Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Wednesday, December 4th.
Victorian racing takes place on the Hillside course at Sandown, while WA racing heads to Bunbury before this weekend's Kingston Town Classic.
Tim has provided his best bets for both tracks below.
Horse Racing Tips: Wednesday, December 4th
Sandown Hillside Race 2 (Market)
It looks a pretty tough card overall at Sandown but I think there's a couple at value early on in the meeting here. (2) Briseur De Couer returned from a spell with a 2nd placing at Dunkeld on Dunkeld Cup day, and although he was beaten 2L, he ran the fastest 200m, 400m and 600m of the day. Mitch Freedman's stable is going well and Ben Melham is a notable jockey booking; together the trainer and jockey have combined 16 times this season for 12 top-three finishes, with an overall ROI of 391%. He's well-drawn in barrier 5 and although his form looks weak, I think he'll improve today and he finds a winnable midweek maiden. The other at good odds is (6) Classic Fastnet at $11. He's had two career starts, both at Mornington, and he improved nicely from his first start to his second start. He gets the blinkers applied for the first time today, draws well in barrier 3 and the Hillside course should suit him better than what Mornington has given his racing pattern. Outside of those two, (4) Cabinho makes his debut for Mick Price and Michael Dee. He won his jumpout but it wasn't hugely impressive - he was under the whip to do so, however he wasn't wearing blinkers in that and they are applied for his raceday debut here, so that should bring improvement. (3) Busby was very heavily backed first up at Benalla when beaten 0.4L. Damien Oliver goes on here andn he's the obvious leader in a race lacking tempo. (10) Little Stevie had her chance in a weak maiden last start so I'm happy to oppose. Looks a good race to have something on Briseur De Couer ($9.00) and Classic Fastnet ($11).
Also backing: (6) Classic Fastnet $11
(2) Briseur De Couer
$9.00
Sandown Hillside Race 4 (Market)
(1) Pour Vous was a dominant winner last start over this distance on the Lakeside course here at Sandown, trotting in by 5.5L in BM64 company. Lindsey Smith tweeted going into that race that he was getting to the right trip, had improved in his work and was a place chance, and that was only his second run back from 6 months off, so you'd expect there to be more improvement to come. He steps up to BM70 company today and carries top weight of 60.5kg but he carried the same weight last start so it shouldn't pose much of a problem. His only other career win came third up from a spell so he's capable of winning again in what looks a pretty ordinary race.
Sandown Hillside Race 5 (Market)
I backed (8) Iowa Hawkeye this horse last start at each way odds and although he ran well for 3rd, not everything went to plan. We saw him lead all the way to win at Bendigo first up but he stepped slowly last start, forcing him to settle midfield. He was beaten less than a length and ran the fastest final 400m and 600m of the race. If he jumps well they may choose to lead but I think it's more likely they look for the box seat behind (4) The Passage and (6) Miss Belisa, who should roll across from out wide. In any case, he should be closer to the speed than last start. To my eye this looks an easier race than the one he contested last start so I expect him to be very hard to beat.
Bunbury Race 2 (Market)
(8) Blonde Warrior is a horse I've been tracking since his trials before he debuted and he finally looks to get suitable conditions to win. He's had two race starts here at Bunbury and has finished 4th on both occasions. Both races have been over 1000m. On debut he ran the fastest final 200m in what has turned out to be a very strong form race behind Cuballing. Cuablling came out and won his next start in town, while runner-up London Miss and 3rd placegetter River Beau both won their next starts too. Last start, Blonde Warrior ran the second-fastest final 400m and 200m in the race that London Miss won. He now finally gets up to 1400m, which is a big positive and a slight negative. The big positive is that he obviously has been looking for more ground in his first two starts, the slight negative is he jumps sharply from 1000m to 1400m. One of the favourites is (1) Magic Empire, who is a 13-start maiden and although he's placed in nine of those, has had plenty of chances. (3) Goodbyefeds is the narrow favourite at $3.60. He went to the line locked together with Blonde Warrior first up; they ran an identical 400m-200m split but Blonde Warrior ran a much better final 200m. Goodbyefeds then had every chance as favourite last start and failed. That leaves (2) Angel Whisper, a $4.00 chance, who could be the biggest danger to Blonde Warrior. He's had three starts this prep and all three have been in town at Ascot. He might find this a bit easier and he draws well. Very happy to take on both favourites and have something on Blonde Warrior here, with a saver on Angel Whisper.
Bunbury Race 3 (Market)
Happy to be with the favourite (5) Jakestar here. He was a little bit unlucky on debut at huge odds when beaten about a nose by Red Warrior, and he was beaten about the same margin last start when pipped on the line by River Beau. Senior rider Shaun McGruddy takes over from apprentice Chloe Azzopardi today and the rise to 1200m shouldn't be an issue. The form out of that debut run has proved quite strong, with third placegetter We've Got Dreams subsequently winning at Albany and then again last weekend at Ascot. River Beau should also prove tough to beat again later on in the day at Bunbury. They can lead again if they wish and he looks the one to beat. (10) Obstination drops heavily in grade after running in Listed grade last start, while (8) Ice Trade returns to her home track of Bunbury and should go close with Chris Parnham back on board. (2) Smoking Barrel can be thrown in at big odds after an improved first up run.
Bunbury Race 7 (Market)
(1) Mr Kunafa looks a fairly reliable way to close out the day at Bunbury. He's won two of his three career starts and when he ran 4th two starts ago, he was ridden fairly poorly and had legitimate excuses. He bounced back last start though, winning a Class 1 at Ascot when we backed him. Jason Whiting has ridden him in both victories and is aboard again today. He steps up to Class 3 company today but he's good enough to win again. He carried 60kg and drew barrier 9 of 14 last start so the weight and the wide draw shouldn't be too concerning today. His raced over the mile two starts back before dropping back to 1400m last start, but he rises in trip again today to 1700m for the first time. Again, I don't see that being an issue. I really don't think there's a great deal in this race to beat so he looks very well placed to win again. (6) You Am I isn't hopeless at double figure odds.
