Tuncurry Preview & Best Bets – 29/01/2024

Tuncurry Tips for Monday, January 29

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.2  SHIGERU  

The Jason Damer-trained SHIGERU is in good touch this time in and looks set for a change of luck today. Last start, the Kobayashi gelding was second-up at Wyong where he found the podium again, finishing third in a Wyong Maiden over 1200m with Ash Morgan aboard. Drawn better here in gate three, he maps to settle near the speed and has Morgan steering the ship again. Fitter for two runs back, a trouble-free run should see him hard to beat today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.11  IMAGE OF THE SUN

The Scone-based IMAGE OF THE SUN is in great shape after just two career starts and looks well placed here for back-to-back wins today. Last start, the three-year-old improved enough from her minor placing on debut to clobber her rivals in a 1450m Maiden at Muswellbrook. With Grant Buckley aboard, she jumped from the outside gate (9) and was trapped three-wide (with cover) but still finished too strong for them, crossing the line two lengths ahead of the rest. Buckley sticks with her here as she draws a better gate and maps to settle mid-field with cover. Fitter for two runs now, she will take beating here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.15  DARK VADOR  

Down in the weights today, the Matthew Smith-trained DARK VADOR is yet to miss a podium finish after four starts back and looks well placed here to ring-up his second victory in this contest. Last start, Jean Van Overmeire pushed forward and had the Invader gelding leading on settling. He found plenty in the run home but the 59.5kgs took its toll as he was run down by two swoopers in closing stages, leaving him with third prize in a Class 1 Hcp over 1300m at Canberra. Rock-hard fit today with four runs behind him now, Ash Morgan returns for the ride after steering him to his only victory to date, and on this track as well. He has been a model of consistency with a resume that reads 12 starts for a win and no less than seven minor money finishes. Dropping 2.5kgs today, he looks a solid investment for this event.