Alice Springs betting preview, tips & top odds | Sunday, 19/6/22

Race 1 (2.00pm) – $18,000 Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1200m)

Supreme Times had strung four straight wins and was one of the star attractions during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival before finishing 11th in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on May 1. Returned on June 5 in the Pioneer Park Anniversary Cup over 1400m (0-76) and was far from disgraced when third behind the winner Valenciano and Valley Prince in a blanket finish. The 6YO gelding ran home strongly that day to suggest that he could be back to his best, but faces stiff competition in arguably the best race on the program. In what should be an intriguing affair, last start winners Cyclonite and Miles Prower perhaps pose the biggest threat as they bring terrific form to the table. Glock, who arrived in Alice Springs before missing a start in the Pioneer Sprint, finally makes his debut in Central Australia and could be the surprise packet with a 3kg claim. Devil’s Temptation, Valley Prince and Mathematics must also be considered.

Colhoun (60kg) has only missed a place on two occasions in his last eight starts and managed two seconds and a third in March and April before saluting over 1200m (0-62) on Alice Springs Cup Day on May 1. Before the 6YO gelding ended his winning drought that stretched back to last August in Darwin, he wasn’t all that far behind in-form trio Sweet As Scandi, Miles Prower and Signor Fangio during that period in March and April. Like A Heartbeat is likely to be the biggest danger after bouncing back to form to topple the highly-fancied Harpuna over 1000m (0-70) on June 5. Me Cabo hasn’t been that far away in his past three starts having posted a third and two seconds, while Heart Of Red finished at the rate of knots two weeks ago to seal third place over 1000m (0-58). There’s nothing to suggest that either Defactor, especially with a 3kg claim, Truckload Of Hoffa or The Amazing Tahlia can’t cause an upset.

Race 3 (3.10pm) – $20,000 Av-Comm.com.au 0-64 Handicap (1100m)

Sedona is in pretty good form and with the added bonus of a 4kg claim will likely prove difficult to beat. The 5YO gelding finished eight lengths behind City Jet in second place over 1100m (0-58) on April 2 before getting the cash a week later over 1200m (0-58). That was his first win since May 2020. Then it was off to Tennant Creek on May 14 where Sedona finished second behind Dataset over 1450m (0-64). Maudy is a grand campaigner and after 12 wins from 45 starts in the Alice is capable of making an impact – that’s despite finishing unplaced in his last two starts after rolling 0-70 opposition (1100m) on April 23. He was too good for Like A Heartbeat and Miles Prower that day. Frilly Design was victorious last start over 1000m (0-58) on June 5 – her first win since July 2021. Shoal River rattled home for an eye-catching second last start. Lido Beach, with a 3kg claim, and Distant Lover are capable of at least running a place.

Race 4 (3.41pm) – $16,500 First National Framptons 0-64 Handicap (1400m)

Dataset was a model of consistency before having a spell last October, but failed to make an impression upon his return with a sixth in March, a sixth in April and an eighth in May. The 6YO gelding then headed to Tennant Creek on May 14 and managed to upset Sedona over 1450m (0-64). Made it back to back wins on June 5 with an emphatic five length victory back at Pioneer Park over 1400m (0-54). Dataset might well be back in business and a 3kg claim will help, but he is up in grade and will be put to the test. Fantasy Eagle could not have been more effective on his Alice debut after a narrow loss to Miles Prower over 1200m (0-70) on May 29 and he too has the advantage of a 3kg claim on Sunday. Sweet As Scandi is aiming for three straight despite stepping up in grade. City Jet continues to be competitive since arriving in Alice in March. Radio Room, Debbonaire Boy and Zelring are definitely the best of the rest.

Race 5 (4.11pm) – $16,000 CKS Electrical Maiden Plate (1400m)

Tycoons Dior has yet to win a race in five starts at Pioneer Park, but after two seconds and two thirds it’s safe to say that she’s not far away from getting that first win. It was on June 5 that Tycoons Dior finished second over 1000m (0-58). The 5YO mare is stepping up to the 1400m for the first time, however with Paul Denton in the saddle Tycoons Dior has every chance if she can maintain her current form. Sirocco Gale has arrived from Victoria having raced beyond 2000m in his last four starts and although 1400m might be on the short side he must respected. Fellow Victorian debutante Abreha is also a likely contender, while Bean Shoppin has been competitive in his two appearances in the Alice following his arrival from Victoria. Shortball finished third on his NT debut in Tennant Creek on May 14 before a last start fifth at Pioneer Park (0-58). Like Shortball, Toguchi is from NSW and he has yet to produce his best.

Race 6 (4.41pm) – $16,000 Australian Transit Group 0-54 Handicap (1600m)

Halogem is the pick solely on the basis that he has more experience and a better record over 1600m. The 8YO gelding has not won a race since October 2019 – 15 starts ago – but since April he has managed a second over 1600m (0-62) and a third over 1400m (0-70). Halogem was only a length away in fourth place in his last start over 1400m (0-54) in the Alice a fortnight ago – the winner Rockford Files and the runner up Morphling are backing up on Sunday as well. The ever-consistent Rockford Files was second over 1600m (Class 2) on April 29 before posting his first ever win at the 18th attempt. Morphling has to be in the mix after her effort on June 5. Just Hang Up just can’t get his act together, yet cannot be totally overlooked after prevailing over 1600m (Class 2) when last he won a race in the Red Centre last September. Bolting Leo has to be considered if his second to Dataset on June 5 can be used as a guide.