The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, May 18. The highlights include two Group 1 races, the Doomben Cup (Race 8) at Doomben and The Goodwood (Race 7) at Morphettville. Other group races at these venues as well as selected races at Ascot, Flemington and Rosehill are also covered.
More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets of the day
Doomben Race 7, No. 12 Passage Of Time – PLACE
Doomben Race 8, No. 13 Youngstar
Morphettville Race 7, No. 8 Cool Passion – PLACE
Ascot
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Lay – #8 Galaxy Star
Doomben
Race 6, No. 14 Meet Mr Taylor – 4.5 stars
Race 7, No. 10 Chapter And Verse – 4.5 stars
Race 8 Doomben Cup:
1. Tally
2. Sixties Groove
3. Youngstar
4. Life Less Ordinary
5. Fierce Impact
Best bet: Tally ($34/9.00) – each-way – 4 stars
Next Best: Sixties Groove ($13)
Exotic: Box Exacta 2,8,10,12,13,17
Race 6: Back Isaurian (3.10) to win.
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: High
Lay – #10 Chapter And Verse
Race 8:
Betting Confidence: Low
Back – #5 On The Rocks; #3 Mister Sea Wolf; #6 Archedemus
Race 9:
Betting Confidence: High
Lay – #1 Scarlet Dream
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 8 #10 Fierce Impact
Race 7: Passage of Time – each-way
Race 8: Youngstar
Race 9: Scarlet Dream
Race 7:
PASSAGE OF TIME (12) heads north with good Sydney form. Resumed with a close second at Randwick before scoring a strong 2L victory on the Kensington track last outing. Takes a step up in grade but has won third up before so should be peaking. CHAPTER AND VERSE (10) impressed first up when he ran on and draw away for a soft win. Has won two of three second attempts and hasn’t missed a place at this distance. Big threat. TYZONE (6) won the Goldmarket and has only been about 2L from the winner in his two runs since in stakes races. Contender. ADDICTIVE NATURE (11) missed by a nose at Flemington last time. Third-up winner who can peak. BOOMSARA (7) is smart and could be a big improver back on firm footing.
Race 8:
YOUNGSTAR (13) is classy mare who has needed her two runs since a spell but will be ready now. Raced wide but ran on well on a wet track in the Hollindale last start. Has strong statistics at the course and the distance and races well third up so looks set to peak. LIFE LESS ORDINARY (2) was impressive when running away to win the Hollindale last start, beating many of these rivals in the process. He is another with good third up form so he could progress off that. MISTER SEA WOLF (3) chased well for second in the Hollindale after a resuming G3 win in Sydney. Well drawn and his form must be respected. GEM SONG (16) battled well to place in his first attempt against the older gallopers last time and won a G3 in his own age group before that. Progressive and could measure up. KENEDNA (12) won a G1 two back and could be a big improver back on a firm track.
Race 9:
SCARLET DREAM (1) is smart filly with a couple of black type placings on her recent record including a closing second in the G1 Australian Oaks last start. Has had a month off but has been kept up to the mark with a trial win. If she performs up to that level she is the one to beat. ALIFEROUS (2) also performed well during the Sydney autumn carnival, steaming home to win the G3 Adrian Knox at this distance before a fourth in the Oaks. She too has trialled since then and is drawn to get the favours. ON THE WHITE TURF (15) is improving rapidly. She won two in a row at the provincials then was good against the boys when fourth in the G3 Packer Plate. Suited back against the fillies. PINMEDOWN (5) has won two of her last three starts in NZ including a G3. Can measure up. ETANA (14) has claims off her last start placing in the Gold Coast Bracelet.
Race 7:
7. Boomsara (3 stars)
10. Chapter And Verse (3 stars)
6. Tyzone (3 stars)
1. I’m A Rippa (2 stars)
Race 8:
6. Archedemus (5 stars)
17. Sixties Groove (3 stars)
12. Kenedna (3 stars)
16. Gem Song (3 stars)
Race 9:
3. Winning Ways (5 stars)
2. Aliferous (3 stars)
17. Itz Lily (3 stars)
1. Scarlet Dream (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 7:
As he did in the 10,000 last week I’m A Rippa should lead here, he should be kept honest though as nos.11, 12 & 14 (when he jumps) can also race forward, not sure where Boomsara will end up from his wide draw, gut feel is they’ll push forward. That all leaves the very impressive first up winner CHAPTER AND VERSE likely around midfield or hopefully even closer, he put them away with a sharp turn of foot first up at Eagle Farm & can do the same again today. The Kiwi EVER LOYAL shows good ability back home, he won’t be too far back in the run whilst FREDDIE FOX TROT can improve on a drier surface
Selections: 10. Chapter And Verse, 9. Ever Loyal, 14. Freddie Fox Trot, 1. I’m A Rippa
Race 8:
Speed map suggests the Group 1 Doomben Cup won’t set any early pace records with only Archedemus & Hallelujah Boy the likely pacemakers. I’m hoping there’s a smokey or two who also go forward as the top tip YOUNGSTAR will likely drift back. Thought her run in the Hollindale was good from the rear & this is clearly her target, efforts in the Melbourne spring were strong & note she ran Winx to a length third up in the Turnbull. FIERCE IMPACT is on the quick back up after just missing out at Scone, the additional 400m will suit. SHILLELAGH nice & fresh is a chance, go on the Australian Cup run.
Selections: 13. Youngstar, 10. Fierce Impact, 11. Shillelagh, 6. Archedemus
Race 9:
We round out the day with this important lead-up to the Oaks in a fortnight’s time. Map suggests 8, 15 & 17(e) can push on with 4, 16 & 20(e) up there also. Really like the look of SCARLET DREAM who impressed at her last run beating all bar Verry Elleegant in the ATC Oaks, just thought she was baulked at a vital stage in the straight which meant the winner got a break on her, love the way she attacked the line late. The Kiwi PINMEDOWN has good form around this trip back home, don’t worry about the gap between starts. Local filly WINNING WAYS is doing nothing wrong, acid test for her here.
