| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, February 11, 2023 |
| First Race | 2:52pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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They’re back racing in the Red Centre on Saturday with the Alice Springs Turf Club hosting five races at Pioneer Park. The fields might be on the light side with just 35 acceptances, but there are a host of chances in every race. The only rain to fall this past week occurred on Sunday when 0.4mm was recorded. Sunny and hot conditions are forecasted with a top of 38C on Friday and a top of 39C on Saturday. With no chance of rain, the dirt track will be a fast surface with the rail in the true position.
Best Bet at Alice Springs: The Last Charge
The Last Charge didn’t do much wrong last start before finishing second behind the in-form Lethal Encounter over 1200m (Class 2) on January 28. He jumped well and managed to share the lead after settling on the fence before hitting the front once rounding the final bend. Fought on doggedly in the home straight and certainly matched Lethal Encounter before waving the white flag with 100m to go. The five-year-old gelding will carry an additional 2kg on this occasion, but will jump from the inside gate and only has to pick up from where he left off a fortnight ago to crack his first win at Pioneer Park at the fourth attempt. A fourth over 1200m (Class 2) in his debut appearance in the Red Centre in late November was followed by a disappointing seventh over 1100m (0-58) in December. The son of Late Charge, with a record of 25: 2-3-2, was sixth over 1000m (BM54) in January 21 before his last start second.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#2 The Last Charge (1)
5yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (59kg)
$3.50 with Bet365
Next Best at Alice Springs: Bench Press
After three starts in Victoria where his best effort was a third in a 1600m maiden at Pakenham, Bench Press headed to Central Australia and made an immediate impact for trainer Terry Gillett by winning a 1000m maiden. From September 2021-April 2022, the five-year-old gelding had seven starts posting four wins and three seconds from 1000-1600m to establish himself as one of the best horses in the Red Centre. Under the guidance of Leanne Gillett, wife of Terry, the son of Foxwedge returned in October to finish a close second over 1200m (0-70) before yet another narrow second over 1100m (0-70) in November. Stepping up to 1400m (BM76) on December 4, Bench Press (55kg) returned to his winning ways with success over Roughly (62kg). Bench Press’ outstanding form in the Alice ended when he came sixth over 1200m in open class on December 18, but he is worthy of another chance.
Next Best
Race 2 – 
#1 Bench Press (7)
5yo Gelding | T: Leanne Gillett | J: Sonja Wiseman (61kg)
$3 with Unibet
Best Value at Alice Springs: Unpredicted
Could not have been more impressive in his Alice Springs debut when second behind Esashi over 1000m (BM54) on January 21. The former NSW galloper settled midfield before winding up in the home straight to be the only threat to runaway leader Esashi. The six-year-old gelding lumped 61kg that day and got to within 1.8 lengths of the winner, who carried 55kg. The son of Rubick starts from a wide gate on Saturday in a very open race and will need a fair bit of luck as it’s unlikely he’ll settle in an ideal position. Unpredicted clearly has the speed if his effort three weeks ago is any guide and his $11 price on Thursday caught the eye. His record after 18 NSW starts and two Queensland starts stood at 20: 4-0-3, which included a third over 1200m (Class 3) at Rosehill in January last year. Unpredicted’s wins were achieved at Dubbo, Scone, Newcastle and Muswellbrook from 1000-1200m.
Best Value
Race 3 – 
#1 Unpredicted (11)
6yo Gelding | T: Ray Viney | J: Jessie Philpot (61kg)
$7 with Ladbrokes
Saturday quaddie tips for Alice Springs
Alice Springs quadrella selections
Saturday, February 11, 2022
- 1-2-3-4
- 1-5-7
- 2-3
- 1-2-3
Investment: $24 for 100%
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