Port Lincoln Preview & Best Bets – Friday 01 March

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

Port Lincoln Tips 01/03/2024

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 7 No. 6 THE ART OF FLYING ($8)

We were keen on leading local hope I Need A Drink while keeping an eye on THE ART OF FLYING from a Port Lincoln Cup perspective last start. The race went to plan as I Need A Drink was superbly ridden by Rochelle Milnes to score back-to-back wins over 1750m. The Art Of Flying had caught our attention when the pair clashed in the previous start as Brian Clarke stepped his Victorian import up to 1750m from a handy second-up run over 1210m. The Art Of Flying covered ground before running third to race leader I Need A Drink in fast time on that occasion. We were still comfortable to be with I Need A Drink due to the barrier draw while staying to trip. Alana Livesey produced one hell of a peach aboard The Art Of Flying with Milnes making all the right moves ahead of her. The Art Of Flying turned in a superb Cup trial with the 1950m now looking ideal as these two came right away from the others.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 1 No. 6 LAILA’S A GEM ($12)

The safe way for punters to kick off the first on Port Lincoln Cup Day would be to jump on the John Dunn & Krystal Bishop bandwagon. We’ll do exactly that by backing a newcomer to their yard in LAILA’S A GEM. This speedy mare has changed stables a few times now since owner Graham Fryer went close to winning her first four starts while training her in her initial prep. Three of those runs were in the provincials while Laila’s A Gem was also run down late once by Who’s Clang in town. She was hunted through to lead first-up for the Dunn & Bishop stable when knocking up late in smart time on a Soft 7 track over 900m at Murray Bridge. Strips fitter and gets back on top of the ground as the stable find a weaker race for her at home. 

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 2 No. 1  A FEW GOOD MEN ($12)

Local trainer Annette Harder found plenty of improvement out of A FEW GOOD MEN when racing over 1250 metres two starts back. The horse gathered his feet well enough to surge to the front under Murray Henderson. The pair were taken on shortly afterwards by one to their outside, ensuring a speed battle through the early part. A Few Good Men dropped the challenger prior to straightening before finding themselves a sitting duck for the swoopers. A Few Good Men battled on for fourth despite shortening stride considerably inside the last 100 metres. We backed him despite having the task ahead to turn the tables on Diamente Tagliato over 1000m last time out. A Few Good Men was paying into the double figures to serve as a handy each-way Value Bet when running second to the short-priced favourite. Don’t mind him being drawn outside of horses where Murray Henderson can help find a rhythm.