| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, November 26, 2022 |
| First Race | 2:04pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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We are back at Pioneer Park this weekend for a five-part meeting kicking off at 2:04pm local time. HorseBetting’s NT racing expert brings you his top tips for Saturday’s action in Alice Springs.
Race 1 (2.04pm) – $18,375 Welcome Mark Summers GM Class 2 Handicap (1200m)
Manhattan Man has not won a race at Pioneer Park since winning on his NT debut on March 20 when he won an 1100m maiden – that was seven starts ago. However, the 4YO gelding has only missed running a place twice in his next six starts and will take some stopping if he continues from where he left off last start. Returning from a four-month spell, Manhattan Man finished third over 1100m (Class 2) against the three and four-year-olds on October 16 before storming home to get within a neck of the in-form Kikuyu, who has won three straight in the Red Centre, over 1200m (0-66) against the three and four-year-olds on November 5. A 4kg claim will seriously enhance his prospects. The Last Charge was a last start third in Victoria in late August, Vega Prince has finished second in his past four starts – but he hasn’t had a break since arriving in the NT, and Lethal Encounter did little wrong in Alice Springs and Kununurra before having a break in September. Elementae was competitive in seven starts at Pioneer Park last year without getting the win and was a last start fourth over 1100m (Class 2) on his return to the Territory on November 5 after having three starts in South Australia.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#3 Manhattan Man (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Lek Maloney (53kg)(a4)
$2.70 with Bet365
Race 2 (2.40pm) – $18,375 Alice Springs Biggest Xmas Party 2nd December BM54 Handicap (1100m)
Esashi might be the pick, but he is going to have his hands full in arguably the most open race on the program. The four-year-old mare had seven starts in Victoria and actually won her final start in a 975m maiden at Swan Hill in March before joining the Terry and Leanne Gillett stable in Central Australia. A first up third on Alice Springs Cup Day (May 1) was followed by a fifth at Tennant Creek and a seventh back Pioneer Park. Returning from a four-month break, Esashi took on the three- and four-year-olds over 1100m (Class 2) on October 16 for a second and 1200m (0-66) for a fourth on November 5. Banking that the inside gate and the fact that Tsaikos is a marvel at dictating terms in the Alice will get Esashi over the line. Me Cabo was a last start fourth over 1000m (0-64) and has a 4kg claim. Acres Midnight has finished third behind handy duo Mackinaw (1100m) and Delago Lad (1000m) in his past two starts at BM54 level. Rhythmical hasn’t won since September last year, but in his past 14 starts he has only missed finishing in the top four on just two occasions and also has the luxury of a 3kg claim. Speed Wheel has only disappointed twice in her past six starts, so she can make an impact as well.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#2 Esashi (1)
4yo Mare | T: Leanne Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (57.5kg)
$2.60 with Unibet
Race 3 (3.20pm) – $21,525 Ladbrokes Bet Ticker 0-76 Handicap (1000m)
Cyclonite has had 35 starts at Pioneer Park for nine wins, six seconds and seven thirds, and was victorious in open company over 1000m on May 29. The seven-year-old gelding then finished fourth at the top level over 1200m before producing five poor results. He bounced back to form at 0-70 level with a win over 1100m on October 16 and was third over 1200m two weeks later before returning to the winner’s last Saturday over 1100m with a barn-storming finish. The benefit of a 4kg claim will benefit Cyclonite for the second straight week and he also jumps from the inside gate. After 17 starts in NSW for three wins and an appearance over 1000m down the Flemington straight on Melbourne Cup Day in 2018, Cyclonite was a model of consistency in the Alice following a debut win in June 2019. Late last year, he headed to Darwin for three starts where he managed two seconds and a fourth. Cut It Out hasn’t raced since August 20, but has an outstanding first up record and must be respected. Intercontinental will appreciate the step back to 1000m after finishing fifth behind Cyclonite last Saturday, but he seems in need of a break. Hard to see either Prairie Fire and Man In Motion pulling off an upset win.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#1 Cyclonite (1)
7yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Lek Maloney (55.5kg)
$2.60 with Bet365
Race 4 (3.56pm) – $23,100 Alice Springs Toyota Handicap (1400m)
Roughly is making her 13th start since May 29 and continues to impress. It’s a remarkable effort by the 10-year-old mare and recent results suggest she is every chance of making it six wins from her past 11 starts. Roughly didn’t give a yelp in three starts after winning over 1200m (BM76) in September 2020 before posting back to back wins over 1200m in July and August. She had never raced beyond 1300m before winning over 1400m in open class in September before a third over 1100m (BM76). A first up win over 1600m (BM65) in October was followed by a third in open class over 1100m. Another win over 1600m (BM76) on November 5 was followed by a third in open class over 1200m last Saturday. If Roughly dictates terms again this weekend then another win cannot be discounted. Supreme Attraction, a $1.70 favourite during the week, was outstanding last Saturday in open company over 1200m after trailing his rivals by a big margin before producing a spectacular final 600m. It was his second start back in Alice Springs after a successful stint in the Red Centre last year and it was at Pioneer Park in August 2021 when he last won over 1400m. Lunch Session and Coin Collector will at least get the trip, but even with a 4kg claim it’s hard to make a fair case for Fair Go.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#1 Roughly (2)
10yo Mare | T: Paul Gardner | J: Sonja Wiseman (61kg)
$2.30 with Neds
Race 5 (4.26pm) – $19,425 BT Daley Painting 0-64 Handicap (1600m)
The Chaplain made little noise in his first starts in the Alice in September after racing 45 times in NSW and the ACT for just three wins and 17 minor placings. The seven-year-old gelding was a first up seventh over 1200m (0-64) before coming fifth over 1400m (BM54). The Chaplain then showed encouraging signs when he found late speed to finish second over 1200m (BM54) on October 8 and fourth over 1200m (0-58) on October 16. A distance second behind the handy Arrogant Miss over 1400m (0-64) followed on October 29, but since then he has started twice over 1400m for a fourth (0-58) on November 5 and a fifth (0-64) last weekend. The fact that he has had 19 starts over 1600m for a win, four seconds and five thirds perhaps gives The Chaplain a slight edge, Mi Mijo broke his maiden status with victory over 1400m in August, and hasn’t been all that far away in his past four starts from 1200-1400m. His only race over 1600m resulted in a seventh at Stony Creek in Victoria, but he will enjoy a 3kg claim on Saturday. Hard Work Rewards has managed a third and a fourth in two Alice starts over 1600m. Tredici and Morphling, who has a 4kg claim and will only carry 51kg, are unlikely, but you never know.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#3 The Chaplain (4)
7yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Paul Denton (56kg)
$3.10 with Bet365
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