Armidale Preview & Best Bets – 29/01/2024

Armidale Tips for Monday, January 29

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.5  MORE FOR US

Local galloper, MORE FOR US has nailed five-straight top-two finishes this time in and looks all set to make it six today. Last start, the Spieth gelding beat all but one home in a Class 1 over 1600m at Gunnedah with Mikayla Weir on board. She meets similar company here where trainer, Stirling Osland has decided to sent her over extra ground today. Weir has the reins again and from gate four, she maps to settle just behind the speed again. In career-best form this preparation, she looks the testing material in this contest.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.7  STARLINK  

Clint Lundholm saddles-up STARLINK here who despite a wide draw today, strips fitter for two runs back and looks set to give this contest a real shake. Last start, the Star Witness mare came off a six-week let-up when she came from back in the field to grab third prize in a BM66 over 1200m at Tamworth. On a Soft 6 that day, they ran a swift 1:09 for the trip and she was finishing best at the end. She has the outside gate (12) today but will drop back at barrier rise anyway with Ron Simpson back in the saddle (after steering her to a couple of her wins to date. There is plenty of early speed here and if she can secure clear passage home, she will be there at the finish.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.3  OLIMBA

Cessnock galloper, OLIMBA has been in good touch of late and returning from a city run today, looks in his element in this company. Last start, the Nicconi gelding was shooting for the hat-trick when he lined-up against city competition at Rosehill. Unwanted in the market ($41), he ran accordingly, finding his opposition just a little too slick on the day, finishing near mid-field, four lengths off the winner in a Class 3 contest. Back on the country scene today, he also drops in grade and has Braith Nock as the new pilot for this contest. He maps to settle better than mid-field from gate five and the stable have removed the blinkers for today. Stepping up to the 1300m for the first time, he looks a sound each-way prospect for this assignment.