We have studied the form from all races across the country for Thursday, January 26, and provided our best horse racing tips.
Whilst just about everything else has been cancelled on Australia Day, there is no rest for us wicked folks in the racing industry with some quality racing set to go ahead around the country.
Ask any track work rider who has been legged on whilst most are up opening their presents on Christmas Day, or a box boy who’s has seen his sweat drip out on the shavings as he squeegeed his New Year revelry from his brow at 4am on Jan 1 and they’ll tell you the horses definitely don’t know what the date is.
We don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the fun police here at The Racing Sharks which means we’ve got you covered across the country on what is for now, still our national day.
Quality meetings with stakes racing at Warwick Farm and Sandown, highlighted by the Group 3 Blue Diamond previews for the 2YO’s.
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 Thursday, January 26.
Warwick Farm, Race 1 – 1. Shalatin ($4.40)
Best maiden in the country?
Maybe at the start of the campaign but his claims to the most unwanted title in racing certainly are waning.
That said, I think the stable has made a few blues with him this time in.
They took the blinkers off first up and that was his best run. I thought they went too early there and then it was just a case of his condition giving out, but then they panicked and threw the shades on second up.
Looked like he was going to cruise to victory at the 100m 2nd up, but appeared as though he wanted to have a look out of the blinkers and lost focus when the leader rallied back and eventually knocked him off. He was also up in trip, and covered ground early. So you could find excuses for his defeat.
Then 3rd up, it was simply a poor decision to go forward on him at Newcastle by Glyn Schofield who doesn’t get many good rides in town these days, for good reason.
Collet rides here, from a slightly sticky draw so I’m hoping they elect to go back and have one good crack at them over the 1100m. Think that is his go. He is on his home track, and should be hard fit. Shades come off after two short price failures in them.
Think Australia Day is his day.
The Shark’s Tip
1. Shalatin ($4.40)
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Warwick Farm, Race 2 – 11. Venelope ($8.50/$2.80)
A bit like Shalatin, there’s a few in this that are overdue.
I’m still dark on the stewards after taking the race away from Mr Wallace two back. He was sound again in the big maiden at the Gold Coast where he was boxing on late but it has me stumped why the Godolphin team are persevering with him at 1400m, when he is by Medaglia D’Oro out of a mare that won a George Main and a Doomben Cup.
I thought the push for The Englishman has been overstated in each of his runs and I’d be more inclined to back Gago here who came out of the same race and was equally as good when debuting.
But we are going to go for one at wider odds as our ‘Best Roughie” of the day play.
This Kingman filly from the Maher and Eustace team was eye-catching when she scrambled around the bend at the tight Gosford circuit. She gave every indication that day that she was looking for 1400m the way she motored home once balanced up.
Cops a draw that forces her to be negative early which suits, especially on the bigger track, and Avdulla replaces L Day.
A lot to like, including the price.
The Shark’s Tip
11. Venelope ($8.50/$2.80)
Beaudesert, Race 1 – 6. The Wolverine ($2.70)
I’m a long way from Beaudesert as I type this, but I’m fairly certain that “ride it like you stole it” will be the instructions from John Smerdon in the mounting yard at Beauy.
Mid race tactical speed is always the key at this track, particularly once you start edging out to a mile and a half.
This horse has shown that his past two when he has chased home strongly over slightly shorter courses.
If he can replicate that here with the extra trip and the senior rider taking over, he should have this won by the corner.
Looks a good thing.
The Shark’s Tip
6. The Wolverine ($2.70)
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Beaudesert, Race 6 – 4. Cranky Harry ($3.90)
Thin maiden race and was quite impressed by the way this first starter sprinted home at his most recent trial.
Former Maher and Eustace Sydney stable foreman, Jack Bruce has been quite so far in the new year after hitting a hot streak in late December, but I think this galloper can get him back to the winners stalls.
Possesses early speed which should see him camp outside the leader, and has shown he can quicken off a tempo in his trials.
Might have a better future than most of his rivals.
The Shark’s Tip
4. Cranky Harry ($3.90)
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Sandown, Race 7 – 1. Jacquinot ($1.90)
It might be the 26th of January, but Christmas has arrived early folks.
I doubt you’ll see a better bet than this all year.
The Golden Rose winner is a superstar, and they have found the perfect put in, take out race for him first up.
Top weights have an enormous record in set weights and penalties races. Especially those that have been beaten a length and a half in an Everest and have won two recent jump outs.
This entire dug deep to win the Golden Rose and perhaps that took a toll on him. But he then raced admirably in The Everest, and then probably should have been in the paddock when they elected to send him around down the straight in the Coolmore 3YO race.
The greed they displayed there is about the only thing that could cost him this race.
But a good draw, straight to 1300m, big track, D Lane, good jump outs. I’m prepared to say you could run this race 100 times, and this horse would win at least 99 of them.
Best of the day. Best of the new year.
The Shark’s Tip
1. Jacquinot ($1.90)
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Best Bet – 1. Jacquinot (Sandown, Race 7)
Next Best – 6. The Wolverine (Beaudesert, Race 1)
Best Roughie – 11. Venelope (Warwick Farm, Race 2)
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Dabble.
