OAKBANK | SATURDAY 30TH MARCH
Rail: True | Weather: Sunny 29 | Track: Soft 5
Best Bets
Lachlan Mosley
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) SKINDER for 2 units
SKINDER was narrowly beaten here by STORYTELLER on debut here first prep before going on to have two dominant wins at the track.
RACE 1 | SELECTIONS
10. HURRY LOVE
7. ENDLESS FAITH
3. TALKIN ITALIAN
12. PURE BLISS
Betting Strategy
No bet race. It’s a pretty good race to start the day with some pretty talented young horses here. Just fid this very hard to line up the form. Looks to be 10 genuine winning chances. Perhaps watch the late market moves if you are desperate for an early bet but think there is other races we can identify as staking opportunities.
RACE 2 | SELECTIONS
2. LOVELY LOOKIN
8. EVERLY
1. SANTASTICO
4. GREAT MAXIMUS
Hot race this. LOVELY LOOKIN was a dominant winning first up from a break by 2.4L in-front of THREE RIGS. That horse since finished 2nd again at metro level so the form is stacked up. Is 1/1 2nd up and looks like a progressive filly. Strong overall record with 3 wins from 6 starts and has competed in a G2 event last prep.
EVERLY returns from a spell and looked good winning a trial here last week. Important that horses have some exposure to the Oakbank track prior to racing. She draws to do no work fresh. SANTASTICO boasts a win over our top pick LOVELY LOOKIN so hes a must for the multiples.
Is another that trialed well here and has a great fresh record. GREAT MAXIMUS returns from a spell and is 1/1 overall after a dominant MDN winner. Looks to have plenty of upside and Jake Toeroek choosing this one over the well-performed stablemate is a good push.
Betting Strategy
No bet.
RACE 3 | SELECTIONS
6. KRISTOBEL
4. FREE BEER
5. VOLTAGE POINT
3. BOLTED IN
KRISTOBEL is racing well for Sarah Rutten this campaign. A forgivable run last start when for some reason was jagged back to last and ripped it’s head off for Maggie Collett. Like the jockey switch back to Dom Tourneur who has a great record on the horse and has placed twice in two starts at Oakbank. FREE BEER started big odds in the same race and really caught the eye late for 2nd.
The step up to 1400m will only enhance his chances and he can go one better here. VOLTAGE POINT ran a closing 3rd from that race and is another who should be suited by the distance rise. He draws softly here. BOLTED IN was OK first up over 1100m when 6th to LOVELY LOOKIN. Will be fitted for it and 1400m suits now. Todd Pannell a good booking.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) KIRSTOBEL for 1 unit
KRISTOBEL is racing well for Sarah Rutten this campaign
BACK (PLACE) KIRSTOBEL for 1 unit
KRISTOBEL is racing well for Sarah Rutten this campaign
RACE 4 | SELECTIONS
10. APPLIED
8. FOX DOR
5. SPEAKEASY
4. PUISSANCE DUSOLIEL
No bet race. This is a glorified mid-week race at best. APPLIED is racing well this prep but is just a 47 rater horse. He was heavily backed last start and hit the line well for 2nd. Can go one better. FOX DOR ran OK over the 1600m at Albury. He will appreciate stepping up to the 1950m here. SPEAKEASY worked through the line well enough for 3rd over this trip behind KARAKA KIWI. Is one of the only horses in the race with metro form. Should be thereabouts here. PUISSANCE DUSOLIEL was heavily backed at a price last start and almost landed the plunge with a close 2nd. She’s come back in good order this prep and should appreciate the rise in trip.
Betting Strategy
No bet race.
RACE 5 | SELECTIONS
3. ALPINE FLYER
5. SIXTEEN REASONS
1. WILD IMAGINATION
4. GAZE GRIS
ALPINE FLYER looks very hard to beat here. She’s a lightly raced 5yo mare with a terrific overall record. Trial was probably the best of the morning here at Oakank and is a 2 winner from 4 starts fresh. Draws well and will be very hard to beat. SIXTEEN REASONS started short fresh in a messy Listed event that favoured front runners.
Was OK for 4th but happy to forgive that run. Has placed her only start at Oakbank. WILD IMAGINATTION was a good winner first up then only fairr at Listed level last time out. Drops back a bit in class and goes well over this distance. If GAZE GRIS bought her best form she would be the one to beat here. Has been racing well enough since joining Henry Dwyer’s yard and hasn’t missed the quinella in two attempts at the track.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) ALPINE FLYER for 2 units
ALPINE FLYER looks very hard to beat here. She’s a lightly raced 5yo mare with a terrific overall record.
RACE 6 | SELECTIONS
5. SANDASTAN
8. OATH OF OMERTA
2. YURI ROYALE
3. THRILL KILL
SANDASTAN ran a terrific race in the Lord Reims stakes before finding the Adelaide Cup a bridge too far. Still deserved his crack at it. Been given a 3 week freshen and gets back to a more suitable grade here. Is 1/1 at Oakbank and draws to do no work. OATH OF OMERTA ran a much improved race when charged home to just miss behind the flying CRIMOSN VINE.
