Canberra Preview & Best Bets – 19/04/2024
Gatton Preview & Best Bets – 19/04/2024
Gatton Tips for Friday, April 19
Our form expert provides Gatton tips for today’s horse racing at Gatton Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 10: No.8 ON HOLD
David Vandyke and Cejay Graham team-up again here with ON HOLD who shapes-up as one of the best chances on the big program today. Last start, the well-bred Headwater mare recorded her sixth runner-up finish from 14 starts when she beat all but one home at her first crack on the synthetic track at the Sunshine Coast. With Ryan Maloney on board that day, she settled second (on the fence) and fought it out with Spirit Of Brodie all the way home where she was nabbed right on the line, leaving her bridesmaid again. Back on the turf today, Graham returns to steer the ship today where the stable have made the decision to fit the blinkers for the first time. Ideally drawn in gate four, she maps to settle in the first half-dozen and at her peak today, she looks the hardest nut to crack in this field.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 2: No.9 ISLAND TIDE
The David Vandyke-trained ISLAND TIDE is second-up today and back in distance today, could take catching. Last start, the well-bred All Too Hard mare resumed off a 19-week spell when she ran out of puff and finished fourth in a BM55 over 1000m on the synthetic track at the Sunshine Coast. With Cejay Graham aboard, she led from barrier rise but her condition gave out inside the final 150m and she weakened to just miss a podium finish that day. Graham sticks with her today where she will strip fitter from that first-up run. Dropping back in distance looks a smart move (for now) and from gate two, she maps to lead and might prove hard to run down.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 9: No.8 NEARA REWARD
Robert Heathcote saddles-up NEARA REWARD here who is third-up today and looking the testing material in the field. Last start, the Reward For Effort gelding came off a huge first-up maiden win when he struggled to handle the heavy track but still finished third in a BM60 Hcp over 1000m at Toowoomba. Emily Lang was aboard for both rides and sticks with him today. He has returned to the track in great touch and staring at a possible Good 4 today, third-up and at his peak, he looks great each-way value here.
