EXPERT RACING TIPS: STRATHALBYN

STRATHALBYN PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28TH 2024

Betting Strategy

Good little race to start the day. Pappiana didn’t have much luck first up before a grinding 4th at metro level on a tough day track wise. Gives every indication that the horse wants this longer trip and will appreciate the drop back to mid-week level. Draws well and Opperman sticks the ride.

Gilded Age is becoming the bookmakers best mate. The horse has some ability but is letting himself down race day with poor manners. They have dropped the horse back 200m in trip and made plenty of gear changes. Last chance today before we give up on him. Can improve. Extra Bounce was something beaten last start when held up the length of the straight and came home hard into 3rd. Draws awkward here but has the ability to win. Will take a great steer.

Rhinestone Rory is racing well without winning. Not sure the horse saw out a strong 1800 albeit still running 2nd so the strip back to 1600m suits.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 6. The Big Chunk (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit

The Big Chunk is a horse that looked to show some promise last prep. First up effort was just a fitness run over the 900m trip where he managed to work home well for 4L 5th. Will take benefit from that, appreciate the 1200m trip now and last prep placed 2nd over this track/trip and second up. That looks a good recipe for this.

Seven Shots has had plenty of chances but last run suggests the horse is ready to breakthrough with an encouraging effort from the tail on a track that favours front runners. Draws well here and is very well placed with the 3kg claim. Races well at Strath.

Bouncing Beyond will find this easier than recent metro racing where he ran 6L 3rd to a dominant I Loverain. Getting better for recent racing and like the engagement of Jason Holder. The Plastics made a promising start to the career over the 900m where slow out and worked through the line hard from the tail for 3L 4th. Fitter for that an the 300m rise in trip looks ideal. Draws well.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 7. Togetherforever (WIN) for 2 units

Nothing went right last start for Togetherforever at BM62 metro level when held up horribly in the straight and never got a crack at them. Was still only 3.8L away at the finish. Big class drop here and finished 2nd only start at the track. Clearly the best horse in the race. Like the booking of Todd Pannell.

Pulambi resumes from a break and simply had zero luck last start before the spell. Tuned up for this with a trial. Draws for a soft run from gate 2 and has a decent enough record here at Strathalbyn. 1/1 at the distance. Free Beer is a god horse returning from a break. Fresh form is very good, nice claim and blinkers off here. Should be right in the finish with even luck.

Midnight Poker ran a much improved 2nd race since joining the Bain/Taylor yard. Draws well, extra trip suits and smart claim. Ticks a few boxes here.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 6. Bush Influence (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit

Don’t really get involved in these weak mid-week staying events but might have something each-way on Bush Influence. Was really good for 2nd two back before starting long-odds again and found trouble in the straight and was never a factor. Like the engagement of the states best distance judge in Jason Holder. Might bob up.

Puissay Galore is a lightly raced 5yo mare that drops back from a decent performance at metro grade last time out. Is 1/1 at the track/distance and gets regular rider Jake Toeroek abaord. Savsonic smashed them into the ground last start winning by 6L. There’s no reason why she can’t hold that form and win again. She’s probably the most honest horse of the bunch here. Opperman sticks. Mandino was no match for Savsonic last start but will relish the step up in trip as he’s a real grinder. Senior takes over.

Betting Strategy

Alpine Beau mixes form but his best is certainly good enough. Thought this horse was pretty good at metro level last start after walking out the gates and went back to last the horse still worked through the line well for 3L 8th. Drops back a peg here and draws well. Gets the services of Sam Payne who has a winning record on the horse. Track/distance winner in the past.

Red Sequioa is another dropping back from city grade and boasts a really good record over this track/distance. Likes to get back in running and swoop out wide late. Well placed with the claim for Taylor Johnstone. Salute The Stars has yet to win here in 11 starts but does boast 7 minor placings. Charged home late to just miss last start. Draws well and Jake Toeroek sticks the ride. Should be in the finish.

Warrandyte Road is another horse that mixes form but generally performs well when there is good market support for him. Ran a really good 2nd when leading last start to a horse that has good metro form. Is a track/distance winner. Perhaps watch the markets.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 2. Galactic Fury (WIN) for 1 unit

Convinced Galactic Fury is going better than the form suggests. Hasn’t had very good steers the past couple so like the jockey change here. Tried to make a sweeping run in the quicksand part of the track at Balaklava last start so can be forgiven for that. Fitter for 3 runs in and gets his chance up at the mile now.

Allegedly has filled the minors the past few starts and deserves to breakthrough. Worked home OK for 2nd behind Bywaters Road but couldn’t reel the horse in on a leader bias Balaklava. Forgive that and gets back to his home track here.

Fiamette forever stumbles out the stalls and always rattles home well. That’s likely the case here but does have a late turn of foot that could blouse them all out wide. Is a 2x winner at the track.

BACK: 12. Real Thinker (WIN) for 1 unit

Real Thinker hasn’t had much luck the past two starts down at the South East. Has given the apprentice a tough time. Like the fact a senior takes over here and could bob up at odds.

Betting Strategy

Eight On The Dot has been terrific this prep running on from the tail over unsuitable 1200m then 1400 trips. Has never missed a place in two starts over the mile and has contested better races than this. Seems to have come back in good order.

Pride Of Shalaa was a strong MDN winner three ago then has had limited luck in his past couple. I’m convinced the horse is better than this grade but just needs some luck in transit to progress to a better event. Lines Of Glory and Aeorette were the quinella at Mount Gambier last start. Think they both can run well here as they are both racing in good form.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 5. Dawnburst (WIN) for 2 units

Dawnburst looks well placed here to get back into the winners stalls. Didn’t have the best of luck last start but weaved through late for a close up 6th at Murray Bridge at metro level. Drops in grade, gets in with the claim, draws well and hasn’t missed a place in 4 attempts at Strathalbyn. Ticks a few boxes.

Dare To Be Free was met with heavy market support last time out but probably did a bit too much up front and faded in the last 100m. Previous run was excellent. Go on that. She’s another that has great stats at this track and the 3kg claim for Alan Lai helps. Rabtat is probably the best horse in the race but has a tricky draw to deal with first up. Will probably be looking for further but class should take him a long way here. Like the engagement of Todd Pannell for the first up assignment.

Jacob’s Gate is racing well this prep breaking the MDN and performing well at this class last time out. Draws well and has placed at this track in past.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 4. Streetcar Appollo (WIN) for 1 unit

Not a bad little event to end the day. Streetcar Apollo was specked and had no luck at metro level two back before leading and looking a winning chance but was gunned down late by Gutsy Way. That horse has bigger things in store. He draws well here to either lead or take a sit. Will look the winner in the straight. Lets see if he can hang on today.

Can’t knock anything Lesperance Rock is doing winning 3 from her past 4 starts. Is 1/1 at the track/distance and can no doubt win again.

BACK: 5. Canidae (WIN) for 1 unit

Canidae is racing very well for a 9 year old. Didn’t have the best of luck at metro level last start so will enjoy the drop back in grade. Has a fantastic record over this track/dist. Will go back and try and swoop over them late. Garrire is racing well without luck. On the 7 day back up after just being in the wrong part of the track at Balaklava. Goes well here.