Selections: 1. Scarlet Dream, 5. Pinmedown, 3. Winning Ways, 20. Guise
Race 7:
1. Passage Of Time (5 stars)
2. Chapter And Verse (5 stars)
3. Tyzone (4 stars)
Race 8:
1. Youngstar (5 stars)
2. Life Less Ordinary (4 stars)
3. Mister Sea Wolf (4 stars)
Race 9:
1. Scarlet Dream (5 stars)
2. Aliferous (4 stars)
3. On The White Turf (4 stars)
Race 7:
CHAPTER AND VERSE (10) Had a comfortable win last time at Eagle Farm and should get going late. Can dominate here and win. I’M A RIPPA (1) Expecting to settle positively. Was strong on the speed before fading to finish 2nd three runs back at this venue and third up. Should go close again. PASSAGE OF TIME (12) Won last start at Randwick but facing a stronger grade today. Could sneak a place. TYZONE (6) Got the upper hand late when winning three runs back at Gold Coast and back in an easier grade. Always seems to find the line well. Good each way prospects.
Race 8:
YOUNGSTAR (13) Finished off well in the Hollindale Stakes and should be suited by the step up to 2000m. The one to beat. LIFE LESS ORDINARY (2) Strong effort winning last start and will take benefit from the run. Can win again. ARCHEDEMUS (6) Good front running performance here last time out. Wide barrier but looks to have plenty of upside. GEM SONG (16) Lightly raced type racing on a quick back up. This isn’t out of reach.
Race 9:
SCARLET DREAM (1) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd last run at Randwick. Likely to be first past the post. ON THE WHITE TURF (15) Scored a victory two runs back at Hawkesbury but carrying more weight than last time. Expect to go close. ALIFEROUS (2) Really dug deep when winning two runs back at Randwick and going down in class. Has a great burst of speed late. Solid place bet prospects. ETANA (14) Kept finding the line when 3rd last start at Gold Coast and has a good draw. Can be competitive.
Flemington
Race 4, No. 3 Big Night Out – BEST BET – 5 stars
Race 3: Back Miss Leonidas (2.90) to win.
Morphettville
Race 6, No. 1 Princess Of Queens – 4 stars
Race 7 The Goodwood:
1. Cool Passion
2. Despatch
3. Spright
4. I Am Someone
5. Behemoth
Best Bet: Cool Passion ($6.50) – 4 stars
Best Value: Despatch ($13)
Exotic: Box Exacta 1,2,3,8,11
Race 2:
Back Remember The Name (4.40) to win
Race 7:
1. Spright
2. Cool Passion
3. Iconoclasm
Suggested Bet: Back Spright (3.80) to win.
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Lay – #2 Spright
Race 7: Spright and Valour Road
Race 7:
The Goodwood usually has some top drawer horses in it but this year seems a bit weaker. That brings the mares into it and SPRIGHT (2) is just flying. She came from last in the Sangster with a brilliant last furlong. The wide gate helps her build momentum. Tough to hold off. COOL PASSION (8) was there until the last 25m last time. She’ll be in the same spot to run well again. VALOUR ROAD (7) is an interesting Perth runner. He was good in the Euclase Stakes and has contested at this level. BOOKER (1) won the Oakleigh Plate but is up in weight today. She does fly first up. ICONOCLASM (10) has a great strike rate. He is a horse of good talent.
Race 7:
3. Despatch (3 stars)
2. Spright (3 stars)
7. Valour Road (3 stars)
15. Gytrash (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 7:
ICONACLASM returned from a spell with a narrow but strong win over Miss Vixen at Caulfield. He drops 4.5kg in weight today and Craig Williams sticks with him. COOL PASSION will be in it for a long way from barrier 2. She meets Spright better at the weights after running 2nd to her in the Sangster a fortnight ago. SPRIGHT shouldn’t be overlooked. Her win last start was most impressive. BOOKER runs her best races when fresh. Look for her to be charging home over the top of them. VALOUR ROAD made it two win on the trot when he took out the Euclase Stakes.
Selections: 10. Iconoclasm, 8. Cool Passion, 2. Spright, 1. Booker
Race 7:
1. Spright (5 stars)
2. Cool Passion (4 stars)
3. Valour Road (3 stars)
Race 7:
SPRIGHT (2) Blew the rest of the field away in the TAB Classic last start. Can repeat the dose here. ICONOCLASM (10) 4 year old who has built an impressive race record to date. Awkward draw but this isn’t out of reach. BOOKER (1) Oakleigh Plate winner who will appreciate the drop in class. Each way the play. JAMAICAN RAIN (14) Races very well first up and has good stats over the trip. Winning claims.
Rosehill
Palmerbet – Horse Racing Tips & Previews:
Race 1: HULK
Race 2: BULLET SPEED
Race 3: JAZZLAND
Race 4: TURNBERRY
Race 5: OXFORD TYCOON
Race 6: STROME
Race 7: SIXTIES GROOVE
Race 8: PIRACY
Race 9: NICCO LAD
Race 1, No. 3 Hulk – 4 stars
Race 9:
Back Nicco Lad (4.60) and Red Currant (13.00) to win.
If investing 10 units have 7 units on Nicco Lad and 3 units on Red Currant.
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 3 #1 So You Win – VALUE BET
Race 6 #9 Reelem In Ruby – LAY BET – bet against this runner with Betfair
Race 8 #6 Deprive – BEST BET