Kembla Grange racing tips & top odds | September 16, 2021

HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing analyst brings you his best bets and quaddie numbers for the seven-race program at Kembla Grange on Thursday. The track is rated a Soft 7 and the rail will be out 8m from the 1100m to the Winning Post and 4m for the remainder of the course. The field for the opening race of the day is set to face the starter at 12:50pm AEST.

Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Different Strokes

Kim Waugh and James McDonald combine in the third race with smart gelding Different Strokes. The four-year-old has now placed in his first three starts, winning his most recent at Wyong on September 3 in comprehensive fashion. The son of Hinchinbrook ran third on debut behind Military Expert, who has form around the likes of King Of Sparta and Coastwatch, and that reads well for a horse who has gone from strength to strength since. Different Strokes now rises in distance from 1350m to 1500m, which is bound to suit considering he was pulling clear of his rivals late last time out. McDonald stays on which, is always an advantage, and from barrier one they will get a cosy run off the speed and should be too good again.

Next Best at Kembla Grange: Head Legislator

Is today the day for Head Legislator? We think it might be. After eight starts and six second-placings, we can understand why the Matt Dunn-trained gelding might be ‘in the bin’, but you cannot knock the form around him. The son of Headwater ran second to Orbisyn, who is unbeaten and was in The Everest conversation for a little while, and has since been runner-up to Bruckner, who won the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield in his next start. The four-year-old looked all but home last time out at Newcastle before being gunned down very late, going down by five-hundredths of a length with a decent margin back to third. Nash Rawiller goes on for Thursday’s assignment, the 1300m will suit, and the favourable draw in gate four gives Head Legislator every opportunity to notch a breakthrough win.

Best Value at Kembla Grange: Kattegat

Natalie Jervis and Rachel King will team up with Kattegat, who is shooting for three straight wins in a bid to secure a slot in The Kosciuszko, where he is currently a $26 chance. The son of Medaglia d’Oro does need to make the step from country to provincial grade after winning at Moruya and Forbes, but his recent trial suggests that he can do that, running second to Princess De Roca, who was an unlucky fourth in Saturday’s Highway race at this track. Kattegat has had two starts at Kembla Grange now and has not been placed in either, but that was when he was on debut and once again on a Heavy 10, so he can be forgiven. Four of his five career wins have been on Soft tracks, so the Soft 7 will be no concern, while the 1000m should see him very competitive, especially from the inside alley. This can be the race that locks him in for a spot in next month’s $1.3 million country showcase.

Thursday quaddie tips for Kembla Grange