Bowen Preview & Best Bets – 02/02/2024

Bowen Tips for Friday, February 2

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.4  OCEAN EMPEROR  

The Tom Button-trained OCEAN EMPEROR is in great touch this time in and looks well placed here for back-to-back victories today. Last start, the Ocean Park gelding came off a hat-trick of minor placings when he easily accounted for a Class 6 Hcp over 1300m at Mackay. Heavily backed that day, punters sent him out a white-hot ($1.35) favourite and he didn’t disappoint, taking out the event by more than a length on the line. This is no harder as Gabrielle Semmens is legged aboard for the first time. In top-shelf form and facing country class gallopers here, he looks the best of the day.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.1  BOLD HUNTER

Mackay trainer, Joshua Manzelmann saddles-up a couple of runners here as we run with BOLD HUNTER who looks the more likely to take this one out and second-up today, can get the job done. Last start, the Spirit Of Boom gelding resumed off a six-month absence where he put in his best performance for a long time, beating all but one home in a Class 3 over 1050m at Rockhampton. He has proven to be a hard galloper to catch, with just three career-wins from his 28 starts to date. However, his first-up effort was impressive on fresh legs and this contest looks a shade easier today. Apprentice, McKenzie Apel brings a 2kg claim with her today and ideally drawn in gate two, maps to have the seven-year-old parked better than mid-field on the fence. Already a winner when second-up, he looks a strong chance of going one better today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.6  ELLIE’S DREAM

The Stephen Bush-trained ELLIE’S DREAM is third-up today and forgetting his unfortunate luck last start, he looks well placed here to make amends in this contest. Last start, the Dream Ahead gelding had his race cut short at barrier rise when he was sandwiched between runners and lost five lengths as they jumped. Settling second-last, a dozen lengths off the lead and his race was over. Forget he even went around that day. Fitter for two runs back, Graham Kliese sticks with the four-year-old here who draws well in gate five and is expected to be eased back at the start, settling a little worse than mid-field. With a trouble-free run today, you can expect a far better performance from him here and he should be there fighting out the finish.