Wellington Preview & Best Bets - Sunday March 26
Armidale Preview & Best Bets – Sunday March 26
Armidale Tips 27/03/2023
Our form expert provides Armidale tips for today’s horse racing at Armidale Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 5: No.4 EPIC RANGER ($2.80 with TAB)
Back from a short stint in the city, Tamworth galloper EPIC RANGER will appreciate the drop in class and looks well placed here to return to the podium today. Last start, the Choisir gelding was outclassed for a second time in city company when finishing down the track in a Class 3 Highway Hcp over 1800m at Randwick. The step up in distance took its toll as he weakened over the final 200m to beat just one home that day. He ran that trip out, half a length quicker than benchmark, still the best effort in this field by more than 5 lengths. Back to country class racing today, the stable have put the blinkers back on for this contest and with Ben Looker aboard, he looks a big chance of returning to the winner’s circle here.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 7: No.3 SPARKS ($10 with BlueBet)
Locally-trained by Jane Clement, SPARKS is having his third start for a new stable today and fitter for two runs back, should be ready to stake a claim here. Last start, the Exceed And Excel gelding wasn’t disgraced when finishing fifth in a Class 3 Hcp over 1000m at Tamworth. That day, he ran the trip out, 2.4 lengths slower than benchmark, a new personal best and the best in this line-up by more than 3 lengths. He also ran his last 600m, 3.4 lengths quicker than standard, 8 lengths better than his rivals here. This is a big drop in grade and the extra trip suits. With a trouble-free run here, he looks a solid each-way chance at the major prize today.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 4: No.5 MY WATER LILY ($8.50 with Palmerbet)
Inverell galloper MY WATER LILY is in career-best form this time in and looks a solid chance here at odds today. Last start, the Headwater mare made it four podium finishes from her past five starts when she beat all but one home in a Class 1 Hcp over 1400m on a Heavy 8 at Moree. Carrying 58kgs that day, she tried valiantly to haul in the leader but had to settle for second prize. She still managed to run the fastest final 800m, 600m and 400m sectionals for the race. She was a winner here three starts back where she finally shook the maiden monkey in a 1300m contest. She steps-up in trip today but drops in weight as Vad Bolozhinskyi returns to the saddle here, having finished top-two in all three previous rides. On a heavy track here again, she looks in the mix and well worth an each-way ticket today.
