Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Friday, February 21st.
It's a big Friday of racing around the country and before Moonee Valley gets underway we're taking a look at Scone, Sale and Canberra.
Luke Krahe has given his best bets below.
Horse Racing Tips: Friday, February 21st
Scone Race 1 - (Market)
A 1000m race for the babies in the transferred meeting from Quirindi to Scone. (1) Pee Dee debuted at Muswellbrook back in October, was up on the speed three-wide no cover and stuck on well to be beaten a length and a half. He was sent to the paddock and resumed here at Scone three weeks ago, was up on the speed and held the rails with the outside horse pestering throughout. He kicked through and was really strong through the line. He has the good draw and should be on the speed for a long way again. The confidence will grow if there is no money for the well trialed debutant (2) Taketheshot. He won a trial at home at Tamworth on a Good track.
Scone Race 5 - (Market)
(2) Farmer’s Friend debuted here at Scone 10 days ago and started a $3.30 favourite on the official SP. He was just worse than mid-field in the run on the rails, was held-up from the top of the straight until the furlong pole. He was very difficult to ride and wanted to hang in badly when trying to get clear. He finally got out at the 100m mark and got to within almost a length and was most unlucky. He looked like he still had a lot to learn, gets the blinkers on at start number two, that should help. The inside draw looks a little challenging they way he ran last time, out to the 1200m I imagine they will be a lot more urgent early, maybe even look for the lead.
(2) Farmer's Friend
$3.20
Sale Race 3 - (Market)
A Heavy 8 at the time of writing at Sale. (4) Flensburg is a Godolphin gelding trained by James Cummings, the stable is flying at the moment. This son of Reset debuted here at Sale almost three weeks ago, over-raced back in the field, once he balanced up, I really like the way he attacked the line over the last 100m. He was beaten just over 2 lengths, stepping up to the mile looks ideal at start two. That debut was on a Soft 5 and he seemed to handle it well enough, always a mystery when they haven’t been on a heavy track but am willing to gamble he will get through it.
Canberra Race 1 - (Market)
A Class 1 and maiden over 2000m and (2) Hamogany is one of the horses that has a win already to his name. He has had two runs back this prep over unsuitable shorter trips. He got a mile back at Kembla resuming over 1500m, kept chasing to be beaten 4 lengths but never looked likely. He then stepped up the mile last start at Newcastle in a Class 2 and was well in the market, sat up outside the lead and was forced to do all the work and weakened late. (4) Sciconic was also in that race at Newcastle and had the back of Hamogany throughout, he got past him late but was entitled to. He doesn’t map nearly as well here and hopefully getting out to the 2000m, Hamogany can kick through from the inside gate and lead all the way. Gwenda Markwell trained runners usually know how to handle a wet track also!
