Kempsey Preview & Best Bets – 18/03/2024

Kempsey Tips for Monday, March 18

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

 ***  This is the Tuncurry meeting which has been re-located due to the track being declared unsafe for racing.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.9  COOL SHALAA 

The Brett Dodson-trained COOL SHALAA is high-flying after three starts back and ticks all the boxes here that suggest she is the one they have to beat in this contest. Last start, the Shalaa filly came off a Class 1 victory on a Heavy 10 at Tuncurry when she finished a close-up third at Grafton, in a Class 2 Hcp over 1000m. From gate 10 (of 13), she used up a lot of early fuel to cross and lead and while beaten in the run home, she fought on gamely for that minor money prize. Matthew Bennett was aboard for both rides and steers the ship again today. From gate six, she maps to lead them again and should be at her peak for this after three runs back. A clean pair of heels maybe all the rest of them see here today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4:  No.1  ROCKIN’ MILLIE

The promising Gosford galloper, ROCKIN’ MILLIE is second-up today and yet to miss a top-two finish, looks primed to keep it that way in this contest. Last start, the Menari mare resumed after more than six months in the paddock when she clobbered them in a 1000m Maiden on her home track. With Koby Jennings aboard, she led from barrier to box and ran them ragged, putting almost two lengths on the field over the line. Jennings sticks with her today as she draws ideally in gate two and maps to be near the speed on settling. Fitter for that first-up run, she should prove hard to beat here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.8  THE YOUNG YEARS

Terry Evans saddles-up THE YOUNG YEARS here who is second-up and looks all set for back-to-back victories today. Last start, the Turn Me Loose mare finally broke the shackles and registered her first career win when she clobbered them in a 1200m Maiden on a Heavy 10 at Tuncurry. She did it the hard way, jumping from gate 10 (of 11) and settled outside the leader with no cover, but still proved too strong, putting more than two lengths on them over the line. Darryl Mc Lellan was aboard that day and has the reins again for this assignment. Fitter from that first-up win, she draws much better here in gate six and maps to settle in the first half-dozen. A clear run to the line should see her hard to hold out again.