Mudgee Preview & Best Bets – 25/02/2024

Mudgee Tips for Sunday, February 25

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.4  BIT OF BANTER  

The Bjorn Baker-trained BIT OF BANTER has made an explosive start to her career and looks set for back-to-back victories here. Last start, the Written Tycoon filly made her racing debut and turned plenty of heads in the process when she destroyed her rivals in a 1200m Maiden at Bathurst. She broke 1:10 for the trip, covering the 1200m in 1:09.5 which justifies the winning margin. She carries the same weight today over the same trip and has Ash Morgan understandably sticking with her for this assignment. A repeat of her maiden effort sees her as the one to beat in this contest.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.9  MANHATTAN BABY 

Warwick Farm trainer, Marc Conners saddles-up MANHATTAN BABY here who is second-up today and looks real value in a race of this nature. Last start, the Mikki Isle filly was fresh off a 17-week break when she finished strongly to grab third prize in a BM58 over 1000m at Queanbeyan. Her only win to date came over this distance when she won her maiden at Bathurst last preparation with Deanne Panya in the saddle. Panya remains in charge today and after earlier discussions with her, she informs me that the filly has been working well at home and on a Soft 5 or better, she will be at her best for this contest. A winner second-up last campaign, the three-year-old looks right in the mix today at odds.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.2  LOCKDOWN GAMBLE 

The locally-trained LOCKDOWN GAMBLE is third-up today and with a bit of luck at barrier rise, can give this contest a real shake today. Last start, the Casino Prince gelding came off an impressive first-up win in Class 3 company at Cowra when he did well to grab third prize in a BM66 Hcp over 1400m at Newcastle. Jumping from gate 10 (of 11) that day, he was trapped wide most of the way and covered a lot of extras ground to be beaten less than two lengths on the line. Aaron Bullock is the new pilot today and already a winner when third-up, he looks well worth an each-way ticket here.