The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, January 18. The focus is on the listed races at Ascot (Miss Andretti Stakes), Flemington (Kensington Stakes) and Launceston (Launceston Guineas). Selected races at Eagle Farm and Rosehill are also covered. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Ascot Race 5, No. 2 Valour Road
Flemington Race 5, No. 3 Time To Reign, saving on No. 2 Bold Star
Ascot
Race 5:
5. Don’t Fuss (4 stars)
1. The Celt (3 stars)
2. Valour Road (2 stars)
4. Belter (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
VALOUR ROAD had to do some work to get up on the speed here last start but just found THE CELT a bit too strong over final stages. Looking for the two of them to fight the race out again and with easier run early Valour Road can turn the tables. DON’T FUSS always makes his own luck rolling forward and if he can get his own way out front will take some catching from the corner. PROFIT STREET wasn’t far off then in the G3 A.J.Scahill two starts back and finds a similar race here. Would not leave out of place chances.
Selections: 2. Valour Road (top tip), 1. The Celt, 5. Don’t Fuss, 3. Profit Street
Race 5:
Valour Road (5 stars)
The Celt (5 stars)
Don’t Fuss (4 stars)
Race 5:
VALOUR ROAD (2) Back from a let up. Honest race when 2nd last run at this course but will be dropping in distance here. Appeals best. BELTER (4) Having second run back from a break. Nice run when 2nd last start around here and will be positive in the run early. Should go close. DON’T FUSS (5) Having second run back from a spell. Won narrowly two runs back at Belmont but up against stronger competition today. Should be competitive here. THE CELT (1) Really dug deep when winning two runs back here. Has each way claims.
Betfair – Expert WA Racing Previews:
Race 4:
BACK (WIN) – 2.5 units to win Son of Bacchus
Race 6:
BACK (WIN) – 6 units to win Alimentaria
BACK (WIN) – 1 unit to win Celtic Court
Race 9:
BACK (WIN) – 1.5 units to win Requisition
Eagle Farm
Race 3, No.1 Capital Gain – 3.5 stars
Flemington
Race 2, No.6 Red Heeler – 4 stars
Race 6, No.1 Mamzelle Tess – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Race 9, No.1 Jack Regan – EACH-WAY – 3.5 stars
Quaddie: 1,2,4,8,11,12/1,4/5,10,11,14/1,4,5,12,14,15,18
Race 5: Time To Reign
Race 5: Time To Reign
Race 5:
TIME TO REIGN (3) resumes here wth the blinkers on and off a sharp winning trial. Long break but he has trialled well and his form jumps off the page with wins over Bivouac and Tassort to his name along with a Golden Slipper fifth when last seen. 1000m looks ideal for him fresh. Big interest in his return. BOLD STAR (2) will be flying at him late in the piece. She’s in terrific form, running big closing splits, and there’s no reason to think she doesn’t run well again here. ALL TOO ROYAL (1) won well first up and has a hope off that. Step back to 1000m is the query. SARTORIAL SPLENDOR (5) has big speed. Form was up and down through the spring but his best efforts do read well here.
Race 5:
2. Bold Star (5 stars)
4. My Pendant (4 stars)
5. Sartorial Splendor (2 stars)
1. All Too Royal (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
Only a small field but it looks full of intrigue. BOLD STAR powered home to win down the straight two starts back then was left alone on outside rail in the Group 3 Standish and chased home bravely. Has race fitness on a few of these. ALL TOO ROYAL hit the line strongly to win in listed company at Caulfield first up. Fitter for that outing, he can win again. TIME TO REIGN won a recent Warwick Farm trial by 9½ lengths. Should be primed for a first-up tilt. SARTORIAL SPLENDOR was thrown in the deep end when he took on the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes to finish last prep. He races well fresh.
Selections: 2. Bold Star (top tip), 1. All Too Royal, 3. Time To Reign, 5. Sartorial Splendor
Race 5:
Time To Reign (5 stars)
Bold Star (5 stars)
All Too Royal (4 stars)
Race 5:
TIME TO REIGN (3) First up from a break. Was first to greet the judge when winning three runs back at Rosehill and gets the perfect draw. Could prove hard to beat. ALL TOO ROYAL (1) Second up. Won last time at Caulfield but rises in weight here. Can make a claim. BOLD STAR (2) Left nothing to chance when winning two runs back at this venue and suited at this trip in the past. Go close. SARTORIAL SPLENDOR (5) Winner two runs back at Moonee Valley and will be positive in the run early. Each way.
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 5 #1 All Too Royal
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: AVENUE OF PLEASURE
Race 2: RED HEELER
Race 3: CONDO’S EXPRESS
Race 4: BLOSSOM ON SNOW
Race 5: TIME TO REIGN
Race 6: FABRIC
Race 7: NAVAL WARFARE
Race 8: OUR CAMPANA
Race 9: JACK REGAN
Launceston
Race 5:
12. Still A Star (5 stars)
2. Argyle Beach (4 stars)
1. Heaven’s Bonus (2 stars)
3. Mywordis (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 5:
Interesting race. Star local filly STILL A STAR is sure to have plenty of admirers after being ridden more forward and proving too strong in the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) but she’s a bit of a query at this longer trip for mine. I’m going with HEAVEN’S BONUS who missed a run in the Guineas but had looked a touch unlucky behind Mystical Pursuit and Still A Star the run prior and I think he’s one that will relish a staying trip. ARGYLE BEACH led and gave a big sight last time but is also a query at this longer journey. Must respect NSW raider SUPERHOMBRE.
Selections: 1. Heaven’s Bonus (top tip), 12. Still A Star, 2. Argyle Beach, 4. Superhombre
Race 5:
STILL A STAR (12) Won narrowly last start at this track. Suited here and is a clear standout selection. HEAVEN’S BONUS (1) Nearly grabbed a win when 3rd last run here but racing over extra ground. Will give a big sight. ARGYLE BEACH (2) Has run into the money 4 from 5 attempts this preparation. Gave plenty of cheek when 2nd last run at this track. Respect. VAMOS RAFFA (9) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd last run at this venue but up in grade. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. Each way hope.
Rosehill
Race 2, No.6 Absolute Trust – 4 stars
Race 4, No.6 Stella Sea Sun – BEST BET – 5 stars
Race 7, No.10 Broken Arrows – 3.5 stars
Quaddie: 2,5,6,7/4,6,10/1,4,5,7/7,8
Trentham (NZ)
Race 7: Avantage
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 4 #6 Stella Sea Sun – BEST BET
Race 8 #5 Mr Dependable – LAY BET – bet against this horse with Betfair
Race 9 #2 Laure Me In – VALUE BET
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: CELLSABEEL
Race 2: DUBAI TYCOON
Race 3: LASHES
Race 4: STELLA SEA SUN
Race 5: BIG PARADE
Race 6: HE’S A HOTSHOT
Race 7: CONNEMARA
Race 8: WORD FOR WORD
Race 9: BANDERSNATCH