| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Sunday, December 18, 2022 |
| First Race | 1:37pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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We are back at Pioneer Park this weekend for a six-part meeting kicking off at 1:37pm local time. HorseBetting’s NT racing expert brings you his top tips for Sunday’s action in Alice Springs.
Race 1 (1.37pm) – $19,425 See You Back – Sunday 15th January 2023 0-64 Handicap (1600m)
Fantasy Eagle has had nine starts in Alice Springs for one win and four seconds, and although he is by no means over the line he perhaps boasts better form against stronger opposition compared to his peers. The 6YO gelding was a last start fifth over 1400m (BM76) behind the impressive Bench Press and in four starts over 1600m he has only managed a second and third. The son of Zacinto has got ability and his trainer rates him highly, but with just five wins from 29 starts it’s time for the former NSW galloper to step up to the plate. A 3kg claim will help, but the likes of Fair Go, Real Devine and The Chaplain will keep Fantasy Eagle on his toes. Fair Go (52kg) was a last start winner over 1400m (BM54) on December 4 and Real Devine returned from a spell two weeks ago to finish an eye-catching second over 1200m (0-58). The Chaplain has a better 1600m record and still shows promise despite a last start fifth behind Fair Go two weeks ago. Elementae and Redenzo Lad seem unlikely.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Fantasy Eagle (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (60.5kg)
$2.70 with Bet365
Race 2 (2.08pm) – $18,375 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Class 2 Handicap (1400m)
Mi Mijo has finished in the top five in each of his eight starts in the Red Centre. The 4YO gelding is threatening to post that second Pioneer Park win after two seconds over 1600m (0-64) behind Hard Work Rewards on November 26 and over 1400m (BM54) behind Fair Go on December 4. The son of Danbird continues to impress after winning a 1400m maiden in his second Alice start in August and he has been placed two other times, but getting the cash from a difficult gate in a 12-horse field is a big test for the in-form Stan Tsaikos. Rupert’s Delight (56kg) has been placed over 1400m in Victoria and was a last start winner in an 1100m maiden two weeks ago. The 1400m might be a bridge too far for Lethal Encounter, but he looked good coming third over 1200m (0-58) two weeks ago. Hard Work Rewards (54.5kg) is definitely in the mix after winning over 1600m (0-64) on November 26 before a last start third over 1400m (BM54) a fortnight ago. Manhattan Man (53.5kg) is the knockout hope.
Best Bet
Race 2 – #1 Mi Mijo (10)
4yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Stan Tsaikos (59kg)
$5 with Unibet
Race 3 (2.45pm) – $23,100 Save The Date – Alice Springs Cup – 30th April 2023 Handicap (1200m)
Bar Gem gets the nod by the narrowest of margins in one of the more spectacular fields ever to assemble in Central Australia in recent times outside the Alice Springs Cup Carnival. In a race that would compare to the depth of any Pioneer Sprint, the Red Centre’s feature race for the short course specialists, the 7YO gelding has had 18 starts at Pioneer Park for eight wins, four seconds and three thirds – and has impressed in the past in Darwin and Adelaide. The son of Barbados won over 1100m on October 29 and finished second over 1200m behind Supreme Attraction on November 20 in open company, so it’s hard to knock the form despite copping a weight increase on Sunday. Flying Start, adjudged as Alice Springs’ best horse in 2022, returns after a four month break after posting two big wins in Darwin. In all honesty, you would have to be an absolute genius to land the first four as Roughly, Our Luca, Supreme Attraction, Cyclonite and Supreme Times are genuine contenders. Last start winner Bench Press might be the one to keep an eye on though as he has had 10 starts in Alice for five firsts and five seconds. A 4kg claim will make life easier for Roughly and Supreme Attraction.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#4 Bar Gem (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Dan Morgan (59kg)
$6 with Bet365
Race 4 (3.17pm) – $18,375 Ladbrokes Switch 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Me Cabo, with one win in 15 starts over 1100m, is a close top pick in an open affair with a 4kg claim. The 7YO gelding appears to be getting back to form and a narrow second last start behind Esashi over 1100m (BM54) on November 26 was full of merit. From April-August, the son of Fighting Sun had seven starts and never finished out of a place before going off the boil. Esashi, a last start third behind Delago Lad on December 4, carried 1kg more than Me Cabo when last they met – this time the difference is 2.5kg. The Last Charge, from Victoria, finished fourth on his NT debut over 1200m (Class 2) two weeks ago and will only improve. City Jet lost the plot after the Alice Springs Carnival, but she didn’t do much wrong when third over 1200m (0-58) two weeks ago. Don’t dismiss Chopsticks after a first up second over 1200m (0-58) two weeks ago. Rhythmical (52kg) last won in September 2021, but in his past 14 starts he has missed the top four once. Madam Mischief (53.5kg) is a smokie.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#2 Me Cabo (8)
7yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Lek Maloney (a4) (59.5kg)
$5.50 with Neds
Race 5 (3.51pm) – $20,475 Thanks To All Staff For 2022 0-70 Handicap (1100m)
Delago Lad is stepping up in grade as he eyes his fifth win from as many starts in the Alice. The 5YO gelding has starred since arriving from SA – he has just proven too quick and is certainly enjoying the Pioneer Park dirt. The son of Delago Deluxe, who has drawn another poor gate, has settled in front in each of his four NT starts and once hitting the accelerator leaves his rivals clutching at straws. Radio Room got to within 2.3 lengths of Delago Lad over 1100m (0-64) two weeks ago, but the issue was never in doubt. The ever reliable Intercontinental can make waves if he can take charge out in front. After producing two poor efforts in his past 10 starts, Intercontinental was a last start winner over 1000m (0-76) on November 26. Phantom Court, a last start winner over 1200m (0-58), Prairie Fire, Toffiato and Victorian debutante Kerioth aren’t out of it. Radio Room (52.5kg) might just have the final say because when last he faced Delago Lad the former carried 59kg with the latter lumping 59.5kg.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#3 Delago Lad (8)
5yo Gelding | T: Russell Bell | J: Phillip Crich (58.5kg)
$1.90 with Bet365
Race 6 (4.25pm) – $18,375 Mad Harry’s 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Love To Love hopes to make it three straight wins, but he will have to be on his game thanks to an unforgiving handicapper. After 18 starts in SA and Victoria for one win, the 5YO gelding was awful in his first two starts in the Red Centre coming eighth over 1000m (BM54) on October 29 and ninth over 1100m (0-58) on November 20. A week later, the son of Time For War saluted at $26 over 1200m (Class 2) carrying 55kg and backed that up when he pipped Chopsticks by a nose over 1200m (0-58) lumping 58kg starting at $8 on December 4. Mackinaw was ordinary in his first two Alice starts before winning by five lengths over 1100m (BM54) on October 16, but since then he has finished fourth, second and fourth behind Delago Lad. The unpredictable New Roman returns after a spell, while Lisa (52.5kg) had managed two seconds and two thirds before a last start seventh behind Love To Love two weeks ago. Miss McGregor (NSW) and Ye Hella (SA) debut in the Alice, so watch the markets.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#1 Love To Love (7)
5yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Paul Denton (60kg)
$5 with Bet365
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