The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, August 17. The highlight of the day is the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (Race 8) at Caulfield. Other group races at Caulfield and Morphettville are covered, along with selected races at Randwick/Kensington.
More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets of the day
Morphettville Race 7, No. 1 Scales Of Justice
Caulfield
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: TONY NICCONI
Race 2: BENITOITE
Race 3: DURETTO
Race 4: SHOT OF IRISH
Race 5: DUBIOUS
Race 6: LYRE
Race 7: FUNDAMENTALIST
Race 8: HARTNELL
Race 9: JORDA
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 1 #12 Pippie – BEST BET
Race 7 #9 Begood Toya Mother – LAY BET – bet against this horse with Betfair
Race 7 #6 Long Leaf
Race 8 #5 Fifty Stars – VALUE BET
Race 1, No.12 Pippie – 4 stars
Race 7, No.7 Behemoth – BEST BET – 5 stars
Race 8:
1. Hartnell
2. Mystic Journey
3. Cliff’s Edge
4. Kenedna
5. Fifty Stars
Best Bet: Hartnell ($4.20)
Next Best: Cliff’s Edge ($7.00)
Exotic: Box Exacta 1,4,11
Race 7:
Back Begood Toya Mother (3.00) to win.
Race 8:
Tips
1. Hartnell
2. Mystic Journey
3. Neufbosc
Suggested Bet(s): Back Hartnell (4.20) to win.
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 5:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #7 Excess Funds; #5 Condo’s Express; #4 Star Surprise
Race 6:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #6 Cheer Leader; #12 Rumble Doll; #9 Sizzlefly
Race 8:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #4 Cliff’s Edge; #11 Mystic Journey
Race 5: Bivouac
Race 7: Behemoth
Race 8: Cliff’s Edge and Hartnell with Mystic Journey in multiples
Race 5:
BIVOUAC (2) resumes. Has jumped out nicely and his formlines from last season leap off the page. Beat a very smart filly before a break and his win over Cosmic Force looks A-Grade. He’s the one they have to beat. DUBIOUS (1) raced well throughout the 2yo season. Effort before a break against the older horses was terrific and he has to be respected. SEBRAKATE (3) turned up and won well over the winter and kept for this. Has talent, as does EXCESS FUNDS (7) who is fit and has speed. Should run well.
Race 6:
BROOKLYN HUSTLE (8) resumes. Jumped out like she is back in outstanding order. Her debut was sizzling and there was nothing wrong with two runs subsequent to that. Gets her chance to knock off the star filly LYRE (1) who had her measure in the autumn but gives her weight here and think she catches Brooklyn Hustle ready to rumble. CHEER LEADER (6) ripped around the Valley last prep and that peak form stacks up. If she can produce it she goes close. The Godolphin pair PIN SEC (2) and EXHILARATES (4) should both run well. Both have plenty of talent.
Race 7:
BEHEMOTH (7) will need to keep tabs on what could be a modest tempo early but think that he can do that. Stiff not to win first up from a break when just slipping the leader too much rope in a race short of his best trip. This looks well set up for him. ANTAH (8) can reel off a big closing burst and that can be important in a race like this. FUNDAMENTALIST (1) will surely improve for the run but she is so honest and looks to get her chance riding a low pressure speed. BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER (9) is another that will surely improve for this and is going to be better for further but really promising and must be respected.
Race 8:
MYSTIC JOURNEY (11) is first up here and sure to be better for her return but she was an absolute star last prep and has several ratings that likely get the job done here. Think she gets the better of the old champ HARTNELL (1) who looks like getting a sweet run and is invariably hard to beat around the 1400m course here. CLIFF’S EDGE (4) has a run under the belt. That helps and he may just roll on and take up the running. His ex-stablemate FIFTY STARS (5) should run well fresh. Talented horse with a big spring ahead of him. KENEDNA (9) kept stepping up last prep. She can run well again.
