Walcha Preview & Best Bets – 9/02/2024

Walcha Tips for Friday, February 9

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 4:  No.10  OMIANS 

The Scott Singleton-trained OMIANS is second-up today and looks well placed here to claim the major prize in this contest. Last start, the Odyssey Moon mare resumed off a 20-week absence and wasn’t disgraced when finishing fourth in a BM58 over 1400m at Tamworth. She settled second-last of the pack and ran home strongly, denied by less than a length on the line. The step-up in distance today looks ideal as she sees the Walcha track for the first time. The four-year-old is nicely drawn in gate three where she will do no early work. Already a winner when second-up, a clear run home should see her finishing strongly today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.8  STARLINK

Clint Lundholm saddles-up STARLINK for this year’s Cup and after three starts back, she looks a major player here at big odds. Last start, the Star Witness mare was third-up and ready to rock and was sent out an $8 chance when she easily accounted for them in a BM66 over 1400m at Armidale. Faced with a Heavy 10 that day and jumping from the outside gate (11), she came from back in the field and ploughed through the mud to cross the line more than a length in front of them. Ron Simpson boasts a strong record with her, having six previous rides and saluting three times now. The five-year-old has enjoyed a perfect preparation for this and on form, she looks overs here and is worth an each-way ticket in the big event.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 3:  No.11  SERIFICE 

Muswellbrook visitor SERIFICE is in top-shelf form this time in and has conditions to suit here that put her in with a big chance of winning this contest at odds today. Last start, the Denman mare finally broke through for her maiden win after 27 attempts and did it by leading from barrier to box. She drew wide in gate nine but found the front soon after jumping and from there, just dictated terms and never looked like being run down in the 1100m event at Armidale. She is up to Class 1 level today and has a new pilot with Ron Simpson up for the job. The five-year-old has the opportunity to take control early today after drawing gate one and if left alone, she could very well repeat the dose here and go back-to-back. Currently at double-figure odds, she is well worth an each-way ticket.