Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Friday, August 23rd.
Racing takes place at Bendigo, Canberra and Rockhampton this afternoon and Luke Krahe has provided his best bets for each track below.
Horse Racing Tips: Friday, August 23rd
Bendigo Race 4 (Market)
(11) Relucent debuted at Echuca a month ago and was well into double figures on the odds boards, he settled mid-field before swinging very wide and running on hard. He was closing the entire straight and looked to be crying out for further, he goes from 1200m there to the 7 furlongs on the big track which looks ideal. Drawn well, I expect him to settle closer today and not have to make such a long sweeping wide run. (12) Farlingaye stays under notice from the Godolphin yard, she hasn’t been seen since her debut almost two months ago at Ballarat. She ran on hard also that day but it was over 1400m, not officially first-up I would prefer to see how she has come back off that run. She may need further. (13) Miami Kate is resuming as a 3YO, she was good on debut up the straight but also want to see how she has come back and around a bend for the first time.
Bendigo Race 5 (Market)
(3) Tatunka has had two runs back from his first prep, he resumed here at his home track and ran on well losing a plate. He then took on the older horses at BM64 grade on the heavy track, again here at Bendigo, settled a lot closer and was outside the speed. He hit the front early in the straight but was no match for the smart winner who has since come out and ran a nice race at Sandown on Wednesday. From the wide gate I expect that Dwayne Dunn will be positive early and once again get up outside the leader, he doesn’t have a lot of brilliance and will need to keep the tempo up, he won’t want to turn it into a sit sprint affair. He handles all conditions and probably looks more in his favour if the sting is out of the ground. From the wide draw and the fact that the map is not set in stone, I expect him to be a drifter throughout the day. Wait until late to back him.
Canberra Race 4 (Market)
This BM70 Handicap over 1900m looks an even one on paper, but I am very confident in the speed map and that Kayla Nisbet will be very keen to kick up off the inside draw and lead with (5) Stratum’s Rose. She was here in a much easier race two starts back on the synthetic and controlled the race in front, railed hard and bolted in. The form has held-up ok with a horse that finished down the line that day bolting in at Maiden level at wagga, her best chance is to roll along and keep the tempo up throughout. Last start at Rosehill she was in a much harder Highway, over-raced outside the speed but stuck on well to place. This is easier and she obviously goes well on the surface.
Rockhampton Race 4 (Market)
(7) Meatball has had enough chances, lining up for start eleven today he is still yet to break his maiden status. He got back and ran on well when resuming over an unsuitable 1300m, came here to Rocky last time at the same trip and ran on hard into second. He never looked like winning the race but he made very good ground in a race where it was more favourable to be up on the speed. Stepping up to the 1500m today looks ideal, he is drawn out but will only need to find the right horse’s back to follow into the long straight, look for him flashing home late. Les Tilley rides and he drops in weight coming back from the set weight conditions last time. He ticks plenty of boxes!