Race 5:
1. Dubious (5 stars)
2. Bivouac (4 stars)
5. Condo’s Express (2 stars)
3. Sebrakate (2 stars)
Race 6:
4. Exhilarates (5 stars)
5. Absolute Flirt (4 stars)
10. Seatonic (3 stars)
1. Lyre (2 stars)
Race 7:
7. Behemoth (3 stars)
1. Fundamentalist (3 stars)
4. Ken’s Dream (3 stars)
6. Long Leaf (3 stars)
Race 8:
11. Mystic Journey (3 stars)
1. Hartnell (3 stars)
9. Kenedna (3 stars)
2. Harlem (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
EXCESS FUNDS has match fitness on his side unlike a few of his main rivals in the market. His Lightning Stakes run in Adelaide was very good in the context of the race/day, where few made ground down the middle of the track. The two that beat him are genuine group horses. BIVOUAC impressed in easily winning a recent jumpout under a hold, having closed off under his own steam in an earlier Sydney trial. Defeated some very smart 2YOs last prep. DUBIOUS was terrific despite a wide run in a G1 WFA in the winter. SEBRAKATE was put away after an extremely easy win down the straight. He’ll be winning good races this spring.
Selections: 7. Excess Funds, 2. Bivouac, 3. Sebrakate, 1. Dubious
Race 6:
Brilliant race! Could make a case for 10 of these and still miss the winner. CHEER LEADER’s Valley win is still fresh in my mind when she dispatched a handy field of 2YOs. Recent jumpout was very good. LYRE hasn’t set the world on fire in her jumpouts but they’ve been solid. Returns to the scene of her Blue Diamond win, where she is 2/2. Maps to get a lovely run. SIZZLEFLY was game in defeat here last start after covering ground throughout. Her two wins prior were simply awesome. ABSOLUTE FLIRT was unlucky not to win first up. BROOKLYN HUSTLE has won a trial and jumpout in readiness for this.
Selections: 6. Cheer Leader, 1. Lyre, 9. Sizzlefly, 5. Absolute Flirt
Race 7:
Whether he’s as classy as some of these is up for discussion but there’s little doubting HAUNTED’s honesty. Zero luck two back before hitting the line strongly despite overracing at Randwick a fortnight ago. The blinkers go back on to offset that. BEHEMOTH was huge against the pattern in a listed race first up. 1200m is more his go. BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER faces his toughest test yet after working through the grades on his way to an undefeated five-run preparation when last in work. Even from barrier 8, he should be able to find the front and take some catching. FUNDAMENTALIST and KEN’S DREAM next.
Selections: 5. Haunted, 7. Behemoth, 9. Begood Toya Mother, 1. Fundamentalist
Race 8:
Racing fans are excited to see the return of star Tasmanian MYSTIC JOURNEY, and why wouldn’t they be? With the retirement of the legend Winx, the All-Star Mile and Australian Guineas winner has been touted as the heir apparent. All honours to her in that ASM, sitting wide throughout and still proving far too good. Can she extend her dominance at four? HARTNELL finds it easier to get out of bed each day knowing there’s no more Winx. The three times he’s resumed over the Caulfield 1400m, he has won a G1, won a G2 and run second in a G2. CLIFF’S EDGE is in for a fruitful campaign after a solid first-up outing.
Selections: 11. Mystic Journey, 1. Hartnell, 4. Cliff’s Edge, 5. Fifty Stars
Race 5:
1. Bivouac (5 stars)
2. Dubious (5 stars)
3. Sebrakate (4 stars)
Race 6:
1. Brooklyn Hustle (5 stars)
2. Lyre (5 stars)
3. Cheer Leader (3 stars)
Race 7:
1. Behemoth (5 stars)
2. Antah (4 stars)
3. Fundamentalist (4 stars)
Race 8:
1. Mystic Journey (5 stars)
2. Hartnell (4 stars)
3. Cliff’s Edge (4 stars)
Race 5:
BIVOUAC (2) Back from a break. Displayed potential when winning last run at Randwick. Should prove hard to beat. DUBIOUS (1) Back from a spell. Nice effort when winning two runs back at Doomben and dropping in class. Can win this. EXCESS FUNDS (7) Third up. Did a good job when winning two runs back at Sandown. Expected to fight out the finish. STAR SURPRISE (4) Finished on top last run at this venue but racing in stronger company today. Could work into the placings.
