Cranbourne Racing Tips: Friday, January 8th

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

The first race and therefore the first maiden of the evening. We have seven runners taking on the 1000 metres dash—tonight the rail is true. This is a hard race to line-up, and I am not overly keen to get heavily involved. That said, the top weight (1) Aminatu came second at Mornington over 1000 metres and looks to have every chance to go one better. Damian Thornton stays in the saddle tonight.

The query runner for me is (4) Estoril Park who comes in as favourite. She wasn’t super impressive in her only run last preparation, coming fifth from six runners. The winner was Ilovethegame, who looked to have potential, but hasn’t really gone on with it. The interest in the market is thanks to a solid jumpout where she won well. If she repeats that performance she is going to be tough to beat.

Outside the top two, (2) Belsielle is the one at odds.

Tip: (1) Aminatu $3.30 Sportsbet

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:01pm (AEDT)

We jump into a maiden over 1600 metres, where the short priced favourite (8) Manasa looks to be under the odds. Admittedly it is a pretty thin field, but it is a tougher race than what the $2.00 suggests. I am not keen to get overly involved, but she remains the top selection based on her two previous starts. Her latest, over 1300 metres at Geelong, she managed to arrive second after dropping back to tenth in the run. He closing efforts suggests that the rise in distance suits.

The other one that interests me is (6) Quarterback Zac. His latest run on Heavy was pretty average, but the start prior at Pakenham on Soft had merit. Another backmarker who will be looking to close late.

Also need to include (5) Pepper’s Ghost.

Tip: (8) Manasa $2.00 TAB

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

Twelve runners in this affair, and I am pretty keen on the chances of (1) Bottmingen after a second place to Miss Albania two starts back. That was full of merit considering the level Miss Albania has now gone to. On paper there is a query about his last start at Moonee Valley, where he came seventh behind Sayumi, but he did have some excuses. He jumped at the back and ran into trouble—but his overall finishing 200 metres was solid without being pushed too hard. Michael Dee should find an okay spot towards the outside in running.

(2) Dunvegan looks to be the danger after a nice second place last start, and with the in-form Damian Lane on board, you need to include him into everything. The gate is the query. Next best is (11) Glamdam.

Tip: (1) Bottmingen $2.55 Sportsbetting

Odds Last Updated: February 13, 2021, 2:16am (AEDT)

The Chris Waller stable puts Michael Walker on (14) Suppression after a first-up second place in a Geelong maiden. That day he came from eighth at the 400 metres to arrive second by less than a length. It was a solid effort and he was paying around $26. Today we are getting around $12 which is a nice each-way bet. Best value runner of the day.

(4) Knife’s Edge is the danger but under the odds, while (10) Bring It Bella can improve again, as can (2) Buble Boy.

Tip: (14) Suppression $12.00 Unibet

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

The first of the bm64 grade races and a pretty handy field are meeting over 1300 metres. (4) He’s A Balter has come second and fourth at this track his last two starts. The latter was behind (8) Fixated who won that race immediately after a maiden victory, only to disappoint at Moonee Valley the next start. It’s tough to split the two of them with He’s A Balter now 13 starts for 2 wins and 3 places, and Fixated 11 starts for 2 wins and 5 places. Fixated gets the better draw and Damian Lane so he looks to be the one for me.

The other interesting runners are (1) Confidant who has already raced in a higher grade, and (6) Zakurak who is unlucky not to have won at this level. Zakurak has another win in him and at the higher odds he is worth a saver.

Tip: (8) Fixated $4.40 Bet365

Also backing: (6) Zakurak $6.50 Bet365

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

Another handy bm64 here with (4) Huffington the understandable favourite after a quality win last start in a bm58 over 100o metres at Bairnsdale. She has 2 wins from 3 starts, and gets the claim of Alexandra Bryan. Both wins have been on Soft going. It looks like it’ll be a blistering pace with all but one runner likely to compete for early dominance.

The one drawn on the inside lane is (9) Backpedal and that will be a clear advantage. Backpedal is back after some set-backs, but previously raced in Group 3 company against the likes of Loving Gaby—not a bad form reference. She had a recent jumpout and demonstrated that early quality winning with some style. At the better odds, the better gate, and with the services of John Allen, she should be winning this if anywhere near her best form.

Don’t mind (8) Yankee Lou at odds to fill the minors.

Tip: (9) Backpedal $3.60 PlayUp

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

The stayers race tonight takes place over 3000 metres. And this is a tough one to figure out. (7) Miss Five Hundred has been racing well without winning, but she is starting to get costly after a couple of disappointing results. She can turn it around here, although her best efforts are on Good tracks. If the track condition remains in the Soft 5 or better range, happy to chance her one more time. Jye McNeil is back in the hot-seat, and the 56kgs comes into play over the 3km.

(4) Fields Of Light has every chance to get another win, with his last start second over 2630 metres a good indication the distance won’t be an issue. (5) Heartland Raider next best.

Tip: (7) Miss Five Hundred $4.20 TAB

Odds Last Updated: January 9, 2021, 12:52am (AEDT)

This is a tough way to end the night. (9) Breeze ‘n’ Luna holds favouritism after a nice maiden win first-up. Clearly plenty feel she can go on with it. The Damian Lane and Danny O’Brien combination is one to be wary of, and another reason the price may be a touch unders. She obviously steps up in grade and distance, so I am willing to take her on.

John Allen takes the ride on (5) Angel Rock for the Dabernig/Hayes stable following a fifth at Mornington last start over 1500 metres. She did come in behind Be Amazing who looks above average. The start prior she ran well winning a bm58 grade, where she closed out nicely to score the prize. I am happy to forgive the last start, and at the $11.50 she looks a nice each-way option.

Tip: (5) Angel Rock $11.50 (each-way) Betfair