Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Sunday, May 31st.
There's six race meetings around Australia to close out the weekend and Luke Krahe has focused on the racing at Ballarat and Tamworth. Find his preview and best bets below!
Horse Racing Tips: Sunday, May 31st
Ballarat Race 2 - (Market)
There are obviously a lot of unknowns here with the babies but unless there is one right out of left field that is well above average, it is hard to see the Steve Richards yard not taking the major prizemoney home here with (4) Better Kick. He had been good at the jump-outs prior to having his debut at Flemington, a 1000m race up the straight where he started favourite but was easy in the market. He was in the wider part of the track and settled handy, kept coming but did have his chance. He comes around the bend for the first time form the good draw and gets a huge drop in class, he won’t be a maiden after today. Obviously respect any serious money for any of the untried brigade, especially during the last 5 minutes of betting.
Ballarat Race 6 - (Market)
(11) Comiendo was six-weeks between runs when heading across the border into Sa last time to try and win her maiden at start 5. The venue was Mount Gambier and after showing speed at her previous run in Vic, she was sent out a very short priced favourite, and heavily backed late. At a SP of $1.35 on the soft track, she settled just off the leaders in the small field, eased wide in the straight before hitting the front around the dogleg and went clear late. She was clearly too good for them and this is a big step up in class. She should get the perfect sit behind the leaders stepping up from 900m to the 1000m here on the big track and there are certainly no superstars. With that easy kill behind her, she can go on with it and looks a good each-way bet at double figure odds in an open race.
Tamworth Race 1- (Market)
At the time of writing, there is $12 about this Kris Lees debutant (14) No Laughing Matter, hopefully that sticks around until gameday as honestly, I am shocked that it is anywhere near double figures. Lees has four runners in the race, Gibbons rides this filly but it is interesting to note that he rode (4) Romanella at its debut win, rode (5) Triple Ace at its only trial (it is on debut) and Jeff Penza rides the other chance. You would think he would have had the choice? Anyway that is reading between the lines.. She trialed at Gosford in early May, she was poorly away after leaping at the start but showed good speed to recover and settle behind the leader. She was never pushed out and just jogged to the line beaten 2 lengths. Stablemate Zeftabrook was in that trial and ran second, she won the Wellington Boot at odds on earlier this year and resumed in a Listed Saturday race two weeks ago at 5/1! A replay of that trial can be found here. I can’t see her starting anywhere near double figures, the early favourite (2) Crowned Empress did trial well on the heavy track at home at Port Macquarie and looks the clear danger, but is drawn off the track. NOTE: THE PRICE IS NOW GONE BUT STILL THINK HE IS THE ONE TO BEAT OFF THE TRIAL ALONE.
Update: at the time of publishing, No Laughing Matter is already into $5.00.
(14) No Laughing Matter
$5.00
Tamworth Race 2 - (Market)
Another maiden, (2) Pure Fuego goes on top off a good debut run in a harder race than this on debut. He had trialed well going into that and started double figure odds, he was last in the run, eased wider on the turn before getting even wider again in the straight. He hit the line hard with the best overall sectionals of the race, only beaten a half length getting into third. He comes back in trip on the smaller track which is a little concern but with that race-day experience and the good draw, hopefully he can settle closer and still produce that closing speed.