That horse has form tied in with SANDASTAN so he looks an obvious danger. Can go one better. YURI ROYALE is racing in consistent fashion this prep winning two from his past 3 over this trip. Proven stayer that is sure to be in the finish. THRILL KILL was a strong winner of the Mt Gambier Cup last start. 2 wins and 4 placings from his last 6 starts suggests he’s flying. Loves these Country Cup races.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) SANDASTAN for 1 unit
SANDASTAN ran a terrific race in the Lord Reims stakes before finding the Adelaide Cup a bridge too far.
BACK (WIN) OATH OF OMERTA for 1 unit
OATH OF OMERTA ran a much improved race when charged home to just miss behind the flying CRIMOSN VINE
RACE 7 | SELECTIONS
1 CHICAGO STORM
2 MY KHALIFA
5. ANILLA
13. EASY CAMPESE
Not much went right for CHICAGO STORM first up at Listed level when wa caught wide the trip but boxed on OK for 2.6L 9th. Hes a very talented horse with a great overall record so the first up run should be forgiven. Nice trial leading into this and 2nd up form is good. MY KHALIFA was excellent fresh then didn’t handle the 7 day back up and was plain.
He’s better than that. Like the engagement of regular rider Lachy Neindorf and the horse is proven at this track. ANILLA jumped out well but then was wide the trip and knocked up vs Johnny Rocker at Moonee Valley. That horse since came out and almost ran down IMPERATIZ at Group 1 level! Must go into the numbers on formlines. EASY CAMPESE is up in grade but is racing very well for Sarah Rutten. Been completely luckless the past couple. Goes up a few grades here but used to be trained on the track so he should know his way around.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) CHICAGO STORM for 2 units
Not much went right for CHICAGO STORM first up at Listed level when wa caught wide the trip but boxed on OK for 2.6L 9th. Hes a very talented horse with a great overall record so the first up run should be forgiven
BACK (WIN) MY KHALIFA for 1 unit
MY KHALIFA was excellent fresh then didn’t handle the 7 day back up and was plain.
RACE 8 | SELECTIONS
1 TAUNTING
2 LARIMER STREET
13. PRESS DOWN
6. PENTHOUSE
Good race this. TAUNTING is 1/1 at Oakbank and fine tuned himself with a nice trial leading into this. He likes to make his own luck upfront and will prove very hard to run down. The only thing that will bring him down is a speed battle. LARIMER STREET is racing well this prep with limited luck. Is a genuine back-marker that relies on a hot speed to get into things.
If they over cook things here he can be the one swamping them late. Has finished a narrow 2nd only start at the track in this race two years ago. PRESS DOWN is a talented gelding resuming from a break. Has a great first up record and looked good in a recent trial. Goes well with Callan Murray aboard. PENTHOUSE brings different form lines to this with some solid performances in Sydney and Melbourne in decent races. Draws well.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) TAUNTING for 1 unit
TAUNTING is 1/1 at Oakbank and fine tuned himself with a nice trial leading into this
BACK (WIN) LARIMER STREET for 1 unit
LARIMER STREET is racing well this prep with limited luck. Is a genuine back-marker that relies on a hot speed to get into things.
RACE 9 | SELECTIONS
13. SKINDER
1 STORYTELLER
12. LOTZA BUBBLES
4. LARKHAM
Great race to finish the day with all the horses in our top 4 having Oakbank track form. SKINDER was narrowly beaten here by STORYTELLER on debut here first prep before going on to have two dominant wins at the track. Meets that horse 2kg better at the weights from their clash and looked very good at the trials winning in fast time.
Draws well and Crowther goes aboard. STORYTELLER won well first up when heavily backed. Has form around SGHIRIPPA which was luckless in a Group 1. That’s good form for a race like this. Is 1/1 at the track. LOTZA BUBBLES has a great record over this track and distance. Draws well and is in smartly with the 2kg claim for Rochelle Milnes. LARKHAM almost mowed down STORYTELLER. His best form would bring him right into contention here. Just mixes form a bit so hard to take on trust.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) SKINDER for 2 units
SKINDER was narrowly beaten here by STORYTELLER on debut here first prep before going on to have two dominant wins at the track.
CLARE PREVIEW | SATURDAY 30TH MARCH
Rail True
Weather: Good 29
Track: Good 4
RACE 1 | SELECTIONS
2. KETCHIKAN
7. ICONIC JEWEL
9. ONE DASH
3. MAVEN MISSILE
No bet race. Pretty ordinary MDN to start the day. Perhaps watch any market moves for the Will Clarken and Nikki O’Shea horse in ONE DASH. Done nothing in 3 starts but is first up over a distance with the blinkers on and claim. Might give them something to chase but not interested in this as a betting perspective race.
Betting Strategy
No bet race
RACE 2 | SELECTIONS
3. SHADOWIST
6. BONA FIDE STAR
5. WORLD AFFAIRS
8. MACSPARK
SHADOWIST is first up in SA for Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor since coming across from the Matthew Smith team in NSW. Had two career runs and started in the market in both but didn’t really fire a shot. The stable are very clever at getting these tried horses to fire fresh. Trailed well enough and blinkers go on. BONA FIDE STAR is a 9 start MDN but most runs have been very competitive.
