Taree Preview May 22 – Monday Best Bets & Tips

Taree Tips 22/05/2023

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 4:  No.3  LION CLASS  ($3.60 with Ladbrokes)

Local galloper LION CLASS is second-up today and boasting a glowing resume, looks poised for back-to-back victories here. Last start, the Pluck gelding resumed from a six-month absence and having his first start for Glen Milligan when he carved-up a Class 1 Hcp, here over 1000m. With Zac Wadick aboard, he settled mid-field (three-wide) but had plenty in reserve as he took over halfway down the straight and went on to win by 1.5 lengths on the line. He ran his last 600m, 6.5 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best in this field by 6 lengths. He also posted the fastest final 600m, 400m and 200m sectionals for the race. Unbeaten in two starts at the track and trip and already a winner when second-up, Looker sticks with him here and together, they can make it two-straight today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.2  GOLD MERCHANT  ($3.55 with BoomBet)

Port Macquarie galloper GOLD MERCHANT sees the Taree track for the first time today and second-up here looks a serious contender for the main prize. Last start, the Merchant Navy gelding was fresh off a 10-week break when he came from behind to claim victory in a Class 1/Maiden over 1613m at Coffs Harbour. He settled last, eight lengths off the speed and sticking to the fence, he finished best to get the bob-in on the line. He ran the final 600m, 1 length quicker than benchmark, the best last-start effort here. He also recorded the fastest final 800m to 200m sectionals the race. Ben Looker rode him a treat that day and sticks with him here. This looks no harder and fitter for that first-up win, he should take beating again.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.3  POET’S PERFORMER  ($6.30 with BoomBet)

Locally-trained by Steven Brown, POET’S PERFORMER is second-up today but shoots for the hat-trick here and looks well placed to pull it off. Last start, the Poet’s Voice mare resumed from a lengthy 22-week spell when she led from barrier to box in a BM58 Hcp over 1213m at Coffs Harbour. On a Soft 7 that day, she showed plenty of fight to hold off the challenges and cross the line in first place with Zac Wadick in the saddle. Wadick sticks with her today where she has drawn wide (10) but has the early gate speed to cross and settle near the speed. She boasts a strong second-up record, with a win and two minor placings from three previous appearances and a trouble-free run here sees her figure in the finish today.