Punt Drunk: Racing fans drooling over monster Doomben Cup field

Hump day is upon us, and boy, oh boy, are we looking forward to another weekend on the punt! The Doomben Cup field was released yesterday, and we will get to that shortly. Add in the fact several Group 1 jockeys are set to make the trip north for the Queensland Winter Carnival, and anyone would think the Sunshine State is the place to be this time of year. Who knew? Best Doomben Cup ever? Cracking race. The Doomben Cup field is set. Who will be first across the line?…

Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | May 19, 2021

The Kensington track at Randwick hosts seven races later this afternoon. Horse racing around the country sees five meetings scheduled for this Wednesday afternoon. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you a couple of best bets and quaddie numbers at the Ballarat, Ipswich and Randwick – Kensington meetings this afternoon. Wednesday Racing Tips – May 19, 2021 Ballarat Racing Tips Ipswich Racing Tips Randwick – Kensington Racing Tips Horse racing is set to kick off with the first at Moe jumping at 12:25pm on a Heavy 9, with…

Tony Cruz upbeat as Exultant chases third Champions & Chater Cup

Exultant wins the 2020 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup under Zac Purton. Tony Cruz is optimistic Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year Exultant can join a select band of multiple winners of the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) when his stable flagbearer returns to Sha Tin on Sunday (23 May). Already the most successful trainer in the modern history of the race, Cruz will unleash three runners at the Cup on the weekend as Exultant bids to match the 2006-07 and 2009 feats of…

‘Impressed’ Joao Moreira chases back-to-back wins aboard Superbella

Superbella wins with ease under Joao Moreira. After an authoritative course and distance conquest last start, championship leading jockey Joao Moreira is confident Superbella (119lb) can measure up in Class 3 when he steps up in grade to contest the Lam Tsuen River Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 19 May. “I was very impressed – the way he did it gives me the confidence that even though he is up in class now that he should be competitive once again,” Moreira said. The Frankie Lor-trained five-year-old kicked off…

Spending $20 on the Harrison-Dawson and Sapphire

Expert form analyst The Watchdog believes there’s great value for punters in Thursday night’s Group 1 double-header at Sandown Park, boldly going around favourites Shima Shine in the Harrison-Dawson and Qwara Bale in the Sapphire Crown. On the back of a near-record 29.00sec heat victory, TAB installed Shima Shine as $2.40 Harrison-Dawson favourite but while having enormous respect for Andrea Dailly’s champion, The Watchdog has cautioned that box two might not be ideal. “I know he’s won six from nine from box two but he can miss the start and…

Best of frenemies

The latest chapter in one of greyhound racing’s great modern rivalries will be written on Thursday night when Shima Shine and Tiggerlong Tonk meet in the Harrison-Dawson.

Fortified strengthens Derby prospects

Ocean Park three-year-old Fortified (NZ) raced into Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) contention with an effortless win at Ipswich on Wednesday over 2210m. The Chris Waller-trained gelding notched his third career victory from six starts and is raced by several of Waller’s most prominent owners, including Peter Tighe who was on-course to take in the four-length triumph over Mt Mort Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). “He’s a really promising horse that is a late bloomer by Ocean Park,” stable representative Brett Killion said. “He has just had to mature and find…

Big weekend ahead for Phelan

Shaun Phelan has a big day ahead of him this Saturday. The jumps jockey turned trainer has two runners in his training capacity, with one at each of  Awapuni and Te Rapa, while he will also be in the saddle at the latter venue on the premier jumps day. While Phelan will be at Te Rapa, he will be keeping a close eye on Awapuni where Quiz Kid (NZ) (Iffraaj) will contest the Listed James Bull Holdings Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). The four-year-old gelding heads into the race in good…

How The Watchdog would spend $50 on TAB’s ‘All In’ market for Sandown Cup

Expert form analyst The Watchdog has identified five value G1 RSN Sandown Cup (715m) contenders in TAB’s ‘All In’ market, including Jayville Slick ($101) and Desert Flame ($301). Four heats will be run on Thursday night with the final of the world’s premier distance race to be held on May 27. “TAB has put up Zack Monelli as $2.50 early favourite – that’s rightly so,” The Watchdog said. Zack Monelli, who has won 27 races from 50 starts, rounded off his Sandown Cup preparation with a flying 41.49sec win at…

Ayrton hits the road to Queensland

Promising three-year-old Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) will be floated to Queensland from Melbourne to take his place in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Doomben. The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr-trained galloper was due to fly to Queensland on Tuesday night in preparation for the race on Saturday week, but Queensland Health notified those on board the Cathay Pacific cargo flight they would need to quarantine in Brisbane for 14 days after arrival. Kiwi import Ayrton is now expected to travel to Warwick Farm in Sydney by road on…