Randwick Preview & Best Bets – Saturday April 1
Randwick Tips 01/04/2023
Our form expert provides Randwick tips for today’s horse racing at Randwick Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 6: No.6 BRAVE MEAD ($7 with bet365)
The Maher & Eustace-trained BRAVE MEAD has made a big impact in his three starts to date and shooting for the hat-trick here, he looks a serious contender for the big Group 1 accolades in this contest. Last start, the Brave Smash colt gave them plenty to chase as he led from barrier to box in the Listed St. Albans Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley. Jockey John Allen was in complete control of the race which saw the two-year-old pull away from the field in the concluding stages to win by almost three lengths on the line. He ran the final 600m, 7.3 lengths quicker than benchmark the best in this field and posted the fastest final 800m to 200m sectionals as well. John Allen makes the trip north to Sydney for this ride which shows a certain level of confidence in his chances of victory. He is a very promising racehorse who will take catching here.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 5: No.15 RUNNING BEAR ($13 with Ladbrokes)
In a race of many chances, we’re on board with the Jan Bowen-trained RUNNING BEAR who ticks enough boxes here to boast solid claims as a winning chance. Last start, the Your Song mare came off back-to-back runner-up finishes when she went one better and claimed first prize in a BM72 Hcp (for fillies & mares) over 1400m at Warwick Farm. Ash Morgan has partnered the mare on six occasions to date and the results are shared, winning three and finishing second in just as many as he is legged aboard here again. Three starts on the Randwick track have all resulted in runner-up finishes and perfectly drawn in gate five, she maps to settle better than mid-field with cover. She beat all but (race-favourite) Akasawa home in the C’ship Qualifier at Tamworth two starts back and has drawn far better than the Paul Messara-trained galloper for this contest. Dropping 5kgs from that last-start win and with a trouble-free run here, she could give this a real shake at odds.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 8: No.10 LION’S ROAR ($16 a ‘Place’ with Palmerbet)
With only two horses (currently) under double-figures in a 20-strong field, we are venturing outside of our comfort zone for this year’s Doncaster and focussing on a runner who is showing $16 for a place and looks a good chance of making the podium here. The John O’Shea-trained LION’S ROAR is second-up and ticks enough boxes to get just a little excited about a top-three finish. Last start, the Contributor gelding resumed off a three-month break when he finished unplaced in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m). Beaten just 2.5 lengths on the line, he ran his 600m, 9.2 lengths quicker than benchmark, just 2 lengths slower than Fangirl (who ran second in that race, behind Anamoe). The five-year-old is already a two-time winner when second-up and is a winner here over the mile (taking out last year’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas). He has drawn rather wide but if Craig Newitt can get him across and settled early, a clear run to the line could see him challenge for a spot on the podium at big odds. Certainly well worth a Place ticket.