Moruya Preview & Best Bets – Thursday January 12

Steve Bennett

in Bets of the Day 12 Jan 2023

Moruya Tips 12/01/2023

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 1: No.2 GREAVES ($3.80 with bet365)

The locally-trained GREAVES has returned in winning form and looks the testing material in this contest. Last start, the Stratum Star gelding came off a lengthy 22-week absence when he brought up his first win on home soil, taking out a BM58 Hcp over 1010m. Leading from barrier to box, he fought off all challenges to take home the major prize, carrying 59kgs and Billy Owen in the saddle. He carries a little more weight today as he takes on similar company but has Owen sticking with him for the assignment. Now a winner at the track and trip and fitter for that first-up victory, he should play a leading role here today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7: No.3 HOPE UNO ($3.20 with Neds)

Coming off six-straight podium finishes, Kembla Grange galloper HOPE UNO is back today for her fifth attempt at cracking a win on the Moruya track. Last start, the Super One mare took on Class 2 company where she beat all but one home over 1200m at the Sapphire Coast. Coming from near last on the turn, she really hit her straps inside the last 200m and came within half a length of victory that day. Jess Taylor is her usual rider and returns here for today’s event. The mare gets the gun-run from gate one and is expected to settle near mid-field again. The mare has finished third in four of her six starts at the track and is overdue for a change of luck. Dropping sharply in grade today, a clear run to the line should see her hard to hold out here.

BEST VALUE 💰

Race 5: No.3 TAVIFERN ($4 with Ladbrokes)

Locally-trained by Matt Dale, TAVIFERN is now fitter for two runs back and dropping in grade today, looks a serious player for the winner’s purse. Last start, the Tavistock gelding took on a handy Class 2 field, here over the 1650m trip, where he spotted them too much start and finished mid-field. Although beaten three lengths on the day, he did make up plenty of ground in the run home after drawing wide (gate 11 of 12), settling near last in the run. Dale puts the winkers back on for today’s challenge as the five-year-old draws much better in gate five. He maps to settle near mid-field and with a clear run to the line, we should be seeing a different horse today.