Stawell Preview & Best Bets – 05/01/2024

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

Stawell Tips 05/01/2024

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 7 No. 2 EMPRESSIVE ENUFF- ($5.10) 

Sticking with EMPRESSIVE ENUFF in Race 7. The five-year-old did the job for us at Flemington on December 20 at a nice price down the straight, edging out Chester Warrior in an interesting finish. He had a tough run prior to that at Sandown but placed in two earlier runs. The Dean Binaisse-trained galloper gets to the 1300m but gives the impression that the slight step up should suit after reeling off the fastest late splits last time. Jack Hill rides and the pair draw perfectly in barrier 3. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 3 No. 13  I’M EXONERATED-  ($4.60) 

Hoping the first emergency, I’M EXONERATED, can sneak into the field for Race 1. The Henry Dwyer-trained galloper has had just the one career start and was fair when sticking on for 5th behind Vienna Lights at Geelong on December 15 over the 1321m. He was eased back early on in that race then was held up as they cornered. Our Couver was 4th in that race and has since come out and claimed its maiden at Mornington. The son of Turn Me Loose draws barrier 1 for this assignment and will be ridden by Jack Hill, who provides a 24% profit on turnover when combining with the stable. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 4 No. 1 AMENOPHIS- ($2.45) 

AMENOPHIS can be an improver when he steps out in Race 4. The four-year-old resumed at Kyneton on December 23 and was posted three wide without cover throughout the 1454m journey before sticking on for 5th, beaten just over a length. His only win came second up, while at his only other run at this stage, the son of American Pharaoh was a big improver on benchmark figures when 5th in a much stronger race than this at Morphettville over the 1600m, which came at his last preparation.