The Race Club: Best Back & Lay

BEST BACK

Kembla Grange | Race 7 | #2 Ligulate | 4:40pm

She was fair in winning first up here over 1000m, then up to this trip at Randwick 14 days later, where she was eased back to near tail early. Was wide all the way and still worked home well to be only beaten 2.9L into sixth place.

Hopefully from gate 1, her rider is a touch more positive and has her closer in run.

Betting Strategy

 BACK (WIN) Ligulate

BEST LAY

Kembla Grange | Race 6 | #2 Veranes | 4:05pm

The race has fallen away due to scratchings and now not a lot of depth to the race, but I don’t think there is a lot of depth to Veranes either.

She hasn’t done a lot in her two runs in NSW, her last start third at Wyong over 1200m was only average and in average figures. At the current quote of $1.60, shes too short.

Betting Strategy

 LAY (WIN) Veranes

BEST BACK

Grafton | Race 6 | #9 Manhattan Road | 2:45pm

This horse is currently way too long in the market at around 71.00. He is second up here and his second up form is ordinary. However, so is his first up form. Did run a nice closing fifth first up over 1250m at Kempsey 19 days ago, where he worked home well late off a moderate tempo. He has raced against and beaten better company than this.

Betting Strategy

 BACK (WIN) Manhattan Road

BEST LAY

Grafton | Race 2 | #11 Jahez | 12:25pm

An ex Godolphin horse, starting for the first time under racing conditions here. It led all the way to win a trial in average fashion over 1006m here 12 days ago. Now lines up in a fairly strong looking maiden and at current price of $6.00 it looks very well found.

Betting Strategy

 LAY (WIN) Jahez

BEST BACK

Tamworth | Race 3 | #2 Maui Princess | 2:10pm

You could make a case against a horse that was an odds on pop, beaten over 5l by a 33/1 outsider at its last run, but she got too far back from her draw, ran on well late to run 2nd, after going very wide on home turn, while the winner led all the way and ran excellent figures in doing so.

Today’s race is an extra 200m in distance, she is drawn in closer, which will enable her to settle closer to speed, both big positives. Autumn Ridge has trialled up nicely and worthy of a small save to ‘chop out’ on if it wins.

Betting Strategy

 BACK (WIN) Maui Princess

BEST LAY

Tamworth | Race 5 | #5 Hammoon Bridge | 3:25pm

She’s had two starts for its new trainer, both this distance and both good runs. She led at a solid speed on both occasions. The first time run down at Quirindi to be beaten .75L by Albert of Monaco, then went to Dubbo on a Heavy 9, led all the way, pulled hard and still bolted in by over 7L.

But, her dangers were nowhere near her in run, whereas today she is up in class, both on official grading of race and actual field strength. Furthermore, there will be a few stalking her in running with five or six of them that can all win.

Betting Strategy

 LAY (WIN) Hammoon Bridge