Australian Racing Tips – Sunday 9 April 2023 – Mudgee

Best Bet: LEICA STORM (Race 5) 
Value Bet: MUSICAL AFFAIR (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90.00  

Race 4

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. WOLF BAY has turned in two solid last runs since returning from a lengthy 42-week spell, winning his maiden race last time out over 1300M by 2.3L. He raced just behind the leaders that day and then accelerated smartly in the home straight to win going away. The gelding gets a handy draw two and could prove good enough to chalk up a quick double.

BRAVE BOY has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when sixth over a mile, just over three lengths behind the winner, but he did jump awkwardly that day and came three wide into the home straight. He will have to negotiate draw nine, but he has his peak run after returning from a 16-week break and a change of trainer.

GIRRAGULANG is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over 1700, just over a length back from the winner. He sat just behind the leaders in that event and then struck the front at the top of the home straight, only to be run out of it very late. The gelding has pulled gate six and should give another strong performance today.

Race 5

LEICA STORM has finished second in two of his last three runs and raced wide without cover, but still managed to make good late progress when finishing 1.3L behind the winner last time out over six furlongs. He does face a wide draw twelve, but he has his peak run after returning from a 16-week rest and gets the cheek pieces re-fitted. If this move has the desired effect, the gelding could prove hard to topple and as such, is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

POPPY’S GIRL is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she in turn has finished second in her last four starts, the latest over seven furlongs, just a length back from the victor, despite over racing and hanging out down the home straight. She is drawn even wider in gate fourteen, but a set of blinkers re-fitted and she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

CHARGE EXTRA had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing last time out when finishing fifth over six furlongs, 5.2L adrift of the winner, but he did slip at the start that day and found himself towards the rear of the field, before staying on well over the closing stages. The gelding is drawn wide, just one inside the latter, but nevertheless, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, MUSICAL AFFAIR is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she missed out on her hat-trick last time out after victories over seven furlongs and 1500M when finishing second over a mile, but beaten just a head. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and was only nabbed in the shadow of the post. From her wideish draw seven, she is likely to attempt similar tactics today and hopefully bounce back to winning ways.

ORDER OF MERIT has consistent formlines to his name, finishing second in his latest outing over today’s trip, just 0.8L off the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be held up at the top of the home stretch on that occasion. From his useful draw three, he should post another honest performance today.

JUSTFOUR is a 4yr old filly who followed up her penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a third-place finish next time out over 1300M, just under two lengths back from the winner. She had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 900M mark and then hung in down the home straight, so she had her excuses. She will have to deal with a wide gate twelve, but she has her peak run after returning from a 35-week spell and a change of conditioner.

Race 7

BROGANS CREEK has been a model of consistency and was crowded at the 200M mark and then again at the 50M pole before ending up in fourth spot last time out over 1100M, 1.8L behind the winner, so can be considered an unlucky loser. He faces a wide draw nine, but with better luck in running, he looks to be the one to side with in this line-up.

A 4yr old filly and a 5yr old mare could chase him home, with the slight preference going to ANARO, who had her consistency rewarded with her maiden victory last time out over 1100M, albeit by just a length and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She had to be eased at the 400M mark that day but finished off her race well and whilst she faces stronger here, from her useful draw four, she may well be up to the task at hand.

SEA PRINCESS finished fourth in her latest start over 1100M, three lengths adrift of the victor, but that was her first run for her new trainer and was immediately rested for 28 weeks. She returns here after having had the one barrier trial where she finished third. She is drawn one inside the latter and should be included in all bets.