Ararat Preview & Best Bets – 29/02/2024

Our form expert provides tips for today’s Ararat horse racing at Ararat Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Ararat Tips 29/02/2024

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 2 No. 1 KENTUCKY NICK- ($1.80) 

KENTUCKY NICK can go a few spots better than a last start effort that saw him finish 4th at Moonee Valley on February 16. He was stepping out over the 2500m that night in a BenchMark 64 and had a few things go against when the race was on from the 800m to the top of the straight but stuck on to land two lengths away. He was placed in his three runs prior to that and this does look easier than recent runs. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 3 No. 1 PRAIRIE FLOWER- ($2.85) 

PRAIRIE FLOWER should be hard to beat in Race 3. The Henry Dwyer-trained galloper drops sharply in grade for this and has been solid down the Flemington straight at his past couple. She was held up over the 1100m when 5th behind Big Watch last time and was caught on the slower part of the track prior to that when 6th. The four-year-old has finished in the top three in seven of her 10 goes at the trip and draws to enjoy the run of the race. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 6 No. 8 RUNAWAY SOUL- ($4.80) 

RUNAWAY SOUL can get the job done in Race 6. We were keen on the Danny O’Brien-trained galloper when he resumed at Hamilton on February 15. The son of Pariah was unable to get the job done on what was a slow tempo but caught the eye late in the piece to grab 3rd behind Shez Class over the 1100m. He will strip fitter for this and the rise in distance suits. 

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 8 No. 11 BANANA SPLIT- ($7.50) 

We close off with a BenchMark 58 over the 1100m and BANANA SPLIT can go on with the job after claiming her Maiden in dominant fashion at the track and trip on February 11. She settled back and rounded up her rivals in the straight. An improver without winning towards the back end of her last preparation, she looks to have come back in solid order.