Taree Preview & Best Bets – 20/05/2024

Taree Tips for Monday, May 20

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.8  OPUS

The Kristen Buchanan-trained OPUS is second-up today and with all boxes ticked, looks a genuine contender in this contest. Last start, the Exosphere gelding resumed off a 12-week spell when he finished unplaced in a BM58, here over 1412m. On a Heavy 10, he missed the start that day and on fresh legs, was unable to make up the ground in the run home. Up to the mile today, he has Lee Magorrian remaining in the saddle and already a winner in heavy going, conditions today look ideal for him. He has drawn wide but will get back anyway and should be doing his best work late. He is a second-up winner and saluted at his only attempt over the track and distance. Too many positives to ignore here. He looks the goods.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.7  WILDERNESS STAR  

Annette Lee saddles-up WILDERNESS STAR here who is in top-shelf form of late and ticks enough boxes here to suggest she will be there at the finish today. Last start, the Stratum Star mare was shooting for the hat-trick but found one better on the day, finishing second in a Class 3 Hcp, here over the mile trip. Kacie Adams had her 17th ride on the mare that day and almost led from barrier to box. The mare’s first exposure to heavy tracks was two starts back where she destroyed a BM50 field, winning that mile event by more than six lengths on a Heavy 9 on this track. Dropping back to the 1400m today could be a blessing in disguise as she will no doubt try to lead all the way again. She has the runs on the board to be respected in this contest and looks good value today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.3  ROBARGE

Tuncurry galloper ROBARGE sports a solid record on the Taree track and looks all set to bring up the hat-trick today. Last start, the Highly Recommended mare came off a good win in BM58 company, here over 1000m when she franked that effort by beating home a similar field on her home track over 1005m. Both victories were scored on heavy tracks with Jeff Kehoe in saddle. It’s a déjà vu situation here as the six-year-old tackles the same company today. She boasts two wins and a minor placing from four starts in the heavy going and is a two-time winner at the track and distance as well. The bagmen are being a little generous with the odds (currently) on offer and she looks well worth an each-way ticket today.