Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing on Wednesday, February 5th.
Midweek metro racing comes from Bendigo and Kensington this Wednesday, and racing expert Tim has cast his eye over both cards and offered his betting selections for the day!
Find his preview and tips below!
Horse Racing Tips: Wednesday, February 5th
Kensington Race 1 (Market)
I was very keen on (5) Volterra when he ran on debut, but he was narrowly defeated by Hinchbeast, who simply ran him off his legs. Now the query is Hinchbeast hasn't gone on to do anything since winning that race, so the form is very questionable, but Volterra was put straight out for a spell and returns here, and I did think after that race that Volterra was the better horse long term. (7) Kaakit Akit is the one he'll have to chase down.
Kensington Race 3 (Market)
(1) Sea Of Life looks extremely hard to beat. He didn't get much go his way first up at Canterbury but he still came from the back of the field to be beaten a nose. Hopefully he can settle a bit close today with the step up to 1400m, which should be ideal for him. John O'Shea has a great record with his runners on the Kensington track, with five winners and five placings from 15 runners this season. (9) Shosha is one to watch on debut for Waller over 1400m. She's a $6.00 chance and could be worth saving on, especially if she remains firm in the market come race time.
Kensington Race 6 (Market)
(1) Black Magnum looks well placed first up here. He carries 60kg after the claim for Robbie Dolan, which could prove pivotal. First up last prep he returned with a blistering win at Warwick Farm on heavy ground and although he won't get a wet track today, he has won on good ground previously. To my eye, he looks the class runner in the race, his trial leading into this was good and he tends to always run well fresh. Looks the one to beat.
Kensington Race 7 (Market)
(10) Feather gets her last chance ever today. I've been keen on her a couple times this prep but she's so far failed to deliver. Second up she was beaten a nose over 1250m here at Kensington, before being caught three-wide the trip last start when beaten less than a length. She won't have that problem from barrier 1 here and her sole win did come over this distance, so she should get every chance today. We're getting $4.20 and $1.80 so she's just about an each way price.
Bendigo Race 3 (Market)
(6) Wairere Falls looks one of the better bets of the day purely because this is such a poor race. He's on debut and they've been very patient with him, giving him one jumpout in April, then two back in June, before putting him out again and bringing him back with two more jumpouts leading into his debut here. His first jumpout was typical of a Waller horse having its first hitout, they didn't ask him to do anything and he just went around behind horses under little pressure. But they asked him to do much more in his second jumpout, and he finished off well behind two smart horses in Spend (who ran behind Super Seth last weekend) and Meuse. He would only have to show a little bit of ability to win this race and I'm fairly surprised we're still getting over even money. Very keen.
Bendigo Race 4 (Market)
I missed the early price on (3) Flying Mr Davis, but I struggle to see him getting beat by anything here. He's had three runs back from a spell and has placed in all three, and there is some little query whether he's completely genuine, but I think it's too early to label him as such and today should be his day to break into the winner's stall. Trainer Mike Moroney has a terrific record at Bendigo this season, with five winners and five placings from 17 runners. Should get a good run from barrier 4 and prove too good.
(3) Flying Mr Davis
$1.75
Bendigo Race 5 (Market)
(5) Think I'm Dreaming ran 2nd to Adelaide Ace last time out and that looks a particularly good form reference for a BM64 race like this. He usually takes a few runs to come good but he showed he's ready to win with that run last start, and he gets the step up to the mile which should help him. From his six starts at the distance, he's finished in the top two on four occasions. Mark Zahra takes the ride from the good gate and he should get every chance. (8) Showamour is ready to win third up.
(5) Think I'm Dreaming
$3.10
Bendigo Race 7 (Market)
(3) Meuse and (9) Miss Ladybird are the two standouts for me here. Meuse won her first two starts before returning from a spell with a midfield effort at Moonee Valley back in August. She was put straight back out and returns once more today. Her recent jumpout behind Spend was good - he started firm in the market behind Super Seth last weekend and Meuse matched it with him in the jumpout which is a positive sign. Drawn awkwardly in 10 so probably goes back and tries to run over the top but she should be in the finish. Miss Ladybird on the other hand should be up on speed from her good draw. She won first up last prep by 6L at Kyneton, leading all the way to run her rivals into the grund. She went straight out for a spell after that so clearly she's had issues, but she jumped out in a strong heat recently behind Ellis Park, which has proved to be good form. Mike Moroney has a good record here and at $6.50 she's a good price.