Alice Springs race-by-race tips & value bets | Friday 26/8/2022

August 25, 2022 5:04 pm.

Alice Springs preview

What	Alice Springs Races
Where	Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870
When	Friday, August 26, 2022
First Race	2:55pm ACST
Visit Ladbrokes

Alice Springs Turf Club will host a five-race card on Friday, August 26. Northern Territory specialist David White brings you his race-by-race betting preview along with free tips and the best odds available. First race is set to commence 2:55pm local time.

Race 1 (2.55pm) – $17,500 Cummins Euro VI, Ready When You Are 0-54 Handicap (1200m)

Future Dreams had not finished out of a place in his past five starts before a last start fourth over 1200m (0-54) on August 6. It was a disappointing result for the 7YO gelding and although he has since parted ways with the Terry and Leanne Gillett stable is worthy of another chance despite being handed a hefty impost. Future Dreams has been placed 10 times in 19 starts in the Red Centre and the last of his three wins occurred on July 17 over 1200m (0-58). Sweet As Scandi boasts two wins and two thirds in his last five starts and despite jumping from gate 8 has the benefit of a 3kg claim. Kyd Rock has a fabulous record at Pioneer Park (26-7-4-5) and always seems to run well first up after a break. The form of Harbour Express and Debbonaire Boy has certainly fluctuated in recent times, but on their day both can find that special something and therefore cannot be discounted. Hard to see any others making an impact.

Best Bet

Race 1 – #1 Future Dreams (1)

7yo Gelding | T: Leah Walling-Denton | J: Paul Denton (60kg)

$4.50 with Bet365

Race 2 (3.35pm) – $18,500 Cummins X15 0-64 Handicap (1100m)

White Kaps has had 15 starts in Alice Springs and rarely runs a bad race. You can count the amount of times the 8YO gelding hasn’t finished in the top five on one hand. White Kaps in fact won his first race in the Red Centre following his arrival from South Australia when he won over 1100m (0-64) in October 2020. In the past 13 months, he has basically flopped on just one occasion when he finished 11th over 1000m (0-62) on April 9. Two thirds in May over 1000m (0-58) and 1100m (0-54) were followed by back to back wins over 1000m (0-58) on June 5 and 1100m (0-64) three weeks ago. Like A Heartbeat’s form has been erratic without being disastrous, but he has gone five races without a win after saluting over 1000m (0-70) on June 5 and is backing up from Saturday. Radio Room is also backing from the weekend after coming fourth over 1400m (0-70) and isn’t out of it, but could find the trip a little on the short side. The Amazing Tahlia could perhaps provide the knockout punch despite only racing twice this year.

Best Bet

Race 2 – #2 White Kaps (6)

8yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Jessie Philpot (59.5kg)

$3.30 with Neds

Race 3 (4.10pm) – $22,000 Cummins Cup (1400m)

Star Of Monsoon is no spring chicken, but in the past two years he has made a name for himself in the NT by forging a respectable CV. The 9YO gelding from SA, who has had 66 career starts for seven wins and 26 minor placings, had seven starts in Alice Springs, Darwin and Adelaide River in 2021 and finished in the top four on six occasions – including a win over 1200m (0-70) in the Red Centre. On his second trip north Star Of Monsoon posted a fifth (March) and a ninth (April) in the Alice before exploding back in the Top End. In four starts he managed a win and three seconds before a last start win over 1600m (0-66) on July 30. The handy Fantasy Eagle finally tasted victory in the NT when he won over 1400m (0-70) on Saturday and even though he has a 3kg claim backing up six days later won’t be easy. The ever reliable Mathematics won over 1400m (0-70) two starts ago and is in the mix. Zelring has won three of his past four starts and is certainly a major contender. That’s Justified is a quality horse, but even with a 4kg claim will lump 62.5kg. Exonerate is renowned for springing the upset, but backs up from Saturday.

Best Bet

Race 3 – #4 Star Of Monsoon (4)

9yo Gelding | T: John Peacock | J: Adam Nicholls (57.5kg)

$4.40 with Betfair

Race 4 (4.40pm) – $17,500 Cummins 1300 Maiden Plate (1400m)

Tycoons Dior is not only best horse in the race, but she is also the only horse in the eight-horse field who has finished among the place-getters over 1400m. It would border on a monumental upset if the 6YO mare, who was quoted as a $1.20 chance during the week, finally didn’t taste victory in her ninth career start. Tycoons Dior has finished second on three occasions, third on four occasions and fourth on the one occasion, so surely the stars will align and the daughter of Equiano will finally enter the winner’s circle.
She was third in a 1400m maiden on June 19 before contesting two 1200m maidens on July 17 (third) and August 6 (second). Without being vindictive, it’s hard to settle on a rival capable of upsetting Tycoons Dior. Perhaps it’s Toguchi, who had been going through the motions before a last start fourth in that 1200m maiden on August 6. Mi Mijo, Abreha and Counterinteligence are arguably the best of the rest.

Best Bet

Race 4 – #7 Tycoons Dior (5)

6yo Mare | T: Rene Taylor | J: Casey Hunter (57kg)

$1.90 with Unibet

Race 5 (5.10pm) – $40,000 Ladbrokes Winter Series Final 0-66 Handicap (1200m)

Sedona had a pretty rough start to his Alice Springs when he arrived from Darwin via Katherine and Cloncurry, but since then he hasn’t missed a beat. The 6YO gelding, who was highly competitive in the Top End throughout 2021, finally clicked into gear in the Red Centre in April with a second (1100m) and a first (1200m) at 0-58 level. A second over 1450m (0-64) at Tennant Creek was followed by a win over 1100m (0-64) on June 19, a fourth over 1200m (0-69) and a last start win over 1200m (0-64) on July 24. Sedona has since left the Phil Cole stable, but if he brings his best to the table he will take some stopping. In what should prove to be a highly competitive race the likes of Intercontinental, Liberty Blue, Bartolini, Me Cabo and Travanti are all last start winners. Intercontinental and Liberty Blue are backing up from Saturday, but they could not have been more impressive. Me Cabo and Travanti have had three weeks to prepare for the race, while Bartolini has been cooling his heels for the past month after winning three straight. Colhoun hadn’t done much wrong since March before losing his way in his last two appearances.