| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Sunday, November 20, 2022 |
| First Race | 2pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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We are back in Alice Springs this Sunday 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 (2.00pm) – $23,100 Av-Comm.com.au Handicap (1200m)
Bar Gem has already proven that he is a classy unit, especially if he gets off to a good start. Different situation though when the 7YO gelding misses the kick. The son of Barbados first raced in the Red Centre from March 2019-April 2020 before returning to SA and then had a stint in Darwin from April-November last year for a win and four seconds from seven starts. In his first start back at Pioneer Park in December last year, Bar Gem was victorious and in his next nine starts he has managed three wins, two seconds and a third. He was a last start winner over 1100m in open company on October 29 when he pipped the in-form Liberty Blue, which meant that he has now been placed 14 times in 17 starts in the Alice. Irresistible 10YO mare Roughly, who has won five of her last nine starts since July, finished third behind Bar Gem and Liberty Blue in late October before saluting over 1600m (BM76) on November 5 when leading from start to finish. Bar Gem is perhaps the better sprinter, but dismiss Roughly (60kg) at your peril. It would be surprising if Bar Gem or Roughly didn’t win with the likes of Supreme Times, Supreme Attraction, Prairie Fire and Lunch Session set to fight it out for third place.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#2 Bar Gem (5)
7yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Dan Morgan (56kg)
$3.20 with Bet365
Race 2 (2.35pm) – $18,375 Ladbrokes Odds Boost Exotics Maiden Plate (1200m)
Rupert’s Delight was winless in 20 starts in Victoria, but was competitive with three seconds, five thirds and seven fourths. The 4YO gelding was third in a 1500m maiden and second in a 1400m maiden at Cranbourne in May before a last start third in a 1400m maiden at Pakenham in June. The son of Winning Rupert was purchased at the 2022 Magic Millions Darwin Tried Horse Sale in July and makes his NT debut on Sunday where he was an early $3 favourite. First starters on the Alice Springs dirt are either hit or miss, but Rupert’s Delight clearly has the experience despite producing his best results beyond 1200m. A 3kg claim will also enhance his prospects. Vega Prince has had five starts in the Red Centre without posting a win, but he is getting awfully close having finished second in his past three starts. Redenzo Lad has managed four thirds in 11 starts at Pioneer Park, but just can’t find that extra gear. Bon Bandeau was a first up third in her Alice debut on October 29. Rimrock and Shalwesee make their NT debuts. It’s difficult to make a case for Benzagain and Danny Whizzbang.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#5 Rupert’s Delight (1)
4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (56kg)
$1.80 with Ladbrokes
Race 3 (3.10pm) – $18,375 Povey Stirk Lawyers 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Delago Lad had a win and was placed twice in his first fours SA starts last year before posting a fourth in his next seven starts. The 5YO gelding finished 14th over 900m (BM58) at Murray Bridge in July before arriving in the Alice. A three and a half length win over 1000m (BM54) on October 29 followed by a five-length win over 1100m (Class 2) as a $1.24 favourite on November 5 silenced the doubters and it’s unlikely the son of Delago Deluxe will go missing on Sunday. In an open race where numerous runners are capable of making an impact Mackinaw is perhaps the one to watch. He won by five lengths over 1100m (BM54) on October 16 before a last start fourth over 1000m (BM54) on October 29 after blowing the start. Captain Bridges saluted back in September and was a last start second behind Delago Lad on October 29. Lisa boasts respectable form and drops to 53kg with a 3kg claim. Harbour Express has done little wrong in his past five starts and is a serious contender, but will jump from gate 11. Truckload Of Hoffa, Fair Go, Lethal Encounter and Acres Midnight aren’t out of it.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#1 Delago Lad (7)
5yo Gelding | T: Russell Bell | J: Phillip Crich (60.5kg)
$2.00 with Bet365
Race 4 (3.41pm) – $20,475 Scope Building NT 0-70 Handicap (1100m)
Bench Press, who has a fantastic record at Pioneer Park, had a six-month spell before making an eye-catching return over 1200m (0-70) on October 29. The 5YO gelding finished with a wet sail in the closing stages to finish second after pushing SA raider Archery Butts to a length and he only has to repeat that effort to make life tough for his rivals on Sunday. The son of Foxwedge, a nominee for the 2022 Alice Springs Turf Club’s Stayer of the Year award, has had eight starts in the Red Centre since debuting in September last year for four wins and four seconds. The last of his three starts in Victoria saw Bench Press finish third in a 1600m maiden at Pakenham before a first up win in a 1000m maiden in Alice Springs. His other three wins were over 1400m. Intercontinental has posted two wins and two seconds in his past four starts, and will prove tough if he gets to an early lead. Cyclonite has suddenly found a new lease of life and will benefit from a 4kg claim. Trystoff may have came fifth, but he was steaming home in that race won by Archery Butts. Man In Motion and Elixir are not the worst.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#2 Bench Press (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Leanne Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (60kg)
$2.60 with Palmerbet
Race 5 (4.15pm) – $19,425 Talice Security Services 0-64 Handicap (1400m)
Fantasy Eagle has ability, but has found it difficult to produce consistent form since making his NT debut in May. The 6YO gelding managed four wins from 20 starts in NSW before starting life in Central Australia with two wins and a fourth. The son of Zacinto got that first win over 1400m (0-70) on August 20 before coming fifth just six days later over 1400m (BM69). Returning from a break, Fantasy Eagle finished second when he failed to catch Roughly over 1600m (BM65) on October 16. On October 29, he missed the start and was tailed off before finishing strongly to grab fourth place behind Archery Butts over 1200m (0-70) to suggest that 1400m will be right up his alley. After winning an 1100m maiden on October 29, Kikuyu backed up a week later to put the 3/4YOs to the sword over 1200m (0-66). Abreha has failed once in her past five starts and motored home two weeks ago over 1400m (0-58) to finish a narrow second. The Chaplain, who finished fourth in that very same race, is a chance if he’s on song. Ginger Creek, with a 3kg claim, and Bold Tropic are decent each-way hopes.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#1 Fantasy Eagle (2)
6yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Sonja Wiseman (60.5kg)
$2.90 with Bet365
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