Resumes from a break and looked good winning an Oakbank trial. This looks an easier MDN and gets 2kg weight relief for Jade Doyle. WORLD AFFAIRS resumes from a spell and didn’t do a lot in his first campaign. Been given time to mature and did finish close up in a recent trial. MACSPARK is on debut for the Richard & Chantelle Jolly team. Gets in very light with the 4kg claim and draws for an easy run.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) SHADOWIST for 2 units
SHADOWIST is first up in SA for Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor since coming across from the Matthew Smith team in NSW
RACE 3 | SELECTIONS
10. TARA RANI
11. TRUE GEM
12. WANDAANA
8. HEY MIKKI
Was keen on TARA RANI on debut at Kangaroo Island but wanted to do too much wrong in the run and only whacked away for 6th. Been freshened for this and the blinkers go on here. Has trialed very impressively in the past but needs to now bring it to race day. TRUE GEM is another horse first up in SA for the Bain/Taylor yard. Had a really good S.P profile in NSW. Is another that trialed well leading into this. WANDAANA resumes from a break and didn’t do much in her first campaign. Might have come on during the break. HEY MIKKI has had one start for an OK effort at listed level behind a potential Group 1 horse in STRETAN ANGEL. Trialed well and draws for a soft run.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) TARA RANI for 2 units
Was keen on TARA RANI on debut at Kangaroo Island but wanted to do too much wrong in the run and only whacked away for 6th. Been freshened for this and the blinkers go on here.
RACE 4 | SELECTIONS
1 CHARLESFORT
4 HOSTESS SUSIE
6. LORD OF DARKNESS
5. JAMCRA
CHARLESFORT started favourite here and did a good job for 4th after having zero luck the entire race. Draws to get a much softer run here from gate 1 and is well in at the weights with the claim for regular stable jockey Felicity Atkinson. HOSTESS SUZIE mixes form but her best could see her blouse these. Settles back and struggles to keep up but can let down with a good turn of foot late.
Is racing pretty well this prep. This is probably easier. LORD OF DARKNESS hasn’t won in over a year but always races well enough. Not a heap went right last start. Forgive that. Has a great record at the track/distance. JAMCRA is another racing consistently. Should be therebouts.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) CHARLESFORT for 2 units
CHARLESFORT started favourite here and did a good job for 4th after having zero luck the entire race. Draws to get a much softer run here from gate 1 and is well in at the weights with the claim for regular stable jockey Felicity Atkinson.
RACE 5 | SELECTIONS
1 FOURTH POWER
3. BRAZANO
2. MYOCEAN WARRIOR
6 BONJOUR MON AMOUR
FOURTH POWER sat on speed and gave them a touch up here last start. Only goes up slightly in weight here with the 3kg claim for red-hot apprentice Tala Hutchinson. Draws well. Looks very hard to beat here. BRAZANO returns from metro racing where he was only fair last start. The first up run from the tail was excellent.
Big grade drop here, nice 3kg claim and the blinkers go off first time. If the real BRAZANO shows up then watch out! MYOCEAN WARRIOR has a solid overall record and never really runs a bad race. Can race forward or back but should get a lovely suck run from the inside gate. Blinkers go on here. BONJOUR MON AMOUR won her MDN well at this track two back before being only fair last time out. They have tinkered with the gear here. Can bounce back.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) FOURTH POWER for 2 units
FOURTH POWER sat on speed and gave them a touch up here last start.
Back (win) BRAZANO for 1 unit
RAZANO returns from metro racing where he was only fair last start. The first up run from the tail was excellent.
RACE 6 | SELECTIONS
5. LEONS SHOUT
8. RUSTYDUSTYSUNSHINE
4. KNICKPOINT
7. BITE YOUR TOUNGE
Betting Strategy
No bet race. Don’t like this race at all.
RACE 7 | SELECTIONS
10. FRENCH ROCK
14. FLYIN FOR US
12. CHAMPAGNE AFFAIR
15. RODNEY
The old boy FRENCH ROCK is ticking over OK this prep. Was a close up 2.5L 6th last time. Thrown in at the weights with the 4kg claim for Polly Brewster. FLYIN FOR US got the MDN out the way here last start. He’s got a little bit of upside and has form last prep around some handy enough horses. Should go close.
CHAMPAGNE AFFAIR was backed off the map here and almost got the chocolates when 2nd to RODNEY. Meets that horse slightly better at the weights. RODNEY is racing well this prep and came from the clouds to score at this track distance last time out. Draws soft and a nice 2kg claim for Zoe Lloyd.
Betting Strategy
BACK (WIN) FRENCH ROCK for 1 unit
The old boy FRENCH ROCK is ticking over OK this prep. Was a close up 2.5L 6th last time. Thrown in at the weights with the 4kg claim for Polly Brewster.
SAVE (WIN) FLYIN FOR US for 1 unit
FLYIN FOR US got the MDN out the way here last start. He’s got a little bit of upside and has form last prep around some handy enough horses. Should go close.