| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, January 21, 2023 |
| First Race | 2:24pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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With Pioneer Park finally getting the green light for racing following improvements and refurbishment over the Christmas and New Year period, the Alice Springs Turf Club will host its first meeting for 2023 with a five-event program this Saturday. Relentless unseasonal rain at the start of the year forced the January 15 meeting to be deferred, but partly cloudy conditions are forecast for Saturday with a top temperature of 35C and only a five per cent chance of rain. There has been no rain in the Red Centre since January 13, so the track will be a good dirt surface.
Best Bet at Alice Springs: Mackinaw
Makes the step up in grade, but Mackinaw was highly impressive last start when he proved far too good for his rivals over 1100m (0-58) on December 18. The five-year-old grey gelding sat three wide with the leaders before making his move at the 600m and once turning for home with 350m to go he was a mile in front. The son of I Am Invincible was never going to lose and held a big lead before easing up at the winning post to win by two and a half lengths. Mackinaw carried 58.5kg that day, but with Darwin apprentice Emma Lines claiming 4kg he could take a power of beating if he can pick up from where he left off five weeks ago. The former NSW galloper has proven since arriving in the Red Centre that he can compete not matter if he leads or makes a move from behind. Two poor efforts at Pioneer Park in August and September was followed by a five-length win over 1100m (BM54) on October 16. A fourth over 1000m (BM54), a second over 1100m (0-58) and another fourth over 1100m (0-64) then followed behind the handy Delago Lad before bouncing back to winning form.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#2 Mackinaw (5)
5yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Emma Lines (a4) (58kg)
$2.25 with Bet365
Next Best at Alice Springs: Fair Go
He has yet to win a race over 1100m, in fact he has only won over 1400m, 1590m and 1600m in 41 starts, but the bottom line is that he has form on the board after posting back to back wins at Pioneer Park. After 36 starts in Victoria for just two wins, the eight-year-old gelding debuted in the Red Centre on November 5 over 1000m (0-64) and finished third – that was a month after coming eighth over 1100m (0-58) at Wangaratta on October 2. An eighth behind Delago Lad over 1100m (0-58) on November 20 was followed by a fourth behind Roughly in open company over 1400m on November 26. Top Darwin jockey Sonja Wiseman guided the son of Anacheeva to a good win over 1400m (BM54) on December 4 and then he stepped up to 1600m (0-64) to get the cash on December 18 carrying 52.5kg with local apprentice Dakota-Lee Gillett on board. Wiseman is back in the saddle and although he has never won over the short course it’s definitely worth the risk sticking with Fair Go as he strives to make it three wins in a row, especially with the inside gate. If the cards fall his way, Fair Go is the one to beat.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#1 Fair Go (1)
8yo Gelding | T: Paul Gardner | J: Sonja Wiseman (60kg)
$4 with Unibet
Best Value Bet: Iamelle
In 17 career starts in Alice Springs, which kicked off in August 2019, the winless Iamelle has finished second twice, third on six occasions and fourth a total of three times. The seven-year-old mare’s form fluctuated, but after a sixth, seventh and sixth she was spelled in July 2021 before returning in March last year. A third in an 1100m maiden was followed by a narrow second in an 1100m maiden in April before another second in a 1200m maiden in May. The daughter of Ambidexter was spelled and returned on December 4 where she finished third in an 1100m maiden before a last start fourth over 1400m (Class 2) on December 18. On that occasion Iamelle settled with the leaders drifting well back and never looked a hope before finding her second wind in the home straight to produce an eye-catching surge. Iamelle has raced over 1000m four times and has finished third on three occasions. With the in-form Phillip Crich on board, the mare should get a good run in transit. The fact she was quoted at $16 with some betting sites during the week was hard to ignore, so perhaps that elusive first win will finally land on the table.
Best Value
Race 5 – 
#9 Iamelle (6)
7yo Mare | T: Russel Bell | J: Phillip Crich (57kg)
$15 with Ladbrokes
Saturday quaddie tips for Alice Springs
Alice Springs quadrella selections
Saturday, January 21, 2022
- 2-1-5
- 4-5
- 4-3-5-7
- 9-3-10-7
Investment: $96 for 100%
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