Randwick Preview & Best Bets – 23/08/2023

Randwick Tips for Wednesday, August 23

Our form expert provides Randwick tips for today’s horse racing on the Kensington course and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.4  AMOR VICTORIOUS  ($2 with Picklebet)

The Bjorn Baker-trained AMOR VICTORIOUS is in top-shelf form this time in and looks the one to beat in this contest. Last start, the American sired gelding was third-up when he recorded his second career win, taking out a BM78 Hcp over 1500m at Rosehill. He settled outside the leader, then took over inside the final 300m and went on to win by more than a length on the line. He carries more weight today but is dropping in grade and has James McDonald (J.Mac) joining him for the first time. Ideally drawn in gate two and at his peak here, he will take a power of beating.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.2  STROMBUS  ($3.40 with Bet Right)

The John O’Shea-trained STROMBUS is in career-best form this time in and ticks enough boxes here to be considered a genuine contender for the major prize here. Last start, the Irish-bred galloper came off an impressive win on this track when he wasn’t disgraced, finishing fourth against harder opposition in a BM78 Hcp over 1300m on Randwick’s main track. He drew the outside gate (12) that day and was four-wide without cover most of the way, beaten just over a length on the line. Today, he drops back in grade and has J.Mac returning for his second ride on the five-year-old. From gate three, he maps to settle better than mid-field (with cover this time) and already a two-time winner at the track and distance, he looks the testing material in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.2  SHINES  ($6.60 with BoomBet)

Team Hawkes saddle-up SHINES here who has won two of his past four starts and looks a genuine threat to victory in this contest. Last start, the Dream Ahead gelding finished too strong for them in a BM72 over 1250m at Canterbury. Jason Collett gave him the run of the race (one out, one back) and simply had too many guns for them in the end, bringing up his second win over the distance. Collett sticks with him today and with a trouble-free run here, he should be there at the finish again.