| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Friday, August 26, 2022 |
| First Race | 2:46pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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Alice Springs Turf Club will host a five-race card on Sunday, September 11. Northern Territory specialist David White brings you his race-by-race betting preview along with free tips and the best odds available. First race is set to commence 2:46pm local time.
Race 1 (2.46pm) – $18,375 Imparja Class 2 Handicap (1200m)
Mi Mijo finally broke through on August 26 when he led the field home in a 1400m maiden in his second start at Pioneer Park. In his only other start in the Red Centre on July 17, the 4YO gelding finished fifth in a 1200m maiden. Mi Mijo had five starts in Victoria from 1009-2000m without success with his best effort occurring at Benalla where he finished fifth in 1412m maiden. Only has to repeat his last start effort though and he could prove hard to beat. Stablemate Speed Wheel is perhaps the biggest threat in the race after a second (July 12) and a win (August 6) in 1200m maidens before a last start second over 1100m (Class 2) on August 20. Hard Work Rewards, a 9YO mare, who won her first race from eight starts on August 20, and Qualis, who won on August 26 over 1200m (BM54), are in the mix. Qualis’ win ended a drought that stretched back to September 2020 when he won a 1400m maiden in Newcastle. Abreha remains winless after 14 starts, but finished second behind Mi Mijo on August 26. Brat won a 1200m maiden on July 17 in his second Alice start – since then he has battled over 1400m and 1100m (Class 2).
Best Bet
Race 1 – #1 Mr Mijo (4)
4yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Sonja Wiseman (59kg)
$3.80 with Bet365
Race 2 (3.16pm) – $19,425 Ladbrokes Easy Form 0-64 Handicap (1200m)
Liberty Blue is in the midst of a third campaign in Alice Springs and after finishing second on seven occasions at Pioneer Park he finally got to celebrate a win. That occurred on August 20 when the 8YO gelding prevailed over 1100m (Class 2) – and wouldn’t you know it he made it back to back wins over 1200m (BM66) on August 26. Liberty Blue faced a decent field last start as it was the Winter Series Final, so he is every chance of making it three straight wins. The South Australian galloper, who has finished second 15 times in 53 starts, boasts four career wins and has performed with distinction since returning to the Red Centre. A second over 1100m (BM54) and a third over 1000m (0-58) in July was followed by a second over 1200m (BM54) on August 6. Bartolini had strung three straight wins together before finishing second in the Winter Series Final and is a serious threat. Toffiato, Debbonaire Boy and Colhoun are capable of making a statement, while the handy Chopsticks returns after a nine month break.
Best Bet
Race 2 – #5 Liberty Blue (4)
8yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Wiseman (58kg)
$3.20 with Bet365
Race 3 (3.47pm) – $21,525 Vale Harry Lambley Benchmark 76 Handicap (1200m)
Bar Gem hadn’t raced since finishing fifth in open company over 1400m on Alice Springs Cup Day on May 1, but he has a pretty decent first up record and therefore it came as no surprise when he saluted against open company over 1100m on August 20 by three and a half lengths. The 7YO gelding, who has a career record of 35-8-9-5, was irresistible the last time he appeared at Pioneer Park and made a handy bunch of sprinters look second rate. Bar Gem’s record in the Red Centre is 13-7-3-2 and his 1200m form sits at 9-2-2-1. Before Alice Springs Cup Day, Bar Gem had two wins and two seconds at the track and his form in Darwin last year could not be faulted. Desert Lass has produced wonderful form in Alice Springs and Darwin in recent months, and boasts a terrific record over 1200m. Roughly, an ageless 10YO mare, won two straight over 1200m (BM69 and open class) before a last start second behind Bar Gem on August 20. That’s Justified (Rating 95) once again carries a big weight and Sedona has finished unplaced once in his past seven starts. Debutante face Man In Motion brings good form to town from Queensland.
Best Bet
Race 3 – #4 Bar Gem (2)
7yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Jessie Philpot (58.5kg)
$2.45 with Bet365
Race 4 (4.17pm) – $18,375 JJ’s Waste 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Kenneth arrived in the NT from NSW in late 2019 with two wins from 19 starts. The 8YO gelding won a 1200m maiden at Tamworth and over 1200m (Class 2) at Binnaway. Kenneth made his Alice Springs debut in October 2019 where he finished eighth over 1100m (0-58). He returned 12 months later to finish second over 1000m (BM54) before an eighth over 1100m (0-58) a month later. After a four month break Kenneth finished third over 1000m (0-58) before winning over 1100m (0-58) on April 3 where he edged out Liberty Blue. In seven more starts in 2021, he finished third on two occasions. Kenneth had another nine months off before returning in June where he raced at 0-58 level for a third (1000m), fourth (1100m) and fourth (1200m). He flashed home to finish third over 1100m (BM54) on August 20, so he is more than an each-way chance. After three starts in Alice Springs, Bean Shoppin’ headed to Port Augusta and won a 1600m maiden on July 10. Captain Bridges brings splendid form from Port Augusta. Drawn To Win debuts after two starts in NSW where he came fourth in a 1000m maiden at Gunnedah and third in a 900m maiden at Scone. Locals Harbour Express and Lisa have ability, but have battled in recent weeks.
Best Bet
Race 4 – #8 Kenneth (9)
8yo Gelding | T: Ursula Dobbe | J: Casey Hunter (55kg)
$8.00 with Bet365
Race 5 (4.55pm) – $19,425 CKS Electrical 0-64 Handicap (1600m)
Winter Harbour has yet to win in the Alice after nine starts, but if his last start is any guide then he is more than a decent chance in a race where only a few horses have 1600m experience. The six-year-old gelding had 24 starts in South Australia for just three wins – his last win was over 1210m (0-54) at Port Lincoln last December. Winter Harbour debuted in Central Australia on April 16 and finished 11th over 1100m (0-62). In his next six starts his best effort was a third over 1400m (BM54) on June 5. In his second last start on August 6, Winter Harbour wasn’t that far away when he finished fourth over 1600m (BM76). He backed that up with a second over 1400m (0-70) on August 20, so perhaps he has finally clicked into gear. Stablemate Envy Me finished second over 1400m (Class 2) on July 24 and 1600m (BM76) on August 6 before a last start sixth over 1400m (0-70) on August 20. Rockford Files had five starts for a win, two seconds and two thirds before a sixth and a fifth in August. Just Hang Up has had nine 1600m starts and despite saluting on June 19 (BM54) he is sadly out of touch. King Crab is more of a sprinter than a middle distance runner and Boy Big has flopped in three 1600m starts, but you just never know.
Best Bet
Race 5 – #6 Winter Harbour (2)
6yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Stan Tsaikos (55.5kg)
$2.70 with Bet365
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