Race 6:
BROOKLYN HUSTLE (8) Showed promise when winning three runs back at Moonee Valley and will be motoring home late. Will go well here. LYRE (1) Got the upper hand late when winning two runs back around here and will be motoring home late. Can give this a shake. CHEER LEADER (6) Had a break from racing and returns to competition here. Kicked clear when winning two runs back at Moonee Valley. Can get the job done. SIZZLEFLY (9) Did a good job when winning two runs back at Mornington and third up today. Place chance.
Race 7:
BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER (9) Comprehensive victory when winning last run here and should come to hand quickly. Look for a bold run. BEHEMOTH (7) Having second run back from a spell. Nice show placing 2nd last run at Morphettville and will be motoring home late. Will give a big sight. HAUNTED (5) Put in a competitive run when placing 3rd last start at Randwick and gets the perfect alley. Should go well. FUNDAMENTALIST (1) Stormed home when 2nd three runs back at Randwick and should muster plenty of early toe. One to watch and an each way chance.
Race 8:
MYSTIC JOURNEY (11) Landed the spoils when winning last start at Flemington and drops back to a suitable class. Carries plenty of appeal. HARTNELL (1) Back from a spell. Has good form here at the trip and looks well graded here. Winning chance in this line up. CLIFF’S EDGE (4) Game effort to win three runs back at Moonee Valley. Looks set to run a place. FIFTY STARS (5) Resuming. Got the upper hand late when winning two runs back at Rosehill and suited at this trip historically. Good each way.
Morphettville
Race 2, No.7 Koradon – 4 stars
Race 3, No.7 Northern River – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Race 7: Back Despatch (4.60) to win.
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: High
Back – #1 Scales Of Justice
Race 7: Scales of Justice
Race 7:
The Spring Stakes is the highlight and is a really good edition. SCALES OF JUSTICE (1) could not have been more impressive winning the Bletchingly Stakes. He sat off them and roared home. Only needs to bring that form to go mighty close. DESPATCH (2) was the winner of The Goodwood over this course and distance. He loves it here and flies fresh. BEHEMOTH (5) was the horse he beat home in that G1. If he runs here he has good form lines. DALASAN (10) didn’t miss by much in the VRC Sires. Takes on older horses but has done little wrong. HARD EMPIRE (4) can be placed on his best form. He finishes races off well.
Race 7:
1. Scales Of Justice (5 stars)
7. Beautiful Flyer (4 stars)
2. Despatch (2 stars)
3. Waging War (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 7:
SCALES OF JUSTICE returned from a break with an easy win over Jungle Edge at Caulfield. He’ll be fitter and has a great second up record. DESPATCH kicks off his Spring campaign. He put in a good gallop between races at Murray Bridge last week with BEHEMOTH. The latter has also accepted to run at Caulfield today. If he goes around here, he’ll be competitive. DALASAN creates plenty of interest. The 3yo cost himself victory in the VRC Sires at Flemington in March. He’s likely to have come on in the break.
Selections: 1. Scales Of Justice, 2. Despatch, 10. Dalasan
Race 7:
1. Scales Of Justice (5 stars)
2. Despatch (4 stars)
Race 7:
SCALES OF JUSTICE (1) Made a mess of them when winning last start at Caulfield and second up. Top selection. BEHEMOTH (5) Caught the eye when 2nd last run around here and has a great burst of speed late. Should go close. DESPATCH (2) Fought on gamely when winning three runs back at the track but should be ready to fire fresh. Winning hope. DALASAN (10) First up after a break. Got the upper hand late when winning two runs back at this venue but facing a stronger class. Each way prospects.
Randwick/Kensington
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: MY TAGOSON
Race 2: CONNEMARA
Race 3: IRISH SONGS
Race 4: ROYAL WITNESS
Race 5: NOTIO
Race 6: WU GOK
Race 7: WREN’S DAY
Race 8: THY KINGDOM COME
Race 9: GOLDFINCH
Race 6, No.8 Wu Gok – EACH-WAY – 4 stars
Race 7, No.6 Wren’s Day – 3.5 stars
Race 9: Back Tell Me (10.00) to win.
Race 2, No. 10 Constellations
Race 7, No. 4 Seaway
Race 8, No. 1 Thy Kingdom Come