still a maiden, he has run second at five of his last seven starts! No doubt he will be in the market again, he really hit the line well last time when getting out past the 2000m and looked to appreciate the trip. First and fourth from that race have since come out and won, enhancing the form through that race. Oliver to Prebble is a little concern, but this does look his race. The interesting runner is the new addition to the Patrick Payne stable (1) Ablestock. He has only placed at 1 of 6 in his career, his latest run was for the Price/Kent yard in the Rosehill Guineas back in March. He was beaten out of sight that day on the heavy track behind the talented The Autumn Sun, he is first-up today at the 2000m after having five trials! It would be a great training performance, if there is any money for him don’t have him going around as a loser.
