| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, November 5, 2022 |
| First Race | 1:36pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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We are back in Alice Springs this Saturday afternoon for a five-race meeting out of Pioneer Park. HorseBetting’s NT racing analyst has looked over the card and picked out his best bets for the day’s action.
Race 1 (1.36pm) – $19,425 Centreline Saddlery & Country Outfitters 0-66 Handicap (1200m)
Brat has produced mixed form since arriving in the Red Centre after six winless starts in Victoria, but he appears to be back in business after stringing two wins together. The four-year-old gelding started out with three runs at Pioneer Park in July for a fourth over 1200m (Class 2) and victory in a 1200m maiden before coming eighth over 1400m (Class 2). Brat was a little rusty when he returned after a month in the paddock finishing fifth over 1100m (Class 2) before clicking into gear. A win over 1200m (Class 2) on September 11 was followed by a win over 1200m (0-58) on September 25. He is also in the box seat as neither of the four other runners in the race for the three- and four-year-olds have won over 1200m. Kikuyu produced a big finish last Saturday to win an 1100m maiden in impressive fashion. Last start winner Ginger Creek, who has a 3kg claim, won on his NT debut over 1100m (Class 2) on October 16 when he just pipped Esashi and Manhattan Man, who has a 4kg claim – the two other starters on Saturday.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#2 Brat (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Leanne Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (58.5kg)
$2.90 with Bet365
Race 2 (2.16pm) – $18,375 Congratulations Premiership Trainer Lisa Whittle Class 2 Hcp (1100m)
Delago Lad made his debut at Pioneer Park last Saturday and left his mark with an outstanding win over 1000m (BM54). The five-year-old gelding jumped from the outside barrier in the eight-horse field and settled three wide outside the two other leaders. Turning for home, Delago Lad found another gear to street his rivals by three and a half lengths. Only has to repeat that effort and he will take some stopping, but he has never won beyond 1000m and once again jumps from the outside gate in the six-horse field. It was hard to fault the start of Delago Lad’s career in SA mid-way through 2021, but his form soured and in five starts in 2022 he finished 4th, 9th, 10th, 10th and 14th. Bold Tropic was placed in two of three starts and then won a 1000m maiden on October 8 before a last start fourth over 1000m (BM54) three weeks ago. Vega Prince hasn’t been too far away in his past four starts, so can he win the race named in honour of his trainer? Fat Impacta claims 4kg and should complete your first four.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Delago Lad (6)
3yo Colt | T: Russell Bell | J: Phillip Crich (58kg)
$1.75 with Ladbrokes
Race 3 (2.56pm) – $19,425 Ladbrokes Odds Boost 0-64 Handicap (1000m)
Intercontinental also starts from the outside gate, but it shouldn’t prove a hurdle. The six-year-old gelding is the best horse in the race. He should start as a warm favourite and it would be surprising if didn’t win. In 21 starts in NSW and the ACT at the start of his career, Intercontinental won a 1460m maiden at Queanbeyan in November 2019 and over 1200m (Class 1) at Canberra in May 2020. A horse who can prove tough to beat if he settles in front, Intercontinental boasts a terrific record in the Red Centre since debuting in November last year – 14 starts for five wins, three seconds, a third and two fourths. A second over 1000m (0-70) on September 25 was followed by a win over 1200m (0-64) on October 8 before a last start second over 1100m (0-70) three weeks ago. Me Cabo is handy and claims 4kg, but hasn’t raced since August 26. Lido Beach, who claims 3kg, and Military Forces return from long spells. Fair Go debuts in Alice after a last start eighth over 1100m (0-58) at Wangaratta on October 2.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#1 Intercontinental (5)
6yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Jessie Philpot (60.5kg)
$1.70 with Bet365
Race 4 (3.36pm) – $18,375 Premiership Jockey Stan Tsaikos 0-58 Handicap (1400m)
Qualis has had his ups and downs in his career, but he has suddenly sprung too life. In three of his past four Alice starts, the five-year-old gelding has saluted and is aiming to make it three in a row. Returning from the Darwin Cup Carnival, Qualis was a first up seventh over 1100m (Class 2) on August 20 before winning over 1200m (BM54) the following week. A fourth over 1200m (Class 2) on September 11 was followed by a win two weeks later over 1400m (BM54) carrying 58kg before a last start win over 1600m (0-58) lumping 59kg a month ago. In seven other starts in the NT since July 2021, Qualis has managed a third in Darwin and Alice Springs. The Chaplain is racing well and finished strongly for a last start second over 1400m (0-64) last Saturday, but carries an extra 1.5kg. Dismiss Harbour Express at your peril as he has posted two wins and a second in his past three starts, but he hasn’t had much of a break since April. Despite having never won over 1400m, Abreha must be respected.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#1 Qualis (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Sheila Arnold | J: Casey Hunter (60kg)
$3 with Palmerbet
Race 5 (4.16pm) – $21,525 The Thank You Craig Reid Benchmark 76 Handicap (1600m)
Arrogant Miss ended a drought that extended back to Anzac Day 2020 when she won just her second race over 1400m (0-64) last Saturday. The six-year-old mare settled behind the leaders in third place before taking off at the 600m to record an emphatic three length victory. A second over 1000m (Open) on May 29 was followed by a third over 1000m (0-70) before Arrogant Miss wound up in Broome and Kununurra. Since returning to the Red Centre, she has managed a third over 1000m (0-70) on September 25 and a second over 1200m (0-64) on October 8 before her last start win. The mare has never raced beyond 1400m, but she was good last weekend lumping 54.5kg and this week a 4kg claim will see her carry 51kg. Roughly, who still continues to race well and will pose a threat, had never won over 1400m and 1600m at Pioneer Park before saluting on September 25 and October 16. Winter Harbour hasn’t missed a place over 1400m or 1600m in his past five starts and with a 3kg claim is a strong contender. Lunch Session has a good record at Pioneer Park (7-2-1-2) and although he hasn’t raced since posting back to back wins at Kununurra on September 3 he’s clearly in the mix.
Best Bet
Race 5 – #3 Arrogant Miss (3)
6yo Mare | T: Russell Bell | J: Lek Maloney (51kg/a)
$2.60 with Bet365
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