Taree Preview & Best Bets – 18/08/2023

Taree Tips for Friday, August 18

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2:  No.3  DON’TCHA THINK  ($1.90 with bet365)

The Stephen Jones-trained DON’TCHA THINK is in great touch this time in and looks well placed here for ring-up win number two today. Last start, the So You Think gelding bounced back from an unplaced effort at Tamworth (on a Heavy 10 ) to beat all but one home in a Class 1 Hcp over 1000m at Muswellbrook. With Aaron Bullock aboard, he was trapped three-wide without cover most of the way and did well to get within a long neck of the winner that day. With the overnight scratching of pre-post favourite Coco Dreaming, this leaves the door open for him to take advantage of that and after three runs back, he should be at his peak today and will take beating here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4:  No.3  STRATUM CHIEF  ($2.25 with BoomBet)

Locally-trained by Glen Milligan, STRATUM CHIEF has hit top-shelf form after a poor first-up run and looks the one to beat here. Last start, the Stratum Star gelding was shooting for the hat-trick when he came up a touch short, beating all but one home in a BM58, here over 1400m. Trying to lead all the way, he fought like a caged tiger but was edged out on the line, going down by a neck in the end. After the claim, he carries 56.5kgs today, 3.5kgs less than last start and draws much better here in gate four. Already a winner at Class 2 level (here, two starts back), he will take catching today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.3  ROYAL CHARGE  ($7.50 with Palmerbet)

Scone galloper, ROYAL CHARGE, has finished runner-up three times in his six visits to the Taree track and looks every chance of breaking that hoodoo today. Last start, the Charge Forward gelding came off four unplaced runs and surprised punters by taking out the Bengalla Cup over 1280m at Muswellbrook. Box-seating most of the way, he came off heels to finish best (as a $14 chance) and arrive in time to collect the winner’s purse. Grant Buckley has the reins today and from gate seven, he maps to settle better than mid-field with cover. Already a winner over the 1400m journey, he looks in the mix here at odds.