Hong Kong beckoning Just As Sharp

A future in Hong Kong could be on the cards for consistent three-year-old Just As Sharp if he performs up to expectations in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The son of Swiss Ace has featured prominently in the key three-year-old contests this season, winning the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) second-up at Te Rapa in December before placing in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), and was fourth behind glamour filly Orchestral in the Gr.1…

Te Akau looking to continue trans-Tasman momentum

The 2023-24 season has already delivered countless highlights in both New Zealand and Australia for Te Akau Racing, and the powerhouse Kiwi syndicators are hoping the next few days will produce more of the same. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are dominating the domestic premiership with 131 wins, no fewer than 18 black-type successes and more than $6.7 million in total prizemoney. Meanwhile, Walker’s Cranbourne stable has produced 13 wins in metropolitan Melbourne at an astonishing and unparalleled strike rate of 31 percent. Te Akau is set to feature…

Forsman pair have Easter Handicap in their sights

Stakes performers Saint Bathans and Devastate will take an important step towards an Ellerslie feature when contesting the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-trained pair are at different stages of their preparation, with in-form Maurice gelding Saint Bathans dropping back in distance after finishing a creditable fourth in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga, adding to his narrow runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Cambridge-based Forsman is wary of the step-back in distance for the five-year-old,…

Hickmott chasing Alice Springs Cup success

South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) He had a big win at Oakbank last Saturday, and now leading South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott is eyeing the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m). Hickmott, based at Wellington, south of Murray Bridge, will start seven-year-old gelding Lake’s Folly and six-year-old gelding Exalted Fire at Pioneer Park on Sunday. It’s the final meeting (Day 5) of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, with Hickmott aiming to win his second Cup following Lieder’s 2019 triumph. Oath Of Omerta, who was nominated for the Alice…

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Friday free racing tips and best bets | April 5, 2024

Friday, April 5 promises an exciting day of horse racing with six meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Cranbourne and Muswellbrook races. Friday Racing Tips – April 5, 2024 Cranbourne Racing Tips Muswellbrook Racing Tips For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new…

Militarize’s weighty Doncaster task

Few people know how to win a Doncaster Mile like Chris Waller. A six-time winner of the 1600-metre Group One, Waller sits just one win behind Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse who share the record for most wins in the A$3 million event that will be run at Randwick this Saturday. Three of Waller’s wins have come with three-year-olds, Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List), Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) and Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly), meaning he is aware of the task confronting Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel) this weekend. The three-time Group One winner…

Moody cautious ahead of I Wish I Win return

Peter Moody fears a lack of recent match practice could come against defending titleholder I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) when he resumes against a crack field of race-fit sprinters in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. A forecast for drenching rain in Sydney has many expecting a heavy track on Saturday and while I Wish I Win handles those conditions, Moody says tackling them fresh from a break is a different kettle of fish. “He has handled the wet at Randwick, but that’s probably more taxing first-up…

Freedman’s Derby hope has Mark of a good horse

Michael Freedman might be preparing to saddle up his first Australian Derby runner in his own right, but the Randwick trainer has plenty of experience when it comes to the time-honoured race. Freedman will start Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s blue riband, 30 years after strapping 1994 winner Mahogany and 32 years after looking after Naturalism, both for his older brother and fellow trainer Lee. “I haven’t had a Derby runner,” Freedman said. “But I looked after Mahogany from when he was a yearling, so lots…

Arby back to chase second Manawatu crown

Arby will contest the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North A year after his triumph in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). Matamata-based…