Australian racing tips – Friday 13 January 2023 – Gosford

Race 4

RANGITIKEI is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she has finished third in her last two runs, both over today’s journey, the latest just under a length behind the winner. She sat just behind the leaders that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages. She gets draw six and looks to be the one to side with here.

OCTAHEDRON in turn has finished second in his last two starts, the latest over ten furlongs, just a length back from the victor. He struck the front at the 200M mark in that contest, only to be run out of it very late. The gelding is drawn one outside the top choice and is trained by ex-SA jockey/trainer, David Payne. He gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.

JIMMY MANOLO is drawn in gate five and is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over a mile, beaten just a short-head, but he hung in down the home straight that day, so can be considered an unlucky loser. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for the gelding should be respected.

Race 5

CHIPPER had his consistency rewarded with his maiden victory last time out over 1100M when putting 5.3L between himself and the opposition. He showed plenty of toe that day and the drop in trip will be to his liking. From gate six, he could prove hard to topple and, as such, is made the best bet on the day’s card.

I’LL TELL YOU NOW goes for his hat-trick after wins over five furlongs and the latest over 1100M by a head. He came four wide into the home straight on that occasion and the form of that race has been franked. He jumps from a useful draw three and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

GEEWIZ JOHNNY has turned in two solid last efforts, the latest when third over six furlongs at this track, 0.7L behind the winner, this despite coming four wide into the home stretch and hanging in down the straight, before being bumped by another running on several occasion from the 200M pole. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate eleven, but nevertheless, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

WESTERN FRONT followed up his penultimate run victory over ten furlongs with a second-place finish next time out over the same journey, just a half lengths back from the winner. That was over in France and the import has his first run in Australia here, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials to showcase his well-being. He has a wideish draw eight, but the gelding has joined up with a top local and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here.

CALM DOWN is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won her maiden race last time out over nine furlongs by one and a half lengths, notwithstanding being bumped at the 200M pole. She gets a kinder gate five and does take on stronger, but she may well be up to the task at hand.

DON PEDRO has only had the three runs to date and showed marked improvement to win his last start over seven furlongs by all of 7.3L. He is drawn one outside the latter and if he is able to confirm that last effort, he should be included in all bets.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, KING OF NAPLES last three runs have yielded two seconds and a third-place finish, the latest one of those seconds over six furlongs, one and a half lengths behind the winner, but he was bumped shortly after the start that day and then came three wide into the home straight, so should have finished closer to the winner than he officially did. He gets a cosy draw two and he should be right up there when they hit the line.

DIAMOND HANDS has cracked pole position and only secure a clear run at the 150M mark before finishing strongly to end up in fourth place last time out over 1300M, just over two lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He does return from a 19-week break, but has had the two barrier trials, finishing third in the first and second in the latest.

REGGIE’S BOY won his penultimate start over six furlongs and then finished third next time out over the same trip, two and a half lengths adrift of the victor, when returning from an 18-week rest. He was slow away that day and only saw daylight at the 230M mark, but finished off his race well. The gelding will have to negotiate draw eight, but he should not be easily overlooked here.