Narromine Preview & Best Bets – 05/12/2023

Narromine Tips for Tuesday, December 05

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 1:  No.1  NOT TOO BAD  ($2.40 with bet365)

The Kieren Hazelton-trained NOT TOO BAD has found his mojo recently and ticks enough boxes here to suggest he will take some beating today. Last start, the Pride Of Dubai gelding came off a big win at Wellington when he stepped-up in grade and took on a BM66 Hcp over the mile at Gunnedah. He fought hard in the run home but found one just a little too smart on the day, leaving him with second prize for the event. He did finish 2.5 lengths clear of the rest. Dropping back in grade today, Clay Gallagher returns to take the reins here and he boasts a strong record with the five-year-old, steering him to victory three times from his four rides to date. He does no early work from gate three and a trouble-free run here should see him very hard to hold out today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.8  ILLUSIVE STAR  ($7 with Ladbrokes)

The Rodney Robb-trained ILLUSIVE STAR has her third start for this stable today, (after transferring from the Rod Northam camp), and looks right up to this challenge. Last start, the Stratum Star mare came off an unlucky second at Wellington when she stepped-up in class and took on a Class Hcp at Warren. She jumped out and led from barrier rise and showed plenty of speed, but couldn’t hold off the challenges and finished fourth in the event. Today she drops sharply in grade as Michael Cahill takes control. Ideally drawn in gate two, she maps to take a sit behind a couple of speed runners here and if the pace is genuine, she will get first crack at them in the run home. At her peak today, she looks great value in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.11  MINNEWATER  ($17 with Picklebet)

The Gaynor Williams-trained MINNEWATER has put in some game performances this time in and despite the market’s early assessment, she looks a good chance in a race like this today. Last start, the Headwater mare put in a bold performance when she took out a Class 2 over 1100m at Bathurst. From gate seven (of nine) and carrying 58.5kgs, she took control on straightening and managed to hold them off long enough to cross the line almost a length clear in the end. Heavelon Van Der Hoven is in the saddle today for the first time and from barrier eight, maps to settle mid-field with cover. This looks no harder than her last contest and with a clear run to the line, she looks well worth an each-way ticket here.