Gilgandra Preview & Best Bets – Monday January 2
Gilgandra Tips 2/01/2023
Our form expert provides Gilgandra tips for today’s horse racing at Gilgandra Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 3: No.2 SEA OF FLAMES ($3 with Palmerbet)
The Michael Mulholland-trained SEA OF FLAMES is in good touch (without winning) this time in and this contest looks just right for him today. Last start, the Pluck gelding was a little stiff when he took the turn via the cape and finished third, beaten less than half a length on the line in a Class 3 Hcp over the mile at Coonabarabran. He still managed to run the fastest final 800m and 600m sectionals for the race. His only visit here was last preparation which ended in a comfortable win in Class 1 company over the mile trip. Four starts in now and he should be fit enough to handle the extra trip today. Jake Barrett sticks with him as he gets all the favours from gate one. He looks the one to beat here.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 6: No.5 MOETTA ($4.20 with Ladbrokes)
Dubbo-based galloper MOETTA is first-up today but ticks enough boxes here to be considered a genuine winning chance in this contest. Last start, the Uncle Mo mare ended a successful campaign finishing mid-field in The Panorama (1300m) at Bathurst, signalling to trainer Brett Robb it was time for a break. Prior to that result, the six-year-old had strung together seven-straight podium finishes (including a win), marking that as her best preparation to date. She lines-up here today boasting two wins and two runner-up finishes from six previous first-up appearances and has a win and a close-up second placing from her only two starts on the Gilgandra track. Serg Lisnyy has his third ride on the mare today who maps to settle just behind the speed from gate three. Well weighted with 55kgs, she looks a strong chance in this field.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 7: No.15 VITAL VERSE ($5.50 with bet365)
After early scratchings, the Clint Lundholm-trained VITAL VERSE scores a start in this year’s Cup and with a little luck at barrier rise, is capable of taking victory here today. Last start, the Medaglia D’oro gelding made it two wins from his past three starts when he saluted in a BM66 over 1400m at Coonabarabran. Leading from the outset, he was hounded by his rivals all the way but still managed to ward them off and hang on for the major prize. He has drawn wide today and his fate could be decided in the first 200m. Jake Pracey-Holmes won on him three starts back when he drew wide that day as well and he has the reins again for this assignment. Winning form is good form and dropping 3.5kgs here, he looks a serious contender for the Cup.