Ascot Preview & Best Bets - Saturday, January 21
Port Macquarie Preview & Best Bets – Friday January 20
Port Macquarie Tips 20/01/2023
Our form expert provides Port Macquarie tips for today’s horse racing at Port Macquarie Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 4: No.2 MISTA RAZZLEDAZZLE ($3.20 with bet365)
Local galloper MISTA RAZZLEDAZZLE is third-up today and fitter for two runs back, looks a genuine threat to this field. Last start, the Contributer gelding came from near last on the turn to grab third prize in a Class 3 Hcp over the mile at Taree. He ran his last 600m, just under a length quicker than benchmark, the best in this field, while posting the fastest final 800m to 200m sectionals for the race as well. A good indication he is nearing his peak now. Aaron Bullock is in charge for the first time today and ideally drawn in gate two, he does no early work here. He is a winner at the track and placed twice from three previous third-up runs. There is plenty to like about his chances today.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 3: No.2 KHUMBU ($3.80 with Palmerbet)
Taree galloper KHUMBU has come back in much better form this time in and done everything but win so maybe a change of scenery can lead to a change of luck today. Last start, the Denman gelding made it four straight podium finishes when he took home second prize (for the fifth time) in a 1400m Maiden Plate on his home track. Ridden an absolute treat by Brooke Stower, he box-seated to the turn, then took over inside the last 200m and looked home, but (again) was grabbed by a swooper on the line. He ran that out, 6.8 lengths slower than benchmark, still the best last-start effort here. Today, he sees this track for the first time and has a new rider on board with Ash Morgan taking the reins. The stable fit the tongue tie for the first time and maybe that will help him shake the maiden monkey today.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 6: No.11 THIEF BY NIGHT ($6 Ladbrokes)
The Sam Kavanagh-trained THIEF BY NIGHT took just three runs this time in to hit top gear and looks well placed here for back-to-back wins today. Last start, the Star Witness gelding was third-up and drew the outside gate (14) when he cruised to victory and broke through for his maiden win, here over 1400m. It was his first look at the track as he crossed the line more than a length in front of the 14-strong field. He covered the trip, 5.4 lengths slower than benchmark, the best last-start effort here. He also recorded the fastest final 800m, 600m and 400m sectionals for the race. Ash Morgan sticks with him today as he draws well in gate five and maps to settle better than mid-field. The lightly-raced three-year-old has finished top-four in all four starts to date and now a track and distance winner as well, should prove hard to hold out here.
