Quirindi Preview & Best Bets – Thursday November 17

Quirindi Tips 17/11/2022

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.8  SECOND HALF  ($4 with Neds)

The Rod Northam-trained SECOND HALF sees the Quirindi track for the first time today and in great touch since resuming, looks a genuine player here. Last start, the Adelaide gelding made it two wins from four starts this preparation when he took out a BM58 Hcp over the mile at Scone. Running the fastest final 200m sectional, he crossed the line more than a length ahead of his rivals that day. Grant Buckley was aboard for the ride and he is now two from two with the five-year-old and remains in the saddle for today’s assignment. Ideally drawn in gate two, he maps to be box-setting on settling and with a trouble-free run here, he should be fighting out the finish today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.5  THE AFFIRMATIVE  ($5 with Unibet)

Tamworth galloper, THE AFFIRMATIVE, should be in her element today as she makes her Quirindi debut on a forecast heavy track. Last start, the No Nay Never mare finished unplaced in a Class 1 Hcp over 1100m at Coonamble. Being more than just a coincidence, it was her sixth start on a dry track where she is yet to make the podium. Both career top-three finishes have been on wet tracks including her maiden victory two starts back on her home track. The ‘confirmed’ Heavy 8 today looks ideal for her track debut with Grant Buckley back for today’s assignment after steering her to both podium finishes to date. Rock-hard fit after three starts this campaign, she looks right in the mix today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.10  JET PACK  ($8.50 with Palmerbet) 

Scone-based galloper JET PACK also makes his track debut today and after showing a ton of improvement, looks a genuine contender in this contest. Last start, the Fastnet Rock gelding was third-up and coming off two very ordinary performances when he beat all but one home in a BM58 Hcp over 1000m at Muswellbrook. On a Heavy 10 that day, he ran his last 600m, 3 lengths slower than benchmark, still the best in this line-up. He also recorded the fastest final 800m to 200m sectionals for the race. Jake Pracey-Holmes was aboard that day and sticks with the four-year-old for this event. The stable have removed the blinkers and fitted a nose roll today. All five career top-three finishes have come on rain affected tracks so the forecast Heavy 8 today can only enhance his chances here. If he finds clean air on straightening, he could give this a real shake at odds.