We have studied the form from all races across the country for Saturday, December 18th, and provided our best horse racing tips.
Whilst plenty of us are winding down heading into Christmas, the racing action, much like the weather, continues to heat up around the country.
Summer looks to have finally arrived for the final Saturday before Christmas which means we will get to see some tracks rated in the ‘Good’ range and the field sizes stand up. This means we will be betting with plenty of confidence and hopefully lining our Christmas stockings this week.
We have made five selections in total and are confident that we have found you some winners! So, read on below to find our best horse racing tips for this Saturday, December 18th.
Royal Randwick, Race 1 – 2. Himalaism ($4.20)
They don’t come with a much better 2yo pedigree than this I Am Invincible/Snitzerland Colt. Out of a champion stallion who has sired a 2yo Magic Millions winner, by a dam who ran second to Pierro in a Golden Slipper and won a Group 1 Lightning stakes. We think trainer Chris Waller might have been keeping this one under wraps in its two trials to date.
He wasn’t ridden out late when he loomed like he was going to go straight past them in his debut trial, and then was buried away third the fence and not asked to do much in his latest trial. Both of those hitouts have been over 900m but he looks to have had plenty in store when crossing the line and given the grounding they get in this barn, we are confident the 1200 will pose no issues. Looks a very nice horse who can get the punters off to a flying start.
Flemington, Race 2 – 2. Squid Game ($2.60)
This 3yo Shooting to Win gelding did everything right on debut when he crossed from a wide draw and camped outside the leader, Ridden out hands and heels by Michael Dee to score comfortably and he backs up again for the ride Saturday.
Stays at the 1200m and looks to be suited by the long run home at Flemington. There was solid support for him on debut where he didn’t let punters down and we expect the same from him again here.
Flemington, Race 4 – 7. Rose Quartz ($5.00)
This well bred, lightly raced daughter of Written Tycoon is handled by master conditioner Grahame Begg who has plenty of pedigree of his own when it comes to dealing with horses of the fairer sex. We really liked her will to win in her most recent run over the 1140m at Geelong where she knuckled down strongly and savaged the line late.
The step to 1200m and the vast expanses of Flemington looks an ideal place for her to kick off her foray into metropolitan racing. She was well supported at her latest win and we expect those punters to back up here so grab the good odds whilst they are on offer.
Happy that “Live In Hope’ broke her maiden status today at Kyneton. Great ride by @JChilds47 pic.twitter.com/XhRQdrLSB9
— Grahame Begg Racing (@Grahame_Begg) December 16, 2021
Royal Randwick, Race 5 – 1. Mubariz ($11/$3.10)
Really liked the way he found the line first up, but was given absolutely no peace by Tom Sherry last week when he was niggled the whole way and asked to do plenty of work in the run.
He boxed on steadily enough to hold down fourth there and we really like the idea of him backing up here and getting to 2000m, and hopefully apprentice Sherry is all the better for the experience and I think we take it as a positive that Waller has decided to stick with him.
He’s a European breed whose best performances have been around this middle distance trip and he’s adept on all going. Worth an each way ticket at double figure odds.
Royal Randwick, Race 8 – 2. Purple Sector ($8.00/$2.45)
He’s never won below 1500m, never won first up, he’s drawn the outside gate, and he’s certainly never been one of my horses but we think it is very hard to go past him on his recent trial especially given his quality when lined up against this opposition. Half the field are resuming here and his second trial was the most eye-catching of those lot and at close to double figure odds, we think he represents a solid each way betting choice.
He defies his breeding, being by wet track sire Pins, with all his victories coming on a good track which we are sure to get with temperatures ticking into the 30’s on Saturday at Randwick. Rawiller rode him in the trial but with him unavailable you get the next best thing in Hugh Bowman. We can’t see him not running top three against this lot.
Best Bet – 4. Rose Quartz (Flemington, Race 7)
Next Best – 2. Purple Sector (Randwick, Race 8)
Best Roughie – 1. Mubariz (Randwick, Race 5)
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Sportsbet.